CrowdTangle vs Meltwater
A comprehensive head-to-head comparison of two leading news & media solutions in 2026. Compare features, pricing, ratings, and more to find the right fit.
Quick Verdict
Choose CrowdTangle if you need Social listening and prefer comprehensive paid features. Choose Meltwater if you prioritize Media monitoring and want plans starting at Contact for pricing. CrowdTangle has a higher user rating (4.4 vs 4.2).
CrowdTangle vs Meltwater: At a Glance
| Criteria | CrowdTangle | Meltwater |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | 4.4 | 4.2 |
| Pricing | Contact for pricing | Contact for pricing |
| Pricing Model | enterprise | subscription |
| Free Plan | ||
| Platforms | Web | Web, Api, Mobile |
| Category | News & Media | News & Media |
| Founded | 2011 | 2001 |
Feature Comparison: CrowdTangle vs Meltwater
| Feature | CrowdTangle | Meltwater |
|---|---|---|
| Social listening | ||
| Viral content tracking | ||
| Competitor monitoring | ||
| Brand mention tracking | ||
| Trending alerts | ||
| Custom dashboards | ||
| Team collaboration | ||
| Report generation | ||
| YouTube | ||
| Web support | ||
| Media monitoring | ||
| Influencer discovery | ||
| Sentiment analysis | ||
| Competitive intelligence | ||
| PR analytics | ||
| Report automation | ||
| Crisis monitoring | ||
| Salesforce | ||
| HubSpot | ||
| Slack | ||
| Microsoft Teams | ||
| Tableau | ||
| SOC2 | ||
| GDPR |
CrowdTangle vs Meltwater: Pricing Breakdown
CrowdTangle Pricing
Model: enterprise
- Social monitoring
- Competitor analysis
- Trending content tracking
- Team collaboration
Meltwater Pricing
Model: subscription
- Media monitoring
- Social listening
- Influencer database
- Analytics dashboard
- Advanced analytics
- API access
- Custom integrations
- Dedicated support
Pros and Cons
CrowdTangle
Pros
- Highly rated by users (4.4/5)
- Rich feature set with 14+ capabilities
- Strong Social listening functionality
- Strong Viral content tracking functionality
Cons
- No free plan available
- Limited platform support (Web only)
- May require time to learn advanced features
Meltwater
Pros
- Highly rated by users (4.2/5)
- Available on 3 platforms (Web, Api, Mobile)
- Rich feature set with 15+ capabilities
- Strong Media monitoring functionality
- Strong Social listening functionality
Cons
- No free plan available
- May require time to learn advanced features
Who Should Use CrowdTangle vs Meltwater?
Choose CrowdTangle if you:
- Need Social listening
- Have a budget of Contact for pricing+
- Work primarily on Web
- Value Viral content tracking
Choose Meltwater if you:
- Need Media monitoring
- Have a budget of Contact for pricing+
- Work primarily on Web and Api
- Value Social listening
Frequently Asked Questions: CrowdTangle vs Meltwater
Is CrowdTangle better than Meltwater?
It depends on your needs. CrowdTangle has a 4.4/5 user rating while Meltwater has 4.2/5. CrowdTangle excels in Social listening and Viral content tracking, while Meltwater stands out with Media monitoring and Social listening. Consider your budget (Contact for pricing vs Contact for pricing), platform needs, and specific feature requirements.
Which is cheaper, CrowdTangle or Meltwater?
CrowdTangle starts at Contact for pricing. Meltwater starts at Contact for pricing. Compare the specific plan features to determine the best value for your use case.
Can I use CrowdTangle and Meltwater together?
While both are news & media tools, some teams use complementary software together. Check each product's API and integration capabilities for compatibility. However, most users find that one solution covers their core news & media needs.
What are the main differences between CrowdTangle and Meltwater?
The key differences include: pricing model (enterprise vs subscription), platform support (Web vs Web, Api, Mobile), and feature focus. CrowdTangle emphasizes Social listening, Viral content tracking, Competitor monitoring while Meltwater focuses on Media monitoring, Social listening, Influencer discovery. User ratings differ slightly: 4.4 vs 4.2 out of 5.
Ready to choose?
Explore detailed reviews, user ratings, and pricing for both CrowdTangle and Meltwater.