Whether you’re an agency, marketing team, media owner, or publisher, making good calls on your media plans is a must. Otherwise, you risk targeting the wrong audience and overspending. ?
Instead of managing the madness manually, get media planning tools to do the heavy lifting. With the right software, you can automate media buying, track real-time adjustments, and gain detailed insights into your target audience’s preferences.
Pretty nice, right? ?
Get ready to ditch the Excel spreadsheets and join us as we uncover the must-have features for media planning software.
We’ll also share our top 10 favorite media management platforms to help you get the job done faster and smarter.
10 Best Media Planning Tools in 2024 (Reviews & Pricing)
Summarize this article for me pleaseWhat Should You Look For in a Media Planning Tool?
Media planning tools do a lot more than manage media campaigns. They transform the entire planning process, making everything more efficient, accurate, and user-friendly. Even so, not every media tool is worth its salt. ?
We recommend looking for digital marketing tools that come with valuable features like:
- Comprehensive media management: This is non-negotiable. Look for a tool that manages a wide range of media channels, including TV and print as well as digital media and social media platforms
- Real-time analytics and metrics: Day-old data isn’t actionable in the world of modern paid media. Digital media planning tools should give you real-time metrics for tracking campaign performance so you can make fast, data-driven decisions
- Automation and workflow optimization: Media planning has a lot of moving parts. Why not automate some of the most repetitive aspects of the job? Look for tools that automate media buying, requests for proposals (RFPs), and reporting
- Audience management: Top-tier media planning software comes with features for identifying and segmenting your target audience. Look for tools that offer demographic analysis, behavioral data, and psychographic insights to build a custom-tailored media strategy
- User-friendly interface: The easier it is to use your media planning software, the faster you’ll save time and money. Look for flexible cloud-based solutions that allow team members to collaborate and access data from anywhere
- Helpful integrations: Integrations should simplify the planning process. Look for media planning software that integrates with your customer relationship management (CRM) platform, project management tools, and popular third-party apps like Slack
- Optimization tools: Executing campaigns is one thing, but what if you want to rework an existing campaign? Essential media planning tools come with advanced optimization features for programmatic buying, spend allocation, audience targeting, and more
Summarize this article for me pleaseThe 10 Best Media Planning Tools to Use in 2024
Tired of managing campaigns manually? The right media planning tool puts your campaigns on Easy Mode. With streamlined cloud-based interfaces, comprehensive metrics, and process optimization, these 10 digital media planning tools will get you across the finish line. ?
1. ClickUp
Not to brag, but marketing teams love ClickUp. Our all-in-one platform supports end-to-end marketing processes, from ideation to execution to optimization.
No more jumping between your project management solution, CRM, and Google Docs—everything is truly in one place with ClickUp. Plus, if we don’t have exactly what you’re looking for, our integrations add even more functionality to your account. ?️
ClickUp visualizes the entire media pipeline in Calendar, List, Board, and 10+ more views. The platform has no-code databases and drag-and-drop project boards for everything from paid ads to PR to social media.
Use ClickUp Goals to create 100% customizable dashboards so you only see the metrics that matter most. ?
For media planning, create your campaign plans and content within ClickUp. Build solid case studies, emails, blogs, and ad copy at lightning speed in real-time with ClickUp Docs. You can even use ClickUp AI to write, edit, and optimize this copy for your team.
You don’t have to create Docs, reports, or dashboards on your own, either. ClickUp templates are a time-saving resource baked into the platform for faster, better media planning.
Copy the ClickUp Content Management Template to plan campaigns across multiple channels, including your website, blogs, social media, and emails.
Pro tip: Check out this helpful overview of what the template includes and how to customize it.
ClickUp has dozens of templates for online and offline media planning, including the ClickUp Media List Template, which keeps a record of all marketing materials and plans in one place. You can also pull the ClickUp Marketing Plan Template to keep all your ducks in a row and never miss a campaign deadline again. ?
