Contently vs MarketMuse: Complete Comparison 2025
Choosing between Contently and MarketMuse can be challenging. Both are solutions, but they have distinct differences. In this comprehensive comparison, we'll analyze features, pricing, and use cases to help you make the best decision.
An enterprise content marketing suite that combines a CMP platform (planning, workflows, governance, ROI analytics) with a creator marketplace plus services (strategy, managing editors). It also offers LLMO/AI Search (audit + content + analytics) and an AI Studio with multi-agent workflows to produce fact-checked, compliant content.
- Multi-platform AI tracking (ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude, Gemini)
- Citation and source tracking
- Sentiment analysis
A content intelligence and SEO optimization platform that analyzes a site's content inventory and the SERPs to find opportunities (gaps, clusters, quick wins), generate content briefs, and optimize pages using proprietary metrics (Topic Authority, Personalized Difficulty, Content Score).
- Competitive benchmarking / Share of voice
- Actionable recommendations
- AI content optimization suggestions
Key Features Comparison
Here's a detailed breakdown of features offered by each platform:
| Feature | Contently | MarketMuse |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-platform AI tracking (ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude, Gemini) | ||
| Citation and source tracking | ||
| Sentiment analysis | ||
| Competitive benchmarking / Share of voice | ||
| Actionable recommendations | ||
| AI content optimization suggestions | ||
| AI content writer/generator | ||
| Team collaboration / Workspaces | ||
| SSO / Enterprise security | ||
| Mission Control CMP: cross-functional calendars, campaign centers | ||
| Brand governance + Tone Analyzer (brand voice controls) | ||
| ROI analytics: Content Value Tracker + Performance Analytics | ||
| AI Studio: multi-agent orchestration (research -> draft -> fact-check) | ||
| Creative Marketplace: vetted creator network (writing/design/video) | ||
| Keyword research | ||
| CSV exports | ||
| Free plan available | ||
| Site inventory: list of published pages + page/topic combinations, refreshed regularly | ||
| Tracked topics to spot missing content and strong/weak authority by topic | ||
| Proprietary metrics: Topic Authority, Personalized Difficulty, Competitive Advantage, Content Score | ||
| Content planning: roadmap of what to create or update (content plan / quick wins) | ||
| Content briefs generation (Article + more brief types depending on plan) | ||
| 9 brief types (Comparison, FAQ Collection, Guide, How-to, Listicle, Local, News/Event, Product Review…) | ||
| Content quality / cluster analysis strategy docs to find what needs optimization | ||
| SERP Heatmap (top 20) and SERP X-ray (SERP diagnostics tooling) |
Pricing Analysis
Both Contently and MarketMuse are priced at $0/month for their premium plans, making pricing not a differentiating factor.
Pros and Cons
Contently
- Enterprise-ready governance: workflows, approvals, and ROI analytics to run a real content factory
- Hybrid model (platform + managing editors + creator marketplace), strong fit for regulated/sensitive content
- End-to-end lifecycle coverage: ideation -> production -> compliance -> distribution -> measurement (including PDF + ops efficiency)
- LLMO/AI Search offering included: not just writing, but measuring and steering AI visibility/citations
- Hard to map to your pricing model (often annual + services + content volume): typically quote-based
- Broad suite: if you only want 'GEO monitoring', onboarding can feel heavier than a pure tracker
- Platform + services positioning: some outcomes may depend on the level of managed support (editors/consulting)
MarketMuse
- Strong for editorial strategy: inventory + clusters + quick-win prioritization using personalized metrics
- Solid brief generation and SERP analysis toolkit (Heatmap / SERP X-ray) for writers
- Actionable competitive analysis (gaps at page or cluster level, top-20 visualization)
- A free plan helps validate value before upgrading
- Paid-plan prices aren't shown directly on the pricing page (harder to compare quickly on price)
- Content-strategy/SEO-centric approach (not a pure GEO tool for LLM mention monitoring)
- Value depends on executing consistently (brief -> production -> optimization)
Best Use Cases
Each platform excels in different scenarios:
ContentlyBest for
- 1Enterprise Content/SEO teams: run cross-team programs (calendar, briefs, approvals) and prove ROI
- 2Regulated brands (finance/healthcare/etc.): produce fact-checked, compliant content with editorial governance
- 3PMM/Growth: scale comparison pages/FAQs/TOFU and improve visibility in AI Overviews / LLMs
- 4Agencies: standardize production + reporting + client workflows (and staff via the marketplace)
- 5Enablement/Docs marketing: measure and optimize engagement on PDFs (whitepapers/case studies)
MarketMuseBest for
- 1SEO/Content teams: build clusters, prioritize content, and improve topical coverage
- 2Editorial/writing: generate structured briefs to create more comprehensive SERP-aligned content
- 3Agencies: content audits, competitive analysis, and editorial roadmap recommendations
- 4Content ops: quickly identify quick wins (optimize existing pages vs create new topics)
Feature Comparison
| Criteria | Contently | MarketMuse |
|---|---|---|
| Free Plan | ||
| Number of Features | 14 | 14 |
Conclusion
Both Contently and MarketMuse are excellent solutions. Contently is ideal for enterprise content/seo teams: run cross-team programs (calendar, briefs, approvals) and prove roi, while MarketMuse excels at seo/content teams: build clusters, prioritize content, and improve topical coverage. Your choice should depend on your specific needs and budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better: Contently or MarketMuse?
