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Firstup vs. ContactMonkey: Features, Pricing and AI Capabilities

How do Firstup and ContactMonkey compare? And what does Cerkl Broadcast offer as an alternative?

What is the best internal communication software for your business?

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AI Disclosure: The Cerkl Research Team combines the expertise of in-house analysts with advanced AI tools. We are committed to producing rigorous, industry-leading research, with a focus on delivering data-driven insights into employee engagement and performance.

The High-Level Comparison

About Firstup

Firstup is a workforce communication platform focused on delivering messages across multiple channels, including email and mobile apps. It aims to engage diverse, dispersed teams with a consistent communication experience but relies on predefined segmentation to reach audiences, which may limit deeper personalization.

About ContactMonkey

ContactMonkey is an internal communications platform centered on email communication and employee engagement. It offers tools for real-time tracking, email management, and employee surveys, integrating primarily with Outlook and Gmail. This setup allows teams to manage and analyze internal emails within their existing email clients, minimizing the need for additional platforms.

About Cerkl Broadcast

Cerkl Broadcast differentiates itself by utilizing AI to deliver personalized, relevant content to employees. It integrates with channels like email, Slack, Microsoft Teams, and mobile apps, allowing dynamic engagement through automated content delivery. Cerkl Broadcast uses behavioral data to customize content, ensuring employees receive the most relevant information while boosting overall engagement. Get started with a free chat with our expert!

Firstup

What Firstup Offers:

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Firstup is designed as an employee experience platform that supports communication across multiple mediums to reach diverse and distributed teams, including email, mobile apps, and other channels. This approach works well for organizations that prioritize consistent messaging to large groups using predefined audience segments, such as roles or departments. 

Where Firstup Falls Short:

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Firstup’s segmentation lacks the flexibility of mass personalization, as it does not adapt content based on individual behaviors or engagement. For companies needing communication tailored to each employee’s unique interaction history or preferences, Firstup’s predefined segmentation may be too rigid, making it less effective for those seeking a personalized communication experience at scale.

For a more detailed analysis of Firstup vs. Cerkl Broadcast, check out our dedicated 1-on-1 analysis.

ContactMonkey

What ContactMonkey Offers:

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ContactMonkey is designed to enhance internal email communication and employee engagement by integrating with Outlook and Gmail. Its features include survey creation, pulse checks, and HTML email design. These allow organizations to create engaging email templates directly within their email clients. Real-time analytics provide insights into opens, clicks, and other metrics, helping communication teams measure engagement without needing to switch platforms.

Where ContactMonkey Falls Short:

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ContactMonkey’s email-centric approach confines it to a one-size-fits-all model, focusing solely on email communication rather than supporting a multi-channel strategy. The platform lacks advanced AI-driven personalization, which limits its ability to tailor content based on individual employee behaviors or preferences. Additionally, ContactMonkey does not offer a native mobile app. This can be a disadvantage for companies with deskless or remote employees who rely on mobile access. It also reduces its flexibility for organizations seeking mass personalization and broader reach.

For a more detailed analysis of ContactMonkey vs. Cerkl Broadcast, check out our dedicated 1-on-1 analysis.

What Sets Cerkl Broadcast Apart

Cerkl Broadcast is designed to automate and personalize internal communications using advanced AI. Its AI-powered News Digests dynamically personalize content based on each employee’s behavior, preferences, and engagement history stand out. Cerkl Broadcast’s multi-channel delivery system, which can incorporate Email Blasts, Slack, Microsoft Teams, and mobile apps, ensures that employees receive the right message at the right time, improving engagement and communication efficiency. At the same time, internal communicators have total control over all the variables associated with News Digest set up. This applies to every imaginable parameter from design to segmentation and the time of delivery.

Feature Comparison

Firstup Differentiation

Firstup positions itself as an employee experience platform delivering consistent, multi-channel messaging to segmented groups (e.g. by role or department). This approach aligns with a one-size-fits-all model, as its segmentation is predefined and does not adapt based on individual behaviors. For organizations aiming for mass personalization, Firstup may fall short due to its limited flexibility for tailoring communication at an individual level.

ContactMonkey Differentiation

ContactMonkey centers on email management and analytics within Outlook and Gmail, streamlining email communication and tracking engagement. However, its reliance on email makes it less adaptable than multi-channel platforms. This, in turn, limits its effectiveness for companies that require broad, personalized communication across multiple channels.

Cerkl Broadcast Differentiation

Cerkl Broadcast’s AI capabilities are a standout feature. The platform uses behavioral data to segment audiences and personalize content, ensuring that each employee receives relevant communication. Its ability to automate content distribution across multiple channels (email, Slack, and mobile apps) and dynamically adjust based on engagement makes Cerkl Broadcast a highly efficient tool for internal communications.

AI Capabilities

Firstup AI Capabilities:

AI Content Creation

The First Up Creator Studio uses AI to streamline content creation, helping users generate text, summaries, and visuals quickly. Predictive analytics optimize delivery timing, though segmentation is predefined.

