Alternative
Best Meltwater Alternatives: Top Media Monitoring Tools for 2024
Article written by Kate William
Content Marketer at SurveySparrow
11 min read
29 May 2024


Alternative
Article written by Kate William
Content Marketer at SurveySparrow
11 min read
29 May 2024


Meltwater is a popular media monitoring tool. But according to our research, it can be expensive, and may not be the best fit for all businesses. So any Meltwater alternatives that you consider must let you monitor and analyze media coverage thoroughly – within budget.
Are there tools out there that are better (and ideally cheaper) than Meltwater? Let’s find out!
But first, what are challenges are the most likely to make you want to switch from Meltwater?
Meltwater’s pricing model has been a source of frustration for some users. Many users have reported a lack of transparency in pricing. It’s highly custom, and difficult to determine without a sales call or demo – with estimates ranging from $8,000 to $25,000 annually.
The Meltwater platform is often described as overly complex, with a steep learning curve. This can hinder user adoption and productivity, especially for those without much experience in media monitoring.
Some Meltwater users have reported issues with the responsiveness and quality of customer support. This is a make-or-break factor when navigating the platform’s complexities or troubleshooting any challenges.
The media landscape continues to evolve, with the rise of social media, blogs, and other non-traditional channels. As a result some users have expressed a need for media monitoring tools that can provide coverage beyond traditional news sources.
Next, we will explore the top Meltwater alternatives, evaluating their features and capabilities to help you identify the best fit for your organization.
| Feature | Statusbrew | SurveySparrow | Cision | Mention | Brand24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Focus | Social media management with media monitoring | Stripped-down reputation management and customer feedback | Media monitoring and earned media management | Media monitoring and social listening | Social listening and media monitoring |
| Strengths | Unified social media dashboard, team collaboration, competitor analysis | User-friendly survey creation, customizable surveys, online review management, ticketing | Powerful media monitoring, comprehensive reporting, global coverage | Real-time alerts, multilingual support, influencer identification | Advanced social listening, sentiment analysis, brand reputation tracking |
| Cons | Less comprehensive media monitoring compared to dedicated tools | Not designed for comprehensive media monitoring | Expensive, complex interface | Limited social media management features | Lacks some advanced features like competitor analysis |
| Ideal for | Businesses managing multiple social media channels | Creating surveys for customer feedback, market research, and lead generation | Large enterprises or PR agencies needing in-depth media monitoring | Businesses seeking real-time brand mentions and social media engagement | Businesses focused on social listening, brand sentiment analysis, and reputation management |

Statusbrew is a leading Meltwater alternative for businesses that require a unified social media management platform.
Unlike Meltwater, Statusbrew focuses on affordability and ease of use. This platform is ideal for managing brand presence, engaging with followers, and gaining insights to optimize social media marketing.
Pricing: Statusbrew’s pricing is transparent, with no hidden charges or fluctuating costs. Their paid plans start at $69.00/month, and all of them come with a free trial.

Cision is a comprehensive PR platform that’s also a robust Meltwater alternative. It’s a great option for businesses that need a powerful and all-in-one media monitoring solution.
The platform maximizes journalist reach, and offers businesses the largest media database on the market to secure media coverage.
Pricing: Contact their team to get a quote.

Mention is a social media monitoring tool that’s a strong alternative to Meltwater. This platform excels in tracking brand mentions, sentiment analysis, and social media engagement across various channels.
Overall, Mention is a solid alternative for businesses seeking a user-friendly and affordable solution.
Pricing: Mention offers competitive pricing compared to Meltwater, with monthly plans starting at $29.

Brand24 is a social intelligence platform that helps businesses understand what people are saying about their brand online. It offers a variety of features – including social listening, sentiment analysis, influencer identification, and competitive benchmarking.
The platform’s AI-powered features and filtering options make it a solid Meltwater alternative.
Pricing:
Brand24’s pricing starts at $99 per month (or $79 per month when billed annually).

SurveySparrow is not a direct media monitoring tool like Meltwater. But it’s a cost-effective option if you’re looking at a specific aspect of reputation management: gathering and responding to customer feedback.
Its reputation management solution comes with features like advanced analytics, automation, customization, and integration capabilities. Its affordability and customization options also make it a good fit for businesses on a budget.
Pricing:
SurveySparrow offers a range of plans starting at $19 per month (billed annually) for its reputation management tools.
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In addition to the Meltwater above alternatives, businesses may also consider exploring options such as Awario, Prezly, and Talkwalker.
These platforms offer unique features and capabilities that better align with certain organizations’ needs.
When considering Meltwater alternatives, look for tools that provide:
Affordability is a significant factor when evaluating Meltwater alternatives. Compare pricing plans, subscription models, and additional costs for extra features or users.
Additionally, consider your budget, and the value provided by each tool in terms of features, data coverage, and analytics. Finally, look for transparent pricing and scalability to ensure the tool meets your needs.
Assess the level of customer service provided; including response times, availability of support channels, and expertise of the support team.
This is critical for comprehensive insights. Evaluate the tool’s ability to monitor traditional and online media, social media platforms, blogs, forums, and review sites.
Also, check for the tool’s access to global sources as well as multilingual capabilities, and real-time monitoring of emerging trends.
Choosing the right Meltwater alternative requires evaluating your organization’s specific needs carefully.
Consider factors such as the number of data sources you need to monitor, the depth of analysis you require, the user-friendliness of the platform, and the overall cost of the solution.
Learn more about each platform’s capabilities through hands-on demos, price comparisons, and customer reviews.
Your business’s requirements and needs determine the “best” Meltwater alternative; it is not a one-size-fits-all solution.
When you carefully evaluate your options, you will find a media monitoring tool that aligns seamlessly with your business objectives, allows you to make informed decisions, and provides valuable insights.

Thousands of brands trust SurveySparrow to turn feedback into growth. Try it free today!

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