ClickUp best features
- ClickUp integrates with dozens of popular tools like HubSpot, Salesforce, Intercom, Toggl, and many more
- View campaign performance metrics in a customizable dashboard
- Use ClickUp templates to build structured media plans in minutes
- Need help with writing? ClickUp AI is one of the best AI writing tools to lend a helping hand
- Manage all tasks and projects in ClickUp’s 15+ views
ClickUp limitations
- ClickUp AI is only available on paid accounts, but a free trial is also available
- ClickUp is totally customizable, but it can take some time to get acquainted with everything the platform has to offer
ClickUp pricing
- Free Forever
- Unlimited: $7/month per user
- Business: $12/month per user
- Enterprise: Contact for pricing
- ClickUp AI is available on all paid plans for $5 per Workspace member per month
ClickUp ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.7/5 (9,200+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.6/5 (3,900+ reviews)
2. MediaPlanHQ
MediaPlanHQ is a media planning tool that keeps all of your marketing plans in one place. The platform always shows the most up-to-date reports and plans, so you never have to worry about viewing the wrong reports. ?
MediaPlanHQ best features
- Quickly send structured briefs to creative teams
- Monitor ad spend, material requirements, and invoices
- Work with vendors? Bypass crowded email inboxes and send requests through MediaPlanHQ
- Collaborate on marketing content calendars and creative with key stakeholders
MediaPlanHQ limitations
- MediaPlanHQ’s UI can be overwhelming
- The platform doesn’t have a lot of reviews
MediaPlanHQ pricing
- $45/month per user, with a three-user minimum
MediaPlanHQ ratings and reviews
- G2: N/A
- Capterra: N/A
3. BriefBid
Are you looking for affordable media planning software? BriefBid is a different type of solution that’s free for agencies and brands. The downside is that BriefBid’s paid partners will likely contact you to promote their services. But if you’re cool with that, this is a solid media planning tool for resource-strapped brands.
BriefBid best features
- If you provide creative services, BriefBid connects you with RFPs from agencies and media buyers
- Build custom media flowcharts
- Break down reports by vendor, channel, and campaign
- Create visual media plans with timing, tactics, and metrics in one view
BriefBid limitations
- It doesn’t have a lot of reviews
- Is it really “free” if you’re the product?
BriefBid pricing
- Free
BriefBid ratings and reviews
- G2: N/A
- Capterra: N/A
4. Bionic
Bionic Media Planning serves agencies, advertisers, and ad sales pros. That means this platform is a fit for just about every stakeholder in the media planning process. It’s especially helpful if you want a client-focused account-planning tool. Bionic streamlines media planning and media buying, making it a great fit for a variety of users. ?
Bionic best features
- Bionic gives advertisers a transparent media dashboard displaying performance KPIs and goals
- Centralize media planning, buying, and performance monitoring in one platform
- Integrate digital, TV, radio, print, out-of-home, and other media channels
- Bionic is cloud-based, making it easy to set up and manage on-the-go
Bionic limitations
- It doesn’t have a lot of reviews
- It’s quite pricey
Bionic pricing
- Month-to-Month: $225/month per user, with a three-user minimum
- Annual Contract: $195/month per user, with a three-user minimum
- Annual Pre-Pay: $175/month per user, with a three-user minimum
Bionic ratings and reviews
- G2: 5/5 (Two reviews)
- Capterra: 4.8/5 (15+ reviews)
5. Nielsen Scarborough
Famed marketing data company Nielsen is also in the marketing planning business. Scarborough is its answer to marketers’ demand for accurate consumer data. It’s a different kind of media planning tool that focuses more on consumer profiles, consumption preferences, and content trends than actual campaign execution or planning. ?
Scarborough best features
- Use Scarborough data to better understand consumer behaviors
- Pull data on your target audience’s preferred platforms
- Focus on specific demographics and communities for niche insights
- Scarborough helps you create targeted messaging that stands out
Scarborough limitations
- Scarborough doesn’t have a lot of reviews
- This is more of a data and market research tool, so you’ll still need a separate solution for managing your marketing strategy
Scarborough pricing
- Contact for pricing
Scarborough ratings and reviews
- G2: N/A
- Capterra: N/A
6. Quantcast
Quantcast is another well-known name in the world of media planning. It specializes in cookieless advertising and quantitative data, so if your team is starved for measurable performance KPIs, this is the platform for you. ?