Audience Customization

Allows customization using natural language prompts to define segments. Personalization is limited to predefined criteria rather than individualized behavior.

ContactMonkey AI Capabilities:

ChatGPT-based email assistant

Helps communication teams to generate subject lines, email content, and surveys quickly.

Cerkl Broadcast AI Capabilities:

Dynamic Personalization

Cerkl AI used to power Broadcast is centered on delivering highly personalized communication. It tailors content to each employee based on their behavior, preferences, and engagement history, ensuring that messages are relevant and impactful for each individual.

Advanced Analytics

The platform’s AI offers detailed insights into employee engagement and content effectiveness, allowing communication teams to optimize their strategies in real-time.

Behavioral-Based Content Delivery

Cerkl AI continuously learns from employee interactions, refining how and when content is delivered to enhance relevance and engagement. It ensures that Broadcast communication is timely and tailored to individual preferences.

Cerkl AI stands out by offering deeply customized communication through dynamic personalization and behavioral-based content delivery. Compared to ContactMonkey and Firstup, Cerkl Broadcast provides more granular AI-driven insights and invaluable personalization tailored to individual employees.

Pricing Comparison: Cerkl Broadcast vs. Firstup vs. ContactMonkey

Cerkl Broadcast Pricing:

  • Starting Price: $799 per month, scalable based on the number of employees included in the plan.
  • Features: All Cerkl Broadcast capabilities are available from the start, providing access to core features like personalized Email Blasts and News Digests.
  • Mobile App: Available for an additional 20% of the total cost.
  • Transparent Pricing: Cerkl Broadcast offers clear, upfront pricing, making it easier for companies to plan their budget.

Firstup Pricing:

  • Three Pricing Tiers: Essential, Professional, and Premier options are tailored to different organizational needs.
  • Variable Costs: Pricing depends on the number of employees and selected features.
  • Intranet Add-On: Full intranet functionality is available only as an add-on, potentially increasing overall expenses.

ContactMonkey Pricing:

  • Three Pricing Plans: Essential, Plus, and Enterprise
  • Custom Pricing Model: Cost is determined based on the number of users, selected features, and integration needs.
  • SMS: A paid add-on

Pricing Summary:

Cerkl Broadcast offers a straightforward pricing model, with a clear base price and predictable add-ons (such as the mobile app). In contrast, both ContactMonkey and Firstup require customized quotes, with ContactMonkey costs varying widely depending on the scope of features.

Determine Which Capabilities and Features Matter Most

Are you still trying to figure out which features matter most? Make informed decisions about your internal communication software with our free buyer’s guide.
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What are Customers Saying?

See what our clients have to say about working with Cerkl Broadcast

Kristina Stamper, Director of Communications & Creative Services at Stan State

Kristina Stamper

Director of Communications & Creative Services, Stan State

Partnering with Cerkl has been a game changer. Their innovative email communications have streamlined our internal messaging and significantly boosted open and click through rates, and given us the ability to measure the success of our communication strategies.

Read The Case Study
Chad Schwalbach, Communications Manager at St. Elizabeth Healthcare

Chad Schwalbach

Communications Manager, St. Elizabeth Healthcare

Since implementing Cerkl Broadcast, our readership, our clicks, and our opens, are all up. It is satisfying for me as a communicator, to know we're reaching people, we're giving them information that engages them, and it makes it easier to go up the chain.

Read The Case Study
Tamara Palmer, Internal Communications Manager at Flagger Force

Tamara Palmer

Internal Communications Manager, Flagger Force

The Cerkl platform lends itself to intuitive and engaging content creation with a ‘have it your way’ mantra in the manner in which you can design your communications. Drafting, scheduling, and sending are easy and allow for planning at all scales.

Read The Case Study
Olivia Groth, Senior Manager at Integrated Living

Olivia Groth

Senior Manager, Integrated Living

Honestly, I've never had a more streamlined implementation process! ... the team has been so amazing to work with!

Lori Otto, Senior Manager Corporate Communications

Lore Otto

Senior Manager Corporate Communications

You have no idea how much better [Cerkl's] support is than our last provider... I love the chat feature.

Kristen Spillane, Senior Comms Manager at Citrix

Kristen Spilane

Senior Comms Manager, Citrix

From quick troubleshooting to bigger problem solving... I've always felt really supported and valued as a Cerkl customer.

Cerkl gives you white glove service.
Every step of the way.

  • Talk live with our US-based team. Average response time is only three minutes.
  • 99% Customer Satisfaction Score (CSAT), far above industry average of 78%.
  • Work with dedicated customer success managers for personalized strategic guidance.
Cerkler Team

The internal communication software broadcasting to over 5.5 million engaged employees per month

Ready to Transform Your Internal Communications?

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Mass Personalization is a Career-Changer for Internal Communicators
Mass Personalization is a Career-Changer for Internal Communicators
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