Best Sprout Social Alternatives (2026)
Sprout Social is enterprise social media management and analytics, starting at $249/mo. Here are the best alternatives — whether you need something cheaper, simpler, or with different features.
Why people switch from Sprout Social
- →Very expensive
- →Per-seat pricing adds up fast
- →Overkill for small teams
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.
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.
Sprout Social vs alternatives: quick comparison
How to switch from Sprout Social
- 1. Export your data first
Before cancelling, export everything from Sprout Social — 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 Sprout Social 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 Sprout Social, 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.
Sprout Social alternatives: frequently asked questions
What is the best alternative to Sprout Social?
Hootsuite is our top-ranked alternative. It starts at $99/mo and scores 4.2/5 on G2.
Is there a free alternative to Sprout Social?
Yes — Buffer, Metricool all offer free plans.
What is the cheapest alternative to Sprout Social?
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 Sprout Social pricing before you decide.
See Sprout Social pricing →