Last updated: May 2026
What Is Software Advice?
Software Advice is the B2B software comparison and advisory platform owned by Gartner. The service connects business buyers with matching software vendors through personalized consultations with software advisors who research the market for them.
The pitch is shortcut to good decisions. Most business buyers face 50+ software options in any major category (CRM, ERP, project management). Researching all of them requires dozens of demo calls and weeks of work. Software Advice's advisors compress this into a 20-minute call followed by 3-5 matching options to consider.
Founded in 2005, Software Advice predates the modern G2/Capterra review economy. It still operates the original advisor-first model where humans help match buyers to vendors, supplemented by the Gartner research depth behind the brand. Most buyer-facing services are free; the company's revenue comes from vendors paying for qualified referrals.
Get Free RecommendationsHow Software Advice Works
Submit your requirements through the web form. Specify category (CRM, accounting, etc.), company size, industry, must-have features, budget range, and timeline. An advisor calls within 24 hours.
The 20-30 minute advisor call dives into specifics. They ask follow-up questions about workflows, existing tools, pain points, and which features actually matter for your business. The goal is to filter the dozens of options down to a handful that genuinely fit.
After the call, you receive a curated shortlist with 3-5 vendor options matching your needs. Each option includes pricing context, key features, and notes on why this vendor was selected for your situation. Software Advice optionally connects you with each vendor for demos.
The platform also hosts written reviews from real users, similar to G2 or Capterra. Read reviews independently or use them as supplementary research alongside advisor recommendations.
Software Advice Pricing in 2026
Free for buyers. Software vendors pay Software Advice for qualified referrals. Buyer-facing services (advisor calls, reports, software recommendations) cost nothing.
The trade-off is transparency about the model. Software Advice has financial relationships with the vendors it recommends. This does not necessarily bias recommendations toward worse software, but it does mean the recommended list comes from vendors who pay rather than the entire universe of options.
Get Free Software AdviceWhere Software Advice Wins
- Free for buyers: real advisory time at no cost.
- Saves research time: 20 minutes with an advisor vs hours reading G2 reviews.
- Gartner backing: research depth behind the brand.
- Vendor coordination: advisors connect you with multiple vendors so you can run parallel demos.
- Personalized to your context: requirements gathered before recommendations are made.
Where It Falls Short
- Vendor-paid model: recommendations come from vendors who pay; the long tail of niche tools may not appear.
- Advisor quality varies: experienced advisors give better recommendations; junior ones may follow scripts.
- Less suited for niche categories: very specialized software (vertical-specific tools, emerging categories) may not be represented.
- Email and call follow-up can feel pushy: vendors who get your contact may pursue aggressively.
Software Advice vs G2 vs Capterra vs GetApp
G2 is the review-driven alternative. Read thousands of user reviews, compare features in grids. Better for self-directed research; Software Advice is better for guided recommendations.
Capterra is the closest direct competitor (also owned by Gartner). Similar advisor model. Choose based on which platform's category coverage matches your needs.
GetApp is another Gartner property targeting similar audiences. Functional overlap with Software Advice.
TrustRadius emphasizes verified user reviews with stronger enterprise focus.
Who Should Use Software Advice
Mid-market companies evaluating new software: too many options to research, not enough internal capacity.
First-time buyers in a category: when you have not bought CRM or ERP before, an advisor helps surface considerations.
Buyers who prefer guided over self-directed research: advisor calls suit some buying styles better than reading reviews.
Skip it if: you prefer self-directed research (use G2 or Capterra), you already know exactly which vendor you want (skip directly to that vendor), or you operate in a niche category not well-covered.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it really free?
Yes for buyers. Vendors pay for qualified referrals; buyers pay nothing.
Will I get sales calls from many vendors?
Yes. Vendors recommended to you will likely follow up. You can opt out of contact with specific vendors during the advisor call.
Are the reviews on Software Advice verified?
Yes. Reviewer identity verified through LinkedIn or business email.
Can I trust the recommendations given the vendor-paid model?
Recommendations come from paying vendors but are filtered by your stated requirements. Always validate independently with G2 reviews and direct vendor demos.
How long does the advisor call take?
20-30 minutes typically. Some calls run longer for complex requirements.
