Brandwatch is one of the most recognized names in social listening, but try finding Brandwatch pricing, and you hit a wall. You’ll get powerful features, AI-powered dashboards, and massive data, but no clear pricing unless you talk to sales.
Here’s the problem: you won’t find Brandwatch pricing anywhere online. That makes budgeting tough, especially for smaller teams.
So… is Brandwatch worth the money?
This guide breaks down the real-world cost of Brandwatch, including hidden fees, and assesses whether it delivers enough ROI to justify the price, as well as some affordable alternatives.
On this page
TL;DR – What This Blog Covers
- Real-world Brandwatch pricing: $800–$5,000/month
- Hidden costs: onboarding, training, integrations, add-ons
- Affordable alternative: SocialBu starts under $20/month
Why Is Brandwatch Pricing So Hard to Find?
Customized Packages | Enterprise Focused | Sales Strategy | Competitive Edge
Let’s be real: finding how much Brandwatch actually costs is like playing hide-and-seek. You visit their website expecting clear numbers, but instead, you’re asked to “book a demo” or “talk to sales.”
What Real Users Say
“Brandwatch is a leader in this space… I liked Brandwatch based on their demo, but the pricing didn’t work for us, much more expensive than alternatives.”
— Reddit user from r/marketing
That quote says it all. People love what Brandwatch offers, but when it comes to cost justification, it can be a dealbreaker, especially for smaller teams or startups.
Real-World Brandwatch Pricing Figures
If you’re budgeting for a social listening tool like Brandwatch, the first question is: what does it actually cost?
Brandwatch doesn’t publish pricing, but users across review platforms and Reddit report these figures:
Pricing Range | What it Covers |
$800–$5,000/month | Based on features, number of mentions, seats, etc. |
$10,000–$18,000/year | Typical annual spend for Pro/Enterprise tiers |
What You Get with Brandwatch Pricing
Brandwatch offers a suite of tools broken into three key areas:
1. Social Listening & Consumer Intelligence
- Real-time mention tracking
- Sentiment/emotion analysis
- Competitor & trend monitoring
- Custom dashboards + AI insight
2. Social Media Management
- Cross-platform publishing
- Unified inbox for engagement
- Analytics and benchmarking
3. Influencer Marketing
- 30M+ influencer database
- Campaign tracking and ROI reporting
- Outreach and performance tools
What Features Cost Extra?
Even though the core is powerful, several advanced features come as add-ons:
- Keyword alerts, for custom monitoring setups, start around $100/month.
- Influencer identification and tracking is an additional fee, starting around $200/month.
- Custom reports can cost ~$500/month.
- System integrations (e.g., connecting Brandwatch with other platforms) typically $1,000+ per project.
These extras can add up, especially if your needs go beyond the standard plan, and affect your total brand monitoring tool cost.
Check out this curated list Brandwatch Alternatives Your Quick Takeaway
- Typical monthly spend: $800 to $5,000, depending on plan level and scale.
- Year-one budget: Expect $10,000 to $18,000, especially if adding users and extra features.
Hidden Extras: Setup, Training & More
The base subscription is only part of the story. Many teams end up paying more due to:
Cost Type | Typical Range | Notes |
Setup/Onboarding Fees | $500–$2,000 (one-time) | Configuration, integrations, and training |
Custom Reports | ~$500/month | Tailored dashboards and data visualizations |
Influencer Add-on | ~$200/month | Access to influencer discovery + reporting |
Keyword Alerts | ~$100/month | Real-time alerts beyond the base setup |
Extra Users/Profiles | Varies | Price scales with team and account size |
API/CRM Integrations | $1,000+/project | For teams needing Salesforce, HubSpot, or Slack connectivity |
Historical Data Access | May cost extra | Especially for Essentials/Pro users needing long-term data |
When planning your Brandwatch budget, remember that the subscription price is just part of the story.
Why These Extras Matter?
