AthenaHQ is a YC-backed platform built by former Google Search and DeepMind experts, with $2.2M in funding and SOC II compliance. LLM Pulse is a bootstrapped alternative that launched in mid-2025 and has grown to serve clients across fintech, marketplaces, SaaS, and agencies worldwide.
This comparison examines both platforms across pricing, features, AI model coverage, and real-world value to help you choose the right tool for your team.
Table of Contents
Latest review: 26th of January, 2026.
Quick comparison
| Category | LLM Pulse | AthenaHQ |
|---|---|---|
| Entry price | €49/month (40 prompts, 5 models) | $295/month (3,600 credits) |
| Pricing model | Per-prompt (simple) | Credit-based (complex) |
| Free trial | ✅ 14 days | ❌ 10-day trial on paid plan |
| AI models (base) | 5 | 8 |
| Funding | Bootstrapped | $2.2M (Y Combinator) |
| Compliance | GDPR | SOC II, GDPR |
| Best for | Teams wanting value + simplicity | Enterprises with compliance needs |
Company background
LLM Pulse
LLM Pulse launched publicly on July 15, 2025, founded by a team with deep experience in SEO, SaaS, and AI product development. The founders previously led SEO at major marketplace platforms managing 250+ million indexed pages.
The company is bootstrapped, meaning no outside funding. This translates to pricing that reflects actual value delivered, not investor return expectations. As of January 2026, LLM Pulse serves clients across fintech, marketplaces, SaaS companies, and marketing agencies in multiple countries.
AthenaHQ
AthenaHQ was founded by Andrew Yan and Alan Yao, both former Google Search and DeepMind engineers. The company is based in San Francisco and has raised $2.2 million in funding led by Y Combinator, with participation from notable SEO industry veterans.
AthenaHQ positions itself as a premium GEO platform and has achieved SOC II Type 2 and GDPR compliance. Their clients include ZoomInfo, Motion, Render, Julius, and several other notable brands.
The Google/DeepMind pedigree brings genuine technical depth, particularly in understanding how AI models work under the hood.
Pricing comparison
This is where the platforms differ most significantly, both in terms of absolute price and pricing model complexity.
LLM Pulse pricing
| Plan | Price | Prompts | AI models | Cost/prompt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | €49/month | 40 | 5 | €1.23 |
| Growth | €99/month | 100 | 5 | €0.99 |
| Scale | €299/month | 300 | 5 | €1.00 |
| Enterprise | Custom | Custom | 10+ | Custom |
All plans include: ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, Google AI Mode, Google AI Overviews
AthenaHQ pricing
| Plan | Price | Credits | Credit cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-Serve | $295/month ($95 first month) | 3,600 | ~$0.08/credit |
| Enterprise | Custom | Custom | Custom |
Important note on credits: 1 credit = 1 AI response. Analyzing 1 prompt across 4 AI models burns 4 credits. This means 3,600 credits doesn’t equal 3,600 prompts.
Understanding the credit system
AthenaHQ’s credit-based pricing requires some math to understand true costs:
- Monitoring a prompt across 4 models = 4 credits per check
- Content asset creation = 40 credits per asset
- Weekly checks across 4 models = ~16 credits/month per prompt
This means 3,600 credits might only cover ~225 prompts with weekly refresh across 4 models, not 3,600 as the number might suggest.
The pricing gap
| Comparison | LLM Pulse | AthenaHQ | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry point (40 prompts) | €49/month | $295/month | ~83% cheaper |
| Mid-tier (100 prompts) | €99/month | $295/month | ~67% cheaper |
| Annual cost (Growth vs Self-Serve) | €1,188/year | ~$3,540/year | €2,200+/year saved |
Key insight: LLM Pulse’s simple per-prompt pricing means you always know exactly what you’re paying for. AthenaHQ’s credit system requires careful tracking to avoid unexpected costs.
