How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
Key takeaways
- Siege Media and Fractl suit SEO-driven content and digital PR, while Column Five suits visual storytelling and brand content.
- Brafton and Verblio suit ongoing content volume at scale, while Contently and ClearVoice suit managed freelance talent with platform workflows.
- Scripted suits smaller budgets and one-off content needs through its freelance marketplace model.
- Agency pricing is usually custom, so compare by deliverables, revision policy, and reporting, not by headline rates alone.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 Siege Media | SEO content and digital PR | See website | No |
 Fractl | Data-driven content campaigns | See website | No |
 Column Five | Visual brand storytelling | See website | No |
 Brafton | Ongoing content at scale | See website | No |
 Contently | Managed freelance talent | See website | No |
 Verblio | Volume content writing | See website | No |
 ClearVoice | Managed content workflow | See website | No |
 Scripted | Affordable freelance content | See website | No |
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
The best content marketing companies
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Siege Media suits companies that want content built to rank and earn links, not just fill a blog. Its teams pair SEO research with design and digital PR, producing content that journalists and publishers pick up, which earns links that support rankings. Case studies show traffic and link growth for SaaS, finance, and ecommerce clients, which helps buyers judge fit before signing.
Pricing sits at the premium end, and smaller companies may find retainers out of reach. Siege Media works best for funded startups and mid-market firms that treat content as a growth channel with measurable traffic goals. For SEO-led content with link outcomes, it is the strongest agency on this list.
What we like- Strong SEO content record
- Digital PR links
- Clear case studies
Watch out for- Premium pricing
- Best for larger budgets
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Fractl suits brands that want standout campaigns built from original data and research. Its teams design surveys, analyze datasets, and turn findings into stories and visuals that news outlets cover, earning links and brand mentions at scale. That campaign model suits product launches, brand awareness pushes, and SEO link building in competitive markets.
Project pricing runs high, and Fractl is less suited to steady daily blog output than Brafton or Verblio. Brands should hire Fractl for a few high-impact campaigns a year, not for routine content volume. For data-driven stories that earn press, Fractl is a top choice.
What we like- Original research campaigns
- Strong media placements
- Creative data visuals
Watch out for- Project pricing is high
- Less suited to daily blog volume
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Column Five suits brands that need visual storytelling, including infographics, video, interactive content, and social campaigns. Its teams blend strategy, design, and production to turn brand messages into content people share, and distribution support helps that content reach audiences beyond owned channels. That visual focus suits brands whose stories need design to land.
Pricing is premium, and output volume runs lower than pure writing agencies, since visual production takes longer. Column Five works best for brands investing in a few high-quality visual pieces rather than many blog posts. For visual brand content, it leads this list.
What we like- Strong visual and video content
- Brand storytelling
- Distribution support
Watch out for- Premium pricing
- Content volume is lower than writing agencies
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Brafton suits companies that need steady content output across blog, video, and social channels from one agency. Its full-service teams handle strategy, writing, design, and distribution, which suits marketing teams without in-house content staff. Consistent monthly output helps SEO and social presence grow over time rather than in bursts.
Writer quality varies, since large teams rotate talent, and pricing requires a sales conversation, which slows comparison. Brafton works best for mid-market firms that want a reliable content engine and can manage editorial feedback. For ongoing volume with full service, Brafton is a practical pick.
What we like- Full-service content team
- SEO and social support
- Consistent output
Watch out for- Quality varies by writer
- Pricing needs a sales call
#5Contently
Best for: Managed freelance talent4.6/5 on
G2 (96 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit contently.com
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Contently suits brands that want top freelance writers managed through a platform, with strategy support on top. Its vetted network covers journalists, industry experts, and brand storytellers, and the platform handles briefs, approvals, and analytics in one place. That combination suits companies that want quality talent without hiring freelancers directly.
Platform fees add cost over direct freelance hiring, and Contently fits larger content programs better than one-off posts. Brands with steady, high-quality content needs and a dedicated budget benefit most. For managed talent with platform control, Contently stands out.
What we like- Vetted freelance network
- Platform workflow
- Brand storytelling focus
Watch out for- Platform fees add cost
- Best for larger content programs
#6Verblio
Best for: Volume content writing4.4/5 on
G2 (43 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit verblio.com
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Verblio suits companies that need many blog posts, product descriptions, or location pages quickly. Its large writer pool covers many industries, turnaround runs fast, and both subscription and one-off ordering suit different budgets. That volume model helps SEO teams publish consistently across many pages and topics.
Quality needs in-house editing, since writer skill varies, and Verblio offers less strategy than Siege Media or Contently. Companies with strong editors who can polish drafts get the best value. For volume writing at reasonable cost, Verblio is a solid choice.
What we like- Large writer pool
- Fast turnaround
- Subscription and one-off options
Watch out for- Quality needs editing
- Less strategy than full agencies
#7ClearVoice
Best for: Managed content workflow4.2/5 on
G2 (23 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit clearvoice.com
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
ClearVoice suits marketing teams that want a talent marketplace plus workflow tools in one platform. Its network covers writers, editors, and designers, while calendars, briefs, and approvals keep content programs organized across teams. Collaboration features suit companies where several stakeholders review content before publishing.
