Top 12 GRIN Alternatives in 2025: Features & Pricing Comparison

Influencer marketing has become a go-to channel, both for an emerging DTC brand and an established e-commerce brand. Creators have become the solution to increasing ad costs and BigTech algorithms, enabling brands to reduce their overall CAC by not spending on expensive video production and advertising.

In order for brands to seamlessly build and manage influencer programs, they rely on specialized tools and platforms to scale their influencer marketing efforts without getting bogged down in manual processes. One such platform is GRIN, a tool that helps brands and agencies streamline their influencer programs by offering influencer discovery, relationship management, and campaign tracking features.

While GRIN has established itself as a strong platform for managing influencer partnerships and campaign performance, many brands are searching for alternatives that better align with their needs. Let's explore the top 12 GRIN alternatives, but first, let's dive into why brands are looking beyond GRIN.

Drawbacks and Limitations of GRIN:

1. Toxic contracts and terrible support: Locked-in agreements with little flexibility, making it difficult to switch or cancel.
2. Onboarding is long and takes forever to train the team: A complex setup process with minimal guidance, leading to a steep learning curve.
3. Software is clunky and not easy to use: Slow, outdated interface that frustrates users and reduces efficiency.
4. Limited features and hidden fees, constant upselling: Essential tools locked behind paywalls, forcing unexpected upgrades.
5. Bugs and issues are not addressed: Frequent glitches disrupt workflows, with slow or no resolutions from support.
6. Very common to hear you used it for 4 months and didn't use it after, still had to pay: Rigid contracts keep brands locked in, even if they stop using the platform.
7. Can't search for Instagram influencers anymore: Key functionality removed, making influencer discovery more difficult.

GRIN Alternatives: All Tools At A Glance:

1. SARAL

Who Should Use This?

SARAL is perfect for eCommerce and DTC brands of all sizes, as well as influencer marketing agencies at any scale. We designed it for influencer managers, CMOs, and CEOs/Founders. Whether you're just starting or scaling up, anyone can use it to build and manage effective ambassador programs.

Pricing:

SARAL offers flexible annual pricing to support you at every stage of your influencer marketing journey:

• Starter – $12K/year: Great for brands just getting started with influencer marketing.
• Business – $15K/year: Ideal for growing teams looking to scale their existing influencer programs.
• Professional – $25K/year: Built for large brands running high-volume campaigns and ambassador programs.

Check out each plan in detail here.

Free Trial?

Yes, a free trial is available for you to explore SARAL's features once an intro call is complete. Try it out for yourself here.

Key Features:

1. Find Influencers: Effortlessly find creators across TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram. SARAL provides detailed metrics, audience insights, and contact information to help you connect with the perfect influencers for your brand.
2. Streamline Outreach: Scale your outreach with automated, personalized email campaigns and an AI-driven inbox, saving time while keeping interactions authentic.
3. Influencer Management: Manage all your affiliates, brand ambassadors, and influencers in one intuitive CRM, helping you build and maintain strong, long-term relationships.
4. Track Sales: Use affiliate links, discount codes, and UTM links to accurately track how each influencer contributes to your sales.
5. Track UGC: Leverage SARAL’s social listening tool to automatically monitor influencer UGC, ensuring you never miss key mentions or engagement opportunities.
6. Ecommerce Integrations: Effortlessly sync with your Shopify, WooCommerce, Klaviyo, and PayPal accounts to manage your influencer programs more efficiently.
7. Built-in Automations: Automate repetitive tasks like product shipping, follow-ups, post tracking, and influencer performance monitoring, saving you valuable time and effort.

Customer Case Studies:

1. Learn how Heart & Soil built brand awareness with influencers and saved hours on influencer discovery.
2. Learn how Nooma built a diverse influencer portfolio and streamlined influencer management with SARAL.
3. Learn how Augmentum turned influencer seeding into growth engine for their clients with SARAL.

Pros:

1. Intuitive interface designed specifically for seeding and ambassador programs.
2. A built-in CRM allows you to easily manage influencer relationships in one place.
3. Enjoy personalized onboarding and monthly performance reviews with our dedicated success team.
4. Built-in automations save you time by handling repetitive tasks.
5. 24/7 customer support ensures you have help whenever you need it.
6. There’s no percentage cut taken from your affiliate commissions.
7. The influencer search engine gives you access to a database of over 100M creators.
8. Flexible contracts and dynamic pricing make it suitable for eCommerce brands of all sizes.

