7 Top Hootsuite Alternatives for Your Brand in 2025 [First Hand Review]

Every brand today needs a social media manager. You can’t just post and hope for the best. You need a tool to plan, schedule, and track every move.

That’s why social media management tools are now a must-have for any business.

Hootsuite is the OG here. It’s been the go-to for agencies and big teams for years. The tool lets you juggle multiple networks, run reports, and keep your calendar full.

But lately, it’s felt like the trailblazer is running out of steam. Hootsuite hasn’t quite been delivering. Its pricing now starts at a hefty $99 a month, and customer loyalty seems to be dropping fast.

For small businesses, agencies, and solo entrepreneurs, using Hootsuite may seem absolutely impossible. But that doesn’t mean you cannot explore some other alternatives.

Many tools do what Hootsuite does – sometimes even more – but at a much more affordable price, leveling the playing field for all marketers.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the best 7 Hootsuite alternatives for 2025. This is a first-hand review you can trust to help you find the social media management tool that best fits your budget and your needs.

 

Why Consider Hootsuite Alternatives?

There are many reasons Hootsuite users are considering jumping ship. The hefty price is just one of them. There have been a lot of complaints and harsh comments on social media about the tool. You just need to ask a user; they will tell you many.

If you are still not sure if you should consider a Hootsuite alternative for your brand, here are some important factors you should consider.

Hootsuite’s high pricing:

Without any doubt, Hootsuite is one of the most expensive tools for social media. Recently, its pricing shot really up, and the free plan disappeared.

What used to be a free plan now costs a hefty $99/month. Then there are extra fees and taxes on top. That kind of price isn’t easy on your wallet.

When costs climb that high, it’s hard to justify the spend. Small teams and solo users feel it most. You end up paying for features you might never use.

That’s why many people are looking for smarter, cheaper options.

Support Available in Selected Plans:

Not all Hootsuite users get the same help. Basic and Professional plans only have email or chat support. If you need phone help or faster replies, you must jump to the pricey Enterprise tier.

Inconsistent Analytics Data:

Sometimes your reports don’t match what you see on each platform. That makes it tough to trust the numbers. You spend extra time double-checking, instead of making quick decisions.

Verified G2 Review

 

Limited URL Shortener Feature:

If you want to trim long links, only certain Hootsuite plans let you use their built-in shortener. On lower tiers, you’ll need an outside tool, adding extra steps to your workflow.

Steep Learning Curve:

Hootsuite’s dashboard packs a lot in. But that also means it can feel confusing at first. New users often wrestle with menus and settings before they get going.

Verified G2 Review

 

Team Collaboration on Higher Plans:

You’ll need at least the Team plan to bring in a teammate. And even then, you’re capped at three users and 20 profiles. Growing groups quickly hit that ceiling and must upgrade again.

This means that even after shelling out big bucks, you can still run into roadblocks. That’s why a cost-effective alternative can give you more value and fewer headaches.

Below are some worthy options.

 

7 Top Hootsuite Alternatives to Consider for Your Brand in 2025

1. OnlySocial – $29/Month

If you’re tired of sky-high fees, you should give OnlySocial a try. It’s built to handle every step of your social media journey, including posting, scheduling, analytics, and more, without blowing your budget.

From the moment you log in, you’ll see a clean dashboard that pulls in every account. No extra clicks. No hidden fees.

It offers amazing features that rival top platforms – sometimes even beat them – without draining your wallet. Whether you’re flying solo or running an agency, you’ll find plans that fit your budget.

And yes, OnlySocial also seamlessly integrates with Google Analytics, making it easy for you to track real results alongside your marketing data.

Let’s explore the tool in detail and see why OnlySocial might just become your new favorite social media management tool!

