Popular Pays is an influencer marketing platform focused on being a bridge between brands and influencers. This platform offers many of the same features as others, but there are still many cons that might make you search for Popular Pays alternatives.
In this article, we’ll go through other alternative influencer marketing platforms. Let’s start with your number one choice, Ainfluencer, and then move to other top 5 Popular Pays alternatives you could use.
5 Best Popular Pays Alternatives to Check Out in 2025
The following list includes all the information you need about each platform, including pricing, database, and whether or not they have free trials.
1. Ainfluencer
If you’re looking to find micro-influencers, run unlimited campaigns, and do it all for free, then Ainfluencer is the platform for you. Ainfluencer is a DIY, end-to-end influencer marketplace that aims to be accessible to businesses of all sizes.
What really sets Ainfluencer apart is their charging policy. This platform is 100% free. There are no hidden fees to trick you, no free trials you can run out of, no limited credits or anything of the sort.
Key Features
- AI-powered filtering: Ainfluencer has more than 20 filters to help you find the right influencers. With over 1M influencers on the platform, the AI-powered extensive filtering system is a super helpful feature.
- Unlimited campaigns: Not many influencer marketing platforms are free, and the ones that are always facing heavy limitations. Ainfluencer changes the game by allowing you to run unlimited campaigns without costing you anything at all.
- Secure payments: Although the platform is free, you still need to pay whatever fee you and your influencer agree on. Ainfluencer creates a safe and secure payment system through Escrow. You never have to worry about your financial transactions with this platform.
- Detailed reports and analysis: Reports are the most important part of influencer marketing. Knowing what has worked and what has failed can completely change your strategy and help you improve it. Ainfluencer’s exact and detailed reports are a great tool on this journey.
- Built-in messaging option: Direct communication with influencers is very impactful. Spending hours looking for a way to contact the person you’re hoping to collaborate with is a waste of time and Ainfluencer can help you avoid that with its in-app messaging feature.
Price
As already mentioned, this platform is 100% free.
Ainfluencer Pros & Cons
There is no perfect platform, so let’s take a look at everything that Ainfluencer can improve on, as well as everything they’re already doing well.
Pros
- Completely free,
- User-friendly,
- No limitations on campaign creations and invites,
- In-app messaging,
- Extensive AI-powered filtering,
- Over 1M influencers, including micro-influencers,
- Mobile app for both Android and iOS.
Cons
- Limited to TikTok and Instagram for now.
Popular Pays Vs. Ainfluencer
In the comparison between the two, the first thing that pops out is the pricing. While Ainfluencer is completely free, Popular Pays refuses to disclose its pricing plans. This makes it very difficult for businesses to even consider this platform as they’re not aware of whether it matches their budget or not.
It is worth mentioning that Popular Pays offers content creation, in addition to almost all other features that Ainfluencer has. However, many businesses find this sole feature to not be worth the estimated price of $999/month.
Let’s look at a few other alternatives for Popular Pays.
2. Captive8
On the list of Popular Pays alternatives, Captive8 also has something to say. This platform does not offer any free plans, but it does offer campaign management, influencer discovery, and reports and insights.
Key Features
- Creative collective, a space for affiliate programs,
- Database of over 30M influencers,
- Extensive filtering, up to 500 filters,
- Budget tracking,
- Campaign management.
Price
Unfortunately, Captive8 fails to publicly disclose its pricing.
Capitve8 Pros and Cons
Here’s a list of everything this platform does well, and everything it needs to work on:
Pros
- Extensive filtering and database,
- User-friendly,
- Intuitive payment space.
Cons
- Not enough information about influencers,
- No free plans,
- Lack of transparency,
- Inaccurate data at times.
Popular Pays Vs. Captive8
Captive8 offers a more complete dashboard for users. If you’re using this platform, you’re unlikely to have a need for another one. As for pricing, both refuse to disclose any exact information.
3. Grin
One of the oldest names in the business is Grin. This platform carries a reputation for its advanced relationship management tools and a rather sizable database.
It’s also worth mentioning that Grin is software, as opposed to just a website. This service covers almost every social media platform you can think of such as Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitch.
Key Features
- Influencer discovery,
- Social listening tools,
- Content management tools,
- Relationship management tools.
Price
A steep price of $2.2k/month.
Pros & Cons
Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of using Grin.
Pros
- Sizeable database of 37M influencers,
- An intuitive interface,
- Detailed reports,
- Years of experience,
- Free demo.
Cons
- Limitations on creator discovery and campaigns,
- Steep pricing,
- Lacking customer support.
Popular Pays Vs. Grin
What makes Grin special is mostly their reputation. The platform has been around since almost the beginning of influencer marketing and has every niche imaginable. However, it is not the most budget-friendly option.
4. AspirelQ
AspirelQ has been around since 2013 but rebranded to its new name in 2018. According to their website, they have worked with more than 600 customers and returned around $150M in profit.
Key Features
- Influencer search & discovery,
- The opportunity to post campaigns and wait to be approached by influencers,
- Campaign management,
- Relationship management,
- Content management,
- Sales generations.
Price
No disclosed price.
Pros & Cons
As with every other platform, let’s take a look at a few reasons you may want to work with or avoid AspirelQ.
Pros
- User-friendly and intuitive,
- Multi-platform support,
- Impressive customer support,
- Over 170M influencers.
Cons
- Lack of transparency on pricing,
- Common glitches,
- Slow and frustrating for some users,
- Unreliable at times.
Popular Pays Vs. AspirelQ
AspirelQ and Popular Pays share their lack of transparency, but the former also offers a massive database. However, there have been user complaints of long wait times and glitches with AspirelQ, which is an issue Popular Pays doesn’t seem to face.
5. Influencity
Influencity is also a platform with lots of experience under its belt. One of the reasons this platform is introduced as a Popular Pays alternative is their database of 200M influencers, and their sufficient data on their creators.
Key features
- AI-powered influencer discovery and 20+ filters,
- Influencer recruits,
- Relationship and contact management,
- Visual analytics.
Price
Starts at $198/month.
Pros & Cons
Here’s the list of everything good and bad about Influencity.
Pros
- Budget friendly,
- Extensive database,
- User-friendly,
- Easy-to-read analytics and reports,
- Supportive customer support.
Cons
- Long loading pages,
- Limitations on cheaper plans,
- Users have reported issues with canceling.
Influencity Vs. Popular Pays
Influencity’s biggest advantage is its transparency regarding price. In addition to that, they’re also budget-friendly, especially considering the size of their database.
Conclusion
If you, like many others, are looking for some Popular Pays alternatives, then this article should have all the information you need. These alternatives range from free to hefty, with various databases, and features.
FAQs
Here are some common questions users had about these platforms.
1. Does Popular Pays Offer Any Free Trials?
Yes. While the platform isn’t clear about their pricing plans, they are clear about their 30-day free trial. However, they do ask that you contact them directly to get the exact information you need regarding their trial.
2. Are There Any Free Popular Pays Alternatives?
Yes! There are a few Popular Pays alternatives that are close to free or offer free plans. However, your only option that’s 100% and dedicated to staying free is Ainfluencer. This platform doesn’t have any hidden fees or limitations and remains completely free.
3. How Many Influencers Are on Popular Pays?
Popular Pays has an influencer database of 100k+ creators. This number is spread across various platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. It’s not clear what percentage of these creators are micro-influencers.