Quick Overview
- 1#1: Meltwater - Comprehensive media monitoring platform tracking global news, social media, broadcasts, and influencer activity for PR professionals.
- 2#2: Cision - All-in-one PR software providing media monitoring, distribution, journalist database, and analytics across multiple channels.
- 3#3: Brandwatch - AI-powered social listening and consumer intelligence tool for tracking brand mentions and sentiment worldwide.
- 4#4: Talkwalker - Visual analytics platform for real-time media monitoring, social listening, and trend detection across 187 languages.
- 5#5: Mention - Real-time web and social media monitoring tool that alerts on brand mentions, competitors, and keywords instantly.
- 6#6: Brand24 - Online monitoring tool that tracks mentions across the web, social media, and news with sentiment analysis.
- 7#7: Awario - Social listening platform for monitoring brand mentions, influencers, and competitors in real-time across social and web.
- 8#8: Hootsuite - Social media management platform with built-in listening and monitoring for streams, mentions, and analytics.
- 9#9: Sprout Social - Social media tool offering listening, engagement, and reporting on brand mentions and conversations.
- 10#10: Keyhole - Real-time hashtag and keyword tracking tool for social media monitoring and influencer analytics.
Tools were ranked by a blend of features (e.g., real-time coverage, analytics depth), quality (accuracy, user satisfaction), ease of use (intuitive design, customization), and value (scalability, cost-effectiveness) to ensure relevance and performance.
Comparison Table
This comparison table explores top PR monitoring software tools, such as Meltwater, Cision, Brandwatch, Talkwalker, and Mention, to guide readers in selecting the right fit. It outlines key features, analytics strengths, and usability factors, helping users assess which tool best aligns with their goals for real-time tracking, social listening, or brand visibility.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Meltwater Comprehensive media monitoring platform tracking global news, social media, broadcasts, and influencer activity for PR professionals. | enterprise | 9.5/10 | 9.8/10 | 8.4/10 | 9.0/10 |
| 2 | Cision All-in-one PR software providing media monitoring, distribution, journalist database, and analytics across multiple channels. | enterprise | 9.1/10 | 9.6/10 | 7.7/10 | 8.3/10 |
| 3 | Brandwatch AI-powered social listening and consumer intelligence tool for tracking brand mentions and sentiment worldwide. | enterprise | 9.1/10 | 9.6/10 | 7.8/10 | 7.4/10 |
| 4 | Talkwalker Visual analytics platform for real-time media monitoring, social listening, and trend detection across 187 languages. | enterprise | 8.9/10 | 9.4/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 5 | Mention Real-time web and social media monitoring tool that alerts on brand mentions, competitors, and keywords instantly. | specialized | 8.3/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.4/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 6 | Brand24 Online monitoring tool that tracks mentions across the web, social media, and news with sentiment analysis. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.3/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 7 | Awario Social listening platform for monitoring brand mentions, influencers, and competitors in real-time across social and web. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 8 | Hootsuite Social media management platform with built-in listening and monitoring for streams, mentions, and analytics. | specialized | 7.8/10 | 7.5/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.0/10 |
| 9 | Sprout Social Social media tool offering listening, engagement, and reporting on brand mentions and conversations. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.0/10 | 7.0/10 |
| 10 | Keyhole Real-time hashtag and keyword tracking tool for social media monitoring and influencer analytics. | specialized | 7.9/10 | 7.5/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.8/10 |
Comprehensive media monitoring platform tracking global news, social media, broadcasts, and influencer activity for PR professionals.
All-in-one PR software providing media monitoring, distribution, journalist database, and analytics across multiple channels.
AI-powered social listening and consumer intelligence tool for tracking brand mentions and sentiment worldwide.
Visual analytics platform for real-time media monitoring, social listening, and trend detection across 187 languages.
Real-time web and social media monitoring tool that alerts on brand mentions, competitors, and keywords instantly.
Online monitoring tool that tracks mentions across the web, social media, and news with sentiment analysis.
Social listening platform for monitoring brand mentions, influencers, and competitors in real-time across social and web.
