Hootsuite was once the go-to social media scheduler with a popular free plan. That changed when they removed the free tier entirely and raised prices. No wonder so many people are searching for alternatives to Hootsuite. Now their cheapest plan starts at $99/month (billed annually) for just one user and 10 social accounts.
Here are the main reasons people search for Hootsuite alternatives:
- No more free plan – Hootsuite discontinued their free tier, leaving casual users and small businesses without an affordable entry point
- Expensive starting price – At $99/month, Hootsuite costs more than many competitors that offer similar or better features
- Per-user pricing adds up – Each additional team member increases your bill significantly
- No content recycling – Hootsuite lacks evergreen content features that let you automatically repost top-performing content
- Interface feels dated – Many users find the dashboard cluttered compared to newer tools
- Limited AI features – While they added OwlyWriter AI, it requires higher-tier plans
The good news? There are plenty of alternatives to Hootsuite that cost less and often do more. Let’s look at the best options.
TL;DR – Best Hootsuite Alternatives
- Viraly is an alternative to Hootsuite that’s best overall. Free plan available, flat-rate pricing from $19/mo, content recycling with AI variations.
- Buffer is an alternative to Hootsuite that’s best for simplicity. Free plan with 3 channels, clean interface, $6/channel for more.
- Metricool – Strong free analytics with 20 scheduled posts, strong reporting tools.
What to Look for in a Hootsuite Alternative
Based on Hootsuite’s weaknesses, here’s what matters most when choosing an alternative:
- Free plan or affordable entry – A good free Hootsuite alternative exists – you shouldn’t need to spend $99/month just to schedule social posts
- Transparent pricing – Look for flat-rate plans without hidden per-user fees
- Content recycling – Automatically repost evergreen content to save time
- Modern interface – A clean dashboard that’s easy to navigate
- Platform coverage – Support for the networks you actually use, including newer ones like TikTok, Threads, and Bluesky
- AI assistance – Caption generation and content suggestions to speed up your workflow
11 Hootsuite Alternatives
1. Viraly
| Starting Price | Free ($0) or $19/month |
| Free Plan | Yes – 3 profiles, 10 posts/month |
| Platforms | 10 (Instagram, Facebook, X/Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest, Threads, Mastodon, Bluesky) |
| Best For | Affordable power users who need reliability and advanced features |
Viraly delivers what Hootsuite promises but at a fraction of the cost – and it actually works reliably. With millions of scheduled posts and counting, Viraly is built robustly to ensure your content goes out on time, every time. No mysterious failures, no posts stuck in limbo. It just works.
The pricing makes the switch a no-brainer. At $19/month, you get features that Hootsuite charges $99+ for. The flat-rate model means no surprises – the Business plan at $49/month includes 5 team members and 15 profiles. Compare that to Hootsuite’s per-user pricing where a small team can easily spend $300+/month.
Standout Features
- First Comment automation – Schedule your first comment with hashtags on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Keep captions clean while maximizing reach.
- Thread chains across platforms – Create multi-post threads on X/Twitter, Threads, Mastodon, and Bluesky from one composer. Auto-numbering included.
- Instagram account tagging and collaborators – Tag accounts on images with precise positioning, invite collaborators so posts appear on both profiles.
- Location tagging – Add locations to Instagram and Facebook posts for local discovery.
- TikTok Photo Mode – Create photo carousels with up to 35 images for TikTok.
- LinkedIn document posts – Upload PDFs, PowerPoints, and Word docs directly (3x higher engagement than regular posts).
- Content recycling with AI variations – Automatically repost evergreen content with 3-10 AI-generated caption variations so it never looks repetitive.
- Unlimited AI – Caption generation, hashtag suggestions, and content ideas on all paid plans.
Limitations:
- No social inbox – focused on publishing rather than engagement management
- Free plan limited to 3 profiles and 10 posts/month
- Team features require Business plan ($49/month)
Pricing: Free plan available. Influencer $19/month (5 profiles, 200 posts). Business $49/month (15 profiles, 500 posts, 5 team members). Agency $99/month (50 profiles, unlimited posts, 15 team members).
