7 Best Affordable Profound AI Alternatives in 2025 (From $39/mo)

If you're looking for Profound alternatives, you're probably shocked by their $499/month starting price with no free trial. Good news - you can get comprehensive AI visibility optimization platform for as little as $39/month.

I tested 7 alternatives that offer similar features at a fraction of the cost.

The best Profound alternative is Promptmonitor at $39/month - it's 92% cheaper and includes unique features like AI crawler analytics and contact discovery. Plus, you get a 10-day free trial to test it out (something Profound doesn't offer).

Here's what makes these alternatives worth considering:

• Prices starting from $39/mo vs Profound's $499/mo
• Most offer daily tracking and multi-platform coverage
• Several include features Profound lacks (like contact scraping)
• Two offer free trials to test before buying

To be fair, Profound is excellent for enterprises needing SOC 2 compliance and dedicated support. But for most businesses, these alternatives deliver what you actually need at prices that make sense.

The 7 Best Profound Alternatives

1. Promptmonitor - Best overall alternative for SMBs and Marketing teams ($39/mo)
2. Mentions.so - Best for agencies managing multiple clients ($49/mo)
3. Writesonic - Best for content teams needing creation tools ($79/mo)
4. Peec AI - Best for teams that want AI to suggest tracking prompts (€89/mo)
5. Semrush AI Toolkit - Best for existing Semrush users ($99/mo add-on)
6. AthenaHQ - Best for data-driven enterprises ($295/mo)
7. Scrunch AI - Best for brand safety monitoring ($300/mo)

Top Profound Alternatives at a Glance

*Requires existing Semrush subscription

1. Promptmonitor - Most Affordable Profound Alternative

Promptmonitor gives you everything you'd expect from an enterprise AI visibility platform, minus the enterprise price tag. At $39/month, it's the most accessible way to track your brand across AI platforms.

Key Features:

• Multi-Model Prompt Tracking - Track unlimited prompts across ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity, DeepSeek, and Grok (Profound limits to 4 models)
• AI Crawler Analytics - See real-time data when AI bots crawl your site - which pages they access, how often, and what they prioritize
• Sources & Contact Discovery - Identify which websites AI references and automatically extract emails/social profiles from cited sources for outreach. Includes SEO metrics like Domain Rating, Page Authority, and backlink counts
• Privacy-First Website Analytics - GDPR-compliant analytics that track both human visitors and AI bots without invasive cookies
• Multi-Region Tracking - Monitor AI responses globally without restrictions (Profound's base plan limits to 1 region only)
• Competitor Monitoring - kind of a leaderboard showing exactly which competitors your outrank and which ones are winning

Promptmonitor vs Profound - Which is Best for You?

Pros of Promptmonitor:

• 92% cheaper than Profound - save $460 per month
• Unique features like AI bot analytics showing when crawlers visit your site
• Contact discovery with SEO metrics - finds emails/socials plus DR, PA, backlinks for each source
• No application needed - sign up and start immediately
• 6 LLMs and unlimited regions vs Profound's 4 LLMs and 1 region limit
• 1-3 years historical data vs Profound's shocking 2 months
• Great UI/UX according to user reviews

Cons of Promptmonitor:

• Daily refresh only on higher tiers ($199+)
• No enterprise compliance certifications (SOC 2, etc.)
• Newer platform, still building some advanced features
• No dedicated strategy manager like Profound Enterprise plan (Not available on $499 plan)

Pricing Comparison

Recommendation: I'd recommend Promptmonitor for small to medium businesses and agencies and marketing teams. The 1-3 years of historical data (compared to Profound's 2 months) actually lets you spot real trends. And that contact discovery feature with SEO metrics? I haven't seen it anywhere else - it turns citation gaps into actionable outreach opportunities with prioritization data. The $460/month you save can fund actual marketing campaigns.

"I've been using this tool with my marketing team for a while now to explore & crack down more strategic ways to enhance product visibility."

Ajay Sahoo, Founder of LanceQ

Ready to start tracking your AI visibility?

Track prompts across ChatGPT, Perplexity etc and see exactly where you're mentioned, what sources to target, and how to improve your AI visibility.