AI model coverage
LLM Pulse
All plans (€49+):
- ChatGPT
- Perplexity
- Google Gemini
- Google AI Mode
- Google AI Overviews
Enterprise:
- All above plus Claude, Meta AI, Grok, DeepSeek, and more
AthenaHQ
Self-Serve ($295/month):
- ChatGPT
- Perplexity
- AI Overviews
- AI Mode
- Gemini
- Claude
- Copilot
- Grok
The coverage gap
AthenaHQ offers 8 AI models on their base plan vs LLM Pulse’s 5. However, this comes at a significant price premium: $295/month vs €49/month.
| AI model | LLM Pulse (€49) | AthenaHQ ($295) |
|---|---|---|
| ChatGPT | ✅ | ✅ |
| Perplexity | ✅ | ✅ |
| Gemini | ✅ | ✅ |
| AI Mode | ✅ | ✅ |
| AI Overviews | ✅ | ✅ |
| Claude | Enterprise | ✅ |
| Copilot | Enterprise | ✅ |
| Grok | Enterprise | ✅ |
The question to ask: Do you need Claude, Copilot, and Grok tracking today? If not, LLM Pulse offers the core commercial models at 83% lower cost.
Feature comparison
Core tracking features
| Feature | LLM Pulse | AthenaHQ |
|---|---|---|
| Brand mention tracking | ✅ | ✅ |
| Citation tracking | ✅ | ✅ |
| Competitor tracking | ✅ | ✅ |
| Share of Voice | ✅ | ✅ (GEO Score) |
| Sentiment analysis | ✅ Live | ✅ |
| Historical data | ✅ | ✅ |
Advanced features
| Feature | LLM Pulse | AthenaHQ |
|---|---|---|
| Query fan out | ✅ | — |
| Prompt Volume estimation | — | ? |
| Action Center (recommendations) | — | ✅ |
| Content optimization agent | — | ✅ (Enterprise) |
| AI blindspot detection | — | ✅ |
| Dynamic AI crawling | — | ✅ |
Integrations and exports
| Feature | LLM Pulse | AthenaHQ |
|---|---|---|
| Data exports (CSV/Excel) | ✅ All plans | ✅ |
| API access | ✅ | ✅ (Enterprise) |
| Looker Studio connector | ✅ | — |
| Google Analytics (GA4) | ✅ | ✅ |
| Google Search Console | ✅ | ✅ |
| Shopify integration | — | ✅ |
| App store tracking | ✅ | — |
Agency and enterprise features
| Feature | LLM Pulse | AthenaHQ |
|---|---|---|
| White label | ✅ | — |
| Pitch workspaces | — | ✅ |
| Team members | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| SOC II Type 2 | — | ✅ |
| SAML/OIDC SSO | — | ✅ (Enterprise) |
Extras
| Feature | LLM Pulse | AthenaHQ |
|---|---|---|
| Chrome extension | ✅ (Platform + Chrome Extension) | — |
| Free AI Visibility Report | ✅ | — |
| Free trial | ✅ 14 days | ❌ 10 days on paid plan |
Where AthenaHQ wins
To be fair, AthenaHQ has genuine strengths for certain use cases:
1. More AI models on base plan
AthenaHQ tracks 8 AI models on the $295/month plan vs LLM Pulse’s 5 on the €49 plan. If you need Claude, Copilot, and Grok tracking today and don’t want to go Enterprise, AthenaHQ delivers this out of the box.
2. Prompt Volume estimation
AthenaHQ’s proprietary Prompt Volume feature estimates how frequently real users ask specific questions across AI platforms. This is impossible to get since no AI provider gives you that, so its basically a made up number out of some random statistical model.
3. Action Center and recommendations
AthenaHQ’s Action Center analyzes your visibility data and generates specific recommendations: content restructuring, FAQ additions, schema improvements, and outreach strategies. While reviews note these can be underdeveloped, having built-in recommendations saves time vs purely analytics-focused tools.
4. SOC II compliance
AthenaHQ is SOC II Type 2 certified. If your procurement process requires this certification, AthenaHQ checks that box. LLM Pulse doesn’t currently offer SOC II.
