Forrester and IDC are the closest direct replacements for Gartner, with broad analyst coverage, vendor evaluations, and inquiry access, but both are priced by quote and suit larger budgets. Everest Group, ISG, and HFS Research are stronger picks when the decision centers on outsourcing, sourcing, or services providers rather than software selection alone. G2 and TrustRadius work differently from analyst firms, because they collect verified user reviews and buyer intent signals, and both offer a free starting point for readers and vendors.
We compared 7 options for gartner research alternatives. Each profile below lists the price, free plan, pros and cons as published by the company.
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Gartner research alternatives: comparison table
Swipe the table sideways on a phone to see every column.
| # | Name | Best for | Starting price | Free plan / trial | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Forrester | Role based research and analyst guidance | quote only | No | Visit |
| 2 | IDC | Market forecasts and technology spending data | quote only | No | Visit |
| 3 | Everest Group | Outsourcing and services provider shortlists | quote only | No | Visit |
| 4 | ISG | Sourcing strategy and IT benchmarking | quote only | No | Visit |
| 5 | HFS Research | Enterprise services and AI transformation research | quote only | No | Visit |
| 6 | G2 | Peer reviews and software comparison | $299 per month | Yes | Visit |
| 7 | TrustRadius | Verified reviews and buyer intent signals | $30,000 per product per year | Yes | Visit |
The 7 best gartner research alternatives, in detail
Forrester
Best for: Role based research and analyst guidance
Forrester is the most direct alternative to Gartner for many buyers, because it pairs written research with analyst access in a similar way. Its Forrester Decisions services are organized around leadership roles, such as technology executives, security leaders, and marketing leaders, so a reader can follow research that matches a specific job. The library covers technology strategy, customer experience, data and AI, security and risk, and B2B marketing, among other areas.
- Members can read reports, use frameworks and benchmarks, and book guidance sessions with analysts to talk through a decision.
- The main trade off is cost and scope control.
- Forrester does not publish list prices for its research subscriptions, and the final price depends on the number of licenses, the research areas cover
- Small teams should ask which research families are included, how many inquiry hours come with the contract, and what happens at renewal.
Pros
- Broad research library across technology, marketing, and customer experience
- Direct analyst inquiry sessions for members
Cons
- No public list price, so budgeting takes a sales conversation
- Annual contracts can be costly for small teams
IDC
Best for: Market forecasts and technology spending data
IDC, short for International Data Corporation, is a strong choice when the question is about market size, growth, or vendor share rather than a single product choice. Its trackers and forecasts cover hardware, software, cloud, AI, and services markets across regions, and its analysts publish research on spending trends, buyer behavior, and vendor positioning. Teams that build business cases, plan budgets, or size a market will find more quantitative material here than in many other analyst libraries.
- IDC also offers advisory services and custom research for buyers who need analysis shaped around a specific market or decision.
- Pricing is quoted per engagement, and the cost depends on the research practices covered, the geographic scope, and the number of named users.
- Some buyers start with a single research practice, such as cloud or security, and add coverage later.
- Before signing, ask for a list of the exact reports, trackers, and data sets included, and check how often the data is refreshed.
Pros
- Deep market data, trackers, and spending forecasts
- Broad coverage of vendors, regions, and technology segments
Cons
- No public list price, so buyers must request a quote
- Research is data heavy, which can feel dense for casual readers
Everest Group
Best for: Outsourcing and services provider shortlists
Everest Group is best known for its PEAK Matrix, a framework that places services providers on two axes, market impact and vision and capability. Buyers use these evaluations to shortlist outsourcing, IT services, and business process providers, and to check a provider claim against independent analysis. The firm also publishes viewpoints, market reports, and pricing intelligence, including its Price Genius platform for services pricing and performance benchmarks.
- This makes it a practical pick for sourcing teams, procurement leaders, and CIOs who are about to sign or renew a services contract.
- Everest Group also offers advisory engagements for sourcing strategy, contract benchmarking, and transformation roadmaps.
- Some viewpoints and press release summaries are free to read on its site, while full PEAK Matrix reports and pricing databases sit behind memberships.
- The firm does not publish list prices, so ask for a quote that names the service lines covered, the number of users, and the reports included.