Even if the base subscription appears reasonable (e.g., $800/month as per external reports), the actual cost in Year One could easily climb to $10,000–$18,000+, once you include:
- Setup/onboarding fees
- Training sessions
- Custom dashboards or integrations
- More user seats or tracked profiles
- Historical data access or API add-ons
But do you need all of that?
If not, consider a leaner option like SocialBu that still covers the essentials. Try it now!
Too Pricey? Brandwatch Pricing Alternatives to Consider
Startups and small teams, in particular, find the Brandwatch cost breakdown too steep for their current needs. The good news?
You don’t have to give up on powerful social listening tools just because Brandwatch’s enterprise pricing is too high.
Let’s look at some more affordable options, starting with one of the most cost-effective:
Tool | Starting Price | Social Listening | Best For |
Brandwatch | $800+/month | Advanced | Enterprise teams |
SocialBu | $19/month | Real Time | Startups, small teams |
Buffer | $6/month/user | No | Content scheduling |
Hootsuite | $99/month | Basic | Midsize orgs |
Zoho Social | $15/month | Basic | CRM-integrated teams |
Spotlight: Why SocialBu Stands Out
SocialBu offers a lean, affordable way to manage and monitor your brand online, without the enterprise overhead.
Key Features
- Real-time keyword and brand monitoring
- Post scheduling and content calendar
- Automation tools (auto-replies, post recycling)
- Built-in analytics and team collaboration
Pricing: Starts at under $20/month
- Transparent.
- Fast to onboard.
- No hidden fees.
Before You Decide: Ask These Questions First
- Do you need advanced AI-powered analytics?
- Are you okay with custom high-tier pricing?
- Will you use influencer marketing features?
- Do you want a tool with transparent pricing?
If you answered “no” to most, try SocialBu today. Sign up in minutes.
Final Words
Brandwatch is a powerful tool, but its pricing can be high, especially for small teams. With hidden fees, custom quotes, and extra costs, the Brandwatch cost breakdown isn’t always clear.
Tools like SocialBu, Buffer, Hootsuite, or Zoho Social offer great features like post scheduling and brand tracking at a much lower cost than brand monitoring tools. You don’t have to spend thousands. Get started with SocialBu for under $20 and grow your brand without the enterprise bill.
FAQs
Q: How much does Brandwatch cost for social listening?
Brandwatch pricing for social listening typically starts around $800/month and can go up to $5,000/month, depending on your plan, usage, and features. Most teams spend $10,000–$18,000 per year.
Q: Is Brandwatch pricing negotiable?
Yes. Brandwatch uses a custom pricing strategy, so costs are often negotiated based on your team size, data needs, and contract terms.
Q: What’s included in Brandwatch’s enterprise package?
The Brandwatch Enterprise plan includes AI-powered dashboards, unlimited mentions, influencer marketing tools, real-time reporting, sentiment analysis, and access to historical data. You’ll also get dedicated support and training.
Q: How does Brandwatch pricing compare to competitors?
Brandwatch is on the higher end of the market. Cheaper Brandwatch alternatives like SocialBu, Buffer, or Zoho Social offer core features for as low as $20/month, but with fewer advanced tools.
Q: What are the minimum requirements for Brandwatch?
At a minimum, you’ll likely need:
- A team of 2–3 users
- Budget of $10,000+/year
- Annual commitment
- Time for onboarding and training
Q: Are there any Brandwatch pricing discounts?
Some discounts may be available for long-term contracts, non-profits, or bulk user licenses, but these are handled on a case-by-case basis through sales.
Q: Is Brandwatch worth the high cost?
For large or data-driven teams, yes, especially those needing enterprise-level features. But for small teams, the Brandwatch cost breakdown may be too high compared to leaner tools.
Q: Can you get a custom quote for Brandwatch?
Absolutely. All Brandwatch pricing is custom, so you’ll need to contact sales to get a tailored quote based on your needs and use case.