5. E-commerce features
AthenaHQ offers dedicated e-commerce functionality with Shopify integration and tools to connect AI visibility with product/revenue workflows. This is valuable for retail brands. LLM Pulse doesn’t have equivalent e-commerce-specific features.
6. Google/DeepMind pedigree
The founders’ background at Google Search and DeepMind brings genuine technical depth in understanding how AI models work. This expertise shows in features like AI blindspot detection and dynamic AI crawling.
Where LLM Pulse wins
1. Price-to-value ratio
This is the most significant difference. LLM Pulse delivers comprehensive AI visibility at a fraction of AthenaHQ’s cost:
- 83% cheaper entry point: €49/month vs $295/month
- Simple pricing: Per-prompt, not complex credit calculations
- No burn surprises: You always know what you’re paying for
For teams who don’t need 8+ AI models or enterprise compliance, this represents substantial savings, €2,200+ annually comparing Growth to Self-Serve.
2. Free trial with no commitment
- LLM Pulse: 14-day free trial, immediate access
- AthenaHQ: 10-day trial requires signing up for a paid plan first
This difference matters for teams who want to evaluate properly before committing budget.
3. Transparent, simple pricing
LLM Pulse’s per-prompt model means predictable costs. You pay for prompts, not individual AI responses. AthenaHQ’s credit system requires understanding that 1 prompt across 4 models = 4 credits, which can lead to faster credit burn than expected.
4. Looker Studio connector
LLM Pulse offers a native Looker Studio connector for building custom dashboards and combining AI visibility data with other marketing metrics. AthenaHQ offers BI tool support (Tableau, Power BI, Looker) only on Enterprise plans.
5. App store tracking
LLM Pulse tracks AI citations in iOS App Store and Google Play, important for mobile apps and games. AthenaHQ focuses on web-based AI visibility.
6. White label for agencies
LLM Pulse offers white-label branded reports for agency clients. AthenaHQ offers pitch workspaces but not white-label capabilities.
7. Query fan out visibility
LLM Pulse shows how AI models expand your prompts into sub-queries, revealing the full scope of how AI interprets and processes user questions. This is unique functionality for understanding AI behavior.
Real-world use cases
Choose LLM Pulse if:
You’re a startup or SMB
- Need comprehensive AI visibility without enterprise budgets
- Want to test fully before committing (14-day free trial)
- Value simple, predictable pricing over complex credit systems
You’re a marketing agency
- Need white-label reports for client-facing deliverables
- Want Looker Studio integration for custom dashboards
- Need cost-effective scaling across multiple clients
You’re tracking core commercial models
- ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, AI Mode, and AI Overviews cover your needs
- Don’t require Claude, Copilot, or Grok tracking today
You want to start fast
- 14-day free trial with immediate access
- No sales calls or applications required
- Self-serve signup
Choose AthenaHQ if:
You need 8+ AI models immediately
- Claude, Copilot, and Grok are important to your strategy
- Single platform coverage is worth the premium
SOC II compliance is required
- Procurement mandates SOC II certification
- You’re in a regulated industry
You value the Action Center
- Want built-in optimization recommendations
- Prefer guided actions over pure analytics
You’re an e-commerce brand
- Need Shopify integration
- Want to connect AI visibility with product/revenue workflows
You have budget
- $295/month minimum isn’t a barrier
- Value Google/DeepMind engineering pedigree
Migration considerations
Switching from AthenaHQ to LLM Pulse
- Export your data: Download prompt lists and any reports from AthenaHQ
- Start LLM Pulse trial: 14-day free trial, immediate access
- Configure prompts: Set up the same tracking for direct comparison
- Run parallel: Monitor both platforms for 1-2 weeks to validate
- Evaluate: Determine if LLM Pulse meets your core needs
- Cancel AthenaHQ: Follow their cancellation process
What you’ll gain:
- 83% cost reduction at entry tier
- Simple per-prompt pricing (no credit math)
- Looker Studio integration
- Query fan out visibility
- App store tracking
- White label for agencies
What you might miss:
- Claude, Copilot, Grok tracking (unless on Enterprise)
- Action Center recommendations
- E-commerce/Shopify integration
- SOC II compliance
- Pitch workspaces
Verdict
For most teams: LLM Pulse
If you don’t have hard compliance requirements (SOC II) and don’t need 8 AI models today, LLM Pulse delivers better value:
- 5 core AI models (ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, AI Mode, AI Overviews) at €49/month
- 83% lower cost for comparable core coverage
- Simple pricing without credit system complexity
- Real free trial to test before committing
- Unique features like Query fan out, app store tracking, Looker Studio, white label
The €2,200+/year you save switching from AthenaHQ to LLM Pulse Growth could fund content creation, link building, or campaigns that actually improve the AI visibility you’re tracking.