Social media management platform with built-in listening and monitoring for streams, mentions, and analytics.
Social media tool offering listening, engagement, and reporting on brand mentions and conversations.
Real-time hashtag and keyword tracking tool for social media monitoring and influencer analytics.
Meltwater
enterpriseComprehensive media monitoring platform tracking global news, social media, broadcasts, and influencer activity for PR professionals.
Global reach monitoring over 300,000 premium sources in real-time across print, broadcast, online, and social media.
Meltwater is a comprehensive media intelligence platform specializing in PR monitoring, tracking brand mentions across global news outlets, social media, TV, radio, podcasts, and blogs in over 240 countries and 300,000+ sources. It delivers real-time alerts, AI-powered sentiment analysis, competitive benchmarking, and customizable dashboards for in-depth reporting. The platform also integrates influencer identification and audience analytics to support strategic PR and communications efforts.
Pros
- Unparalleled global coverage with millions of monitored sources in 200+ languages
- Advanced AI-driven analytics including sentiment, share of voice, and predictive insights
- Highly customizable reports and real-time alerts for proactive PR management
Cons
- Enterprise-level pricing can be prohibitive for small businesses
- Steep learning curve due to extensive features and customization options
- Occasional delays in data processing for niche or emerging media sources
Best For
Large enterprises, PR agencies, and global brands requiring enterprise-grade media monitoring and intelligence.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing, typically starting at $20,000+ annually for basic plans, scaling with coverage and features.
Cision
enterpriseAll-in-one PR software providing media monitoring, distribution, journalist database, and analytics across multiple channels.
The world's largest proprietary media database with over 1.7 million verified journalists, influencers, and outlets for precise targeting.
Cision is a comprehensive PR and communications platform specializing in media monitoring, offering real-time tracking of brand mentions across online news, broadcast, print, social media, and podcasts globally. It provides advanced analytics including sentiment analysis, share of voice, and competitive benchmarking to help PR professionals measure impact and refine strategies. Beyond monitoring, it integrates a vast media database for journalist outreach and content distribution tools for earned media amplification.
Pros
- Extensive global media coverage across 200+ countries and millions of sources
- Robust analytics with AI-driven insights and customizable dashboards
- Integrated media database with 1.7+ million contacts for targeted pitching
Cons
- High enterprise-level pricing not suitable for small teams
- Steep learning curve and complex interface requiring training
- Occasional delays in real-time monitoring for niche or emerging channels
Best For
Enterprise PR teams and agencies handling high-volume, international media monitoring and outreach.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing starting at around $20,000 annually, scaled by modules, users, and coverage needs.
Brandwatch
enterpriseAI-powered social listening and consumer intelligence tool for tracking brand mentions and sentiment worldwide.
Iris AI, which automates deep-dive analysis to uncover hidden trends, themes, and actionable recommendations from vast datasets
Brandwatch is a powerful social listening and analytics platform designed for PR monitoring, tracking brand mentions across social media, news outlets, blogs, forums, podcasts, and review sites in real-time. It leverages AI for sentiment analysis, trend detection, share-of-voice metrics, and crisis alerts, enabling PR teams to measure reputation, identify influencers, and gauge campaign performance. The platform also includes advanced visualization tools and custom reporting for strategic insights.
Pros
- Comprehensive global coverage across 100+ million sources
- Advanced AI-driven insights including sentiment, demographics, and image recognition
- Highly customizable dashboards and reporting for enterprise needs
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex interface for new users
- Premium pricing inaccessible for small businesses
- Occasional delays in data processing for high-volume monitoring
Best For
Enterprise PR teams and agencies requiring deep, scalable social intelligence and cross-channel monitoring.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing starting at around $1,000/month; typically quoted based on data volume and features, with annual contracts.
Talkwalker
enterpriseVisual analytics platform for real-time media monitoring, social listening, and trend detection across 187 languages.
