Best Later Alternatives (2026)
Later is visual social media scheduler built for instagram, starting at $18/mo. Here are the best alternatives — whether you need something cheaper, simpler, or with different features.
Why people switch from Later
- →Less powerful for Twitter/X and LinkedIn
- →Limited social listening features
- →More expensive per post than competitors
- →No bulk upload on starter plan
Social media management platform for teams
Hootsuite
Social media management platform for teams
Hootsuite is one of the oldest and most widely used social media management platforms. It lets teams schedule posts, monitor conversations, manage multiple accounts, and measure performance across all major social networks from one dashboard.
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.
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.
Later vs alternatives: quick comparison
| Tool | Starting price | Free plan | Pricing model | G2 score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Later (current) | $18 | ✗ | paid | 4.5/5 |
| Hootsuite | $99 | ✗ | paid | 4.2/5 |
| Buffer | $6 | ✓ | freemium | 4.3/5 |
| Sprout Social | $249 | ✗ | paid | 4.4/5 |
| Metricool | $22 | ✓ | paid | 4.4/5 |
| Sendible | $29 | ✗ | paid | 4.5/5 |
Our verdict
If you are switching from Later, Hootsuite is our top pick — social media management platform for teams, with a G2 score of 4.2/5. For a free option, Buffer is worth considering. Use the comparison links above to do a side-by-side before committing.
Later alternatives: frequently asked questions
What is the best alternative to Later?
Hootsuite is our top-ranked alternative. It starts at $99/mo and scores 4.2/5 on G2.
Is there a free alternative to Later?
Yes — Buffer, Metricool all offer free plans.
What is the cheapest alternative to Later?
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 Later pricing before you decide.
See Later pricing →