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Chartbeat vs Microsoft Start

Chartbeat logo

Chartbeat

News

Real-time analytics for publishers

From
$1000/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Microsoft Start logo

Microsoft Start

News

Your personalized news feed powered by Microsoft

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Microsoft Start has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Chartbeat pricing is customized by website and native app pageviews across four tiers, Essentials, Plus, Premium and Enterprise, and the pricing page publishes no figures, directing visitors to Talk to Sales or Get a Demo; Microsoft Start no pricing information available
  • They diverge on capability: Chartbeat covers Real-time analytics, Microsoft Start covers Personalized news.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Chartbeat and Microsoft Start actually diverge.

Attributes where Chartbeat and Microsoft Start differ
AttributeChartbeatMicrosoft Start
Starting price$1000/monthFree
Pricing modelquotefree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWebWeb, Ios, Android, Windows
Founded20091975

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (News).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Chartbeat

  • Real-time analytics
  • Audience insights
  • Content metrics
  • Traffic tracking
  • Google Analytics
  • GDPR
  • Cloud deployment
  • English language support

Only in Microsoft Start

  • Personalized news
  • Topic following
  • Weather updates
  • Sports scores
  • Finance news
  • Microsoft Edge
  • Windows 11
  • Microsoft Account

Both cover

  • Web support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Chartbeat

  • Publisher analyticsnot Microsoft Start

Microsoft Start

  • Daily newsnot Chartbeat
  • Topic trackingnot Chartbeat
  • Weather updatesnot Chartbeat
  • Quick informationnot Chartbeat

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Chartbeat

  • Pricing is customized by website and native app pageviews across four tiers, Essentials, Plus, Premium and Enterprise, and the pricing page publishes no figures, directing visitors to Talk to Sales or Get a Demo

Microsoft Start

  • No pricing information available
  • Service appears to be consumer-facing rather than commercial product
  • No pricing model published

Pricing, plan by plan

Chartbeat

$1000/month
  • Professional$1000/month
    • Real-time analytics
    • Audience insights

Microsoft Start

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Personalized news feed
    • Topic following
    • Cross-device sync

Which should you pick?

Choose Chartbeat if

  • You need real-time analytics.
  • You also want audience insights.
Chartbeat review

Choose Microsoft Start if

  • You need personalized news.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Windows.
  • You also want topic following.
Microsoft Start review

Questions people ask

Is Chartbeat or Microsoft Start better?
Neither clearly leads. Chartbeat starts at $1000/month and Microsoft Start at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Chartbeat or Microsoft Start?
Microsoft Start has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $1000/month for Chartbeat and Free for Microsoft Start.
Does Chartbeat or Microsoft Start run on more platforms?
Chartbeat runs on Web. Microsoft Start runs on Web, Ios, Android, Windows.
Can I use Microsoft Start for free?
Yes. Microsoft Start has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Chartbeat starts at $1000/month.
What is Chartbeat best used for?
Chartbeat is most often used for publisher analytics. Of those, publisher analytics is not what Microsoft Start is typically brought in for.
What can Chartbeat do that Microsoft Start cannot?
Chartbeat covers Real-time analytics, Audience insights, Content metrics, Traffic tracking. Microsoft Start covers Personalized news, Topic following, Weather updates, Sports scores. Both handle Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Chartbeat: How many pricing tiers does Chartbeat offer?

Chartbeat offers four flexible tiers: Essentials, Plus, Premium, and Enterprise. Each tier is customized based on your website and native app pageviews.

Source
Microsoft Start: How much does Microsoft Start (MSN) cost?

Microsoft Start (formerly MSN.com) is a free service with no subscription required. The platform provides news, weather, and personalized content at no cost to users.

Source
Chartbeat: How is Chartbeat pricing calculated?

Chartbeat pricing is customized according to your website and native app pageviews. This means the cost for each plan is tailored to your specific traffic levels rather than using fixed-rate pricing.

Source
Microsoft Start: Does Microsoft Start offer any paid services or premium features?

Microsoft Start does not publish any paid tiers or premium features. The service is entirely free to access and use without any payment or subscription.

Source
Chartbeat: Can I see Chartbeat pricing details online?

The main product page does not display specific pricing amounts. For detailed pricing and feature comparisons between tiers, visit chartbeat.com/product/chartbeat-pricing/ or request a demo from the company.

Source
Microsoft Start: Are there ads on Microsoft Start?

Microsoft Start provides personalized news and content free of charge. Any advertising present on the service helps support the free platform offering.

Source
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