As a brand, you want to be the first one to know as soon as customers write something about you on social media. It’s imperative that you rigorously track customer presence online.
However, doing so might get overwhelming and inefficient if you are doing it manually. This is where social listening tools come in and save the day.
These tools help you stay proactive and detect any early signs of PR crisis or customer sentiment. They understand data and interpret it to help you make better decisions.
Paid or Free Social Listening Tools?
When making a purchase, you become a customer. And there’s a common notion among customers that something with a price tag must be effective.
Often, the higher the price tag, the more conviction in the belief. However, we live in an AI-dominated space where free tools can offer the value that you are looking for.
You don’t need to spend $200 a month as long as you know how to make the best of the free resources. Especially if you are a startup or small business and just starting out.
Moreover, you can use free social media monitoring tools like trial-based solutions. If they don’t work, you can move on to something else. The sunk cost is 0.
List of Free Social Listening Tools in 2025
This guide covers the best free social media monitoring platforms available in 2025, along with options offering free trials for deeper features.
1. Google Alerts
Overview: Like any other Google tool, Google Alerts is a completely free and simple-to-use social listening tool.
Platform Coverage: News sites, blogs, forums, and general web pages.
Strengths:
100% free and easy to set up.
Customizable alerts with flexible frequency.
Strong web-wide coverage.
Limitations: No direct coverage of social media and limited filtering.
Best for: Basic keyword or brand tracking across the internet.
2. Hootsuite Free Plan
Overview: You can avail basic monitoring and scheduling services with Hootsuite’s free plan.
Platform Coverage: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X (Twitter).
Strengths:
Centralized dashboard for multiple accounts.
Post scheduling and basic engagement management.
Limitations: Only 2 social accounts are supported, and limited analytics.
Best for: Solo marketers or startups looking for lightweight monitoring.
3. TweetDeck (X/Twitter)
Overview: If your brand focus is on Twitter, TweekDect is the staple choice. Although limited to Twitter, it’s one of the best social listening tools in 2025.
Platform Coverage: Exclusively X (Twitter).
Strengths:
Real-time keyword, mention, and hashtag tracking.
Multi-column layout for monitoring campaigns.
Limitations: Single-platform focus.
Best for: Best Real-time Twitter campaign performance tracker.
4. Social Searcher
Overview: Want a lightweight tool for tracking keywords? Go for Social Searcher.
You might still prefer the heavy hitters in the market. But they are going to strain your budget. The best solution is to go for the free trials and see for yourself if it works for your business.
9. Sprout Social
Overview: All-in-one management and social listening software that processes massive amounts of social data daily.
Best for: Reputation management and short-term monitoring campaigns.
11. Mention
Overview: Affordable, real-time monitoring platform for SMBs.
Trial Period: Free trial and limited free tier.
Key Features: Share of voice analysis, competitor benchmarking, and multi-language monitoring.
Pricing after trial: From $49/month.
Best for: Small to mid-sized businesses tracking brand health and competitors.
12. BuzzSumo
Overview: Known for content discovery with built-in social listening features.
Trial Period: 7 days.
Key Features: Trend spotting, influencer discovery, brand and competitor alerts.
Pricing after trial: From $199/month.
Best for: Content marketers and teams focused on trend-driven campaigns.
Free social listening tools in 2025 give businesses a starting point for monitoring brand mentions, understanding sentiment, and spotting trends. While tools like Google Alerts and TweetDeck are simple and free forever, platforms like AIM Insights and Talkwalker Free Social Search bring more advanced, AI-backed capabilities.
For deeper analysis, trial-based platforms such as Sprout Social or Brand24 are worth exploring before committing to a subscription. Choosing between free social listening tools and trial-based premium platforms depends on your goals, budget, and the level of insight you require.
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