Vol. 1 · Compare
Independent comparison
AthenaHQ vs HubSpot AEO Grader
Pricing, engines, strengths, weaknesses — and an editorial verdict.
Both AthenaHQ and HubSpot AEO Grader compete in the AEO analytics category — measuring how brands surface in ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, and Claude. Below is the independent breakdown we use when advising teams choosing between them.
At a glance
| Dimension | AthenaHQ | HubSpot AEO Grader |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2024 | 2026 |
| Funding | YC-backed | Not disclosed |
| Starting price | $95/mo (Self-Serve, credit-based) | Free |
| Enterprise pricing | Custom | — |
| Engines covered | ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, Claude | ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini |
Strengths
AthenaHQ
End-to-end AEO platform with vertical-specific industry benchmarking unique in the space.
- + 33-industry vertical reporting — only player doing this at scale
- + Strong founder credibility (ex-Google, ex-DeepMind)
- + Self-serve tier accessible to mid-market
- + Credit-based pricing scales linearly with usage (no surprise overages)
Weaknesses
- − Editorial content is product-led, in our reading
- − POV largely reflects the founder voice
- − Newer to market — less brand recognition than Profound
Strengths
HubSpot AEO Grader
Free AEO scoring tool from HubSpot, integrated with Marketing Hub for existing customers.
- + Free with no credit card required
- + Massive brand recognition + frictionless onboarding
- + Integrates with HubSpot CRM and Marketing Hub workflows
- + Excellent top-of-funnel for SMB
Weaknesses
- − Surface-level analysis vs specialist tools
- − Best leveraged by existing HubSpot ecosystem customers
- − Not architected for enterprise depth
Pick AthenaHQ if…
B2B teams in specific verticals where industry benchmarks influence buying decisions.
Skip if: Generic horizontal use cases without strong vertical alignment.
Pick HubSpot AEO Grader if…
HubSpot customers who want a quick free AEO score baked into their existing dashboard.
Skip if: Teams running serious AEO programs that need depth and specialist features.
Editorial verdict
Our take.
On AthenaHQ
The vertical reporting angle is genuinely undervalued. If your CMO's slide deck would benefit from 'how we compare to others in our industry,' AthenaHQ is the cleanest fit. The founder pedigree also smooths enterprise procurement conversations.
On HubSpot AEO Grader
A great starting point if you're already on HubSpot. Outgrow it as your AEO program matures — at which point you graduate to Profound, AthenaHQ, or Otterly depending on price/feature priorities.
Disclosure
The AEO Report does not take affiliate fees, sponsorships, or vendor placements from any tool listed on this page. Pricing is sourced from public pricing pages and updated quarterly. Vendors disagreeing with our characterisations are invited to email david@theaeoreport.com with corrections; we update on the record.
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