Cons:

1. It’s not a creator marketplace and has a limited database of influencers.
2. The platform is not suitable for passive affiliate programs.
3. It doesn’t support influencer whitelisting.
4. It’s not ideal for tracking conversions from influencer ads.

User Reviews on G2:

GRIN Vs. SARAL:

If you want to partner up with large influencers with a big collaboration budget, then GRIN is a solid choice. But if you want a simpler, more intuitive way to find the right influencers quickly, reach out with personalized messages that get real responses, and manage collaborations without unnecessary complexity. In that case, SARAL is the better choice. Plus, unlike GRIN, SARAL lets you find influencers on Instagram. No hidden fees and constant upsells.

2. Aspire

Who Should Use This?

Enterprise brands seeking advanced tools to manage large-scale campaigns, as well as companies with substantial marketing budgets in need of a premium, feature-rich platform.

Pricing?

They have 3 plans: Essentials, Pro, and Enterprise. The average cost is about $31,000 annually. Custom plans will be provided only after a demo.

Free Trial? No.

Key Features:

1. Discover and recruit influencers, analyze their audiences, and segment based on performance.
2. Collaborate seamlessly with influencers throughout the campaign.
3. Manage and track user-generated content (UGC) easily.
4. Handle influencer compensation with flexible payment options.
5. Access detailed reporting and dashboards to monitor campaign performance.
6. Use campaign analytics to optimize strategies and results.
7. Import and export data effortlessly for smooth information management.

Pros:

1. Efficient influencer management, allowing you to easily track and nurture partnerships.
2. User-friendly interface that makes navigating the platform a breeze.
3. Comprehensive metrics tracking to measure and optimize campaign performance.
4. Responsive customer support that’s available to assist when needed.

Cons:

1. The influencer database is limited, with issues in discovering the right influencers.
2. Onboarding can be difficult, and the user interface has some usability issues.
3. The platform is expensive and requires long-term contracts.
4. There’s a lack of flexibility when it comes to influencer partnerships.
5. Hidden costs and upsells can create unexpected expenses.
6. Limited integrations and workflow automation features make the process less efficient.

User Review on G2:

GRIN Vs. Aspire:

Choose GRIN if you prefer expert-led influencer discovery, need Ecommerce integrations, and custom reporting. Choose Aspire if you need agency support, need affiliate integrations, focus on affiliate partnerships, and want to search beyond Instagram. But, remember, both come at hefty annual contracts.

3. CreatorIQ

Who Should Use This?

Global eCommerce and enterprise brands with significant influencer marketing budgets and large teams.

Pricing:

Pricing details are not publicly disclosed, but it’s reported that plans start at around $2,350 per month with an annual commitment, totaling about $28,200 per year. Other sources suggest that pricing may begin at $36,000 annually, depending on the features and services selected.

Free Trial? No.

Key Features:

1. Access to a database of 20M creators for influencer recruitment.
2. Tools for audience analysis, scoring, and segmentation to find the best influencers.
3. Easy collaboration with influencers throughout campaigns.
4. Efficient management of user-generated content (UGC) and campaigns.
5. Influencer whitelisting capabilities for better control over partnerships.
6. Flexible options for influencer compensation to streamline payments.
7. Comprehensive reporting and dashboards to track campaign success.
8. Social commerce tools to boost sales directly from influencer content.
9. Seamless integrations with social platform APIs to streamline data flow.
10. Advanced data analytics for deeper insights into campaign performance.
11. Simple data import and export tools to manage your information effortlessly.

Pros:

1. Efficient tools for managing influencers and tracking partnerships.
2. Streamlined campaign management for better control and oversight.
3. Access to comprehensive data and detailed information to optimize campaigns.
4. Responsive customer support to assist with any issues or questions.

Cons:

1. Technical Issues.
2. Complexity. Very hard and clunky interface to use.
3. Very Expensive Annual Contracts.
4. Inaccurate data of some of the creators and their audiences.
5. Creator Issues. Certain analytics may not exist for all the creators or be outdated.

