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Chartbeat vs SmartNews

Chartbeat logo

Chartbeat

News

Real-time analytics for publishers

From
$1000/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
SmartNews logo

SmartNews

News

Local news and breaking news from top sources

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only SmartNews 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; SmartNews no specific pricing published for SmartNews+ subscription
  • They diverge on capability: Chartbeat covers Real-time analytics, SmartNews covers Machine learning curation.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Chartbeat and SmartNews actually diverge.

Attributes where Chartbeat and SmartNews differ
AttributeChartbeatSmartNews
Starting price$1000/monthFree
Pricing modelquotefree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWebIos, Android
Founded20092012

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
  • Web support

Only in SmartNews

  • Machine learning curation
  • Smart Mode
  • Local news
  • Breaking alerts
  • Offline reading
  • Social sharing
  • News publishers
  • Ios support

What people use each for

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

Chartbeat

  • Publisher analyticsnot SmartNews

SmartNews

  • Daily newsnot Chartbeat
  • Local newsnot Chartbeat
  • Breaking newsnot Chartbeat
  • Quick readingnot 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

SmartNews

  • No specific pricing published for SmartNews+ subscription
  • Requires visiting separate product page for pricing details
  • Subscription service model described but not detailed with costs

Pricing, plan by plan

Chartbeat

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

SmartNews

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Trending news
    • Local news
    • Smart Mode reading

Which should you pick?

Choose Chartbeat if

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

Choose SmartNews if

  • You need machine learning curation.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Ios, Android.
  • You also want smart mode.
SmartNews review

Questions people ask

Is Chartbeat or SmartNews better?
Neither clearly leads. Chartbeat starts at $1000/month and SmartNews at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Chartbeat or SmartNews?
SmartNews has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $1000/month for Chartbeat and Free for SmartNews.
Does Chartbeat or SmartNews run on more platforms?
Chartbeat runs on Web. SmartNews runs on Ios, Android.
Can I use SmartNews for free?
Yes. SmartNews 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 SmartNews is typically brought in for.
What can Chartbeat do that SmartNews cannot?
Chartbeat covers Real-time analytics, Audience insights, Content metrics, Traffic tracking. SmartNews covers Machine learning curation, Smart Mode, Local news, Breaking alerts.

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
SmartNews: How much does SmartNews cost?

SmartNews does not publish specific subscription pricing on its main website. The vendor offers SmartNews+, described as a subscription service aggregating paid business news and coupons, but cost details must be found on the dedicated SmartNews+ product page.

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
SmartNews: Does SmartNews offer a free tier?

SmartNews provides free access to curated news content. For additional business news and coupons, the vendor offers SmartNews+ as a paid subscription service. Pricing and trial details for SmartNews+ are available on the dedicated subscription product page.

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
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