Quantcast best features
- Try the brand’s free solution, Quantcast Measure, to get a feel for the platform before investing in a paid plan
- Ara AI is an AI marketing tool that supports real-time campaign monitoring and optimization
- Pull data from 100 million sources and augment it with your own first-party data
- Create custom rich media, connected TV (CTV) ads, and more
Quantcast limitations
- Some users say the platform is clunky and hard to manage
- Others say the data can be too generic and unactionable
Quantcast pricing
- Contact for pricing
Quantcast ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.3/5 (15+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.2/5 (20+ reviews)
7. Basis
Basis is a media planning tool that integrates programmatic advertising, SEO, social media, and website data. Not only that, but the platform also offers additional services for media activation, omnichannel strategies, and consulting. ?
Basis best features
- Ready to run ads? Basis is a top-rated demand-side platform (DSP)
- Store all documents and media assets in one place
- Basis Assistant automatically generates campaign notes
- Ditch email threads for the Basis collaboration portal
Basis limitations
- The reports aren’t very customizable
- Some customers say the UX is hard to follow
Basis pricing
- Contact for pricing
Basis ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.5/5 (270+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.4/5 (15+ reviews)
8. Comscore
Comscore specializes in cross-platform media planning, so it’s a must-try if you’re advertising on CTV, social, mobile, and search. Unlike other media planning software, Comscore has additional features for measuring movie box office performance, social media engagement, and CTV. ?
Comcore best features
- Easily assess campaign performance with Comscore Campaign Ratings (CCR)
- Create better ads with Comscore Ad Metrix
- Manage all digital experiences in one view with Comscore Total Digital
- Comscore will identify and segment consumers based on behavior, lifestyle data, demographics, and more
Comcore limitations
- Some users say Comscore isn’t a good value for the money
- Others say the sheer amount of data is overwhelming, so it would be nice to have a better tool for data analysis and interpretation
Comcore pricing
- Contact for pricing
Comcore ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.1/5 (60+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.1/5 (10+ reviews)
9. Simpli.fi
“Simple” might be part of its name, but Simpli.fi’s offerings are anything but. This robust media planning tool includes features for programmatic media, omnichannel experiences, and specialized campaign settings for political, DTC, and retail ads. ?️
Simpli.fi best features
- Simpli.fi supports superior targeting and segmentation for native, mobile, and CTV ads
- Not sure if your ads pop? Simpli.fi assesses your creative for better performance
- Centralize all social media content calendars
- Simpli.fi’s intelligent targeting reduces the number of previous purchasers who see your ads
Simpli.fi limitations
- Some users say the reports are too simple
- Other users say the customer support isn’t that great
Simpli.fi pricing
- Contact for pricing
Simpli.fi ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.5/5 (115+ reviews)
- Capterra: 5/5 (One review)
10. SRDS
Standard Rate and Data Service (SRDS) is a media planning and buying solution from Adwanted Group. Not only does it bring in an impressive number of data points to inform your media strategy, but it also specializes in all media types, including radio, cable TV, CTV, OOH, and magazines.
SRDS best features
- Not sure which ads to pick? SRDS displays all ad options side-by-side
- Plug in your target audience data and SRDS will suggest the best media mix for results
- SRDS specializes in multicultural and inclusive audience targeting
- If your team is at capacity, hire the SRDS team to pull custom-tailored data for your campaigns
SRDS limitations
- It doesn’t have a lot of reviews
- SRDS data isn’t always up-to-date
SRDS pricing
- Contact for pricing
SRDS ratings and reviews
- G2: 3.2/5 (3 reviews)
- Capterra: N/A
Summarize this article for me pleaseGet a Truly All-In-One Planning Platform
Marketing campaigns have lots of moving parts. Creative, channel management, and metrics are just some of the few to-dos on your plate.
Most marketing platforms have the tools to keep you on track, but even then, most don’t integrate all of your tools, work, and communications in one place.
But guess what? ClickUp does. ?
We integrate project management, templates, an AI writing tool, customizable dashboards, and much more. With ClickUp, you can bring everything into a single platform to save hassle and focus on what really matters: creating beautiful, persuasive content.
Give it a spin to see the difference. Create your free ClickUp Workspace now—no credit card required.
Everything you need to stay organized and get work done.
