Prowly vs. Meltwater: Choosing the Right PR Software for Your Business

PR Tool Fits Your Media Relations Strategy

Prowly vs meltwater

What is a Prowly?

Prowly is a PR software or tool designed to assist PR professionals and organizations in managing their media relations more effectively and efficiently. It offers a range of features aimed at building better relationships with the media, including finding relevant media contacts, organizing them in a PR Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system, creating visual press releases, sending email pitches, and maintaining journalist-friendly newsrooms. Prowly aims to streamline PR tasks, save time, and enhance communication with the media.

Prowly

Prowly

Who uses Prowly?

Prowly is used by a wide range of individuals and organizations in the field of public relations (PR) and media relations. Here are some of the primary users and groups who utilize Prowly:

  1. PR Professionals

  2. PR Agencies

  3. Communications Teams

  4. Marketing Teams

  5. Media Relations Specialists

  6. Journalists and Editors

  7. Content Creators

  8. Startup Founders and Entrepreneurs

  9. Nonprofit Organizations

  10. Government Agencies

What is a Meltwater?

Meltwater is a software solution designed to assist with various aspects of public relations, media monitoring, and PR campaign management. It offers features such as clippings management, digital asset management, media contact database, artificial intelligence-driven insights, and more, as outlined in the provided information on the web page. It is commonly used by PR professionals and businesses to streamline their PR efforts and enhance media relations.

Meltwater

Meltwater

Who uses meltwater?

Meltwater is used by a wide range of individuals and organizations, primarily in the fields of public relations, media monitoring, and marketing. Here are some of the key users of Meltwater:

  1. PR Professionals

  2. Marketing Teams

  3. Media Companies

  4. Corporate Communications

  5. Journalists and Editors

  6. Government and Non-profit Organizations

  7. Research and Analytics Professionals

  8. Small and Large Enterprises

  9. Freelancers

key Takeaways

Meltwater:

  • Cloud-Based PR Software: Meltwater is a cloud-based public relations software that offers the convenience of SaaS deployment

  • Article Author Database: It provides access to an article author database, which can help in tracking and managing media mentions.

  • Clippings Management: Meltwater allows users to manage and organize media clippings effectively.

  • Digital Asset Management: Users can store and manage digital assets such as images and videos within the software.

  • Artificial Intelligence: Meltwater uses artificial intelligence to provide users with deeper and better business insights.

  • PR Impact Metrics: The software includes PR impact metrics to measure the effectiveness of PR efforts.

  • Media Contact Database: It offers an enriched media contact database to help users connect with bloggers, journalists, and media influencers.

  • Press Release Boost: Meltwater can increase the frequency of press release publication.

  • Social & News Monitoring: Users can monitor social media and news platforms for relevant information.

  • Reporting & Distribution: The software assists in monitoring and reporting on media coverage and distribution.

Prowly:

  • Effective Media Relations: Prowly is designed to help PR professionals manage media relations more effectively.

  • Media Contacts Management: Users can find and organize relevant media contacts in a PR CRM.

  • Visual Press Releases: Prowly allows users to create visual press releases for a more engaging presentation.

  • Email Pitches: Users can send email pitches to media contacts directly from the platform.

  • Journalist-Friendly Newsrooms: Prowly provides tools for maintaining journalist-friendly newsrooms.

  • Auto-update Media Lists: It offers auto-updating media lists to keep contact information current.

  • Campaign Management: Users can manage PR campaigns efficiently.

  • Communication Calendar: Prowly includes a communications calendar for scheduling PR activities.

  • Digital Asset Management: Users can manage digital assets within the platform.

  • Email Distribution: It supports email distribution of PR materials.

  • Press Monitoring: Prowly allows users to monitor press and media coverage.

  • Press Release Builder: Users can build press releases within the software.

Common features of both

Meltwater and Prowly offer several common features that are essential for public relations and media management. These common features include:

  1. Media Contact Database: Both Meltwater and Prowly provide a media contact database, helping users find and organize relevant media contacts, journalists, and influencers for effective communication and outreach.

  2. Digital Asset Management: Users of both platforms can manage digital assets such as images and videos within the software, making it easy to access and utilize media assets in their PR materials.

  3. Press Monitoring: Both Meltwater and Prowly support press and media monitoring, allowing users to stay informed about media coverage and relevant conversations surrounding their organization or topics.