Try free for 10 daysSee Live Demo

2. Mentions.so - Best for Agency Management

Mentions.so focuses on helping agencies track and improve client visibility across AI platforms. Their unlimited seats model and white-label reporting make it perfect for teams managing multiple accounts.

Key Features:

• AI Traffic Analytics - Measures actual visitor traffic from AI platforms, not just estimates. Shows real numbers and ROI from each AI source
• Unlimited Team Seats - All plans include unlimited users without per-seat pricing (huge value for agencies and large teams)
• White-Label Reports - Fully branded agency reports with auto-generated insights and bulk discounts for multiple clients
• Daily Performance Updates - Get fresh data every 24 hours on all plans, showing how your visibility changes day-to-day

Mentions.so vs Profound - Which is Best for You?

Pros of Mentions.so:

• 90% cheaper than Profound
• Unlimited team seats on all plans (huge value for agencies)
• AI traffic measurement shows actual visitor numbers from each AI platform
• Daily updates standard on all plans
• Agency-friendly with white-label reports and client management features

Cons of Mentions.so:

• No free trial to test the platform
• Limited to 25 prompts on starter plan
• Newer platform, less proven track record
• No advanced security compliance
• Suspicious testimonials, They were there since the waitlist, before the product was even built.

Pricing Comparison

Recommendation: Choose Mentions.so if you have a larger team (unlimited seats!) or manage multiple clients. Their agency plan at $399 is still cheaper than Profound's entry level, and the white-label reports let you resell the service.

3. Writesonic - Best All-in-One Platform

Writesonic isn't just about tracking - it's about fixing. Their GEO tool comes bundled with AI content creation, so you can identify gaps and create optimized content without switching tools.

Key Features:

• GEO + Content Creation - Track AI visibility and immediately create optimized content in the same platform. No tool switching needed
• Real Crawler Tracking - Direct detection of AI bots via Cloudflare integration for accurate traffic data
• AI Article Writer - Built-in content creation with templates optimized for AI visibility and citations
• Topic-Level Analysis - Goes beyond keywords to track entire content themes and what topics AI associates with your brand
• SEO & GEO Scanner - Identifies both traditional SEO issues and AI-specific problems like crawler access and content complexity

Writesonic vs Profound - Which is Best for You?

Pros of Writesonic:

• 84% cheaper than Profound
• Content creation included - fix visibility gaps immediately
• Real crawler tracking via Cloudflare integration
• All-in-one solution reduces tool sprawl
• Topic-level analysis not just keyword tracking

Cons of Writesonic:

• Jack of all trades, master of none
• GEO features less sophisticated than dedicated tools
• Higher learning curve with all features
• Limited GEO features on lower plans

Pricing Comparison

Recommendation: Perfect if you're a content team that wants tracking AND creation in one place. The $79 plan gives you more than enough to start optimizing for AI visibility.

4. Peec AI - Best for Prompt Suggestions

Based in Berlin, Peec AI brings German engineering precision to AI visibility tracking. Their standout feature automatically suggests which prompts to track based on your website content - no manual keyword research needed.

Key Features:

• Prompt Suggestions - AI analyzes your website and automatically suggests relevant prompts to track. No more guessing what questions people ask about your industry
• Multi-Language Support - Track visibility across different languages and regions with localized prompt monitoring
• Unlimited Team Seats - Every plan includes unlimited users, making it perfect for larger teams or agencies
• 7-Day Free Trial - Test all features before committing to a paid plan (one of only two tools offering trials)
• Historical Trendline - Track visibility changes over time with detailed historical data and trend analysis

Peec AI vs Profound - Which is Best for You?

Pros of Peec AI:

• 81% cheaper than Profound
• 7-day free trial to test features
• Automated prompt discovery saves hours of research - AI tells you what to track
• Transparent pricing in euros, no hidden fees

Cons of Peec AI:

• Platform add-ons can increase costs quickly
• Limited to 25 prompts on starter
• No built-in content optimization
• Euro pricing may fluctuate for USD users

Pricing Comparison

Recommendation: Ideal for people that don't want to spend hours researching what prompts to track. The AI-powered prompt discovery analyzes your site and competitors to automatically suggest what you should monitor. But the prompt suggestions are not backed by search volume, it just ai generated suggestions. You need to do kw research on your own to make better use of the tool. Perfect for European companies or anyone needing multi-language tracking.