Bottom line: Viraly gives you more features than Hootsuite at less than a quarter of the price, with the reliability you can count on. For most people leaving Hootsuite, this is the upgrade that feels like a steal.
2. Buffer
| Starting Price | Free ($0) or $6/channel/month |
| Free Plan | Yes – 3 channels, 10 posts/channel/month |
| Platforms | 11 (Instagram, Facebook, X/Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest, Threads, Mastodon, Bluesky, Google Business) |
| Best For | Simple scheduling with clean interface, solopreneurs |
Buffer is the anti-Hootsuite in terms of complexity. Where Hootsuite’s interface feels overwhelming, Buffer keeps things minimal. If you just want to schedule posts without navigating through a maze of features, Buffer delivers that simplicity.
The free plan gives you 3 channels with 10 posts per channel per month. That’s more than enough for a small business testing the waters. Paid plans use per-channel pricing at $6/month each, which can be cost-effective for a few accounts but adds up quickly if you manage many profiles.
Key features:
- Clean, distraction-free interface
- AI Assistant for caption ideas (included on all plans)
- Start Page (link-in-bio tool)
- Native Canva and Unsplash integration
- Browser extension for quick sharing
- Engagement features on paid plans
Limitations:
- No content recycling or evergreen posting
- Per-channel pricing gets expensive with many accounts
- Analytics limited on lower tiers
- No bulk scheduling on free plan
Pricing: Free plan (3 channels). Essentials $6/channel/month. Team $12/channel/month with unlimited users.
Bottom line: Buffer is perfect if you value simplicity over features. Great for individuals but less ideal for agencies managing many accounts.
3. Later
| Starting Price | $25/month (no free plan) |
| Free Plan | No – 14-day trial only |
| Platforms | 8 (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest, Threads – NO X/Twitter) |
| Best For | Visual content planning, Instagram-focused brands |
Later built its reputation as the visual-first scheduler, and it shows. The drag-and-drop calendar and Instagram grid preview make it easy to plan a cohesive aesthetic. If your brand lives on Instagram and visual platforms, Later’s planning tools are hard to beat.
However, there’s a major caveat: Later dropped X/Twitter support entirely. If you need Twitter scheduling, Later isn’t an option. They’ve doubled down on visual platforms instead.
Key features:
- Visual Instagram grid planner
- Drag-and-drop content calendar
- Linkin.bio for Instagram
- Best Time to Post recommendations
- User-generated content tools
- AI-powered caption writer
Limitations:
- No X/Twitter support at all
- No free plan (14-day trial only)
- 8 profiles per Social Set – separate billing for more
- No content recycling
Pricing: Starter $25/month (1 Social Set). Growth $50/month (3 Social Sets). Advanced $80/month (6 Social Sets). Agency $200/month (15 Social Sets).
Bottom line: Later excels for Instagram-first brands who don’t need X/Twitter. The visual planning tools justify the price if Instagram is your primary platform.
4. Metricool
| Starting Price | Free ($0) or $22/month |
| Free Plan | Yes – 1 brand, 20 posts/month, 30-day analytics |
| Platforms | 12 (Instagram, Facebook, X/Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest, Threads, Twitch, Google Business, Bluesky, Telegram) |
| Best For | Analytics and reporting, budget-conscious users |
Metricool offers a solid free plan (20 posts/month for 1 brand) in social media management. You get 20 scheduled posts per month, connection to all major platforms, and 30 days of analytics history. That’s enough for many small businesses to operate without paying anything.
Where Metricool really shines is analytics. The reporting dashboards are comprehensive, and the competitor analysis tools help you benchmark your performance. If data drives your social strategy, Metricool delivers insights that Hootsuite charges premium prices for.
