Hootsuite is one of the most popular social media management platforms out there, but is it the best one that you can use to manage multiple social media accounts?
It turns out that there are several alternatives to Hootsuite that could be better suited for your needs, without necessarily breaking the bank.
In this article, we’ll look at 13 of the best Hootsuite alternatives, including their features and pricing.
We considered three main criteria when comparing Hootsuite alternatives:
Best features – Hootsuite is rather rich in features, but other social media management tools can have even more and/or better ones. We’ll be taking a closer look at features like social media calendar, advanced analytics, and user friendly interface.
Customer support – in our opinion, it’s crucial for every social media management tool to offer great customer support. For our list, we will highly value companies that provide useful answers to their customers with a quick response time .
Pricing – cost is always a crucial factor when choosing a social media management tool, so we took into account the prices of each Hootsuite alternative.
Best Hootsuite alternatives
1. Kontentino
If you’re looking for a social media management tool that combines a powerful team collaboration engine, user-friendly content calendar, and a set of extra features to boost your social media presence, look no further:
Kontentino is the best Hootsuite alternative for you.
Kontentino was designed by an agency for agencies, which means that it offers a pack of features that are actually sought after by social media managers, digital companies, and those who manage multiple social media accounts.
Best features
Intuitive social media calendar with drag-and-drop interface
Team collaboration and workflow features: task management, post requirement checklists, content approval options, tags, and labels
Analytics and reporting tools with detailed insights into your performance
Media library for content storage and organization
Live post preview for all social media platforms
Client communication boosters – advanced features for streamlining customer relations
Customer support
Quick, precise, and helpful customer support is what Kontentino promises to its customers. And it does live up to its standards – the Kontentino team answers questions in a few hours, or even minutes on average.
It offers live chat support, which, as you’ll see in this article, is not common practice for social media management platforms.
Pricing
Compared to Hootsuite, Kontentino is relatively cheaper. For €49 a month, you get 3 users and 10 social media profiles with the Starter plan.
Hootsuite offers only one user at the same price, and the next tiers are far more expensive than Kontentino’s.
To manage 35 social accounts with Hootsuite, you need to pay a whopping €739 a month for just 5 users. With Kontentino, on the other hand, you get 40 social accounts and 10 users for as little as €99 a month.
That makes it more than 7 times cheaper than Hootsuite. There’s a free trial available too.
Try Kontentino for stress-free team collaboration and advanced content approval process.
Agorapulse is another alternative to Hootsuite that you might want to consider for your social media networks.
source: agorapulse.com
It’s a social media management solution for agencies and mid-size businesses, but one that’s not without its drawbacks.
Best features
Intuitive user interface with drag and drop calendar
Advanced and actionable analytics with multi-level reporting
Hashtag and keyword monitoring
Social inbox for managing messages and comments on social networks
Customer support
If we were to give stars to customer support, we’d give Agorapulse 3 out of 5 – the support is okay, but free and standard users can only use email support avenues.
Email, chat, and phone support are only available on Pro and above.
Pricing
The prices are relatively affordable compared to Hootsuite – the cheapest plan (Standard) offers 3 users and 10 social profiles for €49 per month, with a free trial available.
This social media scheduler also offers a free plan, but it’s extremely limited, allowing you to schedule only 10 posts a month.
3. Buffer
As an alternative to Hootsuite, Buffer has been a good choice for small businesses and startups.
Thanks to its intuitive user interface, powerful analytics and the ability to schedule posts from your desktop or mobile device, Buffer is a good option for those who want an easy-to-use social media tool.
Key features
Social inbox for replying to social media messages
Internal tools (Pablo editor, link shortener)
Chrome extension for direct social media scheduling
Reporting and analytics tools
Customer support
Support is not limited on any of the plans, and there are a few methods of communication with the Buffer team.
You can contact them via email, social media channels, or look for answers yourself in a Self-Service Knowledge Base.
Pricing
Buffer is one of those Hootsuite alternatives you might have to cough up a bit more money for. $6 a month gives you access to managing just one social media channel.
