Best Hootsuite Alternatives (2026)
Hootsuite is social media management platform for teams, starting at $99/mo. Here are the best alternatives — whether you need something cheaper, simpler, or with different features.
Why people switch from Hootsuite
- →Very expensive
- →UI feels dated
- →Free plan removed
- →Pricing increased significantly
Simple social media scheduling for small teams
Buffer
Simple social media scheduling for small teams
Buffer is a straightforward social media scheduling tool focused on helping small businesses and creators publish consistently. Known for its clean interface, affordable pricing, and focus on doing scheduling well rather than trying to do everything.
Sprout Social
Enterprise social media management and analytics
Sprout Social is a premium social media management platform with best-in-class analytics, social listening, and CRM features. Popular with mid-market and enterprise teams who need deep insights and team collaboration tools.
Later
Visual social media scheduler built for Instagram
Later is a social media scheduling and analytics platform with a focus on visual content, particularly Instagram. Its drag-and-drop calendar and Linkin.bio feature make it popular with brands, influencers, and social media managers who prioritise Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest alongside Facebook and LinkedIn.
Metricool
Social media management with built-in ad analytics
Metricool is an all-in-one social media management platform covering scheduling, analytics, competitor analysis, and advertising performance in one dashboard. Popular with agencies and freelancers for its combination of social media scheduling and ad campaign tracking (Google Ads, Meta Ads) at a competitive price.
Sendible
Social media management platform built for agencies
Sendible is a social media management platform designed specifically for agencies and teams managing multiple clients. It offers scheduling, content creation tools, client dashboards, approval workflows, and white-label reporting — making it one of the most agency-friendly Hootsuite alternatives available.
Hootsuite vs alternatives: quick comparison
| Tool | Starting price | Free plan | Pricing model | G2 score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hootsuite (current) | $99 | ✗ | paid | 4.2/5 |
| Buffer | $6 | ✓ | freemium | 4.3/5 |
| Sprout Social | $249 | ✗ | paid | 4.4/5 |
| Later | $18 | ✗ | paid | 4.5/5 |
| Metricool | $22 | ✓ | paid | 4.4/5 |
| Sendible | $29 | ✗ | paid | 4.5/5 |
How to switch from Hootsuite
- 1. Export your data first
Before cancelling, export everything from Hootsuite — contacts, projects, records, or reports. Most tools offer a CSV export under Settings → Data Export. Download and store it as a backup even if you don't need it immediately.
- 2. Trial the alternative with a real project
Buffer and Metricool both offer free plans — sign up and run a live project in parallel before committing. Most paid alternatives also offer 14–30 day trials.
- 3. Import and run both tools briefly
Use the import wizard in your chosen alternative to bring across your exported data. Run both tools in parallel for 2–4 weeks so your team can adapt without losing continuity. Most migrations take less than a day for small teams.
- 4. Cancel before the next billing cycle
Cancel Hootsuite before renewal to avoid being charged for another month or year. Check whether you're on a monthly or annual plan — annual plans often have no mid-cycle refunds. Keep your final data export on file.
Our verdict
If you are switching from Hootsuite, Buffer is our top pick — simple social media scheduling for small teams, with a G2 score of 4.3/5. For a free option, Buffer is worth considering. Use the comparison links above to do a side-by-side before committing.
Hootsuite alternatives: frequently asked questions
What is the best alternative to Hootsuite?
Buffer is our top-ranked alternative. It starts at $6/mo with a free plan and scores 4.3/5 on G2.
Is there a free alternative to Hootsuite?
Yes — Buffer, Metricool all offer free plans.
What is the cheapest alternative to Hootsuite?
Buffer offers the lowest entry point with a free plan. Paid plans start at $6/mo.
Not sure which tool to pick?
See a detailed breakdown of Hootsuite pricing before you decide.
See Hootsuite pricing →