Key features:
- Autolists for content recycling
- Comprehensive analytics dashboards
- Competitor analysis
- SmartLinks (link-in-bio)
- Ad management for Facebook and Google
- Bluesky support included
Limitations:
- X/Twitter is a $5/month add-on (not included)
- Free plan limited to 30-day analytics history
- Per-brand pricing model
- AI features require paid plans
Pricing: Free plan (1 brand, 20 posts/month). Starter $22/month (5 brands) or $38/month (10 brands). Advanced $54/month (15 brands), $88/month (25 brands), or $172/month (50 brands). Team members included on Advanced only. X/Twitter +$5/month per account.
Bottom line: Metricool is a solid choice if analytics matter and you can live with X/Twitter as an add-on. The free plan alone beats Hootsuite’s removed free tier.
5. Publer
| Starting Price | Free ($0) or $4/account/month |
| Free Plan | Yes – 3 accounts, 10 posts/account (no X/Twitter) |
| Platforms | 14+ (Instagram, Facebook, X/Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest, Threads, Mastodon, Bluesky, Telegram, WordPress, Google Business) |
| Best For | Platform variety, agencies wanting per-account pricing |
Publer wins on platform coverage. With 14+ supported networks including Telegram, Mastodon, and even WordPress, it connects to places other schedulers don’t reach. If you manage accounts on niche platforms, Publer probably supports them.
The per-account pricing model at $4/account can be very affordable for small operations, though it scales linearly. Publer also includes Spintax support for creating post variations and solid AI features powered by GPT-4 and DALL-E 3.
Key features:
- 14+ platforms including Telegram and WordPress
- Spintax for content variations
- AI Assist with GPT-4 and DALL-E 3
- Recycling and evergreen posting
- Bulk scheduling via CSV
- Workspaces for team organization
Limitations:
- Free plan excludes X/Twitter
- Per-account pricing adds up with many profiles
- Interface can feel cluttered
- Analytics less robust than competitors
Pricing: Free plan (3 accounts). Professional $4/account/month annual. Business $7.50/account/month annual with advanced features.
Bottom line: Publer is ideal if you need unusual platform support or prefer per-account billing. The platform variety is unmatched.
6. RecurPost
| Starting Price | $9/month (no free plan) |
| Free Plan | No – 14-day trial only |
| Platforms | 10 (Instagram, Facebook, X/Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest, Threads, Bluesky, Google Business) |
| Best For | Evergreen content recycling, solopreneurs |
RecurPost was built specifically for content recycling. The name says it all. While other tools added recycling as an afterthought, RecurPost made it the core feature. You create content libraries organized by topic, and RecurPost automatically cycles through them on your schedule.
At $9/month to start, it’s one of the most affordable paid options. You don’t get a free plan, but the pricing makes up for it. RecurPost also added Instagram DM automation and inbox management on higher tiers.
Key features:
- Evergreen content libraries
- Automatic content recycling
- 10 platforms including Bluesky and Threads
- Instagram DM automation (paid plans)
- AI caption generation
- Bulk upload and scheduling
Limitations:
- No free plan
- Starter plan only includes 2 social profiles
- Interface feels basic compared to newer tools
- Limited analytics features
Pricing: Starter $9/month (2 profiles). Growth $18/month (5 profiles). Professional $35/month (10 profiles). Agency $60/month (20 profiles).
Bottom line: RecurPost is the budget pick for evergreen content. If recycling is your priority and you’re okay without a free tier, it’s hard to beat at $9/month.
7. SocialBee
| Starting Price | $29/month (no free plan) |
| Free Plan | No – 14-day trial only |
| Platforms | 10 (Instagram, Facebook, X/Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest, Threads, Bluesky, Google Business) |
| Best For | Category-based content organization, AI content creation |
SocialBee takes a unique approach with category-based content organization. You create categories like “Blog posts,” “Tips,” and “Promotions,” then schedule each category to post at specific times. This keeps your content mix balanced without manual juggling.
The AI Copilot powered by GPT-4 and DALL-E 3 can generate entire content calendars based on your prompts. While pricier than some alternatives at $29/month, SocialBee packs in features that justify the cost for content-heavy teams.
