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Contently vs Shorthand Comparison

Last updated:

Contently

4.4(135 reviews)

Starting at Contact for pricing

  • Freelancers / Consultants
  • Large Enterprises

Contently is a tool that makes it simple to find, manage, and communicate with writers, editors, and designers. It help content creators get the stories they need to tell while publishers save time and money on these pro…

Shorthand

4.7(81 reviews)

Starting at Contact for pricing

  • Free Trial
  • Large Enterprises
  • Medium Business

The Shorthand Content Creation System is a streamlined platform for creating and sharing content. It provides an environment where teams can collaborate in real time around shared content, manage schedules and budgets ef…

Shorthand leads on user satisfaction with a 4.7-star rating across 81 reviews.

SpotSaaS Analysis

ContentlyShorthand

The core difference lies in the scale and complexity of content management; Contently is tailored for medium to large teams requiring extensive oversight of professional creators, while Shorthand is designed for small to mid-sized teams that prioritize simplicity and collaboration. Ideal buyers for Contently are larger organizations looking for a robust content creator network, whereas Shorthand is best suited for smaller teams seeking an easy-to-use collaborative platform.

- Best for managing professional content creators - Ideal for medium to large teams - Access to a vetted global network of writers - Streamlines communication among multiple creators - Focused on content oversight and management - Notable for its enterprise-level features

- Best for small to mid-sized teams - Emphasizes real-time collaboration - Simplifies content creation processes - Integrates scheduling and budget management - User-friendly interface for ease of use - Ideal for teams with limited resources

Contently vs Shorthand — at a glance

FeatureContentlyShorthand
Rating4.4 / 54.7 / 5
Reviews13581
Starting priceContact for pricingContact for pricing
Free trial No Yes
Free version No No
Best forFreelancers / Consultants, Large Enterprises, Medium BusinessLarge Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business
CategoryContent Creation SoftwareContent Creation Software
PlatformsSaaS/Web/CloudSaaS/Web/Cloud
API
Support modesBusiness Hours, OnlineOnline
CertificationsGDPRGDPR
Data residencyUSUS

Key differences between Contently and Shorthand

  • Free trial: Shorthand offers a free trial; Contently does not.
  • Target audience: Contently is built for Freelancers / Consultants and Large Enterprises, while Shorthand targets Large Enterprises and Medium Business.
  • User satisfaction: Shorthand scores higher with a 4.7-star average.
  • Deployment: Contently supports SaaS/Web/Cloud; Shorthand supports SaaS/Web/Cloud.

Contently vs Shorthand — find the better fit before you commit.

01

Which tool fits your team best

02

Which is actually cheaper for your team size

03

Where each product wins, per real buyers

Most Content Creation Software tools look identical on paper. This comparison cuts to the differences that matter — pricing structure, team fit, and what real buyers found after signing up.

Contently - Content Creation Software
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Shorthand - Content Creation Software
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Talk to an expert

Biggest differences

Start here before you go deeper into features.

Contently

Best for managing professional content creators in medium to large teams.

Choose if
  • You need access to a vetted global network of writers and editors.
  • You want to streamline communication and management of multiple content creators.
  • Your team requires a flexible platform to reduce time and cost in content production.
Consider alternatives if
  • You are a freelancer or small team seeking low-cost, self-service content tools.
  • You need transparent, off-the-shelf pricing and quick, simple setup.

Shorthand

Best for small to mid-sized teams needing simple, collaborative content creation.

Choose if
  • You need real-time collaboration on shared content within small teams.
  • You want effortless schedule and budget management integrated into content workflows.
  • You prioritize high quality control and accuracy in content creation.
Consider alternatives if
  • Your organization is a large enterprise requiring complex, customizable content workflows.
  • You require transparent, fixed pricing and extensive third-party integrations.

Contently: Best for managing professional content creators in medium to large teams. Shorthand: Best for small to mid-sized teams needing simple, collaborative content creation.