  4. Reporting and Analytics: Both platforms offer reporting and analytics features to help users measure the impact of their PR efforts and analyze media coverage. These insights can inform PR strategies and decisions.

  5. Email Distribution: Users can send email pitches and distribute PR materials directly from the software in both Meltwater and Prowly, streamlining communication with media contacts.

  6. Press Release Management: Both platforms offer tools for creating and managing press releases, which are fundamental for PR campaigns and announcements.

  7. Digital Press Rooms: Users can maintain digital press rooms or newsrooms within both Meltwater and Prowly, providing a centralized platform for sharing media content and information with the media and the public.

DEEP OVERVIEW of Features

1. Media Contact Database

Meltwater:
Meltwater's Media Contact Database is designed to assist users in finding and managing relevant media contacts, journalists, and influencers. Here's more information about this feature:

  1. Extensive Database

  2. Search and Segmentation

  3. Contact Information

  4. Profile Insights

  5. Relationship Management

  6. Integration

Prowly:
Prowly's Media Contacts Management is also designed to assist PR professionals in finding, organizing, and communicating with media contacts. Here are more details about this feature:

  1. Media Contacts CRM

  2. Auto-Update Lists

  3. Communication and Outreach

  4. Segmentation

  5. Profile Management

  6. Reporting

2. Digital Asset Management

Meltwater:
Meltwater's Digital Asset Management (DAM) functionality is designed to help users efficiently manage and utilize digital media assets, such as images and videos, within the software. Here's a closer look at this feature:

  1. Centralized Storage

  2. Easy Access

  3. Search and Metadata

  4. Version Control

  5. Permissions and Collaboration

  6. Integration

Prowly:
Prowly also includes Digital Asset Management as part of its PR platform, offering similar functionalities to Meltwater. Here's more information about this feature in Prowly:

  1. Media Library

  2. Organization and Tags

  3. Accessibility

  4. Preview and Download

  5. Collaboration

  6. Integration

3. Press Monitoring

Meltwater:
Meltwater's Press Monitoring feature is designed to help users stay informed about media coverage and relevant conversations related to their organization, topics of interest, or keywords. Here's a closer look at this feature:

  1. Media Coverage Tracking

  2. Keyword Alerts

  3. Sentiment Analysis

  4. Customizable Dashboards

  5. Competitor Analysis

  6. Report Generation

Prowly:
Prowly's Press Monitoring feature serves a similar purpose, helping PR professionals and organizations stay informed about media coverage and relevant conversations. Here's more information about this feature in Prowly:

  1. Media Coverage Tracking

  2. Customized Alerts

  3. Competitor Tracking

  4. Analytics and Reporting

  5. Integration

4. Reporting and Analytics

Meltwater:
Meltwater's Reporting and Analytics features are designed to provide users with the tools and insights needed to measure the impact of their PR efforts and make informed decisions. Here's a closer look at this feature:

  1. Customizable Reports

  2. Media Coverage Analysis

  3. Competitor Benchmarking

  4. Social Media Analytics

  5. Share of Voice

  6. Trend Analysis

  7. ROI Measurement

  8. Custom Dashboards

Prowly's Reporting and Analytics features are geared toward helping PR professionals assess the impact of their efforts and make data-driven decisions. Here's more information about this feature in Prowly:

  1. Customizable Reports

  2. Media Coverage Analysis

  3. Press Release Performance

  4. Audience Insights

  5. Social Media Metrics

  6. Share of Voice

  7. ROI Tracking

5. Email Distribution

Meltwater:
Meltwater typically offers an Email Distribution feature as part of its public relations software. This feature is designed to streamline communication with media contacts and facilitate the distribution of PR materials via email. Here's a closer look at this feature:

  1. Contact Lists

  2. Email Templates

  3. Personalization

  4. Scheduling

  5. Tracking and Analytics

  6. Reporting

  7. Integration

Prowly:
Prowly's Email Distribution feature is also designed to simplify communication with media contacts and the distribution of PR materials. Here's more information about this feature in Prowly:

  1. Contact Management

  2. Email Campaigns

  3. Personalization

  4. Analytics

  5. Performance Tracking

  6. Integration

6. Press Release Management

Meltwater:
Meltwater typically includes robust press release management capabilities as part of its PR software suite. These features are designed to assist users in creating, distributing, and managing press releases effectively. Here's a closer look at this feature:

