8 Best Contently Alternatives for 2026

Contently has been around since 2011 and built a strong reputation as a premium content marketing platform -- particularly for enterprise brands that need a freelance writer network, editorial workflow management, and content analytics in one place.

The reasons teams look for alternatives are usually pretty consistent: the pricing is enterprise-level (often starting in the $50k+ per year range for meaningful use), implementation takes time, and it's genuinely over-engineered for teams that aren't managing large-scale content operations. It's also a platform that predates the AI content era -- while Contently has added AI features, its DNA is human-writer-centric, which can mean slower production timelines and higher costs per piece.

If you're looking for a Contently alternative, you're probably either a smaller team that can't justify the cost, a growing company that wants more AI-forward tools, or a startup that needs to move faster. Here are the eight best options.

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1. Averi -- Best for Startups Who Want an End-to-End Content Engine

Contently is a content operations platform built for enterprises. Averi is a content engine built for startups -- and that's a meaningful distinction. Where Contently focuses on managing networks of human writers at scale, Averi uses AI to accelerate the whole workflow for lean teams.

What it is: An AI-powered content engine that handles strategy, creation, SEO + GEO optimization, and publishing for startups and small marketing teams. Built to help small teams produce content at the scale and quality that used to require an agency or large team.

Key features:

• Content strategy grounded in Google Search Console data
• AI writing with brand voice consistency built in
• SEO and GEO optimization integrated into the writing process
• Direct publishing to WordPress, Webflow, and Framer
• Human expert network for quality oversight and review
• Brand voice engine that learns and maintains your tone

Pricing: Solo at $99/month with a free 14-day trial. Team and Agency tiers coming soon.

Best for: Startups, growth-stage companies, and small marketing teams who want to build a real content channel without the cost and complexity of an enterprise platform.

Limitations: Averi doesn't have a marketplace of freelance writers the way Contently does -- if you specifically need access to a vetted human writer network for high-stakes long-form content, Contently or Verblio might be better fits.

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2. Skyword -- Best for Enterprise Content Operations

Skyword is the most direct Contently competitor. It offers a similar mix of freelance writer network, editorial workflow management, content strategy consulting, and analytics -- with a similar enterprise price point.

What it is: An enterprise content marketing platform that combines a vetted freelance writer network, editorial workflows, content strategy, and performance analytics.

Key features:

• Access to a network of vetted freelance writers and creators
• Workflow management for brief → draft → edit → publish
• Content strategy and measurement consulting
• Integrated content performance analytics
• SEO and brand alignment tools

Pricing: Enterprise pricing -- typically starts in the tens of thousands annually.

Best for: Large brands and enterprise marketing teams that need managed content production at scale with access to human writers.

Limitations: Expensive and complex. Not practical for small teams or startups.

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3. NewsCred/Welcome -- Best for Enterprise Content Orchestration

Welcome (formerly NewsCred) takes a slightly different angle -- it's more of a content marketing platform and workflow orchestration tool than a pure writer network. If your pain point is coordinating content across teams, campaigns, and channels, Welcome is worth a look.

What it is: A content marketing platform focused on campaign planning, content orchestration, and cross-team workflow management. Less about content creation and more about content operations at scale.

Key features:

• Campaign planning and content calendars
• Workflow automation and approval management
• Integration with marketing tech stack (CRM, CMS, DAM)
• Content performance analytics

Pricing: Enterprise pricing -- contact for quotes.

Best for: Enterprise marketing teams managing complex multi-channel content programs across multiple stakeholders.

Limitations: Heavy on process and orchestration -- doesn't help you create content, just manage it. Significant implementation investment.

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4. ClearVoice -- Best Mid-Market Content Service Platform

ClearVoice sits between the massive enterprise platforms and simple AI writing tools. It offers a managed content service model -- you brief content, and ClearVoice assigns vetted freelancers to write it. It's more accessible than Contently while still providing human-written content.

What it is: A content creation platform and freelancer marketplace for mid-market brands. You can use the platform to manage your own writers or order content from ClearVoice's freelancer network.

Key features:

• Vetted freelance writer network across industries
• Brief and workflow management tools
• Content strategy and editorial calendar
• Direct integrations with CMS platforms

Pricing: Content packages and platform fees -- starts more affordably than Contently, with per-piece pricing available.

Best for: Mid-market companies and marketing agencies that want access to human writers with a managed workflow.

Limitations: Slower turnaround than AI-powered tools. Still relatively expensive compared to AI alternatives if volume matters.

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5. Kapost -- Best for B2B Content Operations Teams

Kapost is a content operations platform designed specifically for B2B marketing teams. It focuses on aligning content with buyer journeys, managing campaign workflows, and measuring content performance.

What it is: A content operations platform for B2B marketing teams with features for content planning, buyer journey mapping, campaign management, and performance measurement.

Key features:

• Content planning aligned to buyer journeys and sales stages
• Campaign workflow management
• Content audit and gap analysis
• CRM and marketing automation integrations

Pricing: Enterprise pricing -- typically higher-end.

Best for: B2B marketing teams that need to align content strategy closely with sales enablement and buyer journey stages.

Limitations: Kapost is a workflow and operations tool -- not a content creation tool. You still need writers and an AI writing solution on top of it.

