Hootsuite alternatives · Prices checked November 2026
The 10 best Hootsuite alternatives in 2026
The best Hootsuite alternatives are Tesselith for scheduling to 7 networks with client approvals included, Buffer for solo creators who want simple queue-based scheduling, Later for visual-first brands centered on Instagram and Pinterest, and Sprout Social for well-funded teams that need enterprise reporting and CRM-grade inbox. Hootsuite itself starts at $99 / user / mo, and its free plan is not available.
Hootsuite is one of the longest-running tools in the category. Its higher tiers add social listening, advanced approval chains and integrations for large marketing teams. Plans are priced per seat, starting at $99 a month with annual billing, so costs rise with every person on the team. There's no free plan, and approval workflows start on the Advanced tier.
We make Tesselith, so it’s listed first. Every other price on this page comes from that tool’s own pricing page.
Quick verdict
Why people look for a Hootsuite alternative
- Per-seat pricing from $99 a month makes every extra teammate expensive.
- There's no free plan to start on.
- They only need to plan, publish and measure, not a full listening suite.
Hootsuite pricing in 2026
Annual billing unless stated. Source: Hootsuite pricing, checked November 2026.
Hootsuite alternatives compared
Entry prices on annual billing, checked November 2026. Check each tool’s pricing page for current figures.
The 10 best Hootsuite alternatives, reviewed
1. Tesselith: best overall for publishing to many networks
Free, then from $15/mo · Free plan: Yes, 3 channels, 100 posts/mo · 7 networks
- Tesselith has a free plan, and paid plans are priced per workspace, so a five-person team doesn't pay five times over.
- A modern composer with accurate previews for every network.
- Monthly billing on every plan, with no annual commitment required.
- Most teams schedule their first post within minutes of signing up, with no sales call.
Trade-off: Tesselithdoesn’t include social listening or a paid-ads dashboard, and LinkedIn, X and TikTok publishing are still on the way.
Tesselith vs Hootsuite: full comparison2. Buffer: best free plan for solo creators
From $5 / channel / mo · Free plan: Yes, 3 channels · ~9 networks
A clean, beginner-friendly experience and a generous free tier. Best for solo creators who want simple queue-based scheduling.
Trade-off: Per-channel pricing means the bill grows with every account you connect.
Buffer alternatives3. Later: best for visual Instagram planning
From $18.75 / mo · Free plan: No (14-day trial) · ~8 networks
Visual planning and a strong Instagram/Pinterest workflow. Best for visual-first brands centered on Instagram and Pinterest.
Trade-off: The Starter plan caps you at 30 posts per profile a month, and there's no free plan.
Later alternatives4. Sprout Social: best for enterprise reporting and inbox
From $79 / seat / mo · Free plan: No (30-day trial) · ~9 networks
Polished analytics, inbox, and reporting for larger teams. Best for well-funded teams that need enterprise reporting and CRM-grade inbox.
Trade-off: Per-seat pricing from $79, and $199 to $399 for the full-featured tiers, adds up fast for a team.
Sprout Social alternatives5. Publer: cheapest paid plan
From $5 / account / mo · Free plan: Yes, 3 accounts (no X) · ~11 networks
A lot of features for the price, including bulk scheduling. Best for power users who want many features at a low price.
Trade-off: They want client approvals with a portal clients can open without an account.
Publer alternatives6. SocialBee: best for evergreen content categories
From $24 / mo · Free plan: No (14-day trial) · ~9 networks
Content categories and evergreen recycling. Best for marketers who lean heavily on evergreen recycling.
Trade-off: Plans are tiered by profile count, and there's no free plan, only a 14-day trial.
SocialBee alternatives7. Metricool: best for analytics and ad reporting
From $20 / mo · Free plan: Yes, 1 brand, 20 posts/mo · ~9 networks
Strong analytics and ad reporting alongside scheduling. Best for data-minded marketers who want analytics plus scheduling.
Trade-off: The free plan is 1 brand and 20 posts a month, and leaves out LinkedIn and X.
Metricool alternatives8. Loomly: best for small teams built around approvals
From $49 / mo · Free plan: No (free trial) · ~9 networks
Approval workflows and post ideas for teams. Best for small teams that revolve around an approval calendar.
Trade-off: The jump from Starter ($49) to Beyond ($249) is steep once you pass 12 accounts or 3 users.
Loomly alternatives9. Sendible: best for agency client workspaces
From $30 / mo · Free plan: No (14-day trial) · ~9 networks
Agency features, client management, and reports. Best for agencies managing many client accounts.
Trade-off: Plans are built around client workspaces, which is more than a solo creator or small brand needs.
Sendible alternatives10. Planoly: best for Instagram grid planning
From $14 / mo · Free plan: Yes, mobile only, 10 uploads/mo · ~7 networks
Grid planning and a polished visual aesthetic. Best for creators focused on a beautiful Instagram grid.
Trade-off: The free plan is mobile-only, with 10 uploads a month.
Planoly alternatives
When Hootsuite is still the right choice
Hootsuite is known for deep enterprise features, listening, and a long track record. If that’s what you rely on most, it may still be the better fit: it suits large teams with enterprise budgets and social-listening needs. Switching only pays off if the reasons above are costing you time or money.
How to switch from Hootsuite
- Export any reports or analytics you need from Hootsuite before you cancel. History rarely moves between tools.
- Sign up for your new tool and connect the same accounts with each network’s official sign-in.
- Recreate your next one to two weeks of scheduled posts, then delete them from Hootsuite so nothing publishes twice.
- Run both for one billing cycle, then cancel Hootsuite once the new schedule has published cleanly.