QueryTraceAthenaHQ and QueryTrace both track how often AI models mention your brand. AthenaHQ has a free credit-based tier, but its first paid plan jumps straight to $295 a month, while QueryTrace's paid plans start at $10.
AthenaHQ is an AI visibility platform built around a credit-based usage model, with a free tier and an AI agent that generates optimization recommendations.
QueryTrace is the better pick for most people comparing the two: a founder or small team that wants a flat, predictable price instead of a credit system.
AthenaHQ is worth it only if you're the exception: someone happy to start on a free, credit-limited tier, or an enterprise team ready to jump straight to AthenaHQ's $295 a month plan for its wider model coverage.
How they compare
| QueryTrace | AthenaHQ | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $10 a month | Free tier available (300 credits), then $295 a month for its Starter plan |
| Tracked queries | Unlimited on every plan | Credit-based; the free tier includes 300 credits |
| Free trial | 14 days, no card needed | Free tier with no stated time limit, no paid trial mentioned |
| Team members | Not seat-limited | Unlimited members, even on the free tier |
| AI models tracked | ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity | 9+ models including ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity, Copilot, Grok, and Google AI Overviews |
| Built for | Solo founders and small teams | Marketing teams, PR teams, and enterprise organizations |
| Optimization agent | Not offered | Dedicated AI agent for recommendations, plus citation-discrepancy detection |
Choose QueryTrace if
- You want a flat, predictable price instead of a credit system
- You'd rather not track credit usage as you scale up
- You want unlimited tracked queries from day one
Choose AthenaHQ if
- You're happy starting on a free, credit-limited tier
- You want the widest model coverage, including Grok and Google AI Overviews
- You want an AI agent generating optimization recommendations for you
Frequently asked questions
Is AthenaHQ free?
It has a free tier with 300 credits and no stated time limit. But its next plan up jumps straight to $295 a month, a big gap from QueryTrace's $10 a month starting price.
Does AthenaHQ track more AI models than QueryTrace?
Yes. AthenaHQ tracks 9 or more models including Grok and Google AI Overviews. QueryTrace tracks the four models people ask the most: ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Perplexity.
Which one should I pick?
If you want a flat, predictable price with no credit system to manage, QueryTrace is built for that. AthenaHQ is worth a look if you are comfortable on its free credit-limited tier, or ready to pay $295 a month for wider model coverage.
See where you stand for free
Run a free AI visibility check on your own domain first, no signup required.
Check my companyAthenaHQ's pricing and features are current as of 2026-08-08 and may have changed. Check their site for the latest.