Rafflecopter vs Gleam: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Rafflecopter and Gleam 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.
Bottom line: Rafflecopter is our overall pick for marketing workflows. Pick Gleam if you need a free tier to start with.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Rafflecopter
Run online sweepstakes and promotions with an embeddable widget
Best for you if:
- • Giveaway and contest platform used by millions of brands and bloggers
- • Shut down October 2025 after years of operation
Gleam
Grow your audience with contests, rewards, and email capture
Best for you if:
- • Marketing platform for running contests, giveaways, and rewards to grow audience engagement
- • Verified social actions drive 1.2 actions per impression across 2.3M+ businesses
| At a Glance |  Rafflecopter |  Gleam |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Marketing | Marketing |
Rating | 4.3/5 | 4.2/5 |
Choose Rafflecopter or Gleam?
Choose Rafflecopter if
Run online sweepstakes and promotions with an embeddable widget
- Simple setup with embeddable widget requiring no coding
- Multiple entry methods drove engagement and sharing
- Trusted by both small bloggers and enterprise brands
Choose Gleam if
Grow your audience with contests, rewards, and email capture
- Free plan available for running unlimited competitions
- Verified actions ensure genuine engagement rather than fake entries
- Average competition drives 1.2 actions per impression
| Feature | Rafflecopter | Gleam |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| User Rating | ★4.3/5 63 reviews | ★4.2/5 27 reviews |
| Categories | MarketingLead Generation | MarketingLead Generation |
In-Depth Analysis
Rafflecopter
Run online sweepstakes and promotions with an embeddable widget
Strengths
- +Simple setup with embeddable widget requiring no coding
- +Multiple entry methods drove engagement and sharing
- +Trusted by both small bloggers and enterprise brands
- +Built-in random winner selection ensured fairness
- +Effective for email list building and audience growth
Weaknesses
- -Service shut down in October 2025
- -No longer accepting new customers
- -Limited customization on lower-tier plans
- -Social platform API changes occasionally broke entry methods
Key features
Gleam
Grow your audience with contests, rewards, and email capture
Strengths
- +Free plan available for running unlimited competitions
- +Verified actions ensure genuine engagement rather than fake entries
- +Average competition drives 1.2 actions per impression
- +No per-campaign charges, run unlimited campaigns on any plan
Weaknesses
- -Free plan limits data collection and customization options
- -Full suite (Competitions + Rewards + Gallery + Capture) costs $97/month
- -Advanced features like custom CSS require higher-tier plans
Key features
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Rafflecopter
Want the highest-rated option?
Rafflecopter: 4.3/5 (63 reviews). Gleam: 4.2/5 (27 reviews).
Go with: Rafflecopter
Value user reviews?
Rafflecopter: 63 reviews (4.3/5). Gleam: 27 reviews (4.2/5).
Go with: Rafflecopter
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are freemium. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Both are marketing tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Rafflecopter is rated higher: 4.3/5 vs 4.2/5.
Key Takeaways
Rafflecopter
- Higher user rating: 4.3/5 vs 4.2/5
- Larger review base (63 reviews)
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Gleam
- Choose if you want grow your audience with contests, rewards, and email capture
The Bottom Line
Rafflecopter is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rafflecopter or Gleam better?
Rafflecopter is rated in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are Rafflecopter and Gleam used for?
Rafflecopter: Run online sweepstakes and promotions with an embeddable widget. Gleam: Grow your audience with contests, rewards, and email capture.
What does Rafflecopter cost vs Gleam?
Rafflecopter is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Gleam is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.