User Review on G2:

GRIN Vs. CreatorIQ:

Choose CreatorIQ if you are a large enterprise with a large budget for influencer marketing and require campaign performance forecasting & customized reports. But, if you are an emerging brand with a medium budget for influencer marketing and require the basic features to build and manage an influencer program, then GRIN is a better choice.

4. Upfluence

Who Should Use This?

Medium to large businesses, especially e-commerce brands, marketing agencies, and enterprises that run high-volume influencer campaigns.

Pricing:

Basic Packages: Some reports indicate that the platform can start as low as $478/month for smaller-scale businesses or more limited feature sets.

Enterprise Packages: For larger businesses or those needing more advanced features, the pricing can go up to $2,000/month or more.

Free Trial? No.

Key Features:

1. Access to a combined creator and blogger database for influencer discovery.
2. Tools for recruiting influencers, scoring, and segmenting them based on performance.
3. Streamlined collaboration features to work closely with influencers throughout campaigns.
4. Easy management of user-generated content (UGC) and campaigns in one platform.
5. Influencer whitelisting capabilities to ensure more control over partnerships.
6. Flexible influencer compensation options for seamless payments.
7. Comprehensive reporting and dashboards to monitor campaign performance in real-time.
8. In-depth campaign analytics to refine strategies and improve results.
9. Simple data import and export tools to keep everything organized and accessible.

Pros:

1. Effortless campaign management to keep everything organized and on track.
2. A user-friendly interface that simplifies the overall experience.
3. Comprehensive influencer management tools to build and maintain strong relationships.
4. Best tool to find & onboard bloggers.
5. Seamless integrations with other tools and platforms for a smooth workflow.

Cons:

1. Audience analysis features are somewhat limited, making it harder to gain deep insights.
2. Customer support is lacking, with slow response times and insufficient assistance.
3. Inaccuracies in creator data can lead to misleading campaign decisions.
4. Long-term contracts are required, even if you're dissatisfied early on.
5. Pricing lacks transparency, making it difficult to understand the full cost upfront.

User Review on G2:

GRIN vs Upfluence:

Choose Upfluence if you need influencers on other platforms like Pinterest, Twitch, Twitter, and require in-depth features to manage negotiations and track EMV, Views, Reach, and Clicks. Choose GRIN if you need to find influencers on TikTok and YouTube only and require the basic features of running and managing an influencer program.

5. Later

Who Should Use This?

Global and enterprise-level brands managing integrated, large-scale campaigns across social media & influencer channels.

Pricing:

No set prices. Custom pricing plans will be provided upon request after a demo.

Free Trial? No.

Key Features:

1. Tools for influencer recruitment, audience analysis, and effective segmentation based on performance.
2. Seamless collaboration features for working closely with influencers.
3. Efficient management of user-generated content (UGC) and campaigns in one platform.
4. A robust customer loyalty engine to enhance brand advocacy.
5. Flexible influencer compensation options for streamlined payments.
6. Detailed reporting and dashboards to monitor campaign outcomes in real time.
7. In-depth campaign analytics to help optimize strategies and improve performance.
8. Easy data import and export tools to manage and organize information.
9. Social commerce tools for boosting sales directly from influencer-driven content.

Pros:

1. Effective tools for managing and nurturing influencer relationships.
2. Streamlined campaign management for better organization and control.
3. Clear communication features that foster collaboration with influencers.
4. Reliable customer support to assist with any questions or issues.
5. Social Media suite for media management & monitoring.

Cons:

1. The creator database is limited in size, restricting influencer options.
2. Technical issues may arise, causing disruptions in the user experience.
3. The platform's technical complexity makes it challenging to navigate.
4. The user interface is not intuitive, leading to a frustrating experience.
5. Social media tools may not be necessary for teams requiring influencer marketing features.

User Review on G2:

GRIN vs Later:

Choose Later Influence for stronger influencer discovery and recruitment, especially if you need social media scheduling tools and broader marketing integrations. If your focus is only on streamlining influencer management and automating tasks after influencer selection, GRIN is the better fit, offering good customer support and various e-commerce integrations for e-commerce brands.

Getting authentic, high-converting UGC from influencers—without the high price tag is highly possible with the right tactics. Check out this FREE guide to learn proven strategies for sourcing cost-effective but authentic influencer content that feels real and drives tangible results.