Description

Contently is a tool that makes it simple to find, manage, and communicate with writers, editors, and designers. It help content creators get the stories they need to tell while publishers ... Read More about Contently

The Shorthand Content Creation System is a streamlined platform for creating and sharing content. It provides an environment where teams can collaborate in real time around shared content, ... Read More about Shorthand

Free Trial Availability

  • No free trial

User Ratings

Based on verified Spotsaas reviews

4.7

(81)

Best Company Size

Medium BusinessLarge Enterprises
1-50 employees51-500 employees
Get pricing help
Get pricing help

Software Demo

Demo

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Compare Contently and Shorthand on pricing

Review starting price, plan structure, and free-trial access side by side so you can see which option fits your budget and buying process.

Pricing Option

      Pricing Plans

      • Not Available
      • Not Available

      Pricing Page

      Pricing information not available

      Shorthand pricing

      Other Details

      Organization Types supported

      • Freelancers
      • Individuals
      • Medium Business
      • Small Business
      • Large Enterprises
      • Freelancers
      • Individuals
      • Medium Business
      • Small Business
      • Large Enterprises

      Platforms Supported

      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Mobile - Android
      • Mobile - iOS
      • Installed - Windows
      • Installed - Mac
      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Mobile - Android
      • Mobile - iOS
      • Installed - Windows
      • Installed - Mac
      • Browser Based (Cloud)

      Modes of support

      • 24/7 (Live rep)
      • Business Hours
      • Online
      • 24/7 (Live rep)
      • Business Hours
      • Online

      API Support

      • Not Available
      • Not Available
      Get help choosing
      Get help choosing

      Security & Compliance

      Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.

      HIPAA

      ✗ No
      ✗ No

      GDPR

      ✓ Yes
      ✓ Yes

      Data Residency

      🇺🇸 US
      🇺🇸 US

      Contently User Reviews & Rating Comparison

      User Ratings

      Rating Distribution

      43

      10

      1

      0

      2

      81

      9

      1

      0

      1

      Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI

      Buyer sentiment

      Buyers appreciate Contently for its professional network and content management capabilities but note concerns about pricing transparency and onboarding complexity.

      What buyers like

      • Quality of writers and editors
      • Content workflow management
      • Time and cost savings

      Common complaints

      • Pricing opacity
      • Complex onboarding process

      Buyer sentiment

      Users generally appreciate the platform's ease of use and collaborative features but note concerns around pricing transparency and scalability.

      What buyers like

      • Ease of use
      • Collaboration features
      • Content quality control

      Common complaints

      • Pricing transparency
      • Limited advanced features

      Pros and Cons

      • Access to a large network of professional writers and editors

      • Streamlined communication and management of content creators

      • Helps reduce time and cost in content production

      • Pricing is quotation-based and not publicly available

      • May be complex for small teams or freelancers to onboard

      • Real-time team collaboration around shared content

      • Effortless schedule and budget management

      • High levels of quality control and accuracy

      • Pricing is quotation based, lacking transparency

      • Limited information on advanced features and integrations

      Positive Reviews

      No reviews available for the product

      No reviews available for the product

      List of Customers

      Customers

      Cardinal Health

      Cardinal Health

      American Express

      American Express

      RBC

      RBC

      NBC

      NBC

      BBC

      BBC

      Dartmouth

      Dartmouth

      Media and Screenshots

      Videos

      video-0

      3 Videos

      video-0

      3 Videos

      Top Alternatives to Contently and Shorthand in 2026

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      Disclaimer: This research has been collated from a variety of authoritative sources. We welcome your feedback at [email protected].

      Frequently asked questions

      Which is better, Contently or Shorthand?
      Shorthand edges out the other on user ratings (4.7 vs 4.4). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
      Do Contently and Shorthand offer a free trial?
      Shorthand offers a free trial. Contently does not.
      What is the starting price of Contently vs Shorthand?
      Contently starts at Contact for pricing. Shorthand starts at Contact for pricing.
      What are the top alternatives to Contently?
      Top alternatives to Contently include Genially, Joomag, Skyword, TechValidate, Naviga Writer.
      What are the top alternatives to Shorthand?
      Top alternatives to Shorthand include Storykit, ContentStudio, Posted, OpenStories, StoryForj.

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