SmartNews 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 SmartNews if you need Machine learning curation and prefer a free starting option. Choose Meltwater if you prioritize Media monitoring and want plans starting at Contact for pricing. SmartNews has a higher user rating (4.6 vs 4.2).
SmartNews vs Meltwater: At a Glance
Feature Comparison: SmartNews vs Meltwater
| Feature | SmartNews | Meltwater |
|---|---|---|
| Machine learning curation | ||
| Smart Mode | ||
| Local news | ||
| Breaking alerts | ||
| Offline reading | ||
| Social sharing | ||
| News publishers | ||
| Ios support | ||
| Android support | ||
| Media monitoring | ||
| Social listening | ||
| Influencer discovery | ||
| Sentiment analysis | ||
| Competitive intelligence | ||
| PR analytics | ||
| Report automation | ||
| Crisis monitoring | ||
| Salesforce | ||
| HubSpot | ||
| Slack | ||
| Microsoft Teams | ||
| Tableau | ||
| SOC2 | ||
| GDPR |
SmartNews vs Meltwater: Pricing Breakdown
SmartNews Pricing
Model: free
- Trending news
- Local news
- Smart Mode reading
- Category channels
Meltwater Pricing
Model: subscription
- Media monitoring
- Social listening
- Influencer database
- Analytics dashboard
- Advanced analytics
- API access
- Custom integrations
- Dedicated support
Pros and Cons
SmartNews
Pros
- Highly rated by users (4.6/5)
- Free plan available to get started
- Rich feature set with 9+ capabilities
- Strong Machine learning curation functionality
- Strong Smart Mode functionality
Cons
- 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 SmartNews vs Meltwater?
Choose SmartNews if you:
- Need Machine learning curation
- Want to start for free
- Work primarily on Ios and Android
- Value Smart Mode
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: SmartNews vs Meltwater
Is SmartNews better than Meltwater?
It depends on your needs. SmartNews has a 4.6/5 user rating while Meltwater has 4.2/5. SmartNews excels in Machine learning curation and Smart Mode, while Meltwater stands out with Media monitoring and Social listening. Consider your budget (Free vs Contact for pricing), platform needs, and specific feature requirements.
Which is cheaper, SmartNews or Meltwater?
SmartNews offers a free plan and starts at Free. Meltwater starts at Contact for pricing. SmartNews has a clear pricing advantage with its free tier.
Can I use SmartNews 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 SmartNews and Meltwater?
The key differences include: pricing model (free vs subscription), platform support (Ios, Android vs Web, Api, Mobile), and feature focus. SmartNews emphasizes Machine learning curation, Smart Mode, Local news while Meltwater focuses on Media monitoring, Social listening, Influencer discovery. User ratings differ slightly: 4.6 vs 4.2 out of 5.
Ready to choose?
Explore detailed reviews, user ratings, and pricing for both SmartNews and Meltwater.