Hootsuite has long been one of the leading social media management platforms, offering tools for scheduling posts, tracking performance, and managing social conversations. It’s used by businesses, marketers, and agencies to manage accounts across Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and more. But with rising prices and a dated interface, many users are now looking for modern Hootsuite alternatives that are more intuitive, affordable, or feature-rich.
In 2025, several tools provide better value, cleaner user experiences, and advanced features like AI scheduling, bulk uploads, visual calendars, and approval workflows. Whether you manage one brand or dozens of clients, these alternatives help streamline your social media efforts without the complexity (or cost) of Hootsuite.
This article highlights the best Hootsuite alternatives for content scheduling, analytics, publishing, and team collaboration in 2025.
What is Hootsuite?
Hootsuite is a social media management platform that lets users schedule and publish content across multiple social networks, track mentions, monitor keywords, and engage with followers via a unified inbox. While powerful, it can be expensive for small teams, and some users feel the dashboard is cluttered or outdated compared to newer platforms.
Why Look for Hootsuite Alternatives?
1. Expensive Pricing: Hootsuite plans have become costly, especially for small teams or freelancers managing multiple clients.
2. Outdated UX: Many users report the interface feels dated, especially compared to modern social scheduling tools.
3. Feature Limitations on Lower Tiers: You need to upgrade for access to essential features like analytics, approval workflows, or team roles.
4. No Built-in AI Assistance: Hootsuite doesn’t offer AI caption writing or auto-scheduling like some newer tools.
5. Better Reporting + Automation Elsewhere: Tools like Metricool and SocialBee provide better dashboards, automation, and client-friendly reporting.
Top Hootsuite Alternatives (Comparison Table)
| # | Tool | Free Plan | Best For | Deployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Buffer | Yes | Solo creators + scheduling | Cloud |
| #2 | Later | Yes | Visual planning for Instagram | Cloud |
| #3 | SocialBee | Yes | Content categories + automation | Cloud |
| #4 | Sendible | No | Agencies + white-label reports | Cloud |
| #5 | Metricool | Yes | Analytics + scheduling + ads | Cloud |
| #6 | Zoho Social | Yes | Team approvals + CRM link | Cloud |
| #7 | Loomly | No | Content calendar + collaboration | Cloud |
| #8 | Publer | Yes | Bulk upload + recycling + AI | Cloud |
| #9 | ContentStudio | No | Content curation + social publishing | Cloud |
| #10 | Planable | Yes (limited) | Post approvals + client review | Cloud |
Top 10 Alternatives to Hootsuite
#1. Buffer
Buffer is a simplified social scheduling tool ideal for individuals and small teams. It replaces Hootsuite for basic publishing with a cleaner, less overwhelming interface.
Features:
- Schedule posts across all major platforms
- Link shortening + calendar view
- Basic analytics on paid plans
- AI post assistant (new in 2025)
- Great for creators and consultants
#2. Later
Later is a visual-first social media tool focused on Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest. It replaces Hootsuite for brands that want to plan content visually and optimize link clicks.
Features:
- Instagram Reels + Stories scheduling
- Linkin.bio landing pages
- Hashtag and time suggestions
- Drag-and-drop media calendar
- Great for visual brands and influencers
#3. SocialBee
SocialBee offers powerful scheduling automation, content categories, and recycling. It’s a Hootsuite alternative with stronger post management and AI tools.
Features:
- Queue by content type (e.g., promo, blog)
- AI caption writer + hashtag generator
- Post recycling and scheduling rules
- Supports TikTok, Google Biz, Facebook, more
- Client workspaces + team roles
#4. Sendible
Sendible is a social media tool built for agencies. It offers client management, reporting, and white-label dashboards that go beyond Hootsuite’s core use case.
Features:
- Client accounts and approval workflows
- White-label reporting PDFs
- Integrated content library
- Smart Queues and RSS auto-posting
- Supports Canva + Dropbox integrations
#5. Metricool
Metricool combines social media publishing, analytics, and ad tracking in one tool. It replaces Hootsuite with better data dashboards and a more flexible UI.
Features:
- Social scheduling + ad metrics
- Google Analytics + web traffic reports
- Competitor monitoring + hashtag tracking
- Real-time data on performance
- Ideal for analytics-driven teams
#6. Zoho Social
Zoho Social is part of the Zoho Suite and includes advanced team management, approvals, and CRM integrations. It’s a Hootsuite alternative for structured teams and B2B brands.
Features:
- Role-based publishing and approvals
- Integration with Zoho CRM
- Unified inbox and social listening
- Calendar, reports, and sentiment analysis
- Free tier for small teams
#7. Loomly
Loomly is a collaborative content calendar and publishing tool. It’s ideal for marketing teams needing structure, drafts, and approval chains.
Features:
- Calendar-based campaign planning
- Approval workflows with feedback
- Post ideas and optimization tips
- Ad publishing for Facebook and Google
- Media library and post previews
#8. Publer
Publer is an affordable social media tool with AI support, Canva integration, and bulk upload features. It’s perfect for solopreneurs and small agencies.
Features:
- Bulk post uploads and queues
- Canva integration + AI captions
- Auto-deletion + post recycling
- Emoji picker and hashtag tools
- Free plan available
#9. ContentStudio
ContentStudio adds content curation, sentiment tracking, and automation to your social strategy. It replaces Hootsuite for teams focused on content marketing.
Features:
- Multi-platform scheduling + approval
- Content discovery by niche
- RSS feed automation + link shortener
- Social inbox + team workflows
- Supports blogs + Medium
#10. Planable
Planable is built for collaboration and client approvals. It’s great for agencies managing multiple brands and needing real-time post reviews.
Features:
- Real-time content previews
- Client commenting + post approvals
- Calendar with team roles
- Multichannel post scheduling
- Free tier with limited posts
Conclusion
Hootsuite helped pioneer social media management — but in 2025, more agile, affordable, and AI-powered tools have taken the spotlight. Whether you’re running a solo brand, managing content at scale, or juggling clients, there’s a Hootsuite alternative that better fits your needs.
Try Buffer or Later for simple scheduling. Choose SocialBee or Publer for automation. Use Metricool or ContentStudio for analytics and multi-channel publishing. The best option depends on your workflow, team size, and budget.
FAQs
What are the best Hootsuite alternatives in 2025?
The best Hootsuite alternatives are:
- Buffer
- Later
- SocialBee
- Sendible
- Metricool
- Zoho Social
- Loomly
- Publer
- ContentStudio
- Planable
Is there a free Hootsuite alternative?
Yes — Buffer, Later, Zoho Social, and Publer all offer generous free plans with scheduling and calendar features.
Which tool is best for agencies managing clients?
Sendible, Planable, and Zoho Social are built for agencies with approval workflows and white-label reports.
Which Hootsuite alternative supports AI?
SocialBee, Publer, and ContentStudio offer AI-generated captions, hashtags, and scheduling suggestions.
What’s the best option for Instagram and TikTok?
Later is best for visual content and offers great features for Instagram Reels, TikTok, and Pinterest planning.