Key Features

• Simple, clean interface
• Bulk scheduling
• Unlimited post-scheduling across 15 networks
• AI-powered caption and hashtag generator
• Smart RSS automation
• Built-in content library
• First comment scheduling
• Direct publishing (no extra apps needed)
• TikTok analytics
• Link-in-bio builder
• Drag-and-drop calendar view
• Intuitive Social Media Calendar
• Team collaboration

Pros

• You can schedule up to 500 posts in one go
• Always on-time publishing – no delays
• Super-simple interface with a tiny learning curve
• Very wallet-friendly plans for agencies and small teams
• Offers smart AI tools for quickly generating captions and hashtags
• Powerful link-in-bio feature to boost traffic

Cons

• Doesn’t offer a free plan
• Mobile app misses some desktop features

 

Our Experience:

After trying out many social media management tools, we can say OnlySocial is the best Hootsuite alternative anyone can find.

Unlike Hootsuite, the dashboard felt inviting, not overwhelming. We linked multiple accounts in seconds and built weeks of content with bulk uploads.

We spent less time learning and more time posting. Considering its cost-effective plans and features, the tool seems to be built with agencies and small businesses in mind.

Let’s see some ways the tool rivals well with Hootsuite.

Comprehensive Management and Ease of Use

OnlySocial offers a very clean and user-friendly interface. The tool puts everything in one place. This is completely different from what happens with Hootsuite, where you can easily get lost in complex menus.

All your networks appear side by side. You can search through your content library in seconds.

Menus are clear, and you don’t need extensive training to get a hang of the tool. We managed multiple social media accounts seamlessly without any trouble.

Scheduling and Engagement

This is what the tool is particularly built for. OnlySocial offers some of the most advanced features for every social media enthusiast, but they are specifically tailored for marketing agencies, small businesses, and professionals.

Its bulk scheduling features let you schedule up to 500 posts at a time. This can be to multiple accounts or social networks.

On top of that, OnlySocial packs in advanced analytics, easy client collaboration tools, engagement tracking, and AI helpers – all built for busy marketers.

Hootsuite, by comparison, leans heavily into enterprise features and costs, which can leave smaller teams out in the cold.

OnlySocial’s Edge Over Hootsuite

What really stands out about OnlySocial is its wallet-friendly pricing paired with a feature-rich, user-friendly interface.

You get powerful publishing tools that let you plan and fine-tune every post with ease. Collaborating on Instagram, or any network, is super easy, enhancing the engagement and reach of every collaborative content you put out there.

Plus, OnlySocial bundles in handy extras that Hootsuite doesn’t. Think drag-and-drop rescheduling that keeps your workflow smooth.

And when it comes to numbers, unlike Hootsuite’s inconsistence in analytics, OnlySocial delivers rock-solid analytics for TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, and more.

OnlySocial Pricing

OnlySocial offers a competitive pricing compared to Hootsuite.

Plans start at just $24/month on monthly billing. You get full access to all core tools without hidden fees. Each tier scales with your needs.

That means regardless of your budget or business size, you will always find a plan that best meets your needs.

Final Verdict:

OnlySocial nails the sweet spot for agencies and solo marketers alike. It offers top-tier features, smarter automation, and real support – all for a fraction of Hootsuite’s cost.

Switching from Hootsuite to OnlySocial transformed our workflow. Everything runs smoother, insights are clearer, and we save a bundle each month.

If you want a tool that truly understands the needs of small teams, without sacrificing power, OnlySocial is the one to beat.

 

2. Buffer – $120/month

Buffer has been around almost as long as Hootsuite, and it’s built on one promise: keep social media simple.

With a clean interface and intuitive tools, it helps individuals and small teams plan, schedule, and publish content without headaches. Let’s dig into what Buffer really offers and see if it fits your workflow.

Key Features

• Multi-platform publishing
• Post scheduling and queue management
• AI content generator
• In-depth analytics with easy-to-read dashboards
• Unified engagement inbox
• Visual social media calendar
• Customizable landing page templates

 

Pros

• It’s very easy to use. The interface is clear and beginner-friendly.
• The tool streamlines scheduling. You can schedule posts in seconds and see them laid out on a calendar.
• Buffer offers a range of pricing plans, including a free option, making it accessible to individuals and small businesses with budget constraints.
• Plans are clearly listed on their site with no hidden fees.

Cons

• Buffer does not provide hashtag suggestions. You’ll need another tool if you rely on hashtag research.
• The tool often crashes, so you will have to reconnect your account repeatedly.
• No Best-Time Recommendations: Buffer won’t tell you the optimal moment to post on different social media platforms.