5. Semrush AI Toolkit - Best for Existing Users

If you're already paying for Semrush, their AI Toolkit is the path of least resistance. I'll be honest though - the value proposition isn't amazing for what you get.

Key Features:

• Limited Prompt Tracking - Only 10 prompts per platform (ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini) - very restrictive for the price
• Brand Performance Reports - Track how AI platforms perceive your brand with sentiment analysis and share of voice metrics
• My Reports Integration - Export AI visibility data directly into Semrush's presentation-ready slide templates
• Integration with SEO Tools - Works alongside existing Semrush SEO features and data in one platform
• AI Strategic Insights - Get AI-generated recommendations for improving visibility (basic compared to competitors)

Semrush vs Profound - Which is Best for You?

*Including base Semrush subscription

Pros of Semrush AI Toolkit:

• Integrated workflow with existing Semrush tools
• Trusted brand with established support
• Export to slides via My Reports
• No new platform to learn

Cons of Semrush:

• Only 10 prompts per platform (very limiting)
• Requires expensive base subscription
• Users report poor ROI
• Basic features for the price
• No crawler analytics

Pricing Comparison

Recommendation: Only worth it if you're already a heavy Semrush user and want basic AI tracking. Otherwise, you're better off with a dedicated tool.

6. AthenaHQ - Best for Data-Driven Teams

Founded by ex-Google and DeepMind experts, AthenaHQ brings serious AI expertise. Their Y Combinator backing adds credibility, but the price reflects their enterprise ambitions.

Key Features:

• Olympus Dashboard - Comprehensive GEO scores and share of voice metrics in one unified view with visual competitive benchmarking
• AI Action Center - Generates specific, actionable recommendations to improve AI visibility based on your data patterns
• Source Intelligence - Identifies exactly which websites and content AI engines reference when mentioning your brand
• Content Gap Identification - Highlights topics where competitors appear but you don't, with priority scoring
• Persona-Based Analysis - Track how different user personas see your brand in AI responses across demographics

AthenaHQ vs Profound - Which is Best for You?

Pros of AthenaHQ:

• 41% cheaper than Profound
• Y Combinator backed - strong credibility
• AI-generated recommendations save analysis time
• Competitive benchmarking is comprehensive
• Founded by AI experts from Google/DeepMind

Cons of AthenaHQ:

• Still expensive at $295/month minimum
• No free trial to test the platform
• Limited enterprise features vs Profound
• Smaller platform with less market presence

Pricing Comparison

Recommendation: Worth considering if you're a funded startup that needs sophisticated analytics but can't justify Profound's pricing. The ex-Google team knows their stuff.

7. Scrunch AI - Best for Brand Protection

Scrunch AI takes a unique angle - protecting your brand from AI hallucinations and misinformation. With $15M in Series A funding, they're building something interesting.

Key Features:

• Misinformation Detection - Catches when AI makes false claims about your brand, products, or services before customers see them
• Journey Mapping - Visualizes how customers discover your brand through AI interactions and identifies drop-off points
• Bot Analytics - Analyze AI crawler behavior on your site via CDN integration (Cloudflare, Akamai, Vercel)
• Persona-Specific Tracking - Monitor how AI personalizes responses for different user profiles and demographics
• Agent Experience Platform - Coming soon - infrastructure to serve AI-optimized content without changing your human website

Scrunch AI vs Profound - Which is Best for You?

Pros of Scrunch AI:

• 40% cheaper than Profound
• Misinformation detection catches AI hallucinations
• Journey mapping shows customer paths
• Strong growth - 500+ brands already
• Innovative roadmap with Agent Experience Platform

Cons of Scrunch AI:

• Still expensive at $300/month
• Platform still maturing
• Limited public reviews
• No free trial available

Pricing Comparison

Recommendation: Consider Scrunch AI if brand safety is your top concern. Their misinformation detection is unique, and the upcoming AXP platform could be game-changing.

What's the Best Profound Alternative?

After testing all seven alternatives, here's my honest take: Promptmonitor at $39/month is the best choice for 90% of businesses.

You're getting the core features that matter - multi-platform tracking, competitor analysis, source discovery - plus unique capabilities like AI crawler analytics and contact discovery with SEO metrics.

