Looking to grow your online presence through giveaways and contests in 2025? While Gleam has long dominated the space with powerful tools to launch viral marketing campaigns, there are now a variety of impressive alternatives on the market. Whether you’re seeking better pricing, more customization, or specific integration features, these platforms offer compelling reasons to explore beyond Gleam.
In this article, we’ll compare the best Gleam alternatives for 2025, highlighting their strengths, pricing models, and unique features so you can choose the best contest platform for your brand or business.
1. KingSumo
Best for simple social giveaways and email list growth
KingSumo is known for its ease of use, simple interface, and powerful viral giveaway mechanics. It focuses mainly on collecting email subscribers by encouraging participants to share contests for more chances to win.
- Pros: One-time payment option, viral sharing mechanism, easy to set up
- Cons: Limited integrations, basic customization options
- Best for: Bloggers, solopreneurs, small businesses
2. RafflePress
WordPress users, look no further
RafflePress is a WordPress plugin for creating viral giveaways directly on your site. It’s an ideal option if you’re looking to keep traffic within your WordPress ecosystem and boost SEO while engaging your audience.
- Pros: Native WordPress integration, drag-and-drop builder, responsive design
- Cons: Only available for WordPress, fewer third-party integrations than SaaS tools
- Best for: Site owners prioritizing SEO and on-site engagement
3. SweepWidget
Feature-rich and affordable alternative
SweepWidget offers a powerful suite of features that rivals and in some cases surpasses Gleam, often at a more affordable price. From multi-language support to 90+ entry methods, it’s a flexible and modern giveaway platform.
- Pros: Extensive entry options, customizable design, viral sharing capabilities
- Cons: Initial interface learning curve, occasional UI quirks
- Best for: Brands looking for flexibility and global reach
4. ViralSweep
Premium platform with advanced analytics
If you’re running high-stakes campaigns and need advanced functionality such as email collection, Instagram hashtag tracking, or even connecting to e-commerce funnels, ViralSweep is a top-tier solution.
- Pros: Deep integrations (Shopify, Klaviyo, Facebook), robust fraud detection, multi-campaign support
- Cons: Higher pricing tiers, geared towards marketing teams and agencies
- Best for: Professional marketers, e-commerce brands, marketing agencies
5. UpViral
Built specifically to go viral
As the name suggests, UpViral focuses on virality by rewarding users for referring others. It combines giveaway features with email marketing and gamification to help an audience grow organically.
- Pros: Effective referral system, built-in email autoresponder, funnel tools
- Cons: Slightly outdated UI, learning curve for beginners
- Best for: Entrepreneurs and marketers focused on word-of-mouth growth
6. Wishpond
All-in-one marketing solution
More than just a giveaway platform, Wishpond offers landing pages, email automation, pop-ups, and lead nurturing features—making it a great solution for teams needing more than just contests.
- Pros: All-in-one marketing toolkit, lead scoring, campaign templates
- Cons: More complex UI, steeper pricing
- Best for: Businesses looking for an integrated marketing platform
Which Gleam Alternative Should You Choose?
Ultimately, the best Gleam alternative depends on your business needs:
- On a budget? KingSumo or SweepWidget are strong, cost-effective choices.
- Using WordPress? RafflePress is the go-to plugin.
- Handling enterprise campaigns? ViralSweep and Wishpond offer robust solutions.
- Want to go viral fast? Try UpViral’s referral-driven design.
As digital marketing evolves in 2025, so do the tools available. While Gleam remains a popular platform, exploring its alternatives could reveal cost savings, productivity improvements, and better alignment with your marketing goals.
Take the time to experiment with free trials and demos before fully committing to a platform. The right tool can boost your engagement, grow your email list, and drive real results through the power of compelling contests.