Blue Silk™ AI-powered Visual Intelligence that detects and analyzes brand mentions in images and videos across the web
Talkwalker is a leading social listening and analytics platform that monitors billions of online conversations across social media, news, blogs, forums, reviews, and broadcast media in real-time. It provides PR professionals with sentiment analysis, trend detection, influencer identification, and competitive benchmarking to manage reputation and measure campaign performance. Powered by AI, including image and video recognition, it delivers actionable insights through customizable dashboards and reports.
Pros
- Monitors over 150 million global sources with real-time alerts
- Advanced AI-driven analytics including visual recognition for images/videos
- Highly customizable dashboards and reporting for PR workflows
Cons
- Enterprise-level pricing can be prohibitive for small teams
- Steep learning curve for advanced features and customization
- Setup requires significant configuration for optimal use
Best For
Large enterprises and PR agencies handling global brand monitoring and complex campaigns.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing upon request; typically starts at $10,000+ annually with tiers based on data volume and features.
Mention
specializedReal-time web and social media monitoring tool that alerts on brand mentions, competitors, and keywords instantly.
Precision Boolean search combined with real-time alerts across 1B+ sources for unmatched mention accuracy
Mention is a powerful social listening and PR monitoring platform that tracks brand mentions, keywords, and competitors across over 1 billion sources including social media, news, blogs, forums, and review sites in real-time. It offers sentiment analysis, customizable alerts, Boolean search capabilities, and detailed reporting to help PR professionals manage reputation, identify influencers, and respond promptly to conversations. With tools for crisis detection and competitive benchmarking, it's designed to turn online buzz into actionable insights for proactive PR strategies.
Pros
- Real-time monitoring across vast sources with instant alerts
- Advanced Boolean searches and sentiment analysis for precise tracking
- Strong reporting and influencer identification tools
Cons
- Higher pricing tiers may not suit very small teams
- Some advanced features have a learning curve
- Integrations are solid but not as extensive as top competitors
Best For
Mid-sized PR teams and agencies needing real-time reputation monitoring and competitive intelligence without enterprise-level complexity.
Pricing
Free plan available (limited); Solo starts at $49/month; Pro at $199/month; Enterprise custom pricing.
Brand24
specializedOnline monitoring tool that tracks mentions across the web, social media, and news with sentiment analysis.
Real-time 'Mentions Feed' that displays conversations like a social media stream, with AI categorization and one-click responses
Brand24 is a real-time media monitoring platform that tracks online mentions of brands, keywords, competitors, and campaigns across social media, news outlets, blogs, forums, podcasts, and review sites. It offers AI-driven sentiment analysis, influencer identification, customizable alerts, and comprehensive reporting dashboards to help PR professionals manage reputation and measure impact. With coverage of over 25 million sources in 195 languages, it simplifies PR monitoring for teams of all sizes.
Pros
- Real-time mention tracking with instant notifications
- Intuitive dashboard and easy setup in minutes
- Strong AI sentiment analysis and influencer discovery
Cons
- Limited advanced filtering in lower-tier plans
- Fewer integrations than enterprise competitors
- Occasional accuracy issues with niche languages or sources
Best For
Small to mid-sized PR teams and agencies needing affordable, user-friendly monitoring without complex setup.
Pricing
Plans start at $59/month (annual billing) for Individual (1 keyword), $119/month for Team (3 keywords), $279/month for Pro (15 keywords), Enterprise custom.
Awario
specializedSocial listening platform for monitoring brand mentions, influencers, and competitors in real-time across social and web.
Advanced Boolean search operators for highly targeted mention tracking across the entire web
Awario is a social listening and brand monitoring platform that tracks mentions of keywords, brands, or competitors across social media, blogs, forums, news sites, and review platforms. It offers real-time alerts, sentiment analysis, historical data access, and influencer discovery to help PR professionals manage reputation and respond promptly. The tool supports advanced Boolean searches for precise monitoring and provides shareable reports for team collaboration.
Pros
- Affordable pricing for SMBs and agencies
- Real-time alerts and Boolean search for precise tracking
- Intuitive dashboard with sentiment analysis and influencer finder
Cons
- Mention volume limits on lower plans
- Fewer integrations than enterprise competitors
- Reporting features lack advanced customization
Best For
Small to medium-sized businesses and marketing agencies needing cost-effective PR monitoring without enterprise complexity.
