Top 9 Propel Alternatives for Effective Public Relations Management

There are so many tools out there but few meet all your company's requirements.

Here you can explore alternatives to the most common and popular solutions and enhance your team's productivity. Below you can find nine Propel alternatives that meet different PR needs.

Looking for a tool dedicated to making your PR effort more efficient?
Check out Prowly for 7 days free.

What is Propel?

Propel PRM is a comprehensive Public Relations Management (PRM) platform designed to streamline and enhance PR workflows. It's suitable for both professionals and agencies. The tool provides a suite of tools to manage media relationships, monitor coverage, and measure the impact of earned media efforts.

Key features of Propel

• Global media database – Provides over 1 million journalists, 3 billion articles, and 50 million Twitter influencers, to enable users to discover and connect with the right media contacts.
• Email integration – Allows you to pitch directly from Gmail or Outlook with real-time tracking of email opens and responses.
• Media monitoring – Tracks online, social, and broadcast media mentions to keep up with brand coverage and industry trends. However alerts are quite limited per plan.
• Analytics and reporting – Provides details for reports on campaign performance, team productivity, and return on investment (ROI) from PR activities.

Their slogan "Propel my PR" indicates the drive and movement the tool promises to bring your company.

However, there other more impactful alternatives to Propel PR software available in the market.

Propel pricing

Propel provides three pricing plans disclosed online:

👉 Essentials: $2,400/year (per 1 seat)
👉 Pro: $9,000/year (up to 4 users)
👉 Premium: $15,000/year (up to 7 users)

Here’s a handy table comparing the prices of all the alternatives to Propel:

Propel alternative #1: Prowly

💸 Pricing: Starts at $258 per month

Prowly is a comprehensive PR software dedicated to streamlining communication with journalists and enhancing brand presence and recognition both online and offline.

Looking at a comparison of Prowly vs Propel, the first one offers a more comprehensive set of features.

What features does Prowly offer?

• Media monitoring – of online platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, X/Twitter, TikTok, YouTube, as well as print publications and broadcast channels (TV and radio) with historical data access of up to 90 days.
• Advanced query building – you can customize search queries to filter mentions based on keywords, sentiment, region, language, and platform, ensuring you only see the most relevant information.
• Email notifications – set up alerts for new mentions and receive regular summaries of what's new, allowing for timely responses to both opportunities and potential crises.
• Performance reporting – use detailed metrics for each mention, including sentiment analysis, estimated reach, and engagement statistics.
• AI assisted press release creator – the platform enables users to design and distribute press releases directly from the tool.
• Media contacts management – Prowly includes features for managing journalist contacts and creating targeted media lists for outreach with a Media Database of +1M contacts.
• AI support – you can polish your pitches or get to the most topic-relevant media journalists thanks to AI help.
• Media database – over 1 million contacts to international journalists with various filters to make the most of it.
• PR reports creator – easy to create branded reports present your business impact loud and clear in a few clicks.

Who is it best for?

Prowly is ideal for public relations professionals, communications teams, and marketing departments looking to enhance their media monitoring capabilities. It’s particularly beneficial for organizations looking to track their brand presence across multiple channels while managing their end-to-end PR activities seamlessly.

✅ Pros

• Comprehensive coverage across basically all media types (online, social, print, broadcast).
• Advanced filtering options allow you to customize your monitoring experience.
• User-friendly UI with customizable dashboards for easy data visualization.
• Timely notifications help in managing potential PR crises effectively.
• Integration of performance metrics aids in assessing the impact of PR efforts.

🔻 Cons

• Some advanced features such as print monitoring may require additional upgrades.
• The extensive features may not appeal to marketers who are simply looking for media monitoring and don’t require a comprehensive PR management suite.

Propel alternative #2 Muck Rack

💸 Pricing: The price is not disclosed online; according to our research it usually starts at $10K per year

Focused on media relationship management, Muck Rack offers a robust media database, media monitoring, and pitching tools with an emphasis on journalist engagement.

What features does Muck Rack offer?

• Media monitoring – with a dose of help from advanced AI and machine learning you can monitor mentions across digital media, social platforms, TV, and radio.
• Media database – the tool offers a database of over 250,000 media contacts, allowing users to connect with relevant journalists easily.
• Performance analytics – It offers insights into the impact of media coverage, including metrics on article shares and audience engagement.
• AI-powered recommendations – Hints and help provided by artificial intelligence

Who is it best for?

Best for for PR agencies serving large organizations or in-house corporate communications teams. Also suitable for brands with higher budgets and teams focused on media relations.

✅ Pros

• Large and frequently updated media database, which includes over 250,000 journalists.
• The platform offers advanced pitching tools that enable users to send personalized pitches efficiently.
• The tool provides features for monitoring news coverage and tracking engagement metrics.

🔻 Cons

• Muck Rack's pricing starts at approximately $10,000 per year, making it less accessible for smaller organizations or freelancers.
• There are some CRM features, but many users have noted that its CRM capabilities are not as robust as those found in other systems.
• Only offer annual contracts, there are no monthly or free plans available.

