Quick Verdict
HubSpot's AEO Grader launched as a free diagnostic tool to help brands understand their visibility in ChatGPT, Perplexity, and other answer engines. Mentions.so entered the market in 2025 with a paid platform built specifically for agencies and teams managing multiple clients' AI visibility.
The fundamental difference is scope and depth. HubSpot gives you a snapshot of brand mentions in AI responses — useful for getting started but limited in ongoing tracking. Mentions.so provides continuous monitoring, actual traffic attribution from AI sources, and white-label reporting for client work.
Score comparison
Score Comparison
| Dimension | HubSpot AEO Grader | Mentions.so |
|---|---|---|
| Feature Depth | 17.0 | 22.0 |
| Ease of Use | 65.0 | 35.0 |
| Data Quality | 42.0 | 58.0 |
| Value for Money | 95.0 | 79.0 |
| Integration | 55.0 | 0.0 |
| Market Traction | 17.0 | 3.0 |
Feature comparison
| Feature | HubSpot AEO Grader | Mentions.so |
|---|---|---|
| Answer Engine Scanning | ✓ | — |
| Mention Context Analysis | ✓ | — |
| Competitor Benchmarking | ✓ | — |
| Grading System | ✓ | — |
| Unlimited Team Seats | — | ✓ |
| AI Visitor Attribution | — | ✓ |
| White-Label Reporting | — | ✓ |
| Auto-Generated Insights | — | ✓ |
Pricing comparison
| Plan | HubSpot AEO Grader | Mentions.so |
|---|---|---|
| Free Grader | $0 | $49/mo |
| HubSpot Marketing Hub | $800/month | $149/mo |
| Agency | — | $399/mo |
| Enterprise | — | Custom |
Feature Comparison
HubSpot AEO Grader analyzes your brand's presence by searching across major answer engines and reporting back mention frequency and context. You input your brand name, get a report showing where you appear in AI responses, and receive basic recommendations. It's a one-time analysis rather than ongoing monitoring. Mentions.so tracks AI visibility continuously and connects it to actual website traffic from AI referrals. The platform shows which AI platforms send real visitors to your site — not just mentions but measurable business impact. Their auto-generated insights identify trending topics where your brand appears and suggest content opportunities. The Agency plan includes white-label reporting and bulk client management, letting you rebrand reports for client delivery.
Pricing Comparison
HubSpot AEO Grader is completely free with no signup required. You visit the tool, enter your brand details, and get an immediate report. No monthly costs, no limits on usage. Mentions.so starts at $49 per month with unlimited team seats included on every plan. Their Agency tier costs $399 monthly but includes white-label reporting and bulk client management features. For agencies tracking multiple clients, the unlimited seats make it cost-effective compared to per-seat pricing models.
Best For
HubSpot AEO Grader works best for initial AI visibility assessment or small businesses wanting to understand their current presence without ongoing costs. If you need a quick diagnostic of how often your brand appears in ChatGPT or Perplexity responses, the free tool provides immediate answers. Mentions.so is better for agencies, marketing teams, or companies requiring continuous AI visibility monitoring. The traffic attribution feature helps prove ROI from AI optimization efforts. The white-label reporting makes it viable for agencies selling AI visibility as a service to clients.
The Verdict
HubSpot wins for budget-conscious users wanting basic AI mention analysis. But Mentions.so delivers significantly more value if you're serious about AI visibility. The traffic attribution alone justifies the cost — knowing which AI platforms actually drive visitors beats knowing mention frequency. Start with HubSpot's free tool to assess your baseline, then upgrade to Mentions.so if you need ongoing tracking and client reporting capabilities.
Our verdict
For features, mentions-so leads. On a budget, go with hubspot-aeo-grader.