Key features:
- Category-based content scheduling
- Evergreen content recycling
- AI Copilot with GPT-4 and DALL-E 3
- Canva integration
- RSS feed automation
- Content approval workflows
Limitations:
- No free plan
- Category system has a learning curve
- Bootstrap plan limited to 5 profiles
- No social inbox
Pricing: Bootstrap $29/month ($24.20 annual, 5 profiles). Accelerate $49/month ($40.80 annual, 10 profiles). Pro $99/month ($82.50 annual, 25 profiles).
Bottom line: SocialBee suits teams who want structured content organization and powerful AI tools. The category system is worth learning if you juggle multiple content types.
8. Sprout Social
| Starting Price | $199/user/month (no free plan) |
| Free Plan | No – 30-day trial only |
| Platforms | 13+ (Instagram, Facebook, X/Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest, Threads, WhatsApp, Messenger, Google Business) |
| Best For | Enterprise teams needing social listening and advanced analytics |
Sprout Social isn’t a budget alternative – it’s actually more expensive than Hootsuite at $199/seat/month. But if you’re leaving Hootsuite for better features rather than lower prices, Sprout delivers enterprise-grade capabilities that justify the premium.
The Smart Inbox consolidates all your social messages in one place. The analytics are presentation-ready. And the social listening tools (available as add-ons) provide competitive intelligence that smaller tools can’t match.
Key features:
- Unified Smart Inbox for all platforms
- Advanced analytics and reporting
- Social listening (add-on starting ~$999/month)
- CRM integration
- Sentiment analysis
- Employee advocacy tools
Limitations:
- Most expensive option on this list
- Per-seat pricing scales quickly
- Social listening costs extra (~$999+/month)
- Overkill for small businesses
Pricing: Standard $199/seat/month annual (5 profiles). Professional $299/seat/month annual (unlimited profiles). Advanced $399/seat/month annual. Enterprise custom pricing.
Bottom line: Sprout Social is for enterprise teams with enterprise budgets. If price isn’t the issue with Hootsuite and you need best-in-class features, Sprout delivers.
9. Sendible
| Starting Price | $29/month (no free plan) |
| Free Plan | No – 14-day trial only |
| Platforms | 13+ (Instagram, Facebook, X/Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest, Google Business, WordPress, Blogger, Tumblr) |
| Best For | Agencies needing white-label reporting and client management |
Sendible positions itself as the agency tool, and the white-label features back that up. You can create branded reports, use custom domains, and manage client access without showing the Sendible branding. For agencies billing clients, this professional presentation matters.
Smart Queues handle content recycling, and the platform supports more networks than most competitors including WordPress, Blogger, and Tumblr for content distribution.
Key features:
- White-label reporting and client portals
- Smart Queues for content recycling
- 13+ platforms including WordPress
- Priority Inbox for engagement
- Content suggestions
- Approval workflows
Limitations:
- No free plan
- Per-user pricing on higher tiers
- White-label requires Scale plan ($199/month)
- Interface has a learning curve
Pricing: Creator $29/month ($25 annual, 1 user, 6 profiles). Traction $89/month ($76 annual, 4 users, 24 profiles). Scale $199/month ($170 annual, 7 users, 49 profiles).
Bottom line: Sendible makes sense for agencies that need white-label capabilities and client management. Individual users have better options.
10. Loomly
| Starting Price | Free ($0) or $49/month |
| Free Plan | Yes – 1 user, 1 account, 5 posts/month |
| Platforms | 18 (Instagram, Facebook, X/Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest, Threads, Snapchat, Google Business) |
| Best For | Content approval workflows, teams needing collaboration |
Loomly stands out with Snapchat support – something almost no other scheduler offers. It also provides robust approval workflows, making it ideal for teams where content needs sign-off before posting.
The free plan exists but is extremely limited (5 posts/month). The jump to paid is steep at $49/month for the Starter tier. However, that includes 2 users and 10 accounts, which is reasonable for small teams.
