7 GRIN Alternatives to Power Your Influencer Marketing in 2024

Shopping for the best GRIN alternatives? You’ve come to the right place.

GRIN helps influencer marketers automate workflows and save a ton of time. But it’s not right for everyone. Big-budget DTC brands with paid influencer campaigns are GRIN’s happiest users.

If that’s not you, there are many great options. The challenge is finding the right one for you. We’re here to help.

So let’s compare GRIN to other popular tools and see if we can find the best fit for you.

Meet the alternatives

MightyScout: Great value for the range of features. Specializes in comprehensive tracking and accurate analytics for Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

Aspire: A full-featured platform with a creator marketplace of 1M across the major social platforms.

Influencity: A global all-in-one solution for influencer marketing campaigns.

CreatorIQ: Offers AI-driven influencer marketing features, with a focus on discovery and campaign management.

Traackr: Known for its global database of influencers and building authentic relationships at scale.

Upfluence: Loved for its searchable database, but also offers an all-in-one platform.

HypeAuditor: Provides a range of features to find and analyze influencers, invite and contract with them, manage campaigns, track some activity, and report on performance.

GRIN vs. alternatives: Overview

GRIN Overview

What is GRIN?

GRIN is an influencer marketing platform that helps brands manage all aspects of their influencer campaigns. No one feature is particularly strong. But for e-commerce brands that work with a large number of paid influencers, GRIN is an effective all-in-one tool.

With GRIN, brands can get curated lists of influencers, email outreach features, influencer relationship management tools, influencer tracking, creator payments, and reports. GRIN integrates with multiple e-commerce platforms.

Who is GRIN best for?

GRIN is best for large-budget DTC brands who want an all-in-one solution for paid collaborations, and who need a Shopify integration.

GRIN pros

Scalability: GRIN helps brands scale their influencer marketing efforts. If manual processes are the limitation to growing your influencer marketing program, a tool like this helps you work with more influencers without hiring more staff.

Comprehensive features: GRIN offers features for nearly all phases of influencer management from discovery to final reporting.

Excellent customer support: GRIN users gush about their customer support.

Influencer payments: Organizing and making influencer payments through GRIN allows users to keep all payments in one place.

Integration with Shopify: Many customers mention the seamless integration with Shopify through GRIN as a strength.

Outreach and communication with influencers: GRIN users appreciate the unique ability to set up communication sequences with influencers including integrated Gmail inboxes, and the organization provided through the influencer relationship management features.

GRIN cons

Discovery features concerns: Discovery was previously a strength for GRIN. Now, some customers are not impressed with GRIN’s discovery features.

Contract inflexibility: GRIN with its long-term contract requirement, may not be a fit for for freelancers or small teams. There is no option to pause your account in months where you may not have influencer activity.

Learning curve: Some users report GRIN has a learning curve, especially for those new to influencer marketing platforms. Features and analytics can be overwhelming, requiring time to figure out and use effectively.

Tracking limitations: Some users report challenges with accurate tracking of content produced via affiliates and product seeding campaigns.

Limited integrations: While GRIN offers integrations with major e-commerce platforms, their integration options are limited compared to other influencer marketing platforms.

The 7 best GRIN alternatives for 2024

MightyScout

MightyScout, a cost-effective influencer marketing platform, is best known for its tracking, analytics, and reporting. MightyScout can track the content most other platforms cannot. 24/7 content tracking for all content––including those that are harder to track like Stories, product seeding, product gifting, and influencer events.

MightyScout does not require long-term contracts. It offers a 30-day money back guarantee which makes trial free if you are not happy for any reason.

Affordable pricing makes MightyScout attractive, even as an add-on to platforms that do not have robust tracking capabilities.

Who is MightyScout best for?

MightyScout is best for brands and agencies of all sizes that need robust tracking of Stories, product seeding, and gifting collaborations, and influencer event content. Also a strong tool for analysis and reporting offering custom report options.

MightyScout is also a strong fit for agencies with its unique features to address multi-brand challenges.