6. Meltwater

Who should use this?

Large eCommerce brands or marketing agencies of any size running high-volume, integrated campaigns with social media & influencers.

Pricing:

There are three plans: Essentials, Suite, and Enterprise. All of which will be provided upon request after a demo call.

Free trial? No.

Key features:

1. Tools for identifying influencers based on your brand’s needs.
2. Ability to generate customized reports tailored to your goals.
3. Interactive dashboards for easy tracking and monitoring.
4. Keyword targeting to reach specific audiences effectively.
5. Custom feeds and alerts to stay updated on key trends.
6. Social measurement tools to evaluate engagement across platforms.
7. Comprehensive reporting to assess campaign performance.
8. Sentiment analysis to gauge audience feelings and reactions.
9. Wide media channel coverage for reaching diverse platforms.
10. Geographic targeting to focus on specific regions or locations.

Pros:

1. Tools for discovering relevant influencers based on your criteria.
2. In-depth analytics to gain actionable insights from your campaigns.
3. Advanced reporting functionality to track and measure performance.
4. Detailed influencer data to ensure accurate decisions and effective collaboration.
5. Social media suite to run integrated campaigns across socials & influencers.

Cons:

1. The platform is difficult to navigate, making it challenging to use effectively.
2. Issues with social media reauthentication can disrupt the workflow.
3. Frequent technical glitches can affect overall platform stability.
4. Searching for micro-influencers manually can be time-consuming and inefficient.
5. Social media suite may not be needed by teams needing influencer management features.

User Review on G2:

GRIN Vs. Meltwater:

Choose Meltwater for a comprehensive social media intelligence platform with social listening and AI-driven insights at a lower price. If you're an e-commerce brand focused on influencer marketing only, then Grin is the better choice, offering strong CRM and influencer management features tailored for influencer marketing.

7. Tagger Media(Now Sprout Social)

Who Should Use This?

Large-sized eCommerce brands and influencer marketing agencies that work with large-sized brands running integrated campaigns across socials and influencers.

Pricing:

No public pricing or monthly plans are available. All prices will be provided upon request after a demo.

Free Trial? No.

Key Features:

1. Tools for recruiting influencers, analyzing audiences, and segmenting based on performance.
2. Seamless influencer collaboration tools to facilitate effective partnerships.
3. Manage user-generated content (UGC) and campaigns in one unified platform.
4. Flexible options for influencer compensation to ensure smooth transactions.
5. Comprehensive reporting and dashboards to track and assess campaign performance.
6. Real-time monitoring tools for keeping track of influencer activities.
7. Advanced campaign analytics to optimize strategies and improve results.
8. Simple data import and export capabilities for easy information management.

Pros:

1. Efficient tools for discovering the right influencers for your brand.
2. User-friendly platform that simplifies navigation and usage.
3. Responsive customer support to address any questions or issues.
4. Intuitive user interface that enhances the overall experience.
5. Social media suite for cross-functional teams.

Cons:

1. Influencer management can be time-consuming and requires frequent oversight.
2. The search functionality is unreliable and often yields irrelevant results.
3. Setting up the platform can take several weeks before it's fully operational.
4. Training your team to use the system effectively demands significant time and effort.
5. Influencer teams may not require social media suite.

User Review on G2:

GRIN Vs. Tagger:

Choose Tagger Media for a data-driven approach with strong influencer discovery, social listening, and seamless integration with Sprout Social’s social media tools. If you're focused on managing influencer relationships and streamlining campaign execution only, then Grin is the better choice, offering social CRM, influencer management, and automation features tailored for influencer marketing.

8. Captiv8

Who should use this?

Large-sized eCommerce brands and marketing agencies with larger marketing budgets running high-volume influencer campaigns.

Pricing:

Reports have said that basic plans start from $2000/month with a commitment period of 6 months. Custom pricing plans will be provided after a demo call.

Free Trial? No.

Key Features:

1. Find and evaluate influencers based on audience insights and performance metrics.
2. Coordinate campaigns and maintain smooth collaboration with creators.
3. Collect, organize, and manage user-generated content with ease.
4. Handle influencer payouts and rewards through flexible compensation tools.
5. Access detailed reports and performance dashboards to measure results.
6. Run influencer whitelisting campaigns to boost reach through paid media.
7. Dive into campaign analytics to refine future influencer strategies.
8. Import and export data easily for better workflow integration.
9. Connect with ecommerce platforms like Shopify for seamless program execution.
10. Enable product discovery and purchases directly through social platforms.