For 10 profiles, you need to pay $60 a month – $10 more than for Kontentino in the same setup. A 14-day free trial for paid packages is available.
4. CoSchedule
CoSchedule is one of the most popular Hootsuite alternatives for social media planning.
source: coschedule.com
It’s a solid tool, and its features go beyond the standard functionality of a regular social media management platform.
Key features
Intuitive interface
Integrations with content management systems (e.g. WordPress)
Various internal tools for boosting social media engagement
Ability to create custom reports (ROI)
Collaboration and task management support
Customer support
Depending on your plan, you can get support from CoSchedule’s customer care through their knowledge base and basic/priority support.
The free plan comes with almost no customer support at all, so bear in mind that you’re on your own here.
Pricing
CoSchedule’s offering consists of two plans: a free plan (free Marketing Calendar) allows 1 user to schedule posts (just 5 messages a month) on only 2 social profiles, or the Pro Marketing Calendar comes with a hefty price of $29/$39 per user per month.
The latter makes CoSchedule a pricey option for any social media team.
5. ContentCal (part of Adobe Express suite – Content Scheduler in Adobe Express)
ContentCal used to be one of the best Hootsuite alternatives for social media management – it’s an all-in-one platform that allows you to manage your social media profiles under one roof.
However, since its acquisition by Adobe, it has become a part of the Adobe Experience Cloud, not accepting new customers and instead redirecting them towards Adobe Express.
Key features
Team inbox to share ideas and plan a social media calendar
Workflow approval features
Social inbox to power up social media monitoring
Social media analytics features
Customer support
As part of Adobe, ContentCal has access to various customer service channels like email, phone, and chat support. However, as a standalone product, it’s not available anymore, so the exact support features are now unknown.
Pricing
ContentCal used to have its own pricing plans before being acquired by Adobe. Now though, to use its features, you need to purchase an Adobe Express for $9.99 a month.
So, if you’re a social media manager looking for a basic Hootsuite alternative, this Content Scheduler might be a good choice. However, remember that it’s only available through Adobe Express and it’s not even known by this name any longer.
6. SproutSocial
Sprout Social‘s social media calendar is an ideal option for businesses of all sizes who are looking for a comprehensive social media management platform.
source: sproutsocial.com
This Hootsuite alternative offers an array of features designed to help you reach your target audience and increase engagement on multiple social networks.
Key features
Social listening features
Social inbox for multiple platforms
Integration with CRM systems
Shared calendar for scheduling content
Customer support
Not specified in terms of its range. Email and phone support are available, but there is no trace of live chat support on the Sprout Social website.
Pricing
Sprout Social is a rather expensive Hootsuite alternative – the cheapest plan costs $249 a month and gives you access only to 5 social media profiles.
Each additional social media manager costs a whopping $199 a month.
There are other paid plans available, including Professional and Advanced paid plans, for $399 and $499 a month respectively. A free 30-day trial is at your disposal too.
7. SocialPilot
Among the alternatives to Hootsuite that are more on the budget side of things, SocialPilot is one of them.
source: socialpilot.co
Coming across as a decent tool to save money while still being able to manage multiple social media networks, SocialPilot is widely used by small businesses and startups.
Key features
Social Inbox (not available on the lowest plan)
Content approval features (not available on the lowest plan)
Zapier and Canva integration
Scheduling posts from RSS feeds
Customer support
Multiple support channels are accessible, from regular emails and calls to live chat (where the response time is stated to be a few hours).
Pricing
Paid plans start from $30 a month for 1 user with 10 social media profiles. White label options start at $200 a month. A 14-day free trial is available.
8. Oktopost
This social media tool is considered to be one of the best Hootsuite alternatives for B2B marketers, as Oktopost comes with a set of features tailored to their needs.
source: oktopost.com
However, small businesses can benefit from it as well.
Key features
Automatic link shortening
AI-powered social listening
Team collaboration options
Robust social media analytics (you can connect Oktopost with Google Data Studio)
Customer support
Available through a website form or email. No live chat options.