MightyScout pros

Content tracking: MightyScout tracks and notifies you when your influencers create a new Story or post that mentions your brand(s). It even captures elusive Stories, seeding and gifting content.

Efficiency and time savings: Multiple users here and here report cost savings from automating the management and tracking of influencers.

Multi-brand/agency features: Unique features make agency influencer management easier.

Flexible pricing: If your needs don’t align with the pricing model, MightyScout can craft a custom pricing plan. For agencies, flexible pricing helps you manage variable volume across clients.

Ease of use: Users say MightyScout is easy to learn and super intuitive to navigate.

Accurate reporting: Accurate reports start with accurate tracking. MightyScout’s comprehensive tracking abilities ensure you’re accounting for all of the content you produce for your brand/client.

Streamlined sending of product gifts: Ship, gift and track products in minutes. Get products to influencers without worrying about inventory and going to a shipping service.

MightyScout cons

No automated payments for influencers: You can log payments in MightyScout but you pay influencers manually (e.g., via Venmo or PayPal).

No whitelisting or Spark integrations: If you use whitelisting or Spark ads, you’ll need to go directly through the social media platform, not through MightyScout.

No outreach function: MightyScout does not currently offer a mass email outreach feature.

No campaign briefs: You'll need to link to an external document to provide campaign briefs.

Limited e-commerce integration support: MightyScout supports Shopify and WooCommerce only.

How MightyScout compares to GRIN

MightyScout is a great alternative to GRIN for users needing best-in-class tracking, reporting, analytics, or multi-account management–without the high cost. Here’s where MightyScout is different:

Powerful and fast content tracking and analytics

If tracking of all content is important, MightyScout is the better alternative. MightyScout reliably tracks Stories and content from product gifting, product seeding, and influencer events.

User-friendly interface

MightyScout users report a highly-intuitive UI. Some users buy MightyScout online and get right to work.

High coverage customer support

MightyScout provides 24/7 live customer support on workdays and 24 hour response time on the weekend. If you have new users, MightyScout can helps with new user onboarding and questions to lighten the load on your team.

Agency-friendly workflows and pricing

Most influencer platforms are built for a brand. MightyScout is designed for both brands and agencies. - Multi-brand customers can easily switch between client accounts without having to log out and log back in.
- MightyScout does not require a contract with each of your brands – your agency can be the customer. - Multi-brand clients can manage the allocation of influencers across all of your brands/clients. - If the pricing tiers don’t exactly fit your needs, MightyScout will work to create custom pricing that fits.

Plays well with others

If you have a special content tracking need – whether it’s Stories or a seeding campaign or an influencer event – MightyScout makes a great add-on tool to your current platform. When used as an add-on, it’s easy to export and utilize your data wherever you need. MightyScout does not require a long term contract, and with a 30-day money back guarantee, trial is a risk free.

Aspire

Who is Aspire best for?

Aspire is best for brands that use United States-based influencers for paid and affiliate influencer marketing, and have a large budget for an influencer marketing tool.

Aspire pros

Influencer discovery. Aspire users appreciate the Creator Marketplace of 1M where marketers publish campaign briefs and let interested influencers apply--inbound influencer discovery. Users report high satisfaction with the creator search functionality for the United States.

Aspire cons

Pricing. The price may be out of range for some brands. No trial plus a long term commitment is risky.

Tracking limitations. Some challenges with accurate tracking of content produced via affiliates and product seeding campaigns.

How Aspire compares to GRIN

Discovery: Aspire has the stronger discovery features, especially for United States-based influencers. Discovery is not a strength for GRIN.

Pricing: Aspire’s monthly rate is $2499 per Capterra, but we don’t know what tier that is for. GRIN’s starting rate is $999 per month according to Capterra. Both GRIN and Aspire do not share pricing publicly, requiring a demo.

Long-term contract: Both Aspire and GRIN require a long-term contract.

Agency vs. DIY: If you may need help running influencer campaigns, Aspire offers agency services, GRIN does not.