Propel alternative #3: Meltwater

💸 Pricing: The price is not disclosed online. According to this research it usually starts at around $12,000

Meltwater offers social listening, media monitoring, and analytics with a strong emphasis on both traditional and social media insights for PR campaigns.

What features does Meltwater offer?

• Media monitoring – Tracks news across print, online, and social media globally.
• Sentiment analysis – Measures public perception of brands through sentiment tracking.
• Custom reporting – Users can create detailed reports tailored to their specific KPIs.
• Social media management and influencer identification – Includes tools for managing social media interactions and campaigns, as well as for locating key influencers.
• Audience insights – Provides demographic and behavioral insights about target audiences.

Who is it best for?

Best for large PR agencies, in-house corporate communications teams, and big marketing teams.

✅ Pros

• Strong media monitoring, it offers extensive capabilities to track unlimited keywords without extra fees.
• The platform allows for customizable reports to showcase the impact of PR efforts.
• Meltwater integrates various functions, such as media monitoring, social media management, and influencer marketing into a single platform. It is an all-in-one tool.

🔻 Cons

• The pricing may be too high for small companies.
• Some users find the interface overwhelming, particularly when using the full suite of features, which can cause a long onboarding process.
• Limited flexibility.

Propel alternative #4: Cision

💸 Pricing: Cision's pricing isn't publically disclosed, however based on our research it's estimated to start at around $7,200 per year

Cision is a comprehensive PR platform with media monitoring, influencer targeting, and analytics. Well-known for its extensive media database.

What features does Cision offer?

Cision provides a wide array of features, including:

• Extensive Media Database – Access to over 1.4 million media contacts globally.
• Media Monitoring – Tracks news coverage across various channels, including print, online, and social media.
• Press Release Distribution – Facilitates sending press releases through its network, with costs varying based on distribution options.
• AI Tools – Includes an AI press release creator and an email pitching assistant to streamline outreach efforts.
• Analytics and Reporting – Offers advanced analytics to measure the effectiveness of PR campaigns and media coverage.
• Online Newsroom – Allows brands to create a dedicated space for their press materials.

Who is it best for?

Cision is best suited for large corporations and global agencies and PR professionals with an extensive budget to manage.

✅ Pros

• Extensive media database, which can enhance outreach efforts.
• Wide range of integrated features that cover various aspects of PR, from monitoring to reporting.
• Detailed analytics and insights into their PR campaign performance.

🔻 Cons

• High cost of $7,200 per year can be a barrier for those with limited budgets.
• The platform may be overwhelming for new users due to its extensive features and functionalities.
• Only annual plans available.

Propel alternative #5: AgilityPR

💸 Pricing: No detailed data is available unless you ask sales for a quote.

Agility PR focuses heavily on media analysis and leveraging insights from media monitoring. It supports the evaluation of traditional metrics like AVE while also diving deeper into metrics that assess brand awareness, engagement, reputation, and other key indicators.

What features does AgilityPR offer?

AgilityPR provides a robust set of features designed to enhance media relations and PR efforts, including:

• Media Database and Monitoring – Access to a comprehensive database of journalists and influencers as well as the ability to track coverage across online and offline media.
• Press Release Distribution – Facilitates the distribution of press releases through various channels.
• Social Media Monitoring – Monitors brand mentions and engagement across social platforms.
• Analytics and Reporting –Offers insights into media coverage effectiveness and PR campaign performance.
• Sentiment Analysis – Evaluate public sentiment regarding your brand.
• Customizable Reports – You can adjust reports based on preferred data and criteria.

Who is it best for?

AgilityPR is best suited for PR agencies, in-house communications teams and marketing departments.

✅ Pros

• User-friendly interface makes it easy for users to navigate and utilize its features effectively.
• Big monitoring capabilities across various media types, ensuring thorough coverage analysis.
• Tailored reports that align with specific PR goals.

🔻 Cons

• There is noclear pricing information, making it difficult for potential users to assess its affordability upfront.
• Compared to others, some users find that it lacks certain advanced functionalities.

Propel alternative #6: Prezly

💸 Pricing: Starts at $50 monthly; if you are looking for more info, check out Prezly pricing in 2024

Prezly is a CRM dedicated to PR companies. You can easily manage contacts as well as email campaigns and monitor their performance.

What features does Prezly offer?

• Media Database – Wide range of journalists and influencers at your fingertips.
• Press Release Distribution – Tools for distributing press releases effectively.
• Newsroom Creation – A no-code site builder for creating branded online newsrooms.
• Contact Management – Organizes media lists and tracks engagement.
• Analytics and Reporting – Offers insights into campaign performance and media engagement.
• SEO Optimization – Boost the visibility of press releases online.

Who is it best for?

In-house PR teams, PR agencies and marketing departments seeking a tool that integrates PR efforts with broader marketing strategies will benefit from Prezly the most.

✅ Pros

• Intuitive design makes it easy for users to navigate and utilize its features effectively.
• The platform combines various essential features into one solution.
• Users can generate tailored reports that align with their specific goals.

