Websites using Capterra

Okay, let s break down Capterra, covering its overview, revenue, alternatives, pricing, and customer care details.

Overview of Capterra

Capterra is a popular online platform that acts as a software review and discovery resource. Think of it as a marketplace for business software. It helps buyers research and compare different software options based on their specific needs, while simultaneously allowing software vendors to showcase their products to a wide audience.

Here s a more detailed breakdown:

• For Buyers:

  • Software Discovery: Users can browse a vast directory of software categories (e.g., CRM, HR, Accounting, Project Management).
  • Comparison: Capterra allows side-by-side comparisons of different software solutions, highlighting key features, pricing, and user reviews.
  • User Reviews: Real users leave reviews and ratings, providing valuable insights into the pros and cons of different products.
  • Filtering and Searching: Robust filtering options help users narrow their search based on price, features, company size, industry, and more.
  • Free to Use: The platform is completely free for software buyers.

• For Software Vendors:

  • Lead Generation: Capterra provides a platform to reach potential customers who are actively searching for software.
  • Brand Visibility: Vendors can create profiles for their products, showcasing their features and benefits.
  • Reputation Management: Responding to reviews helps manage their online reputation and demonstrate customer care.
  • Marketing and Promotion: Capterra offers advertising and sponsored placement options for increased visibility.

Revenue Model

Capterra s revenue is primarily generated through:

• Advertising and Sponsored Placements: Software vendors pay Capterra for premium placement and advertising options, such as featured listings, banner ads, and lead generation campaigns.
• Lead Generation: Capterra also provides lead generation services to vendors, where they pay for each lead generated through the platform.

Capterra is owned by Gartner, a technology research and consulting company.

Alternatives to Capterra

Several other platforms offer similar services. Here are some of the most popular Capterra alternatives:

• G2 (formerly G2 Crowd): A very strong competitor, often considered more comprehensive by some users, with a slightly different scoring algorithm.
• TrustRadius: Focuses on in-depth reviews and validation, particularly useful for enterprise software.
• Software Advice (also owned by Gartner): Similar to Capterra, but offers more personalized software recommendations.
• GetApp (also owned by Gartner): Another comparison site owned by Gartner, focusing on slightly different software categories and approaches.
• AlternativeTo: Focuses specifically on finding alternatives to specific software, not a general comparison site.
• Product Hunt: Popular for new and up-and-coming products, with a different focus and audience.
• TechnologyAdvice: Provides expert reviews and comparisons, with a more editorial style.
• SourceForge: Primarily focused on open-source software, a good choice for those specifically looking for open-source solutions.

Pricing (For Software Vendors)

As a buyer, Capterra is free to use.

For software vendors, Capterra uses a pay-per-click (PPC) advertising model similar to Google Ads. This means:

• Cost Per Click (CPC): Vendors bid on keywords relevant to their software, and pay each time a potential customer clicks on their listing. The cost per click varies depending on keyword competition.
• Leads: Capterra also offers lead generation services where vendors pay for each generated lead.
• Advertising Packages: Capterra provides options for advertising like:
  • Premium Placement: Appear higher in search results or category pages.
  • Sponsored Listings: A similar approach to premium placement
  • Display Ads: Banner Ads

Pricing is not transparent. Vendors need to work with a Capterra representative to set up an advertising campaign and understand the costs involved. The cost can vary significantly depending on the industry, category, and competition. The cost can often be prohibitive for smaller companies and they may see a lower ROI.

Customer Care Details

Capterra provides support for both buyers and vendors.

• For Buyers:
  • Help Center: A comprehensive knowledge base with FAQs and articles.
  • Contact Form: Buyers can submit inquiries through a contact form on the website.
• For Vendors:
  • Account Manager: Vendors who advertise on the platform are assigned an account manager to help with campaign setup and management.
  • Vendor Support: A dedicated support team to assist with platform-related questions and issues.

Capterra s customer care is generally considered effective and responsive. It is more of a marketing lead generation site than a customer service platform.

Key Takeaways

• Capterra is a valuable resource for both buyers and vendors of business software.
• It s a free resource for buyers.
• It is a large platform with a wide reach.
• Vendors can use the site for marketing but at a cost, and smaller companies can struggle with ROI.
• Capterra s main competitors are G2, Trustradius and Software Advice.
• The site provides decent customer service, especially to its advertisers, however, it is primarily a lead generation tool.

I hope this overview is helpful! Do you have any other questions about Capterra or any of its competitors?