Pros:

1. Helps discover relevant content and creators by tracking hashtags and locations.
2. Analyzes post timing hourly to recommend the best times to publish content.
3. Uses AI to label and group influencers for more accurate targeting.
4. Simplifies managing influencer campaigns from start to finish.

Cons:

1. Limited onboarding resources make it harder for new users to get started quickly.
2. New feature releases often lack proper instructions or tutorials.
3. Some influencer and campaign data may be inaccurate or outdated.
4. Users occasionally experience technical problems while using the platform.

User Review on G2:

GRIN vs. Captiv8:

Choose GRIN for influencer relationship management and campaign execution, especially for e-commerce brands. However, Captiv8 is the better choice if you need more customization, stronger influencer recruitment, deeper audience insights, and influencer whitelisting.

9. Traackr

Who Should Use This?

Large Enterprise Brands, Brands Focused on Influencer Spend Compliance, Agencies Managing Enterprise Clients, and Data-Driven Marketing Teams.

Pricing:

Growth Plan - $25K/year, Standard Plan - $32K/year, Plus Plan - $55K/year.

Free Trial? No.

Key Features:

1. Recruit influencers and segment them based on audience data and performance.
2. Collaborate with creators throughout your campaigns.
3. Manage user-generated content and influencer campaigns in one place.
4. Whitelist influencers for brand-approved content promotion.
5. Handle influencer payments with flexible compensation options.
6. Use detailed dashboards to monitor campaign performance.
7. Enable social commerce features to drive sales through creators.
8. Access deep analytics for better decision-making.
9. Easily import and export data for streamlined operations.

Pros:

1. It offers robust tools for managing influencer relationships effectively.
2. Campaign setup and execution are streamlined through intuitive workflows.
3. Users get access to detailed influencer data for informed decision-making.
4. Metrics tracking helps monitor campaign performance with accuracy.
5. Ideal for heavy data-driven teams.

Cons:

1. The platform often loads slowly, which affects user productivity.
2. Influencer data can be inaccurate, making it hard to evaluate creators.
3. Automated outreach features are missing, requiring manual communication.
4. The search functionality is unreliable and limits discovery.
5. The interface feels clunky and is difficult to navigate.

User Review on G2:

GRIN vs Traackr:

Choose GRIN for a user-friendly platform that streamlines influencer outreach, campaign management, and UGC approval, making it a strong fit for direct-to-consumer brands. However, if you need deeper analytics, benchmark reporting, and extensive influencer research with a large budget, Traackr is the better choice, offering stronger discovery tools and a more data-driven approach to influencer marketing.

10. Shopify Collabs(formerly Dovetale)

Who Should Use This?

Small-to-medium-sized eCommerce businesses, exclusively Shopify merchants new to influencer and affiliate marketing.

Pricing:

Shopify Collabs is free for both merchants and creators to use. The only cost is a 2.9% fee on automated payments for sales driven through creator collaborations.

Free Trial? Yes.

Key Features:

1. Access a built-in creator marketplace to find potential collaborators.
2. Manage creator relationships and campaigns from one centralized dashboard.
3. Track creator performance to measure the success of your campaigns.
4. Handle affiliate payments directly within the platform.

Pros:

1. It offers easier access to influencers, simplifying the discovery process.
2. The platform is simple to manage, even for teams with limited experience.
3. Payments and tracking are automated, saving time and reducing manual effort.
4. It's an ideal solution for new brands looking to launch influencer programs quickly.

Cons:

1. The platform has a restricted marketplace network, limiting access to a broad range of creators.
2. It is not well-suited for long-term influencer seeding or ambassador programs.
3. Bulk email outreach is not possible, making campaign scaling more difficult.
4. The feature set is limited, and customer support is often unresponsive.

User Review on G2:

GRIN vs Dovetale:

Choose GRIN for managing influencer relationships and campaign execution, particularly for larger brands with big budgets needing outreach and content management. However, Dovetale is the better choice if you are a new brand and require ease of use, more intuitive influencer recruitment, and need instant UGC for marketing campaigns.