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6. Narrato -- Best Modern Alternative for Agencies and Freelancers

Narrato is a newer entrant that's built a solid product for content agencies and freelance-heavy teams. It combines AI writing tools with project management, client collaboration, and content brief generation.

What it is: An AI-powered content workflow platform designed for agencies, content teams, and freelancers. Combines AI writing assistance with project management and collaboration tools.

Key features:

• AI content creation and optimization tools
• Project and task management for content teams
• Client workspace and collaboration features
• Content brief and guideline templates
• SEO optimization tools

Pricing: Pro at $36/month. Business plans scale from there.

Best for: Content agencies, freelance teams, and companies that manage content through an external vendor.

Limitations: Better for managing a content workflow than building an owned content channel. Less focus on publishing and performance tracking.

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7. CoSchedule -- Best for Content Calendar and Marketing Planning

CoSchedule approaches content marketing from the scheduling and planning side rather than the creation side. If your pain point is coordination and calendar management rather than content production, it's a strong choice.

What it is: A marketing calendar and content scheduling platform that helps teams plan, organize, and schedule content across channels.

Key features:

• Marketing and content calendar
• Social media scheduling
• Task management and workflow assignments
• ReQueue for intelligent social re-promotion
• Integration with major CMS platforms

Pricing: Free plan. Agency plan at $29/month. Premium plans from $59/month.

Best for: Marketing teams that struggle with content coordination, scheduling, and visibility across campaigns.

Limitations: CoSchedule helps you plan and schedule content -- it doesn't help you create it. You still need a separate writing and optimization tool.

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8. Verblio -- Best for Affordable Human-Written Content

Verblio is a content creation service with a focus on scalable, affordable human-written content. It's not a SaaS platform in the traditional sense -- it's a subscription service where you get content written by human writers matched to your industry.

What it is: A managed content writing service with a network of vetted US-based writers. You subscribe, submit briefs, and receive human-written content.

Key features:

• US-based human writer network
• Industry-matched writer selection
• SEO-optimized content available
• WordPress integration for direct publishing
• Subscription model with predictable pricing

Pricing: Starts around $49/month for basic content packages.

Best for: Small to mid-size businesses that want human-written content at predictable costs without the complexity of managing freelancers.

Limitations: Slower turnaround than AI tools (typically several business days per piece). Less control over style and tone than managing your own writers or using AI with brand voice settings.

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Comparison Table

Tool	Best For	Starting Price	AI Writing	SEO	Publishing
Averi	Startups, full content engine	$99/mo	✅	✅ Built-in	✅ Native
Skyword	Enterprise content ops	Enterprise	❌ (human)	Partial	❌
NewsCred/Welcome	Enterprise orchestration	Enterprise	❌	❌	❌
ClearVoice	Mid-market managed content	Custom	❌ (human)	Partial	❌
Kapost	B2B content operations	Enterprise	❌	❌	❌
Narrato	Agencies and freelance teams	$36/mo	✅	Partial	❌
CoSchedule	Content calendar and planning	Free / $29/mo	❌	❌	❌
Verblio	Affordable human writing	~$49/mo	❌ (human)	Partial	❌

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How to Choose a Contently Alternative

If you're a startup or small team: Contently and its direct competitors (Skyword, Welcome) are built for enterprises with large budgets. Averi is purpose-built for your stage -- fast, affordable, and end-to-end without the complexity.

If you specifically need human writers: ClearVoice or Verblio give you access to vetted human writers at different price points. Averi also includes a human expert network for oversight -- it's not entirely AI-only.

If your pain is content operations and workflow: CoSchedule handles the planning and scheduling layer. Narrato handles the project management layer for agencies. These tools don't replace your content creation -- they organize it.

If you're B2B and need sales alignment: Kapost is purpose-built for that use case, though it's workflow-heavy and not a creation tool.

If you want to grow your content channel without an agency: Averi's full workflow -- from topic selection through publishing -- means you can build a content engine without the overhead of a platform like Contently or an agency retainer.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Contently cost?

Contently doesn't publish pricing publicly. Based on market estimates, enterprise plans typically start in the $50,000-$100,000+ per year range for meaningful platform use. This makes it inaccessible for most startups and small businesses.

What's the best Contently alternative for small businesses?

Averi is purpose-built for startups and small teams. It provides the content strategy, creation, and publishing capabilities that Contently offers -- minus the enterprise pricing and complexity. For teams that specifically need human writers, Verblio or ClearVoice offer more affordable managed writing services.

Can AI replace a platform like Contently?

For many use cases, yes. Contently's value historically came from access to a vetted human writer network and editorial workflow management. AI writing has dramatically closed the quality gap, and platforms like Averi (which include both AI writing and a human expert network) can replicate most of what Contently offers for a fraction of the cost. The exception is high-stakes long-form journalism or thought leadership that requires deep subject matter expertise -- human writers still have an edge there.

What's the fastest way to scale content production without Contently?

The fastest path for most teams is an AI-forward platform that handles the whole workflow. Averi can take you from topic selection to published article without the back-and-forth of a managed human writing service. Teams using Averi have reported 6,000%+ traffic growth -- not because the AI is magic, but because the end-to-end workflow removes all the friction that slows content production down.

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Build Your Content Engine Without the Enterprise Price Tag

Contently was built for Fortune 500 brands. Averi is built for startups that want to compete with them.

Try Averi free at averi.ai.