  1. Press Release Creation

  2. Template Library

  3. Multimedia Integration

  4. Distribution Options

  5. Scheduling

  6. Version Control

  7. Integration

Prowly:
Prowly's Press Release Management features are geared toward simplifying the process of creating, distributing, and managing press releases. Here's more information about this feature in Prowly:

  1. Press Release Editor

  2. Distribution

  3. Multimedia Integration

  4. Scheduled Releases

  5. Analytics and Reporting

  6. Version History

  7. SEO Optimization.

  8. Integration

7. Digital Press Rooms

Meltwater:
Meltwater's Digital Press Rooms feature is designed to provide users with a centralized platform for creating and maintaining online press rooms or newsrooms. These digital spaces serve as hubs for sharing media content and information with the media and the public. Here's a closer look at this feature:

  1. Customizable Press Rooms

  2. Content Management

  3. Media Kits

  4. Multimedia Galleries

  5. Event Pages

  6. News Updates

  7. Search and Navigation

  8. Media Contact Information

  9. Analytics

  10. Integration

Prowly:
Prowly's Digital Press Rooms or Newsrooms feature serves a similar purpose, providing users with a centralized platform for sharing media content and information with the media and the public. Here's more information about this feature in Prowly:

  1. Customizable Newsrooms

  2. Content Management

  3. Media Kits

  4. Multimedia Galleries

  5. Event Pages

  6. News Updates

  7. Search and Navigation

  8. Media Contact Information

  9. Analytics and Reporting.

  10. Integration

Deployment Options

Let's delve into the deployment options for both Meltwater and Prowly, with a focus on Software as a Service (SaaS), web-based, and cloud deployment:

Meltwater Deployment:

  1. SaaS (Software as a Service): Meltwater primarily operates as a SaaS platform. This means that users access Meltwater's PR software through a web-based interface hosted on Meltwater's servers. Users typically do not need to install any software on their local devices. They can access Meltwater's features and functionalities from a web browser, making it convenient for users to work from any location with internet access.

  2. Web-Based Access: As a SaaS platform, Meltwater is accessed via the web. Users log in to their Meltwater accounts using web browsers, making it accessible on various devices, including computers, laptops, and mobile devices. This accessibility allows PR professionals to work on PR campaigns and monitor media coverage from anywhere with an internet connection.

  3. Cloud Hosting: Meltwater's data and services are hosted on cloud infrastructure. This cloud-based approach ensures scalability, reliability, and the ability to handle large volumes of data and user interactions.

  4. Mobile: Meltwater is available on various mobile platforms, including Android, iOS, Windows, and BlackBerry. This allows you to access Meltwater on your mobile devices.

  5. Installed: Meltwater can also be installed on both Windows and Mac computers. This provides flexibility in how you can use the software.

  6. Automatic Updates and Maintenance: Prowly, as a SaaS and cloud-based solution, often takes care of software updates, maintenance, and server management. Users can focus on their PR activities, while Prowly handles the technical aspects of keeping the platform up and running smoothly.

Prowly Deployment:

  1. SaaS (Software as a Service): Similar to Meltwater, Prowly operates as a SaaS platform. Users access Prowly's PR software through a web-based interface, eliminating the need for local software installations. PR professionals can log in to their Prowly accounts via web browsers.

  2. Web-Based Access: Prowly is web-based, allowing users to access its features and tools using standard web browsers. This accessibility ensures that users can work on their PR tasks and campaigns from various devices and locations with internet connectivity.

  3. Cloud Hosting: Prowly's software and data are typically hosted on cloud infrastructure. This cloud-based approach offers scalability, high availability, and data security, as data is stored on remote servers maintained by Prowly.

  4. Mobile: Prowly is accessible on mobile devices, including Android, iOS, Windows, and BlackBerry, similar to Meltwater.

  5. Installed: Prowly can be installed on both Windows and Mac computers, providing users with the option to use it as installed software.

  6. Automatic Updates and Maintenance: Prowly, as a SaaS and cloud-based solution, often takes care of software updates, maintenance, and server management. Users can focus on their PR activities, while Prowly handles the technical aspects of keeping the platform up and running smoothly.

