Quick Verdict
HubSpot's AEO Grader and Cairrot both promise to show you how often your brand appears in AI answer engines. But they're solving this problem from completely different angles. HubSpot offers a free snapshot tool that's part of their massive marketing platform, while Cairrot is a dedicated AI visibility tracker built specifically for agencies managing multiple WordPress sites.
The core difference comes down to depth versus simplicity. HubSpot gives you a quick health check — punch in your brand name and see where you stand across ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Gemini. Cairrot goes deeper with ongoing monitoring across six AI engines including Claude, Grok, and DeepSeek, plus competitor analysis and WordPress integration.
Score comparison
Score Comparison
| Dimension | HubSpot AEO Grader | Cairrot |
|---|---|---|
| Feature Depth | 17.0 | 20.0 |
| Ease of Use | 65.0 | 35.0 |
| Data Quality | 42.0 | 48.0 |
| Value for Money | 95.0 | 79.0 |
| Integration | 55.0 | 20.0 |
| Market Traction | 17.0 | 4.0 |
Feature comparison
| Feature | HubSpot AEO Grader | Cairrot |
|---|---|---|
| Answer Engine Scanning | ✓ | — |
| Mention Context Analysis | ✓ | — |
| Competitor Benchmarking | ✓ | — |
| Grading System | ✓ | — |
Pricing comparison
| Plan | HubSpot AEO Grader | Cairrot |
|---|---|---|
| Free Grader | $0 | $39.99/mo |
| HubSpot Marketing Hub | $800/month | $99/mo |
Feature Comparison
HubSpot AEO Grader focuses on brand mention frequency and context analysis across the big three AI platforms. You get a report showing how often your brand appears and in what context, but that's essentially it. The tool is designed for one-time audits rather than ongoing monitoring. It's part of HubSpot's broader ecosystem, so if you're already using their CRM or marketing tools, the data integrates seamlessly. Cairrot treats AI visibility as an ongoing SEO discipline. Beyond basic mention tracking, you get their AI Readiness Audit that identifies content gaps, competitor heatmaps showing where rivals appear more frequently, and LLM crawl logging through their free WordPress plugin. The plugin logs when AI bots crawl your content, giving you data HubSpot simply can't provide. Cairrot also includes API access on all paid plans, letting agencies build custom reporting for clients. The WordPress integration is Cairrot's biggest differentiator. While HubSpot requires manual brand searches, Cairrot's plugin automatically tracks AI bot activity on your actual website. For agencies managing dozens of WordPress sites, this automation saves hours of manual checking.
Pricing Comparison
HubSpot wins on entry cost — their AEO Grader is completely free with no account required. Perfect for a quick brand audit or convincing clients that AI visibility matters. But free comes with limitations: one-time reports only, basic mention data, and no ongoing tracking. Cairrot starts at $39.99/month for their Starter plan, jumping to $99/month for Pro features. That's significant money compared to free, but you're paying for continuous monitoring, competitor analysis, and the WordPress plugin. The free API access means agencies can white-label reports without additional costs. For consultants billing $150+ per hour, Cairrot's automation pays for itself quickly.
Best For
HubSpot AEO Grader works best for quick brand audits and companies already invested in HubSpot's ecosystem. If you need a one-time snapshot of AI visibility or want to demonstrate the concept to stakeholders, the free tool delivers exactly that. Marketing teams using HubSpot's other tools will appreciate having AI visibility data in the same dashboard. Cairrot is built for agencies and consultants managing multiple WordPress clients. The combination of ongoing monitoring, competitor analysis, and WordPress automation makes sense when AI visibility becomes a regular service offering. If you're billing clients for SEO work and want to add AI optimization, Cairrot provides the data and automation needed to scale that service.
The Verdict
Choose HubSpot for free brand audits and integration with existing HubSpot workflows. But for ongoing AI visibility monitoring, Cairrot's depth wins despite the price difference. The WordPress plugin alone provides data that HubSpot can't match, and agencies will find the competitor analysis essential for client reporting. Start with Cairrot's free trial and test their WordPress plugin on your highest-traffic client site.
Our verdict
For features, cairrot leads. On a budget, go with hubspot-aeo-grader.