🔻 Cons

• Lacks of advance features compared to competitors.
• While the basic plans are clear, enterprise-level pricing details are not publicly available.

Propel alternative #7: Brandwatch

💸 Pricing: No detailed data is available unless you ask sales for a quote

Brandwatch is a platform that helps businesses track and analyze online conversations. It provides valuable insights into consumer behavior, brand sentiment, and market trends.

What features does Brandwatch offer?

Brandwatch offers a comprehensive suite of features designed for social media listening and consumer intelligence, including:

• Social Media Listening – Monitor what is happening across social media platforms, blogs, forums, and news sites.
• Consumer Intelligence – Gain insights into consumer behavior and preferences thanks to advanced analytics.
• Image Analysis – Check visual mentions of brands and products in social media images.
• Custom Dashboards – Generate tailored reports and visualizations to track brand performance and market trends.
• Sentiment Analysis – Get an insight into the sentiment of brand mentions to public perception.
• Historical Data Access – Access extensive historical data for trend analysis.
• Real-Time Alerts – Set up alerts for brand mentions or specific keywords to respond quickly to PR crises.

Who is it best for?

Brandwatch is a good option for enterprises as well as marketing teams and PR agencies.

✅ Pros

• Brandwatch monitors various online sources, providing extensive insights into brand mentions and market trends.
• The platform uses AI to uncover patterns in consumer data, enhancing decision-making.
• Users can create personalized dashboards and reports tailored to their specific metrics and KPIs.

🔻 Cons

• The premium pricing may be too much for smaller businesses.
• The extensive feature set can be overwhelming for new users. While this reflects the platform's capabilities, it may also lengthen the learning curve.
• The lack of transparent pricing may be an issue establishing budget.

Propel alternative #8: Newswire

💸 Pricing: starts at $350 per release

Newswire combines press release distribution with media monitoring and media database tools, focusing on comprehensive PR distribution and reporting.

What features does Newswire offer?

• Press Release Distribution and Targeted Distribution – The platform distributes press releases to a wide network of media contacts and allows users to choose specific industries/branches/media outlets.
• Media Monitoring – Follow coverage and mentions across various media platforms.
• SEO Optimization – Boost press releases for search engines to improve visibility online.
• Analytics and Reporting – Gives insights into press releases' performance, including reach and engagement metrics.

Who is it best for?

Best for all-sizes of companies seeking to boost visibility and media coverage.

✅ Pros

• Wide Reach – the platform offers vast network of media outlets, increasing the likelihood of coverage.
• There are automations that speed up the distribution process.

🔻 Cons

• Pricing can vary significantly based on the services selected, which may be prohibitive for smaller organizations.

Propel alternative #9: Critical Mention (now: Onclusive)

💸 Pricing: No detailed data is available unless you ask sales for a quote

Critical Mention is a media monitoring platform focused on broadcasts and online tracking. It offers insights into TV, radio, and online media coverage.

What features does Critical Mention offer?

• Real-time media monitoring – Follows mentions across TV, radio, print media, podcasts, websites, and social media in real-time.
• Custom dashboards – You can create tailored dashboards to suit your specific monitoring needs and preferences.
• Media contact database – Get access to their database of media contacts.
• Sentiment analysis – Follow public opinions and analyse their sentiment.
• Google analytics integration – You can incorporate Google Analytics data into reports to assess the impact of earned media on your traffic.
• 24/7 customer support – Access to dedicated support for troubleshooting and inquiries.

Who is it best for?

Critical Mention is a nice solution for marketing teams aiming to integrate media monitoring with their marketing strategies, as well as campaign managers.

✅ Pros

• Critical Mention excels in traditional media monitoring, providing extensive coverage of television and radio outlets.
• Intuitive UI makes it easy to navigate and utilize its features effectively.
• Users can respond quickly to emerging mentions thanks to the platform's real-time monitoring capabilities.
• It seems that there's also a media database. Yet, they don't provide details on its qualities

🔻 Cons

• Critical Mention is not an all-in-one PR tool and lacks many useful features that are critical for running Public Relations.

Which Propel PR CRM alternatives are the best for you?

When considering alternatives to the Propel PR tool, it's essential to evaluate your specific needs. Cover your budget and get the features that are most important to your PR strategy.

Here is a quick summary:

• Prowly: An all-in-one PR management platform focused on media monitoring and engagement analytics.
• Muck Rack: Great for building relationships with journalists, offers an extensive media database and targeted pitching tools.
• Meltwater: Comprehensive media monitoring across various channels.
• Cision: A popular choice that provides a comprehensive range of features for media outreach and analytics.
• AgilityPR: User-friendly platform, great for PR agencies managing multiple clients.
• Prezly: Intuitive design and effective online newsroom capabilities.
• Brandwatch: Powerful tools for social listening and consumer insights; might be not enough for PR purposes.
• Newswire: Good choice for distributing press releases widely while effectively tracking their impact.
• Critical Mention: Not an all-in-one PR tool–you'll find here media monitoring and a media database only.

Will Prowly be your choice? Check it out during your free trial.