brightlocal vs synup
BrightLocal vs Synup — features, pricing, and which to choose for your local SEO workflow in 2026.
Quick Verdict
BrightLocal and Synup are both established local SEO platforms, but they take different approaches to pricing and feature depth. BrightLocal positions itself as a comprehensive local SEO toolkit with transparent monthly pricing, while Synup focuses on per-location pricing that can scale quickly for agencies managing multiple client locations.
The core difference lies in their business models: BrightLocal offers more features per dollar with traditional subscription tiers, while Synup's location-based pricing makes sense for agencies with concentrated client bases but becomes expensive at scale.
Feature Comparison
BrightLocal delivers a more comprehensive feature set for local SEO work. Their local rank tracking covers desktop, mobile, and map results with granular location targeting down to specific neighborhoods. The citation building tools include both automated submissions and manual citation opportunities, plus citation cleanup services. Their Google Business Profile audit tool identifies optimization opportunities across multiple ranking factors. Synup focuses heavily on listing management and review monitoring. Their listing distribution network covers over 100 directories, with real-time sync capabilities. The review management system aggregates feedback from multiple platforms with automated response suggestions. However, Synup's rank tracking is more basic compared to BrightLocal's depth, and their citation tools lack the comprehensive audit capabilities that BrightLocal provides. BrightLocal also includes unique features like local search result checker, Google My Business insights reporting, and reputation management tools that Synup either lacks or offers in more limited form.
Pricing Comparison
BrightLocal's pricing starts at $39/month for their Track plan, which includes rank tracking for multiple locations and basic reporting. Their Pro plan at $79/month adds citation building, review monitoring, and advanced reporting features. This transparent monthly pricing makes budgeting predictable regardless of client count. Synup charges $34.99 per location monthly, which initially appears competitive. However, this quickly becomes expensive for agencies managing multiple client locations. A single client with 5 locations would cost $175/month on Synup versus BrightLocal's flat monthly rate. Synup doesn't offer a free tier, while BrightLocal provides limited free access to test their platform. For agencies with concentrated local clients, Synup's per-location model can work. But for most agencies managing multiple locations per client, BrightLocal's flat-rate pricing delivers significantly better value.
Best For
BrightLocal works better for agencies and businesses wanting comprehensive local SEO capabilities at predictable pricing. If you need deep rank tracking, extensive citation management, and detailed Google Business Profile auditing across multiple locations without per-location fees, BrightLocal provides more features per dollar. Their free tier also makes it easier to test before committing. Synup suits agencies with clients who have single locations and need solid listing management across many directories. If your focus is primarily on listing distribution and review management rather than comprehensive local SEO analysis, and you're working with single-location businesses, Synup's specialized approach might justify the per-location cost.
The Verdict
BrightLocal wins for most local SEO scenarios. Their comprehensive feature set, transparent pricing, and better value proposition make them the smarter choice for agencies and businesses serious about local SEO. Synup's per-location pricing model becomes prohibitively expensive for multi-location clients, and their feature set, while solid, doesn't match BrightLocal's depth. Unless you specifically need Synup's extensive directory network and work exclusively with single-location clients, BrightLocal delivers better ROI and more complete local SEO capabilities.