11. Social Native

Who Should Use This?

Enterprise brands looking to scale content (UGC) and Content Creators Looking for Brand Collaborations.

Pricing:

Undisclosed. Custom plans will be provided after a demo call.

Free Trial? No.

Key Features:

1. Campaign management helps streamline and optimize influencer marketing campaigns.
2. Influencer discovery allows you to easily search and connect with the right influencers.
3. Influencer relationship management helps you maintain and nurture ongoing relationships with influencers.
4. Reporting and analytics provide tools to track and measure the performance of influencer campaigns.
5. Engagement tracking monitors influencer engagement metrics and audience interactions.
6. UGC collection enables you to collect and manage user-generated content from influencers.
7. Social media integration seamlessly syncs with social media platforms for easy data management.
8. ROI tracking helps measure the return on investment from influencer campaigns.

Pros:

1. UGC-focused features allow brands to track and manage user-generated content effectively.
2. AI automation streamlines influencer campaigns and optimizes marketing workflows.
3. Content management helps brands organize and distribute influencer-created content with ease.
4. The platform serves both brands and creators, providing tools for efficient collaboration and growth.

Cons:

1. The marketplace network is restricted, limiting access to a wider range of influencers.
2. Not ideal for long-term influencer seeding or ambassador programs due to its limitations.
3. The platform is complex to navigate, which can make it harder to use effectively.
4. Customization options are limited, making it difficult to tailor the platform to specific needs.

User Review on G2:

GRIN vs Social Native:

Choose Social Native for UGC creation, short-form video, and strong creator discovery, helping brands generate and deploy authentic social content across multiple channels. GRIN, on the other hand, is ideal for managing influencer relationships, campaign execution, and content collection, making it a strong choice for e-commerce brands focused on long-term partnerships.

12. Creator.co

Who Should Use This?

Small brands seeking automated influencer collaborations, quick campaigns, and a hands-off approach. It suits businesses prioritizing convenience over customization and fast content over long-term partnerships.

Pricing:

Starts from $495/mo and goes up to $3995/month with additional add-ons.

Free Trial? No.

Key Features:

1. The platform offers an influencer marketplace for easy recruitment and segmentation.
2. Enables seamless collaboration with influencers throughout campaigns.
3. Provides efficient management of UGC and campaign tasks in one place.
4. Allows influencer whitelisting to ensure brand safety and control.
5. Supports flexible influencer compensation to ensure smooth payments.
6. Comprehensive reporting and dashboards to track campaign performance.
7. Integrates with social commerce features to enhance influencer-driven sales.
8. Offers robust data analytics to optimize campaign strategies.
9. Simplifies data import and export for efficient management and analysis.

Pros:

1. Provides in-depth data on influencers to make informed recruitment decisions.
2. Facilitates UGC licensing, ensuring legal use of influencer content.
3. Streamlines campaign management to keep everything organized in one platform.
4. Integrates with affiliate marketing tools for seamless performance tracking and compensation.

Cons:

1. High onboarding fees can be a barrier for smaller brands.
2. Creator opt-ins are often disorganized, leading to confusion.
3. The platform can be complex and difficult to navigate.
4. Connection issues may cause delays and hinder the user experience.

User Review on G2:

GRIN Vs. Creator.co:

Choose Creator.co for an instant UGC influencer collaboration, advanced campaign analytics, and deeper insights into performance. However, choose GRIN if your priority is finding and managing long-term influencer partnerships with easy data exporting, making it a better fit for brands building long-term influencer programs.

Which Platform To Choose?

If you're considering GRIN alternatives, the key is finding a tool that aligns with your budget, resources, and campaign goals. Different platforms serve different needs: CreatorIQ, Later, and GRIN are ideal for managing high-volume influencer campaigns with larger budgets, while Shopify Collabs and Upfluence work well for brands starting out with limited budgets. However, there’s also a third, more balanced option to explore.

You can use SARAL, which has one of the largest influencer search engines(100M+), bulk outreach automation tools, influencer management features, social listening, and advanced reporting & analytics tools, making it an excellent choice to launch and scale your influencer marketing efforts at a brand-friendly pricing.

Reading is great, but action brings bigger rewards. Book a call to see if SARAL is a fit.