Honestly vs Meltwater: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Honestly and Meltwater 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:
Honestly
Leverage authentic social media discussions to boost conversions and gain product intelligence.
Best for you if:
- • You need brand monitoring features specifically
- • Aggregates and authenticates social media discussions (Reddit, YouTube, TikTok, Instagram) about products.
- • Embeds verified social proof directly on product pages to increase shopper trust and conversions.
Meltwater
Monitor brand mentions, track coverage, and measure sentiment
Best for you if:
- • You need PR & media relations features specifically
- • Enterprise media intelligence platform covering news, social, print, and broadcast
- • AI-powered suite with 8 modules including PR, social listening, and influencer marketing
| At a Glance |  Honestly |  Meltwater |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | $124/moStarter | Custom |
Best For | Brand Monitoring | PR & Media Relations |
Rating | - | 4.0/5 |
Free plan | No | - |
Choose Honestly or Meltwater?
Choose Honestly if
Leverage authentic social media discussions to boost conversions and gain product intelligence.
- Provides authentic, unbiased social proof by excluding sponsored or AI-generated content.
- Offers deep product and competitive intelligence from social data, not just surveys.
- Integrates social discussions directly into product pages, keeping shoppers on-site.
- Your work is brand monitoring-shaped, not PR & media relations-shaped
Choose Meltwater if
Monitor brand mentions, track coverage, and measure sentiment
- Most comprehensive media monitoring dataset in the industry
- AI assistant automates time-consuming reporting tasks
- Strong influencer marketing module integrated into the suite
- Your work is PR & media relations-shaped, not brand monitoring-shaped
| Feature | Honestly | Meltwater |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Enterprise |
| User Rating | No ratings yet | ★4.0/5 2,595 reviews |
| Categories | Brand MonitoringCompetitive Intelligence | PR & Media RelationsSocial Media Management |
In-Depth Analysis
Honestly
Leverage authentic social media discussions to boost conversions and gain product intelligence.
Strengths
- +Provides authentic, unbiased social proof by excluding sponsored or AI-generated content.
- +Offers deep product and competitive intelligence from social data, not just surveys.
- +Integrates social discussions directly into product pages, keeping shoppers on-site.
- +Offers comprehensive features across all pricing plans, avoiding feature gates.
- +Cost-effective compared to stitching together multiple specialized tools.
Weaknesses
- -Pricing is per SKU, which might become expensive for brands with very large and diverse catalogs.
- -Relies heavily on public social media data, which may not exist for niche or very new products.
- -No free tier available, only a free trial.
Key features
Meltwater
Monitor brand mentions, track coverage, and measure sentiment
Strengths
- +Most comprehensive media monitoring dataset in the industry
- +AI assistant automates time-consuming reporting tasks
- +Strong influencer marketing module integrated into the suite
- +Global coverage spanning 270,000+ news sources
- +Unified platform replaces multiple point solutions
Weaknesses
- -Enterprise pricing with no public rates, expensive for small teams
- -Contract minimums and annual billing can lock you in
- -Boolean search setup has a learning curve for new users
- -Social listening data can have gaps for smaller platforms
- -UI can feel overwhelming given the breadth of features
Key features
Pricing: Honestly vs Meltwater
| Plan | Honestly | Meltwater |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | $124/mo Starter | Essentials |
| Tier 2 | $289/mo Growth | Suite |
| Tier 3 | $624/mo Pro | Enterprise |
| Tier 4 | Contact Us Enterprise | N/A |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Honestly pricing and Meltwater pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are paid. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Honestly
Want the highest-rated option?
Meltwater is rated 4.0/5. Honestly has no ratings yet.
Go with: Meltwater
Value user reviews?
Honestly: no ratings yet. Meltwater: 2,595 reviews (4.0/5).
Go with: Meltwater
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Honestly is paid. Meltwater is enterprise.
What's your use case?
Honestly is a brand monitoring tool. Meltwater is in PR & media relations. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Meltwater is rated 4.0/5; Honestly has no ratings yet.
Key Takeaways
Honestly
- Our pick for this comparison
Meltwater
- Better fit for PR & media relations
The Bottom Line
Honestly is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Honestly or Meltwater better?
Honestly is rated in our evaluation. Honestly is paid and Meltwater is enterprise.
What are Honestly and Meltwater used for?
Honestly: Leverage authentic social media discussions to boost conversions and gain product intelligence.. Meltwater: Monitor brand mentions, track coverage, and measure sentiment.
What does Honestly cost vs Meltwater?
Honestly is a paid tool. Meltwater is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.