Compare Alignable and LinkedIn, Which is Better?

LinkedIn is probably the first choice for many people if you are running a business and searching for a way to expand your community. It helps you build a professional career, seek corporate opportunities, establish an industry presence, etc. At the same time, some people may be curious if is there any alternative to grow the global network.

Now, we’d like to compare LinkedIn with Alignable, which is also an online network launched in 2014 (11 years later than LinkedIn). Through this post, you will learn what is Alignable and how it works for business, Alignable vs. LinkedIn pros and cons, etc. It provides you with more insights to explore those values for your business network.

What is Alignable and How Does it Work?

Alignable is a specialized business networking platform designed specifically for small business owners and local entrepreneurs.

It functions as a dedicated platform for local business networking, focusing on community-building and collaborative growth. It provides trade tools to connect, share resources, and build local partnerships. While similar to other networking platforms, its distinct focus on local business relationships and community engagement sets it apart. The platform’s success depends largely on active participation and genuine engagement within local business communities.

Is Alignable Like LinkedIn?

Alignable and LinkedIn are both professional networking platforms. They are established with professional profiles, focusing on business networking, industry connections, and business promotion. They have some similar basic features, for example, network building, direct messaging, profile creation, business visibility, etc.

However, they serve different purposes and audiences. Next, check the differences between Alignable and LinkedIn.

How is Alignable Different than LinkedIn

Alignable focuses on local business connections and community building, making it ideal for small business owners seeking local partnerships. LinkedIn, conversely, caters to broader professional networking, career development, and global business connections. You can make a choice depending on your business goals and target market.

Feature	Alignable	LinkedIn
Target Market	Local small businesses	Global professionals & corporations
Primary Focus	Community-based networking	Professional career networking
Geographic Reach	Local/Regional	Global
Networking Style	Direct business referrals	Professional connections
Tier Structure	A simpler tier structure: 1. Free basic account 2. Premium membership	Multiple tiers for different needs: 1. Free basic account 2. Specialized Premium: Career, Business, Sales Navigator, Recruiter 3. LinkedIn Learning courses
Cost	Free basic plan and Premium: $12-90/month	Free basic plan and Premium: $39.99-99.95/month
Platform Rating	3.5/5 average rating	4.5/5 average rating
Content Type	Alignable blog includes: 1. Business promotions 2. Local events 3. Community updates	LinkedIn blog include: 1. Professional articles 2. Industry news 3. Job postings

Alignable Blog Interface vs. LinkedIn:

Alignable vs. LinkedIn Pros and Cons

The key difference between Alignable vs. LinkedIn lies in their core purpose, as we listed above. This part will show you detailed pros and cons, making it easier to compare their strengths and weaknesses. It focuses on unique aspects not covered in previous differences and highlights the distinct characteristics and use cases of each platform.

Category	Alignable	LinkedIn
PROS
Networking Quality	✓ More genuine business relationships ✓ Quality over quantity connections ✓ Easier to get meaningful responses ✓ Less spam	✓ Global networking reach ✓ Large professional network ✓ Industry-wide connections ✓ Diverse networking opportunities
User Experience	✓ Simpler learning curve ✓ Less overwhelming ✓ Straightforward navigation ✓ Clean interface	✓ Rich feature set ✓ Professional development tools ✓ Learning platform ✓ Advanced search capabilities
Business Value	✓ Direct referral generation ✓ Local partnership opportunities ✓ Community trust building ✓ Strong local focus	✓ Company research tools ✓ Industry analytics ✓ Market insights ✓ Competitor analysis
CONS
Platform Limitations	✗ Limited API capabilities ✗ Fewer integration options ✗ Restricted third-party tools ✗ Less established platform	✗ Information overload ✗ Constant sales pitches ✗ Overwhelming notifications ✗ Complex navigation
Content Restrictions	✗ Lower content visibility ✗ Less content variety ✗ Fewer sharing options ✗ Limited multimedia support	✗ Algorithm-dependent visibility ✗ High competition for attention ✗ Content saturation ✗ Promotional noise
Engagement Issues	✗ Limited global reach ✗ Smaller user base ✗ Geographic restrictions ✗ Niche platform	✗ Surface-level networking ✗ Performative posting ✗ Connection quantity over quality ✗ Generic interactions

FAQs

Is Alignable owned by LinkedIn?

No, Alignable is not owned by LinkedIn. Alignable is an independent company founded in 2014 by Eric Groves and Venkat Krishnamurthy, while LinkedIn has been owned by Microsoft since 2003.

What is Alignable good for?

Alignable is best for local small business networking, facilitating referrals, and building community-based business relationships. It excels at connecting neighborhood businesses for partnerships and local market growth opportunities.

LinkedIn Free vs. Premium

LinkedIn Free offers basic networking, while Premium tiers provide specialized tools for career advancement, business growth, sales development, and recruitment, with increasing features and costs per tier.

Alignable Free vs. Premium

Alignable Free provides basic local networking, while Premium unlocks unlimited referrals, broader reach beyond local areas, and advanced business tools for $29.99/month.

Conclusion

With this comparison post, you can summarize the results: LinkedIn dominates the professional networking space with its global reach and comprehensive features, and Alignable fills a specific niche for local business networking. Alignable excels in fostering local business relationships and community building, while LinkedIn remains the go-to platform for professional development and corporate networking. I believe you already have a choice aligned with your business goals and target audience.