Steno 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 Steno if you need AI transcription and prefer comprehensive paid features. Choose Meltwater if you prioritize Media monitoring and want plans starting at Contact for pricing. Steno has a higher user rating (4.4 vs 4.2).
Steno vs Meltwater: At a Glance
Feature Comparison: Steno vs Meltwater
| Feature | Steno | Meltwater |
|---|---|---|
| AI transcription | ||
| Broadcast search | ||
| Real-time monitoring | ||
| Clip creation | ||
| Media analysis | ||
| Slack | ||
| API | ||
| Web support | ||
| Media monitoring | ||
| Social listening | ||
| Influencer discovery | ||
| Sentiment analysis | ||
| Competitive intelligence | ||
| PR analytics | ||
| Report automation | ||
| Crisis monitoring | ||
| Salesforce | ||
| HubSpot | ||
| Microsoft Teams | ||
| Tableau | ||
| SOC2 | ||
| GDPR |
Steno vs Meltwater: Pricing Breakdown
Steno Pricing
Model: subscription
- Search transcripts
- Clip creation
- Email alerts
- Basic analytics
- All Starter features
- API access
- Team collaboration
- Advanced analytics
- Custom integrations
- Dedicated support
- SLA
- Custom retention
Meltwater Pricing
Model: subscription
- Media monitoring
- Social listening
- Influencer database
- Analytics dashboard
- Advanced analytics
- API access
- Custom integrations
- Dedicated support
Pros and Cons
Steno
Pros
- Highly rated by users (4.4/5)
- Rich feature set with 9+ capabilities
- Strong AI transcription functionality
- Strong Broadcast search 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 Steno vs Meltwater?
Choose Steno if you:
- Need AI transcription
- Have a budget of Contact for pricing+
- Work primarily on Web
- Value Broadcast search
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: Steno vs Meltwater
Is Steno better than Meltwater?
It depends on your needs. Steno has a 4.4/5 user rating while Meltwater has 4.2/5. Steno excels in AI transcription and Broadcast search, 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, Steno or Meltwater?
Steno 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 Steno 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 Steno and Meltwater?
The key differences include: pricing model (subscription vs subscription), platform support (Web vs Web, Api, Mobile), and feature focus. Steno emphasizes AI transcription, Broadcast search, Real-time 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 Steno and Meltwater.