Key features:
- 18 platforms including Snapchat
- Multi-step approval workflows
- Recurring posts for evergreen content
- Interactions Manager for engagement
- Post ideas and content suggestions
- Advanced analytics on higher tiers
Limitations:
- Free plan severely limited (5 posts/month)
- Paid plans start at $49/month – more expensive than competitors
- No true content recycling (recurring posts only)
- Analytics require higher tiers
Pricing: Free plan (5 posts/month). Starter $49/month ($42 annual, 2 users, 10 accounts). Standard $99/month ($80 annual, 6 users, 20 accounts). Advanced $169/month ($135 annual, 14 users, 35 accounts).
Bottom line: Loomly works well for teams needing approval workflows or Snapchat support. The pricing is on the higher side for what you get.
11. SocialPilot
| Starting Price | $42.50/month (annual) or $50/month |
| Free Plan | No – 14-day trial only |
| Platforms | 13 (Instagram, Facebook, X/Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest, Threads, Bluesky, Google Business, Tumblr) |
| Best For | Agencies needing bulk scheduling and social inbox |
SocialPilot targets agencies who need to manage multiple clients efficiently. The standout feature is bulk scheduling – you can upload and schedule up to 500 posts at once via CSV. For agencies juggling dozens of client accounts, this saves hours compared to Hootsuite’s more manual approach.
Unlike many Hootsuite alternatives on this list, SocialPilot includes a social inbox for managing comments and DMs across Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. If engagement management matters alongside scheduling, SocialPilot delivers both.
Key features:
- Bulk scheduling up to 500 posts via CSV
- Social inbox for Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn
- 13 platforms including Threads and Bluesky
- AI Pilot for caption generation and hashtag suggestions
- White-label reports and dashboard (higher tiers)
- First comment on Instagram and Facebook
- Client approval workflows
Limitations:
- No free plan (14-day trial only)
- TikTok requires mobile reminder – no direct publishing
- Entry plan limited to 1 user
- Bulk upload is text + links only (no images/videos)
- Twitter/X threads not supported
Pricing: Essentials $50/month ($42.50 annual, 7 accounts, 1 user). Standard $100/month ($85 annual, 15 accounts, 3 users). Premium $200/month ($170 annual, 25 accounts, 6 users).
Bottom line: SocialPilot makes sense for agencies managing many clients who need bulk scheduling and inbox management. Individual users or small teams have better options at lower price points.
Pricing Comparison: What You Actually Pay at Scale
Entry prices don’t tell the whole story. Here’s what each tool actually costs when you need 5+ social profiles and team access:
| Tool | 5 Profiles | 15 Profiles | 50 Profiles | Free Plan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Viraly | $19/mo, 200 posts, 1 user | $49/mo, 500 posts, 5 users | $99/mo, unlimited, 15 users (+$2/profile, +$2/user) | 3 profiles, 10 posts, 1 user |
| Buffer | $30/mo, unlimited, 1 user | $90/mo, unlimited, 1 user | $175/mo, unlimited, unlimited | 3 channels, 30 posts, 1 user |
| Later | $25/mo, 30/profile, 1 user | $80/mo, unlimited, 4 users | $200/mo, unlimited, 6 users | No |
| Metricool | $22/mo, unlimited, 1 user | $54/mo, unlimited, unlimited | $172/mo, unlimited, unlimited | 1 brand, 20 posts, 1 user |
| Publer | $20/mo, unlimited, 1 user | $60/mo, unlimited, unlimited | $200/mo, unlimited, unlimited | 3 accounts, 30 posts, 1 user |
| RecurPost | $25/mo, unlimited, 1 user | $79/mo, unlimited, 1 user | $199/mo, unlimited, 3 users | No |
| SocialBee | $29/mo, unlimited, 1 user | $99/mo, unlimited, 1 user | $179/mo, unlimited, 3 users | No |
| Sprout Social | $199/seat, unlimited, 1 user | $299/seat, unlimited, 1 user | $299/seat, unlimited, 1 user | No |
| Sendible | $29/mo, unlimited, 1 user | $89/mo, unlimited, 4 users | $299/mo, unlimited, 20 users | No |
| Loomly | $49/mo, unlimited, 2 users | $99/mo, unlimited, 6 users | $332/mo, unlimited, unlimited | 1 account, 5 posts, 1 user |
| SocialPilot | $50/mo, unlimited, 1 user | $100/mo, unlimited, 3 users | $200/mo, unlimited, unlimited | No |
Key takeaway: Per-channel and per-seat pricing models (Buffer, Sprout Social) get expensive fast. Flat-rate tools like Viraly, Metricool, and Sendible offer better value at scale.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Hootsuite’s free plan?