For enterprises with compliance needs: AthenaHQ
If your procurement process requires SOC II certification, you need 8+ AI models on day one, or you’re an e-commerce brand wanting Shopify integration, AthenaHQ delivers these capabilities. The Google/DeepMind pedigree also signals technical depth that some enterprises value.
The fundamental question
Both platforms track AI visibility by querying the same AI models. The core data is similar. The questions are:
- How much should you pay for it?
- Do you need 8 models or will 5 cover your commercial needs?
- Is simple pricing worth more than built-in recommendations?
- Do you need enterprise compliance, or just visibility data?
For most teams, the answer points to LLM Pulse.
Start your free evaluation: Try LLM Pulse free for 14 days – immediate access to all features.
FAQ
What’s the main difference between LLM Pulse and AthenaHQ?
Pricing model and entry cost. LLM Pulse uses simple per-prompt pricing starting at €49/month. AthenaHQ uses a credit-based system starting at $295/month where 1 credit = 1 AI response, meaning tracking 1 prompt across 4 models consumes 4 credits.
Does AthenaHQ have more AI models?
Yes, AthenaHQ tracks 8 AI models on their base plan vs LLM Pulse’s 5. However, you pay $295/month vs €49/month for this coverage. LLM Pulse offers comparable models (ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, AI Mode, AI Overviews) with Claude, Copilot, and Grok available on Enterprise.
Does LLM Pulse have a free trial?
Yes. LLM Pulse offers a 14-day free trial. AthenaHQ offers a 10-day trial.
Is AthenaHQ worth the premium pricing?
For enterprises requiring SOC II compliance, 8+ AI models immediately, or e-commerce-specific features like Shopify integration, AthenaHQ’s premium may be justified. For everyone else, the 83% price premium doesn’t deliver proportional value since both platforms query the same AI models.
What does AthenaHQ’s credit system mean in practice?
Each AI response costs 1 credit. Monitoring 1 prompt across 4 AI models = 4 credits. Content asset creation = 40 credits. This means 3,600 credits might only cover ~225 prompts with weekly multi-model tracking, not 3,600 as the raw number suggests.
Does LLM Pulse have Prompt Volume estimation?
No. AthenaHQ’s Prompt Volume feature estimates how frequently users ask specific questions across AI platforms. Since knowing prompt volume is impossible, you might want to stay away from companies that invent random data out of thin air.
Can I migrate from AthenaHQ to LLM Pulse?
Yes. Export your prompt lists from AthenaHQ, start a free LLM Pulse trial, configure identical tracking, and run parallel for 1-2 weeks to validate data quality before canceling AthenaHQ.
What if I need SOC II compliance?
AthenaHQ is SOC II Type 2 certified. LLM Pulse doesn’t currently offer this certification. If SOC II is a hard procurement requirement, AthenaHQ is the choice.
Which platform has better support?
G2 reviews for AthenaHQ are positive overall. LLM Pulse users report responsive same-day support. Both platforms serve their customers well, though AthenaHQ’s larger team may offer more dedicated resources for enterprise clients.