 

Our experience:

We also tested Buffer, and we can say this is yet another Hootsuite alternative worth considering in 2025. The social media management tool has a notably simpler and more intuitive interface compared to Hootsuite.

It comes with a clean design that makes it very easy for anyone to find their way around without getting overwhelmed.

Let’s check out some features that make Buffer a worthy alternative to Hootsuite.

Content Creation & Scheduling

When we first tried Buffer, its built-in AI content assistant stood out immediately. It helped us brainstorm fresh ideas, draft engaging posts, and even repurpose old content with a few clicks.

Planning our social calendar felt seamless – no more jumping between tools. Scheduling and publishing were equally smooth. Compared to Hootsuite, the process felt more focused and less cluttered.

Engagement and Interaction

Buffer’s engagement inbox outshines Hootsuite’s Streams with its clean, focused design. All your comments, mentions, and DMs land in a single feed, so you can respond without hunting through tabs.

It’s a faster way to stay on top of conversations and boost audience connection.

Buffer also offers the “Start Page” tool to drive even more engagement. You can build a custom landing page with shoppable links and then link it straight from your social bio.

It’s an easy hack to turn clicks into conversions without extra apps.

Analytics and Reporting

Now to Buffer’s real-time analytics and reporting. Buffer serves up real-time performance data in a straightforward dashboard.

You’ll see your top posts, engagement rates, and follower growth at a glance – no digging through complex menus like Hootsuite. These clear insights help you tweak your strategy and grow your brand faster.

Pricing and Value for Money

Buffer’s plans are easy on the wallet, especially if you’re just getting started. Managing up to 10 social accounts costs $120 per month, compared to Hootsuite’s $249 price tag for a similar tier.

There’s even a free plan to test the basics. For features that matter and a price that fits, Buffer is a smart pick over pricier alternatives.

Final Verdict:

From our experience with Buffer, it’s a good Hootsuite alternative that won’t overwhelm your budget or your brain. It delivers the core tools you need – clean scheduling, clear analytics, and that handy Start Page – without the hefty price tag or clumsy menus.

Compared to Hootsuite’s enterprise focus and complex UI, Buffer feels refreshingly simple and affordable. For small teams and solo creators who want to ditch Hootsuite’s steep costs, Buffer ticks all the right boxes.

 

3. Planable – $33/month

If you are someone who struggles to keep your social media calendar organized, Planable can be a good Hootuite alternative to explore.

The platform is built around teamwork and collaboration, so marketers, designers and clients all share one workspace. You see every post, drop comments, swap ideas, and give sign-off without endless email chains.

It’s like a virtual war room for your social content.

Key Features

• Visual content calendar
• Advanced scheduling
• Collaboration hub
• Client approval workflows
• Multiple workspaces
• Content versioning

Pros

• When it comes to collaboration, you can always count on Plannable. It makes teamwork super easy. It encourages transparency and keeps everyone in sync.
• The client approval process is a game-changer, reducing back-and-forth and ensuring client satisfaction.
• It offers a really clean interface, making it easy to navigate and understand your content schedule.
• The platform encourages feedback at every stage, leading to better content and stronger campaigns.

Cons

• Unlike Hootsuite, Planable focuses more on planning and collaboration, with fewer direct publishing options.
• If your team grows, Planable pricing could be higher than some other alternatives.
• A few users mention experiencing bugs or security flags on the platform. This is worth testing thoroughly before you commit.
• The tool has a Trustpilot rating of 2.1.

Planable Pricing

Here’s a breakdown of Planable’s pricing:

Final Verdict:

Planable doesn’t let you post directly to every network like Hootsuite. Instead, it shines at teamwork. You get a drag-and-drop calendar, in-app feedback, and built-in approval steps.

That means less back-and-forth and more time creating great content.

If smooth collaboration and happy clients top your list, give Planable a try. Just take a moment to test it out and dig into why its Trustpilot score is a bit low before you commit.

 

4. Later – $49/Month

Later is best known for visual content planning and scheduling, especially for Instagram and other visually-driven platforms. The tool originally started out as a social media management tool for Instagram.