Content tracking: Both tools have similar limitations when it comes to tracking. Some challenges with accurate tracking of content produced via affiliates and product seeding campaigns.

Influencity

Who is Influencity best for?

Global brands that need influencer discovery and influencer vetting data, but are not focused on automated and accurate tracking and analytics capabilities.

Influencity pros

Affordable entry-level price: Offers an affordable price point at its most basic level. Allows a 7-day free trial (not long enough to see a campaign through to completion). Features include: influencer search filtering for Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, campaign management functions, and customizable reports.

Influencity cons

Tracking: Influencity does not offer automated tracking. Users must add the URL of influencer content to the platform for data to be populated.

Lacks e-commerce integrations: Influencity has a Shopify integration but with limitations that prevent it from tracking revenue attributed to your campaigns.

How Influencity compares to GRIN

Discovery: Influencity offers the stronger discovery capabilities, with creator search capability worldwide for Instagram, TikTok and YouTube influencers.

Price: For small brands that are starting out with influencer marketing or automation, the pricing of Influencity is accessible. The challenge is figuring out what you don't get for the price. GRIN's pricing is a limitation for smaller customers who may need to pause service occasionally.
Online demo: Influencity has the more customer-friendly sales process providing a demo of the software online, pricing online and a 7-day trial.

E-commerce integration: Influencity cannot track revenue from influencers with its Shopify integration. GRIN does have this capability.

Creator IQ

Who is CreatorIQ best for?

CreatorIQ (CIQ) is a premium-priced option that is best for paid influencer campaigns.

CreatorIQ pros

Support. This high-touch and attentive service provider gets high ratings from its customers. Most customers praise the amazing customer service.

Ease of use. Users report the platform is easy to use.

End to end features. CIQ offers influencer discovery, fake follower check, campaign management, influencer payments, and custom reporting.

CreatorIQ cons

Pricing. The price is steep at $36k/year per Capterra. No free trial or monthly payment options.

Tracking. Some challenges with tracking affiliate and product seeding content.

Discovery. Private network of 15M for discovery is on the small side compared to some competitors and for the premium cost.

How CreatorIQ compares to GRIN

Discovery. CreatorIQ has the better discovery feature with the searchable database. GRIN provides only curated lists.

Tracking. CreatorIQ and GRIN both have similar challenges with tracking content for seeding and influencer affiliates.

Traackr

Who is Traackr best for?

Traackr is an end-to-end influencer marketing tool, praised for its global database of influencers, influencer vetting analytics, and campaign management workflows. Traackr is best for large budget brands that need an all-in-one tool, and especially beauty brands.

Traackr pros

Full-featured. Traackr is a feature-rich platform with discovery, influencer audience evaluation, influencer relationship management, campaign management, tracking, and custom reporting options.

Network analysis. Several users found Traackr’s network analysis tool useful for helping them understand the online communities and conversations of their prospects, customers, and influencers.

Tracking Traackr captures Stories, a plus compared to some competitors. However, Multiple users report that it can take days for unregistered influencer data to populate.

Social media platforms. Supports Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Twitch, and Snapchat.

Payments. Traackr enables payments to influencers through its platform.

Influencer Affiliate Support. Traackr helps you manage and track affiliate influencers. This includes: the ability to create and share tracking links, manage the payment of commissions, and performance reporting to help you understand which influencers, content and social media platforms are making the most impact.

Team orientation. Traackr features make it easy for team members to work together.

Traackr cons

Discovery. Traackr’s global database is reported to have 13M influencers, on the smaller side compared to some competitors. Users report having to request influencers be added to the database.

Pricing. Traackr’s premium pricing is out of reach for most small brands and agents. Three pricing tiers start at $20k/year, $32.5k/year and $55k/year. These are starting prices. There may be add-on fees for each tier.

User-friendliness. Some users report the tool is not intuitive to use and there is a learning curve. Others report it is easy to use. A trial would be helpful for you see for yourself. However, Traackr does not offer a trial.