Now look, Profound is a solid platform. They've raised $35M in funding, work with major brands like MongoDB and Ramp, and their enterprise features are legitimate. If you need SOC 2 compliance, SSO, and a dedicated success team, Profound makes sense.

But here's what surprised me about their $499 "Lite" plan:

• Only 4 LLM platforms (Promptmonitor tracks over 6)
• Just 1 region (Promptmonitor tracks unlimited)
• 2 months of history (Promptmonitor offers 1-3 years)
• 15 content briefs per month (not even full articles)

For $460 less per month, you're actually getting MORE practical features with Promptmonitor. Unless you specifically need enterprise compliance, the math just doesn't work out.

Quick Decision Guide:

Choose Promptmonitor if:

• You want the best value (92% cheaper than Profound)
• You need to major LLM and region tracking
• Contact discovery for outreach matters to you
• You want to test with a free trial first

Choose Mentions.so if:

• You have a large team (unlimited seats is huge)
• Agency white-label reporting is important
• You're managing multiple client accounts

Choose Writesonic if:

• You want tracking + content creation in one tool
• You're already creating lots of AI-optimized content
• You prefer all-in-one solutions

Still considering Profound? Look, if you're a Fortune 500 company needing SOC 2 compliance and enterprise support, Profound is solid. They've got the credentials and the client list to prove it. But for everyone else? You're paying for features you won't use. Start with Promptmonitor's free trial - worst case, you'll learn what you actually need from an AI visibility tool.

Ready to start tracking your AI visibility?

Track prompts across ChatGPT, Perplexity etc and see exactly where you're mentioned, what sources to target, and how to improve your AI visibility.

Try free for 10 daysSee Live Demo

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What does Profound AI do?

Profound is an AI visibility platform that tracks how your brand appears in AI-generated responses from ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, and other AI search engines. They monitor brand mentions, analyze sentiment, track citations, and provide strategic recommendations. They're well-funded ($35M Series B) and work with major brands like MongoDB and Ramp. Their $499/month starter plan includes tracking for 4 LLMs, 1 region, and 2 months of historical data.

What features does Profound have that these alternatives don't?

Profound offers SOC 2 Type II compliance, enterprise SSO integration, dedicated customer success managers, and their "Conversation Explorer" feature for deep AI conversation analysis. They also provide content generation (15 briefs/month) and have strong enterprise security. These features matter for Fortune 500 companies with strict compliance requirements. Most small to medium businesses, however, find alternatives like Promptmonitor offer more practical features (unlimited LLMs, contact discovery) at a better price point.

How much does Profound AI cost?

Profound starts at $499/month for their "Lite" self-serve plan with limited features (4 LLMs, 1 region, 2 months history). Enterprise plans require custom pricing and typically run into mid-four figures monthly. There are no monthly discounts or cheaper tiers - it's enterprise-focused pricing only.

Why do some tools cost $39 while Profound costs $499?

Profound positions itself as an enterprise solution with compliance certifications, dedicated support, and custom features that Fortune 500 companies require. Cheaper alternatives like Promptmonitor ($39) focus on providing core AI visibility features without the enterprise overhead. Ironically, these affordable tools often include more practical features (unlimited LLMs, longer history) than Profound's base plan.

Is there a free trial for Profound?

No, Profound doesn't offer a free trial. You need to apply for access and go through their sales process. In contrast, Promptmonitor offers a 10-day free trial and Peec AI offers 7 days - both without requiring a sales call.

Is Profound's 2-month history limit standard in the industry?

Absolutely not. Two months of historical data for $499/month is shockingly limited. Most tools offer much more: Google Analytics (free) provides 14 months, Promptmonitor offers 1-3 years depending on plan, and even mid-tier SEO tools typically provide 6-12 months minimum. This limitation makes it hard to track long-term trends or seasonal patterns.

Is Promptmonitor missing important features compared to Profound?

Promptmonitor lacks enterprise compliance certifications (SOC 2) and SSO integration that Profound offers. However, Promptmonitor actually has MORE practical features including unlimited LLM tracking (vs 4), unlimited regions (vs 1), contact discovery for outreach, AI crawler analytics, and 1-3 years of history (vs 2 months). For 92% less cost, you're getting more usable features unless you specifically need enterprise compliance.