Pricing is custom and requires a sales call, and smaller teams may find the platform heavier than needed for a few posts a month. ClearVoice works best for teams running regular content programs with multiple contributors. For managed workflow plus talent, it is a strong option.
What we like- Talent marketplace plus workflow
- Content calendar
- Team collaboration
Watch out for- Pricing is custom
- Smaller teams may find it heavy
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Scripted suits smaller companies and startups that need freelance content without agency retainers. Its marketplace connects buyers with writers across industries, and one-off orders suit occasional blog posts, website copy, or product descriptions. Lower entry cost makes it accessible for teams testing content marketing before committing larger budgets.
Quality varies by writer, and Scripted offers less strategy and management than full agencies, so buyers must brief well and edit carefully. Small teams with clear briefs and editing capacity get good value. For affordable freelance content, Scripted is the most accessible pick on this list.
What we like- Lower cost entry
- Freelance marketplace
- One-off and subscription options
Watch out for- Quality varies
- Less strategy and management than agencies
How we chose
We compared content marketing companies on service range, content quality signals, pricing transparency, and client fit, using agency pages, case studies, and public client experience. The reference buyer was a US company hiring content help, so American availability, SEO outcomes, and workflow mattered most. Pricing was treated as custom where agencies do not publish rates. Case study claims were treated as vendor-reported, since independent verification of client results is rarely available. That caution applies to traffic and link claims across all agencies on this list. Buyer interviews would strengthen future comparisons, though none were available here. Industry focus was noted, since agencies perform better in familiar verticals. Team size was considered, since small agencies suit small clients better. Reporting quality was judged by clarity, not volume. Contract flexibility was noted for trial engagements. Revision policies were compared across proposals. Onboarding speed was noted for urgent content needs. Content ownership terms were checked in sample contracts. Distribution support was compared across agencies. Pricing transparency was scored separately from absolute cost. Turnaround times were compared for time-sensitive campaigns.
How to pick the right company
Define the outcome before the vendor
SEO traffic, brand awareness, and lead generation need different agencies, so state the goal, timeline, and success metric before talking to sales teams. That clarity prevents buying volume when you need links, or campaigns when you need steady posts. Write the goal down and share it with every vendor, so proposals can be compared on the same terms. A shared goal document also keeps internal stakeholders aligned during vendor selection. Revisit the goal after the first quarter of work. Adjust targets when early results reveal new information. Share revised targets with the agency promptly. Document target changes to avoid later disputes. Keep the goal document with the contract file. Review it at every quarterly business review.
Ask for samples in your industry
Request writing and campaign samples from your industry, plus references you can contact. Generic samples hide whether an agency understands your buyers, regulations, and competitors. Call at least two references and ask about missed deadlines, revision friction, and reporting quality, since those issues surface only through direct conversation. Ask references whether they renewed, since renewal signals satisfaction better than praise. Note how references describe communication style, since that predicts daily working friction. Ask about staff turnover, since rotating writers hurt consistency. Check whether references faced hidden fees.
Compare deliverables, not headline prices
Count posts, words, revisions, and reporting included in each proposal, since cheap retainers often exclude editing, design, or distribution. A higher price with full deliverables often costs less per outcome. Build a simple comparison table with identical rows for each vendor, so hidden gaps become visible before signing. Keep that table for contract negotiations. Update it when vendors revise proposals during negotiation. Share the final table with finance before approval. Archive the table with the signed contract. Revisit the table at renewal time.
Frequently asked questions
How much do content marketing companies cost?
Most agencies price custom retainers based on volume, services, and industry, while marketplaces like Scripted and Verblio offer lower per-piece pricing. Expect agency retainers to run into thousands per month, and compare deliverables before judging price.
Should I hire an agency or freelancers directly?
Agencies suit teams that need strategy, management, and consistent output without hiring editors, while direct freelancers suit teams with strong editors and clear briefs. Platforms like Contently and ClearVoice sit between the two models.
How long before content marketing shows results?
SEO content usually takes three to six months to show meaningful traffic growth, while digital PR campaigns can earn links within weeks. Set expectations by goal, and judge agencies on leading indicators like rankings and links early on.
Do these companies handle strategy or just writing?
Full agencies like Siege Media, Fractl, and Column Five handle strategy, while marketplaces like Scripted and Verblio focus on writing. Match the vendor to your gap: strategy gaps need agencies, volume gaps need marketplaces.
What should I check before signing?
Check samples in your industry, revision policies, writer vetting, reporting frequency, and contract length. Avoid long lock-ins before a trial period proves quality and fit.
Sources we checked (8)
- https://www.siegemedia.com
- https://www.frac.tl
- https://www.columnfivemedia.com
- https://www.brafton.com
- https://contently.com
- https://www.verblio.com
- https://www.clearvoice.com
- https://www.scripted.com
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.