Best Hootsuite alternatives (2026)
Alternatives to Hootsuite include Buffer (solo creators and small teams wanting a simple, affordable per-channel scheduling tool), Sprout Social (agencies and enterprise teams wanting the deepest analytics, at a per-seat rather than per-channel price), Later (creators and small brands focused on Instagram and visual content, with a genuine free plan to start on), among 3 social media management tools compared here on pricing and features.
Pricing and features verified against each vendor's published information on 2026-09-18. Sources linked below.
At a glance
| Tool | Free plan | Pricing from | Best for | Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buffer | Yes | Free plan for up to 3 channels and 10 scheduled posts; paid Essentials from about $5 per channel per month billed annually ($6 monthly), Team from about $10 per channel per month billed annually ($12 monthly) | solo creators and small teams wanting a simple, affordable per-channel scheduling tool | Web, iOS, Android |
| Sprout Social | No | No free plan, only a 30-day free trial; paid Essentials from about $79 per seat per month billed annually, Standard from about $199 per seat per month, a 2026 repricing that added the lower Essentials tier below the previous Standard entry point | agencies and enterprise teams wanting the deepest analytics, at a per-seat rather than per-channel price | Web, iOS, Android |
| Later | Yes | Free plan for one social set with a limited number of scheduled posts a month (documented on Later's own help centre, separate from its 14-day paid trial); paid Starter from about $18.75 per month billed annually ($25 monthly), 1 user, 1 social set, 30 posts per profile a month | creators and small brands focused on Instagram and visual content, with a genuine free plan to start on | Web, iOS, Android |
See the full comparison
FAQ
- What is the best alternative to Hootsuite?
- Buffer is the top pick here for solo creators and small teams wanting a simple, affordable per-channel scheduling tool (free plan for up to 3 channels and 10 scheduled posts; paid Essentials from about $5 per channel per month billed annually ($6 monthly), Team from about $10 per channel per month billed annually ($12 monthly)). Compare the full shortlist below for other social media management tools.
- Do any Hootsuite alternatives have a free plan?
- Free-plan options here include Buffer, Later. Compare limits before committing.