Pricing
No information about a 14-day free trial available, and to undercover pricing plans you have to request a demo.
9. MeetEdgar
Of all the social media management tools that are alternatives to Hootsuite, MeedEdgar is one that mainly focuses on content recycling and scheduling.
source: meetedgar.com
It’s a good choice for businesses that want their content to achieve maximum exposure.
Key features
Category-based content media library
Internal social media tools for auto-filled queue
Automating social media efforts with Weekly Automations
Customer support
You can reach out to their customer service team via email or a website form, as well as ask a question on live chat with a fairly quick response time.
Pricing
MeetEdgar offers two paid plans: the Eddie monthly plan costs $29.99 and allows you to manage 5 social media pages, while the Edgar monthly plan costs $49.99 for more features and the availability to manage more social accounts (25 vs 5).
A 7-day free trial is available.
10. NapoleonCat
Boosting your social media presence is much easier with NapoleonCat – this Hootsuite alternative comes with a host of features to make the most out of your content.
source: napoleoncat.com
Key features
Social Inbox to manage messages and comments across social networks
Support for scheduling social media posts on Facebook, Instagram, and GMB
Advertising management for social media campaigns
Comparative analysis and industry benchmarks
Customer support
You can reach out for assistance via live chat or email, as well as look for answers in the help center and via social accounts.
Pricing
Highly customizable and dynamic pricing for both the number of users and the number of social networks to manage.
For 3 profiles and 1 user seat in this scheduling tool, you need to pay $31 per month. A free 14-day trial is available.
11. Crowdfire
One of the best social media management platforms that could replace Hootsuite, Crowdfire is a robust social media tool which allows you to schedule posts, manage your profiles, keep track of your performance, and grow your social presence.
source: crowdfireapp.com
Key features
Crowdfire Listening for social listening
Content curation features for Instagram
Creating and scheduling social media posts from, e.g. shop updates
Brand tracking with RSS feeds (on Premium+ plan)
Customer support
Compared to other social media marketing solutions on this list, Crowdfire offers very few support options.
Email support is not available for either Free or Pro plans, and Priority Support can only be used by VIP users. On top of that, free plan users don’t get an ad-free experience on the mobile app.
Pricing
Fairly affordable, with a free plan at your disposal. However, it is very limited with only 10 scheduled social media posts per account per month. No free trial available.
Paid plans start from $9.99 a month, and all plans offer unlimited content curation features.
12. Later
If you’re looking for Hootsuite alternatives for taking care of visual social media platforms, Later might be the one to go with.
source: later.com
Key features
Instagram Best Time to Post feature
Extra internal social media marketing tools: Link in bio, hashtag suggestions, media editing
Social Inbox for TikTok (on Growth+ plans)
Customer support
Self serve and human support (via chatbot) are available on all plans, but for a 1:1 live chat you need to be a user of the Advanced plan.
Pricing
Starting at $18 a month for only 1 user and 1 Social Set (6 social networks, one of each platform) puts Later as one of the most expensive tools on this list. No free plan available.
The Advanced plan comes with unlimited social media posts, but only 6 Social Sets, and 6 users. Agency plans start at $200 a month, and a 14-day free trial is available.
13. Loomly
Looking for a tool that can handle your social accounts yet comes with powerful analytics? Loomly might be the right Hootsuite alternative for you.
source: loomly.com
Key features
Social network advanced analytics
Loomly Media Studio for editing assets
Custom workflows (on expensive paid plans)
Built-in community management system for social networks
Customer support
FAQ, chat, and email can be used on all plans, as well as direct contact with customer support specialists and account managers on the Enterprise package.
Pricing
If you’re a social media manager of an SMB, Loomly offers an entry-level plan to start with. It costs $35 per month for 2 users and up to 10 social profiles. No free plan available.
The price of paid plans varies from $79 to $359 and more for the Enterprise option.
A 15-day free trial is available.