How Traackr compares to GRIN

Discovery. Despite having a small number of influencers, Traackr's searchable database is a stronger and user-preferred method for finding influencers over GRIN's curated lists option.

Tracking. While each has its challenges, Traackr has the stronger tracking capabilities. While some data may be delayed when influencers aren't registered, the ability to get accurate data with Traackr is possible. Whereas with GRIN, some influencer content is not tracked resulting in inaccurate (underreported) data or requiring you to ask influencers to send you their content which is a hassle for both.

Purchase risk. GRIN requires a long-term commitment, does not allow a trial, and is not transparent with pricing. This is concerning when combined with the multiple users reviews about being stuck in a contract. Traackr also requires a long-term commitment but offers a 4 week trial on a case by case basis.

User reviews. Traackr customers are impressed with its influencer discovery, influencer analysis, and performance analytics features. GRIN users appreciate its influencer outreach and campaign management features.

Upfluence

Who is Upfluence best for?

Upfluence is best for brands that work with a small number of influencers due to its small database. Its “Done For You” agency services can be helpful for brands with limited expertise or limited manpower.

Upfluence pros

Advanced search: Upfluence excels in its advanced search functionality, allowing brands to find influencers using precise criteria across multiple social platforms.

Agency services: “Done for you” services are available for brands that need extra help running campaigns.

Affiliate marketing features: Upfluence has strong capabilities for finding, managing, creating affiliate links, paying, and reporting on affiliates. Users report it’s easy to show the ROI of affiliate campaigns. Upfluence integrates with Shopify, WooCommerce, Adobe Commerce, BigCommerce and Amazon Attribution.

Upfluence cons

Limited tracking: Upfluence cannot track nano influencers. Some challenges exist for tracking product seeding, gifting or events.

Learning curve: Some users find Upfluence's platform complex and challenging to use, particularly for those new to influencer marketing.

Cost: While providing extensive features, Upfluence can be expensive, particularly for small businesses or startups. Some users report the pricing might not be as transparent or accessible for smaller or midsize companies looking to start or grow influencer marketing without a significant budget.

Limited influencer database: Upfluence’s influencer database is relatively small and may not be a fit for brands that need niche influencers or who plan to scale up to large numbers of influencers.

How Upfluence compares to GRIN

Discovery. Upfluence wins on the discovery side. However, the database is relatively small and may not be a fit for niche brands and brands looking to scale into the hundreds of influencers.

Campaign management. GRIN is the better tool for ease-of-use and automation of the campaign management processes, making it a better fit for brands that are looking to scale.

Tracking. While both tools have similar tracking challenges, Upfluence also has a limitation of not being able to track nano influencers.

HypeAuditor

Who is HypeAuditor best for?

HypeAuditor is best for brands that need a discovery tool above all else, and who will benefit from the additional features built into the price.

HypeAuditor pros

Discovery: Users love the searchable database of 154M creators for finding talent across Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.

Scalability: HypeAuditor offers scalable solutions that can grow with your influencer marketing needs.

Influencer analysis: After finding influencers, you can analyze them using features like Audience Overlap, Quality Score, and Audience Authenticity to help with selection.

Influencer communication: HypeAuditor enables you to personalize email outreach messages, and message influencers in bulk.

E-commerce integration: Shopify, WooCommerce and Magento all integrate with HypeAuditor.

Campaign organization: Store your contracts, schedule campaigns, approve content, and pay influencers all from one platform.

HypeAuditor cons

Doesn’t track Stories: HypeAuditor cannot track Stories. For conversion-focused brands, this can be a showstopper.

Steep learning curve: Some users report HypeAuditor has a steep learning curve, especially those new to influencer marketing platforms. Features and analytics can be overwhelming, requiring time to figure out and use effectively.

Limited reports: HypeAuditor’s reporting functions are limited, lack depth, and require users to add screenshots to reports.

Team functionality lacking: When multiple team members use this platform, they report a lack of multi-user functionality. Team members can’t see what other team members have done.