Since then, Later has grown beyond Instagram. You can plan for TikTok, Facebook, Pinterest, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Twitter too.

Later focuses on helping businesses and creators curate a cohesive aesthetic while strategically planning their visual content. Let’s take a look at why Later is a good Hootsuite alternative to consider.

 

Key Features:

• Centralized dashboard
• Content management hub
• Intuitive content calendar
• Comprehensive analytics
• Unified social inbox
• Link in bio integration
• Ai-powered captions
• Team and client collaboration

Pros

• Later offers a very user-friendly interface that makes planning and scheduling super easy for marketers at any level of expertise.
• The tool lets you schedule posts in seconds by dropping content assets right onto the planner.
• It offers a trackable link-in-bio. This means you can monitor and see exactly how many clicks your bio link drives, all inside Later’s dashboard.

Cons

• If your clip doesn’t meet size specs, Later won’t post it. You’ll need to edit elsewhere and queue again.
• Later only provides basic analytics for many of the connected platforms, including Facebook and LinkedIn.

 

Our Experience:

We put Later head-to-head with Hootsuite to see how it stacks up. After weeks of testing, we found Later wins on simplicity and visual planning. If you want a tool that feels easy from day one, you’ll appreciate how Later works.

Scheduling and Content Management

Later makes it simple to post across all your profiles. This makes managing multiple profiles seamless from a centralized dashboard.

You drag your images and videos onto a clear content calendar. Then Later auto-publishes them when you set the time.

The dashboard shows everything in one place. We liked how it even suggests the best times to post – no guesswork needed. Compared to Hootsuite’s menus, Later feels faster and more straightforward.

Link-in-Bio and Conversion Tools

Later shines with its built-in link-in-bio feature. This feature helps improve conversion on your profiles.  You grab a single customizable URL and share it in your profile. Followers click that link and go straight to your shop, blog, or signup page.

All the click data shows up in Later’s dashboard. That makes it easy to track how many people took action. Hootsuite doesn’t have this out-of-the-box, so Later edges ahead for driving real results.

Content Creation and Curation

When it comes to making fresh posts, Later helps you stay on trend. Its AI caption generator gives you ready-to-use text ideas that help make your social media posts more engaging.

When put side by side with Hootsuite, Later seems to be more seamless and more accessible. That boost in efficiency makes a big difference.

Later Pricing vs. Hootsuite Pricing

Cost matters when you’re choosing a similar tool like Hootsuite. And Later has a good edge here. Later’s entry plan starts at just $25/month, which is especially perfect for individuals and new users.

Agencies pay $200/month, which might seem steep until you compare it to Hootsuite’s $249/month tier. With Later, you get every core feature you need right out of the box. No hidden add-ons, and no surprises at checkout.

 

Final Verdict

Later wins if you care about looking good and keeping things simple. Its visual planner, drag-and-drop scheduling, and built-in link-in-bio make posting a breeze.

You pay less than Hootsuite and still get all the essentials – and then some. While Hootsuite is undoubtedly a good option for social media management, for creators and small teams on a budget, Later is a smart, user-friendly choice.

 

5. Sendible – $88/Month

Sendible is built with agencies in mind. It covers everything from brainstorming content ideas to publishing posts, social listening, and campaign management.

You can store your images and assets in one place, craft messages with ease and pull detailed reports—all without jumping between tools.

If you run social campaigns for clients and need a single workspace to handle research, scheduling, engagement, and analytics, Sendible is a solid Hootsuite alternative at a fair price.

 

Key Features:

• Simplified Content Scheduling
• Smooth Workflows and Approval Process
• Priority Inbox
• Ad Performance Insights
• White Label Dashboard
• Analytics and Reporting
• Smart Compose Box
• Team and Client Collaboration
• Shareable Social Media Calendar

 

Pros

• Sendible brings publishing, engagement, analytics and collaboration into one platform – no need for multiple tools.
• The platform is built for agencies, with client management, white-label reports, and team workflows all in place.
• The shared content calendar makes planning and tracking campaigns a breeze for everyone involved.
• Flexible pricing tiers adapt to growing agency needs without breaking the bank.