It depends on your specific needs. Contently is better for enterprise content/seo teams: run cross-team programs (calendar, briefs, approvals) and prove roi, while MarketMuse excels at seo/content teams: build clusters, prioritize content, and improve topical coverage. Consider your priorities and budget before making a decision.
Is Contently more expensive than MarketMuse?
Both Contently and MarketMuse are priced at $0/month for their premium plans.
What is the main difference between Contently and MarketMuse?
The main difference lies in their focus. Contently offers Multi-platform AI tracking (ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude, Gemini), while MarketMuse stands out with Keyword research. Contently targets enterprise content/seo teams: run cross-team programs (calendar, briefs, approvals) and prove roi, whereas MarketMuse is designed for seo/content teams: build clusters, prioritize content, and improve topical coverage.
Which one is easier to use for beginners: Contently or MarketMuse?
Both platforms are designed to be user-friendly. Contently enterprise-ready governance: workflows, approvals, and roi analytics to run a real content factory, while MarketMuse strong for editorial strategy: inventory + clusters + quick-win prioritization using personalized metrics. We recommend trying the free version of each to see which interface suits you better.
Which offers the best value for money: Contently or MarketMuse?
Contently offers the most competitive pricing at $0/month. However, the best value depends on which features you actually need. If you require multi-platform ai tracking (chatgpt, perplexity, claude, gemini), Contently might be worth the investment. For competitive benchmarking / share of voice, MarketMuse could be the better choice.
Can I switch from Contently to MarketMuse easily?
Yes, migrating between Contently and MarketMuse is generally possible. Most platforms offer export features that allow you to transfer your data. We recommend exporting your content before switching and checking the import options available on the new platform.
Which is better for small businesses: Contently or MarketMuse?
For small businesses, Contently at $0/month is often the most practical choice due to budget constraints. However, Contently excels at enterprise content/seo teams: run cross-team programs (calendar, briefs, approvals) and prove roi, while MarketMuse is ideal for seo/content teams: build clusters, prioritize content, and improve topical coverage. Consider your specific business requirements before deciding.
Are there free alternatives to Contently and MarketMuse?
Both Contently and MarketMuse offer free plans with limited features. These free versions are great for testing or light usage. For more advanced needs, the paid plans unlock additional features and higher usage limits.
Can I use both Contently and MarketMuse together?
Yes, many users combine both tools to leverage their unique strengths. Contently can handle enterprise content/seo teams: run cross-team programs (calendar, briefs, approvals) and prove roi, while MarketMuse takes care of seo/content teams: build clusters, prioritize content, and improve topical coverage. This approach can maximize productivity if budget allows.
What are the pros and cons of Contently compared to MarketMuse?
Contently's strengths include enterprise-ready governance: workflows, approvals, and roi analytics to run a real content factory, but it has limitations like hard to map to your pricing model (often annual + services + content volume): typically quote-based. MarketMuse offers strong for editorial strategy: inventory + clusters + quick-win prioritization using personalized metrics, though paid-plan prices aren't shown directly on the pricing page (harder to compare quickly on price). The best choice depends on which trade-offs matter most to you.
Related Articles
A GEO (AI visibility) platform to analyze how AI models understand your website, get actionable optimization recommendations, track mentions across AI platforms, and benchmark visibility against competitors. vs An enterprise content marketing suite that combines a CMP platform (planning, workflows, governance, ROI analytics) with a creator marketplace plus services (strategy, managing editors). It also offers LLMO/AI Search (audit + content + analytics) and an AI Studio with multi-agent workflows to produce fact-checked, compliant content.
A GEO (AI visibility) platform to analyze how AI models understand your website, get actionable optimization recommendations, track mentions across AI platforms, and benchmark visibility against competitors. vs A content intelligence and SEO optimization platform that analyzes a site's content inventory and the SERPs to find opportunities (gaps, clusters, quick wins), generate content briefs, and optimize pages using proprietary metrics (Topic Authority, Personalized Difficulty, Content Score).
A GEO / AI Search monitoring tool that automatically tracks brand visibility (mentions, link citations, rankings) across multiple AI platforms, with reporting, exports, and a Looker Studio connector. vs An enterprise content marketing suite that combines a CMP platform (planning, workflows, governance, ROI analytics) with a creator marketplace plus services (strategy, managing editors). It also offers LLMO/AI Search (audit + content + analytics) and an AI Studio with multi-agent workflows to produce fact-checked, compliant content.