Why would you look for a Hootsuite alternative
Having familiarized yourself with the best Hootsuite alternatives, below are the most common reasons why people decide to switch from Hootsuite to another social media scheduling tool.
It’s simply too expensive
Hootsuite used to be one of the most affordable social media management tools.
Now, its opening price tag is higher than average and not really suitable for small businesses or those who are just getting started with social media.
Yes, a Hootsuite’s free plan is available, but it’s limited and comes with a tricky aspect – you need to sign up for a Professional Plan first and get downgraded to a free plan after 30 days.
This does leave space for some confusion, so no wonder users started looking for Hootsuite alternatives.
Limited collaboration features
While Hootsuite is still a good social media management tool, its collaboration features are far from perfect.
With a lack of content checklists, post sign-offs, and content approval options, Hootsuite can be a bit tough to manage if you have several teams or social media managers working on the same social network or account.
To use the Roles & Permissions feature or assign posts to your team members, you need to be a user of the €249 per month paid plan. Approval workflow is only available on the €739/mo plan.
Many Hootsuite alternatives are better for teamwork, as they offer more advanced collaboration options and come at a lower price on top of that.
Look at the best Hootsuite alternative – Kontentino. Even on the cheapest paid plan for €49, you get access to content approval, task assignment, user roles, and post requirement checklists.
Too robust, for some
It’s completely understandable why Hootsuite is so popular – it’s robust, has been around for years, and many people are used to the interface. No surprises there.
But some users find Hootsuite pretty overwhelming due to its complexity and variety of features, which doesn’t necessarily go hand in hand with an intuitive user experience.
How to choose the right Hootsuite alternative
Start by specifying your needs
There must be a reason why you want to switch to an alternative to Hootsuite, so your first step should be to specify your needs.
Ask yourself “What features do I need, how much money am I ready to spend on a new tool, and what kind of social media scheduling solution am I looking for?”
If you work in a team, take into account the collaboration needs of the other members. Thanks to this (fairly) quick task, you’ll be able to start narrowing down your choice of social media management tools.
Shortlist Hootsuite alternatives
Once you complete your list of features to have, you can start shortlisting Hootsuite alternatives. Take your time to research each of the options and compare them side-by-side, taking into account a few factors that you care about the most.
One of them might be within your budget, that’s why you also have to…
Check pricing for social media accounts
If you’re looking for an alternative to Hootsuite, it’s likely that you’re doing so because you want to get more value for your money. It’s only natural then that you’ll check the pricing of each Hootsuite alternative and compare it with what you’re already paying.
When comparing prices, double-check if the features available on each plan will be enough for you and that there is no small print of any kind. Many Hootsuite alternatives offer free trials so you can test them out before making a final decision.
Have a look at user reviews
Before you decide on the right Hootsuite alternative for you and your team, check out what other users are saying about it.
It’s often wise to listen to what other people have to say, especially when it comes to investing your time and money into a new tool. Don’t take it as North Star, though – everyone has different needs and expectations, so what works perfectly for someone else might not work as well for you.
Start tests on social media platforms
Even the best social media management tool might not live up to your expectations. That’s why you should always test it out yourself before making the switch.
Start small – create an account for the Hootsuite alternative of your choice, link your social accounts (if necessary), and start playing around with the features.
You don’t have to commit just yet; this is only the beginning of your journey with a new social media management tool.
Once you feel more comfortable with the interface, start publishing your content, scheduling posts, and analyzing performance. This way you’ll be able to find out if the Hootsuite alternative of your choice is actually what you need, and switch completely.
Start with your new Hootsuite alternative
The right Hootsuite alternative enables you to grow your social media presence, achieve better results, and manage your accounts more efficiently.
Have fun exploring the different Hootsuite alternatives – who knows what gems you might find. With the right tool in place, you can streamline your workflow and focus on growing your social media presence.
And although we listed quite a few others, Kontentino naturally has a soft spot in our hearts, so don’t forget to give it a try. Happy testing!
Collaborate, approve & schedule social media content with Kontentino
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