Cons

• Some users find the interface confusing and not very intuitive.
• The mobile app lacks many of the advanced features you get on desktop.
• Reporting and analytics are basic and could use deeper insights.
• A few customers have reported billing surprises and difficulty obtaining refunds.

Sendible’s Review on Trustpilot

 

Our Experience

When we switched to Sendible, we found that it was built just for teams and agencies. In our side-by-side tests with Hootsuite, Sendible’s features were easier to use and more tailored to real-world agency needs.

Efficient Content Management and Scheduling

Every Hootsuite alternatie on our list comes with content management and scheduling features. But sendible makes things even much simpler.

You can easily bulk-upload content and let smart queues auto-fill your calendar, just like Hootsuite, but with a simpler setup.

Its Smart Compose box even suggests tweaks to your text, so you publish cleaner, more engaging posts every time. This is one feature you cannot get with Hootsuite.

Enhanced Collaboration and Workflow

Working with clients and teammates in Sendible is seamless. You tag drafts for review, lock in approvals, and everything goes live at the optimal time.

Plus, white-label dashboards and reports let you brand the platform for each client – something Hootsuite only offers at the highest tier.

Deep Analytics and Priority Inbox

Sendible’s reporting tools let you pick exactly which metrics you track and export custom reports in minutes. Agency plans add ad performance insights, so you see how paid campaigns really pay off.

Its Priority Inbox gathers all DMs, comments and mentions into one feed – faster and cleaner than Hootsuite’s multiple inbox streams.

Sendible Pricing

Sendible’s plans start at $29/month for solo users. It covers basic publishing and monitoring which is perfect if you’re just getting started.

For the agency, the best plan will cost $240/month, which often includes white-label reports and priority support (depending on current offers).

By comparison, Hootsuite charges $249/month for a similar package. Yet Sendible delivers more agency-focused features for roughly the same cost.

 

Final Verdict

If you want a true Hootsuite alternative that balances power and price, Sendible is worth a look. It packs superior scheduling, deep analytics, and a smart compose box into every plan.

For creators, consultants, or small teams ready to upgrade their workflow, Sendible offers clear advantages, without blowing your budget.

 

6. Sprout Social – $249/Month

Sprout Social is another popular social media automation tool worth checking out if you are looking for a reliable alternative for Hootsuite. The tool focuses on helping teams automate their workflows, make processes more seamless, and provide a collaborative hub for clients and companies.

Sprout Social doesn’t just post for you, but actually listens and chats back. It works for everyone, from big brands to small agencies, by bringing together scheduling, social listening, and customer care all in one spot.

The major difference between Hootsuite and Sprout Social is that while Hootsuite handles the basics: posting, scheduling, and keeping your feeds tidy, Sprout Social goes further.

It catches every mention of your brand across the web and helps you jump into conversations fast. The reporting is next-level, too. You get clear charts on what your audience loves, what they ignore, and how your replies stack up.

Key Features:

• Advanced scheduling tools
• Social listening tools
• Customizable reporting
• Robust analytics dashboard
• Unified social inbox
• Team collaboration and workflow approval

Pros

• Social Sprout allows you to schedule posts in advance, saving hours every week.
• Team members and clients can review and approve content without endless back-and-forth.
• The analytics are incredibly detailed, so you really know what your audience cares about.
• Its comprehensive social listening capabilities let you track mentions and spot trends as they happen.

Cons

• It’s expensive, especially when you add extra features, and there’s no direct YouTube publishing.
• The inbox for comments and messages isn’t all in one place, so you may still jump between tabs.
• Each feature you add can drive up the cost significantly.
• Some users say customer support can be slow and unhelpful when issues pop up.

A Review of Sprout Social’s Customer Service on Trustpilot

Our Experience

We spent weeks running Sprout Social alongside Hootsuite to see which felt better day to day. Sprout Social won us over with its smooth customer experience. It’s built to scale – perfect for mid-size firms and growing teams – but it’s also friendly enough for newcomers to pick up fast.

Publishing and Engagement

Sprout Social’s AI assistant is a real game changer. It suggests post ideas, points out the best times to publish, and even helps draft copy.

We scheduled posts across multiple networks in a few clicks and watched engagement climb. Hootsuite’s time-recommendations felt more complex, but Sprout’s suggestions hit the mark every time.

Collaboration

Working with colleagues, and even influencers, was effortless in Sprout. Its dedicated influencer tool spots top creators by engagement rate and helps you pitch partnerships right from the platform.

Hootsuite simply doesn’t offer creator insights like this. Plus, team and client workflows stay organized with clear review steps and approval alerts.

Analytics and Custom Reporting

When it came to data, Sprout Social felt like a breath of fresh air. You get all the core social media metrics in a clean dashboard. Think of audience growth, engagement, reach and conversions.

Reports are easy to tweak, schedule and export as PDFs. While Hootsuite’s reporting can feel tangled and rigid, Sprout’s is intuitive and flexible.

Pricing and Plans

Yes, Sprout Social and Hootsuite both come with premium price tags. But Sprout gives you more for less. The agency plan at Sprout runs $249/month, while Hootsuite asks $349/month (when billed annually) on a similar tier.

That extra $100 at Hootsuite doesn’t buy you double the power. In fact, Sprout’s deep reporting, AI-driven scheduling tips, influencer tools and unified inbox deliver nearly twice the functionality.

When you weigh cost against what you actually get, Sprout Social stands out as the smarter choice.

Final Verdict

Sprout Social may carry a premium price tag, but it delivers serious value that Hootsuite doesn’t match. You get powerful features that are all wrapped in an easy-to-use interface.

If you run a large team or need detailed analytics and seamless collaboration, Sprout is worth the investment. It’s not the cheapest option, but when you compare features to cost, it stands out as a smarter pick over Hootsuite.

 

7. Metricool – $22/Month

Imagine having a dashboard that not only schedules your posts but also hands you a full report on what’s working and what’s not. That’s Metricool in a nutshell.

Strongly emphasizing data analytics and performance reporting, the tool seems to be built for marketers who values numbers a lot. It offers deep insights into social media campaign performance across every channel. That way, Metricool helps you make smart, data-backed decisions, without guessing games.

 

Key Features:

• Social media planning and scheduling
• Data-driven analytics and reports
• AI assistant
• Customizable reports
• In-depth competitor analysis
• Unified planner and calendar
• Streamlined approval workflow
• Centralized social inbox

 

Pros

• The platform is very easy to use, with all your tasks and data in one clear dashboard.
• It allows you to schedule posts across multiple accounts from a single place.
• It offers powerful analytics that allows you to dive deep into your campaign performance with detailed charts.
• Competitor tracking: see what your competitors are doing and spot new opportunities.

Cons

• Customer support can be slow; chat replies may take hours.
• Metricool’s pricing plans can be relatively expensive, especially for small teams or solo users.
• The wealth of features and metrics can also overwhelm analytics newcomers.

 

Our Experience

We tested Metricool alongside Hootsuite and found it’s more than just a scheduler – it’s a full strategy companion. From planning to performance tracking, Metricool feels built for marketers who want both ease and depth.

Social Media Management

Based on our experience with the tool, some of Metricool’s top features that made it a good management tool is the unified planner and calendar.

It allows you to see your entire content calendar in one place and you can drag-and-drop posts to new slots in seconds. This makes rescheduling a breeze – no endless clicks or hidden menus.

Hootsuite’s calendar works, but its interface can feel clunky in comparison. With Metricool, moving a post takes one simple gesture. This can mean a lot when you need to react fast when trends change.

Analytics and Insights

Where Metricool really shines is in its data. You get clear charts on clicks, impressions, and engagement for every post. Even better, you can track your top competitors side by side to see how your content stacks up.

Managing customer replies is smoother too, since all comments and messages flow into one clean inbox. Hootsuite offers analytics, but Metricool’s visual reports and built-in competitor tracking give you sharper insights without extra setup.