Pros
- PEAK Matrix evaluations make provider comparison clear
- Strong pricing and benchmarking data for services deals
Cons
- No public list price, so buyers must request a quote
- Focus is heavier on services than on software products
ISG
Best for: Sourcing strategy and IT benchmarking
ISG, or Information Services Group, is a global technology research and advisory firm with a clear focus on sourcing, software advisory, and AI strategy. Its provider evaluations, known as ISG Provider Lens reports, compare services providers across categories such as cloud, cybersecurity, data analytics, and digital engineering. Buyers use these reports to build a shortlist, while its advisory teams help with sourcing strategy, deal negotiation, and contract design.
- The firm also runs ISG ProBenchmark, a platform for benchmarking IT prices and service levels against market data from thousands of assessments and a
- This focus makes ISG a good fit for teams that are buying services, renegotiating an outsourcing deal, or trying to prove that a current contract is p
- Its research is less centered on end user software reviews, so software buyers may want a second source for product level detail.
- Pricing is quoted per engagement, and advisory projects are priced by scope, so ask for a written statement of work that lists the deliverables, the t
Pros
- Deep sourcing and deal advisory experience
- ProBenchmark platform for IT price and service level comparison
Cons
- No public list price, so buyers must request a quote
- Advisory work is project based, so costs vary by scope
HFS Research
Best for: Enterprise services and AI transformation research
HFS Research focuses on enterprise services, automation, and AI, and it is known for direct, opinionated analysis of how services providers perform. Its research covers topics such as agentic AI, outsourcing models, cloud services, and the economics of AI adoption, and it publishes surveys and data from enterprise leaders alongside its analyst commentary. Readers who want a clear stance, rather than a neutral summary, often prefer this style.
- The firm also runs events and advisory work for enterprise buyers and providers.
- HFS Research does not publish list prices for its research subscriptions, so buyers need to contact the firm for a quote based on the research areas a
- Some articles and reports are free to read on its site, which gives a good sense of the tone and depth before a purchase.
- Small teams should ask which research streams are included, how many analyst briefings come with the plan, and whether access covers the full library
Pros
- Clear point of view on AI, automation, and services outcomes
- Research is written in plain language with practical takeaways
Cons
- No public list price, so buyers must request a quote
- Coverage is narrower than the largest analyst firms
G2
Best for: Peer reviews and software comparison
G2 is a software marketplace and review platform, so it works in a different way from a traditional analyst firm. Instead of analyst written reports, it collects reviews from verified software users and organizes them into category pages, comparison grids, and product profiles. Buyers can filter by company size, read pros and cons from real users, and compare products side by side before they talk to a vendor.
- This makes G2 useful early in a buying process, when a team wants to build a long list and see which products other teams in similar roles actually us
- For vendors, G2 offers a free profile, with the Starter package listed at $299 per month, or $2,999 for the first year, for small businesses with 1 to
- Professional and Enterprise packages are priced by sales quote.
- Buyer intent data, advertising, and content licensing are add ons.
Pros
- Large library of verified user reviews across software categories
- Free profile and free reading access for buyers
Cons
- Higher tiers and buyer intent data require a sales quote
- Review quality varies by category and product
TrustRadius
Best for: Verified reviews and buyer intent signals
TrustRadius is a B2B technology review platform that focuses on verified user reviews, product comparisons, and buyer intent data. Buyers can read reviews for free, compare products, and see how a product performs for teams of a similar size or in a similar industry. Reviews often include detail on use cases, implementation, and support, which helps a reader judge fit beyond a feature list.
- Vendors can claim a basic profile for free and respond to reviews, while the Customer Voice package, listed on the TrustRadius pricing page, starts at
- That starting price puts TrustRadius firmly in the vendor marketing budget category, rather than a casual purchase for a small software company.
- Intent data, lead generation, and premium content are priced separately and require a sales quote.
- For buyers, the free access is the main value, and the review depth is the reason to use it alongside G2 or an analyst report.
Pros
- Verified reviews with detailed use case information
- Free reading access for buyers and a free basic vendor profile
Cons
- Vendor packages start at a high annual price
- Intent data and premium features are quoted separately
How we chose
We chose these 7 options by comparing what each one actually offers to a buyer who is looking for an alternative to Gartner. We checked each vendor pricing page and each vendor site for the plan structure, the starting price, and the free access terms, and we marked a price as quote only when the vendor does not publish a list price. We favored firms with real analyst research, real provider evaluations, or large review libraries, and we left out any option that did not have a working homepage or a clear research product.