Pricing
Starts at $29/month (Starter: 1 keyword, 15,000 mentions), Pro at $89/month (3 keywords, 150,000 mentions), Enterprise custom.
Hootsuite
specializedSocial media management platform with built-in listening and monitoring for streams, mentions, and analytics.
Customizable dashboard streams that aggregate mentions from multiple social platforms into a single, real-time view
Hootsuite is a comprehensive social media management platform that provides real-time monitoring of brand mentions, keywords, and hashtags across major social networks like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. It offers customizable streams, basic sentiment analysis, and alerts for PR-relevant social conversations, making it useful for tracking online buzz. While strong in social listening, it lacks deep coverage of traditional media, news outlets, or broadcast monitoring that full PR tools provide.
Pros
- Excellent real-time social media monitoring with customizable streams
- Integrated sentiment analysis and reporting for quick insights
- Supports team collaboration with assignable mentions and workflows
Cons
- Limited to social platforms; no traditional media or news monitoring
- Advanced features require higher-tier plans, increasing costs
- Analytics are solid but not as PR-specific as dedicated tools
Best For
PR teams prioritizing social media listening and engagement over comprehensive media coverage.
Pricing
Starts at $99/user/month for Professional (basic monitoring); Team plan at $249/user/month unlocks advanced listening and analytics.
Sprout Social
specializedSocial media tool offering listening, engagement, and reporting on brand mentions and conversations.
AI-powered Smart Inbox that unifies all social mentions, messages, and alerts into one actionable feed
Sprout Social is a robust social media management platform with strong social listening and monitoring features tailored for tracking brand mentions, conversations, and sentiment across major social networks like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. It enables PR teams to discover trends, monitor competitors, and respond to mentions in real-time through its centralized inbox and analytics tools. While excellent for digital PR monitoring, it lacks comprehensive coverage of traditional media outlets like print or broadcast.
Pros
- Powerful social listening across 30+ platforms with sentiment analysis
- Intuitive Smart Inbox for streamlined mention management
- Customizable reports and analytics for PR insights
Cons
- High pricing may not suit small teams
- Limited to social media, no traditional news monitoring
- Advanced features require higher-tier plans
Best For
Mid-to-large PR teams prioritizing social media monitoring and engagement over traditional media coverage.
Pricing
Starts at $249/user/month (Standard, billed annually); Professional $399, Advanced $499, Enterprise custom.
Keyhole
specializedReal-time hashtag and keyword tracking tool for social media monitoring and influencer analytics.
Historical hashtag tracking with data going back up to 10 years for in-depth trend analysis
Keyhole is a social media monitoring platform specializing in real-time tracking of hashtags, keywords, and mentions across platforms like Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. It offers analytics on reach, impressions, engagement rates, and influencer discovery to help PR teams gauge social conversations and campaign performance. While strong in social listening, it lacks coverage of traditional media outlets like news sites or print publications.
Pros
- Affordable pricing for small teams
- Intuitive dashboards with visual analytics
- Real-time tracking and historical data access
Cons
- Limited to social media, no traditional PR media monitoring
- Reporting customization is basic
- Customer support can be slow for non-enterprise users
Best For
Small to mid-sized PR teams or marketers focused on social media buzz and hashtag campaigns.
Pricing
Starter at $49/month (1 topic), Pro at $179/month (10 topics), Enterprise custom pricing.
Conclusion
The reviewed PR monitoring tools offer robust solutions, with Meltwater leading as the top choice—its comprehensive tracking of global news, social media, broadcasts, and influencer activity making it ideal for holistic PR efforts. Cision follows closely with its all-in-one mix of monitoring, distribution, journalist databases, and analytics, while Brandwatch stands out for its AI-powered social listening and consumer intelligence, each serving distinct needs. Together, they highlight the breadth of tools available for efficient PR management.
Take the first step with Meltwater to harness its full capabilities and enhance your PR monitoring strategy for greater impact.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison