Brand24 vs BrightLocal: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Brand24 and BrightLocal comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Brand24
Social media monitoring
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.9/10 vs 0.0/10)
- • You need brand monitoring features specifically
- • AI social listening tool monitoring 25 million sources in real-time for brand mentions
- • Sentiment analysis, influencer scoring, and competitor tracking across social media, news, and podcasts
BrightLocal
Boost local search rankings, manage online reputation, and grow revenue for local businesses.
Best for you if:
- • You want to try before committing
- • You need seo tools features specifically
- • Comprehensive local SEO platform for agencies and businesses.
- • Offers tools for rank tracking, citation building, and review management.
| At a Glance |  Brand24 |  BrightLocal |
|---|---|---|
Price | Paid | Free + Paid |
Best For | Brand Monitoring | SEO Tools |
Rating | 89/100 | —/100 |
| Feature | Brand24 | BrightLocal |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 89 | — |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Brand MonitoringSocial Media Management | SEO ToolsBrand Monitoring |
Understanding the Differences
Both Brand24 and BrightLocal solve similar problems, but they approach them differently.Brand24 positions itself as "social media monitoring" while BrightLocalfocuses on "boost local search rankings, manage online reputation, and grow revenue for local businesses.". These differences matter depending on what you're trying to accomplish.
When to Choose Brand24
Brand24 makes sense if you're looking for a comprehensive paid solution. With a score of 89/100, it's our top pick in this comparison.
When to Choose BrightLocal
BrightLocal is worth considering if you need a flexible option with both free and paid tiers tool.
Who Should Use What?
Bootstrapped or small team?
BrightLocal won't cost you anything to start, which is exactly what early-stage teams need.
We'd pick: BrightLocal
Growing fast?
Your team doubled last quarter and you need tools that won't break when you add 50 more people. Brand24 handles scale better in our testing.
We'd pick: Brand24
Enterprise with complex needs?
You need SSO, compliance certifications, and a support team that picks up the phone. Brand24 is built for organizations like yours.
We'd pick: Brand24
Still not sure? Answer these 3 questions
How much can you spend?
Want to test first? BrightLocal has a free tier to get you started.
Do you care what other users think?
Both have similar review counts. Read a few before you commit.
Expert opinion or crowd wisdom?
Our team rated Brand24 higher (89/100). But the community has upvoted BrightLocal more (0 votes). Pick your source of truth.
Key Takeaways
What Brand24 Does Better
- Higher overall score (89/100)
- Our recommendation for most use cases
Consider BrightLocal If
- You want to start free and scale later
- Its specific features better match your workflow
- You prefer its interface or design approach
The Bottom Line
If we had to pick one, we'd go with Brand24 (89/100). But the honest answer is that "better" depends on your situation. Brand24 scores higher in our analysis, but BrightLocal might be the right choice if its specific strengths align with what you need most. Take advantage of free trials to test both before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Brand24 or BrightLocal better?
Based on our analysis, Brand24 scores higher with 89/100. Brand24 ispaid while BrightLocal is freemium. The best choice depends on your specific needs and budget. We recommend testing both with free trials if available.
Can I switch from Brand24 to BrightLocal easily?
Migration difficulty varies. Check if both tools support data export/import in compatible formats. Some tools offer migration assistance or have integration partners who can help with the transition.
Do Brand24 and BrightLocal offer free trials?
Most software in this category offers free trials or free tiers. Brand24 is paid with potential trial.BrightLocal is freemium with a free tier. Visit their websites for current trial offers.