Both Meltwater and Prowly leverage the benefits of SaaS, web-based access, and cloud hosting to provide PR professionals with a hassle-free and accessible platform for managing their PR efforts. These deployment options ensure that users can work efficiently, collaborate with team members, and stay updated on media coverage without the complexities of traditional software installations and maintenance. Users should consider the specific features, pricing, and support options offered by each platform to determine which aligns best with their PR needs.

pricing

Meltwater Pricing: Meltwater offers a range of pricing options. However, detailed pricing information is not provided on the webpage. It mentions contacting the vendor to get detailed pricing information. The pricing for Meltwater may vary based on your specific requirements and needs. It's common for enterprise-level software like Meltwater to offer customized pricing based on factors such as the number of users, features required, and usage volume. To get accurate pricing details, you should reach out to Meltwater directly through their website or the contact information provided.

Prowly Pricing: Prowly offers several pricing plans tailored to different user needs. Here are some of their pricing plans:

  1. Essential:

    • Monthly Price: $269

    • Annual Price: $189 per month (billed annually)

    • Key Features: Email analytics, unlimited press releases, media asset management, and more.

  2. Professional:

    • Monthly Price: $369

    • Annual Price: $259 per month (billed annually)

    • Key Features: Email analytics, unlimited press releases, newsroom analytics, and more.

  3. Agency Starter (Custom Pricing):

    • Best for small PR agencies.

    • Customized pricing based on specific needs, including media database contacts, emails, and more.

  4. Agency Plus (Custom Pricing):

    • Designed for mid-size PR agencies.

    • Customized pricing based on requirements, including media database contacts, emails, and more.

Please note that the pricing may vary depending on factors such as the number of users, contacts, and specific features you require. For detailed and up-to-date pricing information, it's advisable to visit Prowly's official website or contact them directly through their website.

Alternatives

Alternatives to Meltwater:

  1. Brandwatch:

    • Description: Brandwatch is a Consumer Intelligence and Social Media Management solution that empowers companies to understand and engage with customers through social data analysis.

    • Ratings: 914 Ratings

    • Website: Brandwatch

  2. Upfluence:

    • Description: Upfluence is an Influencer Marketing platform that helps brands and agencies find and collaborate with influencers, manage campaigns, and analyze campaign performance.

    • Ratings: 161 Ratings

    • Website: Upfluence

  3. 24-7 Press Release:

    • Description: 24-7 Press Release is a platform for distributing news to traditional and digital media outlets, with features like publicity generation and social media sharing tools.

    • Ratings: 1 Rating

    • Website: 24-7 Press Release

  4. Birdeye:

    • Description: Birdeye is a reputation and customer experience platform for local businesses, offering tools to manage online reputation, connect with prospects, and gain customer insights.

    • Ratings: 3,016 Ratings

    • Website: Birdeye

  5. DirectLync:

    • Description: DirectLync is a consolidated platform for small businesses looking for sales and marketing tools to achieve their goals.

    • Ratings: 8 Ratings

    • Website: DirectLync

Alternatives to Prowly:

  1. Odoo:

    • Description: Odoo is an integrated, customizable, open-source software with a wide range of business applications, including CRM, Sales, Project, Manufacturing, Inventory, and Accounting.

    • Ratings: 937 Ratings

    • Website: Odoo

  2. SocialLadder:

    • Description: SocialLadder is an Ambassador Management Platform that helps brands identify, track, reward, and engage their community, including influencers and brand advocates.

    • Ratings: 8 Ratings

    • Website: SocialLadder

  3. Postly:

    • Description: Postly is an AI-powered social media scheduler and management tool that simplifies digital marketing efforts by assisting with content generation and scheduling.

    • Ratings: 67 Ratings

    • Website: Postly

  4. Ecwid:

    • Description: Ecwid is an online store platform that allows you to add an e-commerce store to your webpage or social media profile, offering various integrations and sales management tools.

    • Ratings: 933 Ratings

    • Website: Ecwid

  5. BingX:

    • Description: BingX is a crypto exchange offering both cryptocurrency spot and derivatives trading services, as well as crypto social trading features.

    • Ratings: 45 Ratings

    • Website: BingX

These alternatives offer various features and functionalities, including social media management, influencer marketing, reputation management, and more. Please visit their respective websites to explore their offerings in more detail and determine which one aligns best with your business needs.

Pros and Cons

Meltwater:

Pros:

  1. Quick Response: Meltwater is optimized for quick response, which can be beneficial for timely insights and actions.

  2. Large User Base: It has a substantial user base with 1,428 reviews, indicating its popularity and widespread use.

  3. Media and Influencer Targeting: Meltwater offers features like a media database and outreach for media and influencer targeting, which can be valuable for PR and marketing professionals.

