Sprout Social vs Meltwater Comparison
Sprout Social
Starting at $199 per seat/month
- Free Trial
- Freelancers / Consultants
- Large Enterprises
Sprout Social is a Social Media Management Platform that allows business users to manage, plan, and track their social media presence across multiple networks. Sprout Social is used by progressive companies to drive incr…
Meltwater
Starting at Contact for pricing
- Large Enterprises
- Medium Business
Meltwater Media is the leading global provider of real-time monitoring and intelligence capabilities for media and marketing professionals. With clients in over 200 countries, Meltwater's technology platform delivers a c…
Sprout Social leads on user satisfaction with a 3.8-star rating across 2,376 reviews.
Sprout Social vs Meltwater — at a glance
| Feature | Sprout Social | Meltwater |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 3.8 / 5 | 3.7 / 5 |
| Reviews | 2,376 | 1,393 |
| Starting price | $199 per seat/month | Contact for pricing |
| Free trial | Yes | No |
| Free version | No | No |
| Best for | Freelancers / Consultants, Large Enterprises, Medium Business | Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business |
| Category | Social Media Management Software | PR Software |
| Platforms | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac |
| API | Available | Available |
| Support modes | 24/7 (Live rep), Business Hours, Online | 24/7 (Live rep), Business Hours, Online |
| Certifications | SOC 2, GDPR | GDPR |
| Data residency | US | Global |
Key differences between Sprout Social and Meltwater
- Pricing: Sprout Social starts at $199 per seat/month. Meltwater pricing is not publicly listed.
- Free trial: Sprout Social offers a free trial; Meltwater does not.
- Target audience: Sprout Social is built for Freelancers / Consultants and Large Enterprises, while Meltwater targets Large Enterprises and Medium Business.
- User satisfaction: Sprout Social scores higher with a 3.8-star average.
- Deployment: Sprout Social supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS; Meltwater supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac.
Sprout Social vs Meltwater — find the better fit before you commit.
Which tool fits your team best
Which is actually cheaper for your team size
Where each product wins, per real buyers
Most Social Media Management 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.
Biggest differences
Features
Pricing
Buying details
Security
Buyer feedback
Integrations
Product tour
Other options
Talk to an expert Talk to an expert |
Free PDF comparison
Download this Sprout Social vs Meltwater comparison
Get the full side-by-side as a PDF — these picks plus the top Social Media Management Software tools, with verified ratings, pricing and features.
- Side-by-side on pricing, features & ratings
- Plus the category top 10, scored & ranked
- Emailed to you — no on-screen download
Biggest differences
Start here before you go deeper into features.
Best for managing and tracking multi-network social media to drive sales.
- You need to manage multiple social media networks from one platform efficiently.
- Your marketing team wants to generate leads and drive incremental sales via social media.
- You require integrated tools for social media planning, tracking, and brand management.
- You are a freelancer or very small team looking for low-cost, minimal-feature solutions.
- You need highly customizable or niche social media tools beyond standard management features.
Best for real-time global media monitoring and PR intelligence.
- You need comprehensive, real-time insights across multiple global markets.
- Your team values an easy-to-use platform with extensive training resources.
- You want integrated social media posting and scheduling within your PR workflow.
- You have a very limited budget and need a low-cost solution.
- You require extensive customization and the ability to upload your own data.
Sprout Social: Best for managing and tracking multi-network social media to drive sales. Meltwater: Best for real-time global media monitoring and PR intelligence.
Description | Sprout Social is a Social Media Management Platform that allows business users to manage, plan, and track their social media presence across multiple networks. Sprout Social is used by ... Read More about Sprout Social | Meltwater Media is the leading global provider of real-time monitoring and intelligence capabilities for media and marketing professionals. With clients in over 200 countries, Meltwater's ... Read More about Meltwater |
|---|---|---|
Entry Level Pricing |
|
|
Free Trial Availability |
| |
Spotsaas ScoreWhat's this? ↗ | 9.2/10 | 9.8/10 |
User RatingsBased on verified Spotsaas reviews | ||
Best Company Size | Small BusinessMedium Business | Medium BusinessLarge Enterprises |
Get pricing help | Get pricing help |
Software Demo
Demo |
|---|
Need a second opinion?
Get shortlist help from a software advisor
Share your priorities, budget, and team needs, and we’ll help you narrow the options and understand the tradeoffs before you talk to vendors.
- Independent advice — matched to your business
- Understand the tradeoffs before you talk to vendors
- Free 15-min call with a software advisor.
Step 1 of 4
How big is your team?
We tailor recommendations to companies your size.
How do Sprout Social and Meltwater Compare on Features?
Total Features | 9 Features | 10 Features |
|---|---|---|
Unique Features | No unique features | No unique features |
Get Quote | Get Quote |
Compare Sprout Social and Meltwater 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 | ||
|---|---|---|
Starting From |
|
|
Pricing Plans |
|
|
Pricing Page |  | Pricing information not available |
Other Details
Organization Types supported |
|
|
|---|---|---|
Platforms Supported |
|
|
Modes of support |
|
|
API Support |
|
|
Get help choosing | Get help choosing |
Security & Compliance
Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.
SOC 2 | ✓ Yes | — |
|---|---|---|
HIPAA | ✗ No | ✗ No |
GDPR | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Single Sign-On (SSO) | ✓ Yes | — |
Multi-Factor Auth (MFA) | ✓ Yes | — |
Data Encryption | ✓ Yes | — |
Audit Logs | ✓ Yes | — |
Data Residency | 🇺🇸 US | 🌐 Global |
Sprout Social User Reviews & Rating Comparison
User Ratings | ||
|---|---|---|
Rating Distribution | ||
Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI | Buyer sentiment Buyers appreciate the platform's multi-network management and lead generation capabilities but express concerns about pricing transparency and feature depth. What buyers like
Common complaints
| Buyer sentiment Users generally appreciate Meltwater's ease of use and comprehensive features but express concerns about its cost and some language monitoring limitations. What buyers like
Common complaints
|
Pros and Cons |
|
|
Positive Reviews | No reviews available for the product | No reviews available for the product |
| Negative Reviews | No reviews available for the product | No reviews available for the product |
List of Customers
Customers |  Coldwell Banker  Lowes  Edelman | No Customers information available. |
|---|
Media and Screenshots
Screenshots |  5 Screenshots |  9 Screenshots |
|---|---|---|
Videos |  2 Videos |  3 Videos |
Top Alternatives to Sprout Social and Meltwater in 2026
Alternatives |
|---|
Add another option to compare side by side
Search by product name to compare pricing, fit, and buyer feedback in one view.Compare similar software options
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, Sprout Social or Meltwater?
- Sprout Social edges out the other on user ratings (3.8 vs 3.7). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
- Do Sprout Social and Meltwater offer a free trial?
- Sprout Social offers a free trial. Meltwater does not.
- What is the starting price of Sprout Social vs Meltwater?
- Sprout Social starts at $199 per seat/month. Meltwater starts at Contact for pricing.
- What are the top alternatives to Sprout Social?
- Top alternatives to Sprout Social include Zoho Social, Crowdfire, SocialBee, Buffer, Sprinklr.
- What are the top alternatives to Meltwater?
- Top alternatives to Meltwater include PressRush, Agility PR Solutions, Newswire, Muck Rack, Mynewsdesk.