We did not test any product hands on, and we did not run trials of the analyst subscriptions, because those are enterprise contracts that require a sales process. Our notes come from vendor pricing pages, product pages, and vendor documentation read on 2026-11-12. Prices can change, and quoted prices vary by users, scope, and term, so confirm the current price with the vendor before you budget for it.
What to check before you buy
Start by writing down the decision you need to make, because the right source depends on the question. A market sizing question points to IDC, a services shortlist points to Everest Group or ISG, and a software shortlist points to G2 or TrustRadius. Then check the user count, the research areas, and the analyst hours in the quote, and ask for the renewal price in writing.
Use this decision table to match your team size and budget to a starting point. The bands below are guides, not quotes, and the analyst firms will still ask for a sales conversation before they confirm a price.
| Team size and budget | Best starting point | Why it fits | | Solo buyer or small team, under $5,000 per year | G2 free access, TrustRadius free access | Free reading, reviews, and comparisons with no contract | | Small team, $5,000 to $30,000 per year | G2 Starter at $299 per month | Low entry price, review campaigns, and profile tools | | Midsize team, $30,000 to $100,000 per year | Forrester, IDC, or TrustRadius Customer Voice | Analyst access or vendor marketing reach at a defined annual cost | | Large team, over $100,000 per year | Forrester, IDC, Everest Group, ISG, or HFS Research | Broad research, benchmarks, and advisory hours across teams |
Also check the contract terms before you sign. Ask how many named users are included, whether access covers the full research library or only selected areas, how many analyst inquiry hours are included, and what happens to access if you do not renew. For review platforms, check how reviews are verified and how recent they are. For analyst firms, ask for a sample report in your area and a list of the analysts who cover it, so you can judge depth before you commit.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best alternative to Gartner for a small business?
G2 and TrustRadius are the best starting points for a small business, because buyers can read reviews and compare products for free, and G2 Starter is listed at $299 per month for small vendors. Analyst firms such as Forrester and IDC are priced by quote and usually suit larger budgets, so a small team should start with review platforms and free analyst summaries before it requests a quote.
Is Forrester cheaper than Gartner?
There is no public list price for either firm that allows a direct comparison, because both price research subscriptions by quote based on users, coverage, and analyst hours. Forrester may cost less for a narrow, single area license, and more for a broad enterprise agreement. Ask both firms for a written quote with the same scope, users, and term, then compare the totals.
Does IDC publish its prices?
No, IDC does not publish list prices for its research subscriptions on its public site. Pricing depends on the research practices covered, the geographic scope, and the number of named users, so buyers must contact IDC for a quote. Ask for a list of the reports, trackers, and data sets included, and confirm how often the data is refreshed before you sign.
Are G2 and TrustRadius free to use?
Yes, both platforms are free for buyers to read reviews and compare products. Vendors can also claim a basic profile for free on each platform. G2 Starter is listed at $299 per month for small vendors, and TrustRadius Customer Voice starts at $30,000 per product per year, so the free access covers reading and basic profiles, while marketing features and intent data are part of the priced plans.
Which alternative is best for outsourcing decisions?
Everest Group and ISG are the strongest picks for outsourcing decisions, because both focus on services providers, sourcing strategy, and price benchmarking. Everest Group is known for its PEAK Matrix provider evaluations, while ISG offers Provider Lens reports and its ProBenchmark platform. Use either one to build a provider shortlist, then check pricing and service levels against current contract data.
Can I replace Gartner with review platforms alone?
Review platforms can replace Gartner for software shortlists, but they do not replace analyst research for market forecasts, vendor strategy, or sourcing advice. G2 and TrustRadius show what users think of a product, while Forrester, IDC, and the other analyst firms add market data, frameworks, and direct analyst guidance. Most teams get the best result by pairing a review platform with at least one analyst source.
Sources
- https://www.forrester.com/
- https://www.idc.com/
- https://www.everestgrp.com/
- https://www.everestgrp.com/pricing-research/custom-benchmarks-custom-price-performance-benchmarking/
- https://www.isg-one.com/
- https://isg-one.com/advisory/sourcing
- https://www.hfsresearch.com/
- https://www.g2.com/
- https://sell.g2.com/hubfs/G2-External-Pricing-Guide-PDF-FY26.pdf?hsLang=en
- https://www.trustradius.com/
- https://www.trustradius.com/products/trustradius-buyers/pricing
Prices and features were read on each company’s own website in November 2026. They change often, so confirm the current offer on the official site before you sign up or buy.