  4. Quality Support: Users have rated the quality of ongoing product support positively (8.4/10).

  5. Wide Industry Adoption: It is categorized under various segments of the industry, including media monitoring, social media analytics, and more.

Cons:

  1. Pricing Information: There is no pricing information available on the page, which might make it challenging for potential customers to assess its affordability.

  2. Ease of Use: Reviewers rated its ease of use and setup slightly lower than Prowly, which could indicate that it might not be as user-friendly.

Prowly:

Pros:

  1. Easier to Use: Reviewers found Prowly easier to use, set up, and administer, which can be a significant advantage for those looking for user-friendly software.

  2. Positive User Satisfaction: Prowly has a higher user satisfaction rating (4.2/5 stars with 100 reviews) compared to Meltwater, indicating that users are generally happy with it.

  3. Product Support: Reviewers preferred Prowly for ongoing product support and the direction of feature updates and roadmaps.

  4. Pricing Information: Pricing details are available, making it easier for potential customers to assess its cost.

  5. Variety of Features: Prowly offers features like PR CRM, press release distribution, and an online newsroom, which can be beneficial for PR professionals.

Cons:

  1. Smaller User Base: Prowly has a smaller user base compared to Meltwater, which might be a consideration for those who prefer widely adopted solutions.

  2. Limited Review Data: Prowly has fewer reviews available for assessment (100 reviews) compared to Meltwater (1,428 reviews), which could limit the depth of insights from user feedback.

The choice between Meltwater and Prowly should be based on your specific business needs, budget constraints, and the importance of factors like ease of use and user satisfaction. Consider conducting a more in-depth evaluation and possibly requesting demos or trials from both providers to make an informed decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

For Prowly:

  1. What are the customization options for digital press rooms or newsrooms in Prowly?

    • Users may want to know how flexible and customizable Prowly's newsrooms are in terms of branding, design, and layout to match their organization's visual identity.

  2. Can Prowly integrate with third-party tools or software, such as CRM systems or marketing automation platforms?

    • Understanding integration capabilities can be important for businesses looking to streamline their PR workflow with existing software.

  3. How does Prowly handle media contact management and segmentation for targeted outreach?

    • Users may want to explore how Prowly helps organize and segment media contacts for tailored communication.

  4. What types of multimedia content are supported in Prowly's press releases and newsrooms?

    • Knowing the range of supported multimedia elements, such as video, interactive graphics, or 360-degree images, can be essential for creating engaging content.

  5. Does Prowly offer social media management and monitoring features for tracking social media conversations and engagement?

    • Understanding Prowly's capabilities for monitoring and managing social media channels can be valuable for holistic PR efforts.

For Meltwater:

  1. What types of analytics and reporting are available for tracking media coverage and PR impact in Meltwater?

    • Users may want to explore the depth and breadth of Meltwater's reporting features, including sentiment analysis and trend tracking.

  2. Can Meltwater provide insights into competitors' media coverage and PR strategies?

    • Businesses often seek competitive intelligence; understanding how Meltwater can support this can be crucial.

  3. Is Meltwater's media monitoring capable of tracking mentions across multiple languages and regions?

    • Users with international operations may need to know if Meltwater offers multilingual and global monitoring capabilities.

  4. What are the options for collaboration and team workflow within Meltwater?

    • Understanding how Meltwater facilitates collaboration among team members, including features like task assignment and approval workflows, can be vital.

  5. Does Meltwater offer crisis management features, such as real-time alerts and reputation monitoring during PR crises?

    • For crisis communication planning, it's important to know if Meltwater can provide tools for immediate response.

  6. What are the options for accessing and sharing media coverage reports in Meltwater?

    • Users may want to explore the various ways in which Meltwater allows them to share media coverage reports with stakeholders and clients.

Conclusion

Meltwater and Prowly are robust PR and media management software solutions designed to assist businesses and PR professionals in effectively managing their public relations efforts. While they share several common features and functionalities, each platform offers its unique strengths and capabilities to meet the diverse needs of users.

Ultimately, the choice between Meltwater and Prowly will depend on specific business needs, preferred features, and budget considerations. Users should carefully assess each platform's capabilities, pricing plans, and support options to determine which aligns best with their PR and media management requirements. Both solutions offer valuable tools to enhance PR strategies, media monitoring, and engagement with media contacts.