The smarter Gleam.io alternative for contest & campaign marketing
Both platforms run giveaways. Only one gives you the customization, built-in email, and real analytics to turn them into a year-round growth engine. Here's the full breakdown.
How ShortStack and Gleam.io compare
We looked at pricing, formats, customization, analytics, and support — here's everything you need to make the right call.
| Feature | ShortStack | Gleam.io |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing & Plans | ||
| Full platform starting price | $29 / mo | $119 / mo (Full Package) |
| Free tier available | ✓ | ✓ |
| Campaign Types | ||
| Sweepstakes & giveaways | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instant win & scratch cards | ✓ | ✕ |
| Quizzes & trivia | ✓ | ✕ |
| Photo / UGC voting contests | ✓ | Limited |
| Spin-to-win & gamified formats | ✓ | ✕ |
| Hashtag contests (IG, Facebook) | ✓ | Via entry actions |
| Builder & Customization | ||
| Fully branded landing pages | ✓ | Limited styling |
| Embed on any website | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mobile-responsive templates | ✓ | ✓ |
| Analytics & Lead Management | ||
| Real-time campaign analytics | Deep reporting | Basic stats |
| Entry management & moderation | ✓ | Limited |
| Built-in email autoresponders | ✓ | ✕ |
| Winner selection tools | ✓ | ✓ |
| Support & Team | ||
| Live support & onboarding sessions | Live sessions | Ticket-based only |
| Agency / multi-client management | Customizable permissions | ✕ |
| GDPR compliance tools | ✓ | Basic |
Comparison based on publicly listed plans and features as of 2026, verified against gleam.io/pricing. ShortStack's $29/mo plan includes contests, landing pages, pop-ups, and forms together. Gleam sells contests (Competitions), forms (Captures), rewards, and galleries as separate apps — their $119/mo Full Package is required to match that scope; their single-app Competitions plan (contests only) also starts at $29/mo.
Built for marketers who need more than a giveaway widget
Gleam.io is fine for simple points-for-actions giveaways. ShortStack is for teams who want total creative control, real data, and campaigns that scale.
True drag-and-drop freedom
Build fully branded landing pages from scratch — not just pre-set widgets. Your campaign looks like you, not a template.
More campaign types
Quizzes, instant win, spin-to-win, photo voting, scratch cards, and more — all in one place. Gleam can't match the format variety.
Real analytics, not just counts
Track engagement, conversions, and lead quality in real time. Export rich data to your CRM — not just a CSV of emails.
Built-in email follow-up
Autoresponders and sequences are native to ShortStack. With Gleam you're duct-taping a separate ESP just to say "thanks for entering."
Agency-ready from day one
Customizable permissions, multi-client organization, and client management — built for agencies running campaigns at scale.
Human support when you need it
Live onboarding sessions, documentation, and video walkthroughs. Gleam offers ticket-based support only — no calls, no demos.
Full access, a fraction of the price
ShortStack's Max plan unlocks every feature — full white-label, the entry API, full analytics, agency tools, all of it — for $199/mo. Matching that with Gleam means their $1,199/mo Premium Full Package plan; their $119/mo entry tier only gets you the capped Pro version of each app.
All plans include unlimited landing pages, pop-ups, and campaigns. Annual billing saves 2 months on every plan.
Each app is also sold separately starting at $29/mo. The $119/mo Full Package only includes the Pro tier of every app with capped usage limits — full feature access across every app requires the $1,199/mo Premium plan.
Trusted by marketers who have tried both
“ShortStack excels at customizable landing pages and forms, making it ideal for lead generation and data collection — where Gleam can't match the depth.”
“After 4+ years and dozens of promotions, I appreciate ShortStack's reliability and constant innovation — but most of all the absolute commitment to customer support. It goes above and beyond, and that's rare.”
“ShortStack makes it really easy for a guy with no design or coding background to manage social contests almost 100% by myself. Designing, launching, and measuring was painless.”
“Super clean drag-and-drop builder — great for non-tech users like me. Built-in lead collection, email follow-up, and analytics that don't overwhelm.”
Gleam.io alternative: common questions
Still deciding between ShortStack and Gleam.io? Here's what marketers ask us most.
Is there a free Gleam.io alternative?
Is ShortStack cheaper than Gleam.io?
Does Gleam.io offer quizzes or instant-win games?
Does Gleam.io have built-in email marketing?
How do I switch from Gleam.io to ShortStack?
Does ShortStack offer live support like Gleam.io?
The verdict is clear
For brands, agencies, and marketers who need real customization, richer formats, and actual support — ShortStack is the stronger platform at a better price.