High price: While initial pricing appears to be low, multiple users report the price as high, as you scale, compared to competitors.

Small TikTok database: Multiple users reported the number of TikTok influencers in the database was too small.

How HypeAuditor compares to GRIN

Discovery: HypeAuditor offers the stronger influencer discovery features and powerful influencer analytics features so that you can find influencers and make good choices in influencer selection. Whereas many GRIN users report dissatisfaction with its discovery features.

Commitment: GRIN does not allow a trial period or a short-term commitment. HypeAuditor offers both, reducing your purchase risk.

Tracking: Both tools have limitations with tracking. HypeAuditor cannot track Stories. GRIN has some challenges with accurate tracking of influencer affiliates and product seeding.

Front end vs. back end: While both tools offer some end to end features, HypeAuditor has stronger front end features for discovery, evaluation of, and outreach to influencers. GRIN offers the more powerful features after influencers are selected: from influencer outreach, to campaign management, to reporting.

How to Choose a GRIN Alternative

Selecting an influencer platform requires homework. Even if you have an unlimited budget, don’t assume the higher-priced platforms have what you need.

We’ve laid out five steps to help you make the best decision.

Step 1: Define your influencer marketing goals

Identify objectives

What is the focus of most campaigns? What are you trying to accomplish?

Identify your unique requirements

• What social media platforms will you use?

• Are your campaigns conversion-focused?

• Is it important for you to automate the tracking and capture of content?

• Will you be working with a small number of influencers or hundreds to thousands?

• Do you pay influencers? Or are gifting and seeding an important part of your strategy?

• Is affiliate marketing an important part of your strategy?

• What geographic markets do you need to reach?

• How many new influencers do you need to find and reach out to each year to meet your goals?

What is/are the most important pains for you to solve

• Understanding ROI
• Automating the tracking of Stories
• Discovering new influencers
• Auto-collecting the content
• Tracking the status of each influencer
• Reporting automation
• Integrating an e-commerce platform (for product gift shipping and sales reporting)

Step 2: Assess platform features and capabilities

The above baseline information will help determine what features and capabilities are essential, and which you’ll have to evaluate more closely such as:

• Influencer discovery

• Campaign management tools

• Tracking and capturing content

• Analytics and reporting

• Integration options

Step 3: Consider usability and support

User interface/ease of use

What does that platform look like? Is there a learning curve? Can you afford the time it will take to get your team trained? Do you have a dedicated user or several users?

Customer support and resources

What level of support is offered? What days and times is live help available? Are any live chat, tutorials, email, or phone support offered? Is there a knowledge-base? How quickly will your questions be answered?

Step 4: Review pricing and scalability

Transparent pricing

Is pricing clear? Are you locked in or can you pause during a slow time or stop using? Are there any setup fees, monthly or annual subscription costs, and additional charges for premium features?

Scalability

Can the platform grow with your business? It should be able to accommodate a growing number of influencers and campaigns without the price skyrocketing.

Step 5: Read reviews and case studies

Customer feedback

Look at reviews and testimonials from users, especially recent users.

Success stories

Read case studies to help understand how the platform helped a customer achieve their goals or improved their workflows or processes.

Ready for a no-risk trial?

In an industry with no one-size-fits-all solution, it’s important to identify your biggest pain points and requirements and match them with the tool (or tools) that best meet your needs.

If your strategy includes Stories, or product gifting or seeding campaigns, you’ll need a strong campaign management and tracking tool–one that tracks when each influencer has posted––or not––and pulls in data and content for you, without asking creators to send you their content.

Not all tracking and monitoring tools are the same. No one tracks content more reliably than MightyScout.

So you can get rid of spreadsheets. You can collect all the influencer content without screen shotting Stories on the weekend. Without asking influencers to send content. You can use the content to fuel your ads. And, finally have a reliable model to grow your brand or agency-–without needing additional staff.

See MightyScout pricing. Or, schedule a call now to see how it works.