25 Best Social Media Monitoring Tools in 2025

Pricing varies widely based on your needs. Small businesses can start with tools like Mention ($41/month) or Brand24 ($79/month). Mid-size businesses typically spend $200-500/month on tools like Sprout Social or Agorapulse. Enterprise solutions like Sprinklr or Talkwalker can cost $1,000+ per month. Consider your monitoring volume, team size, and required features when budgeting.

Yes, but with limitations. Free options include Google Alerts, TweetDeck, and basic versions of tools like Hootsuite. However, free tools typically offer limited coverage, no sentiment analysis, and basic reporting. For comprehensive monitoring, paid tools are usually necessary.

Start with 5-10 essential keywords including your brand name, product names, and key executives. Add competitor names and industry terms gradually. Most tools charge based on keyword volume, so start focused and expand as you understand what's most valuable.

Monitoring focuses on listening and analyzing conversations about your brand. Management includes creating content, scheduling posts, and actively engaging with your audience. Many tools combine both capabilities, while others specialize in one area.

In 2025, 33% of consumers expect a response within 10 minutes, and 63% expect a response within 30 minutes. For customer service issues, aim to respond within 1-2 hours. For general mentions, responding within 24 hours is generally acceptable.

Absolutely! Competitor monitoring helps you understand industry trends, identify gaps in their strategy, learn from their successes and failures, and find opportunities for differentiation. Most monitoring tools include competitor tracking capabilities.

Focus on platforms where your audience is most active. For B2B companies, prioritize LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook. For B2C companies, consider Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and Twitter. Don't forget about review sites, forums, and blogs relevant to your industry.

Respond quickly and professionally. Acknowledge the concern, apologize if appropriate, and offer to resolve the issue privately. Never delete negative comments unless they're spam or offensive. Use negative feedback as an opportunity to show your customer service quality.

Yes! Monitor keywords related to your industry, competitors, and customer pain points. Look for people asking questions or expressing frustration that your product could solve. Engage helpfully rather than with direct sales pitches.