Hootsuite discontinued their free plan in 2023. They now only offer paid plans starting at $99/month (billed annually). This change pushed many users to look for alternatives that still offer free tiers or more affordable pricing.
What is the cheapest (or free) Hootsuite alternative?
Looking for a cheaper alternative to Hootsuite? For free options, Viraly, Buffer, and Metricool all offer functional free plans. For paid plans, RecurPost starts at just $9/month and Publer offers per-account pricing starting at $4/account/month.
Which Hootsuite alternative has the best free plan?
Metricool offers 20 scheduled posts per month for 1 brand, while Viraly offers 10 posts/month for 3 profiles and connections to all major platforms. Buffer’s free plan gives you 3 channels with 10 posts each. Viraly’s free plan includes 3 profiles and 10 posts across 10 platforms.
What is the best Hootsuite alternative for small businesses?
For small businesses seeking a cheaper Hootsuite alternative, Viraly, Metricool, and Buffer works well if analytics are a priority. All three have free plans to test before committing.
What’s the best Hootsuite alternative for agencies?
For agencies, Sendible offers white-label reporting and client management features. Viraly’s Agency plan ($99/month) includes 50 profiles and 15 team members with flat-rate pricing. Sprout Social provides enterprise features but at $199/seat/month.
Can I import my Hootsuite data to another tool?
Most alternatives don’t offer direct Hootsuite imports. You’ll typically need to reconnect your social accounts to the new tool. Scheduled posts in Hootsuite won’t transfer – you’ll need to recreate them. Export any analytics reports you need before switching.
Which alternative has the best analytics?
Sprout Social offers the most comprehensive analytics but at enterprise pricing ($199+/seat). Metricool provides excellent analytics even on its free plan with 30-day history.
What’s the best alternative for Instagram scheduling?
Viraly supports Instagram Reels, Stories, first comment, location tagging, account tagging, and collaborators. Later was built for Instagram with features like visual grid planning and Linkin.bio. Buffer and Metricool also handle Instagram well with more balanced multi-platform support.
Which alternative has no per-user pricing?
Buffer’s Team plan includes unlimited users. Most other tools charge per-user or per-seat, which adds up quickly for teams.
Is Hootsuite still worth it in 2026?
For most users, no. Hootsuite’s value proposition has weakened significantly since removing the free plan and raising prices to $99/month. Unless you specifically need Hootsuite’s enterprise features like social listening or have existing team training invested in the platform, alternatives deliver better value. You can get comparable or superior features for $19-49/month instead of $99+.
What’s the best Hootsuite alternative for nonprofits?
Nonprofits should look for tools with free plans or nonprofit discounts. Viraly offers a 25% nonprofit discount on all plans.
Final Verdict: Which Hootsuite Alternative Should You Choose?
With so many alternatives to Hootsuite available, the best choice depends on your specific needs:
- Best overall value: Viraly – Free plan, flat-rate pricing, content recycling with AI variations, 10 platforms including emerging networks
- Best for simplicity: Buffer – Clean interface, easy to use, good free plan, but no content recycling
- Free with analytics: Metricool (1 brand, 20 posts/month) or Viraly (3 profiles, 10 posts/month) – and solid reporting
- Best for Instagram: Later – Visual planning tools, but no X/Twitter and no free plan
- Best budget recycling: RecurPost – Starts at $9/month, built for evergreen content
- Best for agencies: Sendible – White-label features and client management
- Best enterprise: Sprout Social – Most comprehensive features, but most expensive
For most people exploring Hootsuite alternatives because of price, start with Viraly, Buffer, or Metricool’s free plans. Test them with your actual workflow before committing to a paid plan. The days of paying $99/month just to schedule social posts are over.