Propel vs. Cision
Overview
When it comes to PR and Comms software, Propel and Cision are two of the biggest names in the industry. Both offer media databases, media monitoring, and analytics, but they cater to PR teams in very different ways. Cision is a legacy PR tool built for large enterprises, offering a journalist database and press release distribution. Propel, on the other hand, is an AI powered Database and PRM (Public Relations Management) platform designed to streamline PR workflows, enhance journalist engagement, and measure PR impact with AI-driven analytics.
So, how do these platforms compare? Let’s take a closer look at Propel vs. Cision to help you decide which one is the better fit for your PR needs.
Propel
Propel is an all-in-one PR management platform that integrates seamlessly with Gmail and Outlook, allowing PR and Comms professionals to manage media outreach directly from their inboxes. The only Media Database to offer prompt-based journalist search, Propel has advanced AI tools for personalized pitching, media monitoring, and performance analytics in its arsenal. Designed for teams of all sizes, Propel emphasizes value for money and user-friendly interfaces.
Cision
Cision is a well-established PR software solution known for its media database and comprehensive analytics. It provides tools for media monitoring, press release distribution, and audience analysis, catering primarily to large enterprises with complex PR needs.
Feature Comparison
1. Media Database & Journalist Insights
- Propel: Provides access to hundreds of thousands of journalists and over 2 billion articles. Its cutting-edge High Reasoning AI goes far beyond keyword matching to understand the full context of your prompt, even for complex or niche topics, along with advanced pitch preference data.
- Cision: Offers an extensive media database, however, it relies on a traditional, legacy keyword search system with no advanced AI capabilities. This often results in less relevant matches and missed opportunities, especially for niche or complex topics.
Why Propel is better: Propel’s journalist database uses AI and prompt to deliver highly-targeted lists even for niche topics and is continuously updated, while Cision relies on legacy keyword search sheer volume without the same level of accuracy.
2. Email Integration & Media Outreach
- Propel: Integrates directly with Gmail and Outlook, enabling users to send, track, and manage pitches from the comfort of their inbox. It provides real-time tracking of email opens and responses, facilitating timely follow-ups. Additionally, Propel offers AI-generated personalized email introductions to improve engagement.
- Cision: Requires users to send pitches through its platform rather than directly from personal email accounts making you juggle between the platforms and disrupting existing workflows.
Why Propel is better: Propel’s native email integrations and engagement tracking help PR teams craft data-driven pitches, while Cision forces users into a separate platform with limited engagement insights.
3. AI-Powered Pitching & Personalization
- Propel: Utilizes AI to generate personalized email introductions and journalist recommendations, enhancing the relevance and effectiveness of pitches.
- Cision: Provides journalist contact details and some AI-driven recommendations, but its personalization features are less advanced compared to Propel.
Why Propel is better: Propel’s AI-driven personalization ensures targeted, high-quality pitches, while Cision’s limited personalization makes outreach less impactful.
4. Media Monitoring & Coverage Tracking
- Propel: Monitors over 100 million news and media outlets, including online, social, and broadcast media. It offers real-time insights, share of voice and competitor analysis, and reports delivered directly to your inbox.
- Cision: Offers media monitoring across various channels. However, some users have reported that the user interface is not as intuitive, which can affect the ease of accessing and interpreting monitoring data.
Why Propel is better: Propel delivers real-time media insights in an easy-to-use dashboard, while Cision’s clunky interface makes it harder to find and act on coverage.
5. Reporting & Analytics
- Propel: Provides detailed PR performance reports, including metrics on email open rates, journalist engagement, team productivity, and direct ROI from earned media campaigns. These insights help PR teams optimize strategies and demonstrate value to stakeholders.
- Cision: Offers comprehensive audience analytics and reporting features. While robust, the platform's focus on enterprise-level analytics may be more than what smaller teams require.
Why Propel is better: Propel’s clear, actionable analytics help teams measure success easily, while Cision’s overly complex reporting makes insights harder to access.
6. Team Collaboration & Usability
- Propel: Facilitates seamless team collaboration with shared media lists, campaigns, and outreach efforts. Its user-friendly interface and guided workflows enable quick onboarding and efficient use without extensive training.
- Cision: Provides collaboration features suitable for large teams. However, the platform's complexity and less intuitive interface may require more extensive training and adjustment periods for new users.
Why Propel is better: Propel’s user-friendly interface makes collaboration effortless, while Cision’s complexity leads to slower team adoption.
7. Pricing & Value
- Propel: Offers competitive pricing plans making it a smart choice for teams seeking performance and innovation without overextending budgets.
- Cision: Pricing is very high according to public reviews, which may be prohibitive for smaller teams or organizations with limited budgets.
Why Propel is better: Propel offers pricing that reflects strong value for the capabilities provided with no hidden fees, while Cision’s expensive contracts limit accessibility.
Which PR Software Should You Choose?
If you seek a modern, AI-powered PR and Comms solution that integrates directly with your email, offers advanced personalization, and provides comprehensive analytics at a competitive price, Propel stands out as a compelling choice. Its user-friendly interface and seamless workflow make it ideal for PR professionals aiming to enhance efficiency and results.
Conversely, if your organization requires a legacy media database and has the budget for a higher investment, Cision may be a consideration. However, it’s worth noting ongoing concerns around data quality, platform usability, and the company’s long-term stability according to Bloomberg; factors that may impact the consistency and reliability of the service.
Final Word
Propel offers a value for money, intuitive, and feature-rich platform suitable for PR and Comms teams aiming for efficiency and impactful media engagement.
Ready to experience the future of PR software? Book a demo with our team today and discover how Propel can up your PR game!
Please note that this comparison is based on customer feedback and publicly available information. There may be inaccuracies, and it is not intended to officially represent Cision's products or capabilities in any way.