Metricool Pricing Plans

Metricool even offers a free forever plan with basic scheduling and analytics which is perfect for dipping your toes in. When you’re ready to level up, the paid plan is just $22/month. For that, you get:

• Multi-platform management (all your accounts in one place)
• Unlimited post scheduling
• Analytics and downloadable reports
• AI Assistant to help write captions and suggest hashtags
• Up to 100 competitor profiles tracked

That $22 plan stacks up nicely against Hootsuite’s $249/month tier, which only covers a handful of these features. With Metricool, you get more data and smarter tools, without breaking the bank.

 

Key Factors to Consider When Choosing an Hootsuite Alternative

There are many Hootsuite alternatives out there – we’ve been able to cover some of them. So, how do you decide which is the best option for your brand?

Well, to figure out which is best for you, you will need to first start with identifying what you really want in a Hootsuite alternative. Know exactly what tasks you want to streamline to make social media management a lot easier for your brand.

When you know, then evaluate each tool based on your needs. To make this easier for you, here are some important factors to bear in mind:

• Budget-Friendliness

Hootsuite’s plans start high, which can put an extra burden on small teams. If you run a growing business, you will want to look for tools that fits your budget while also offering all the essential features you need to manage your presence on social media more effectively.

So, consider opting for an alternative that offers clear, low-cost tiers – or even a free plan – that gives you room to grow without surprise fees.

• Comprehensive Features

Make sure your new tool covers everything you need: scheduling, analytics, social listening, and post approvals. Hootsuite packs in a lot. So, look for a tool that matches its core strengths, but skip the extras you won’t use.

• Smooth Usability

Hootsuite’s dashboard can feel overwhelming for beginners. If you need fast onboarding, choose a platform with a clean interface and simple menus so you spend less time learning and more time posting.

• Seamless Multi-Account Management

Managing several brands or channels is Hootsuite’s bread and butter. Your alternative should let you switch between accounts, view all your feeds in one spot, and schedule across profiles with just a few clicks.

• Integration Capabilities

Hootsuite connects to many apps, from Slack to Google Analytics. Check that your pick links up with the tools you already use. This could be a CRM, email platform, or analytics dashboard.

• Customer Support

When issues pop up, quick help matters. Hootsuite support varies by plan level, and this has been a major concern for many Hootsuite existing users.

So look for alternatives offering round-the-clock chat or phone support – even on lower tiers – to keep your campaigns on track.

 

So, What Is the Best Hootsuite Alternative for You?

While we wish there were an easy answer to this, the truth is that it depends.

Finding the perfect Hootsuite alternative really comes down to what you value most in a social media tool. Start by thinking about the features you rely on every day.

Once you know your non-negotiables, check through the tools we have mentioned on the list and zero in on two or three platforms that deliver those same core benefits without the hefty price tag.

Next, get in and give each contender a real-world test.

Most tools offer a free plan or a trial period, so spend a week or two testing out the platform. Notice which dashboard feels intuitive, which notifications you actually respond to, and which quirks slow you down. Sometimes the simplest interface ends up saving you the most time.

At the end of your tests, trust your instincts. The best tool is the one that makes your daily workflow smoother, your budget happier, and your social channels shine.

Whether you land on Buffer, OnlySocial, Sprout Social, or another gem from our list, you’ll know you chose the right fit when posting feels less like a chore and more like second nature.

 

FAQs

Is Hootsuite the best social media management tool?

Hootsuite is a powerful option with years of experience behind it, but “best” depends on your needs. If you need enterprise-level reporting and broad integrations, it’s tough to beat. But smaller teams or budget-minded users may find better fits elsewhere.

Is there a free version of Hootsuite?

No. Hootsuite scraped its free tier in 2022. To use the tool now, you will need to choose one of its paid plans.

What’s the best Hootsuite alternative for small business?

OnlySocial often tops the list for small businesses. It offers unlimited scheduling, built-in analytics, and up to 15 networks starting at just $24/month.

Which is better, Hootsuite or Buffer?

If you want a simple, clean interface and a free entry-level plan, Buffer pulls ahead. But for deeper enterprise features and listening tools, Hootsuite still ranks higher.

Is OnlySocial better than Hootsuite?

For many users, yes. OnlySocial gives you more networks, smart AI tools, and solid support at a fraction of Hootsuite’s cost. If you don’t need heavy enterprise reporting, it’s a strong choice.