How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
Key takeaways
- Buffer and Metricool offer the most useful free plans for solo creators and small teams leaving Hootsuite.
- Later, SocialPilot, and Zoho Social suit visual brands, agencies, and Zoho users, but their free access is limited or trial-based.
- Per-channel, per-user, and flat pricing produce very different bills, so compare cost at your actual channel count.
- Hootsuite starts at $99 per user per month with no free plan, which makes even a modest paid alternative a large saving.
- Free plans usually cap channels, scheduled posts, or analytics history, so check those limits before moving an account.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 Buffer | Simple scheduling for small teams | $5 per channel per month | Yes |
 Metricool | Analytics-first scheduling | See website | Yes |
 Later | Visual Instagram planning | $25 per month | Free trial |
 SocialPilot | Agencies on flat pricing | $30 per month | Free trial |
 Zoho Social | Small teams in the Zoho system | $15 per month | Yes |
 Publer | Affordable all-round scheduling | See website | Yes |
 Pallyy | Multi-network brands and agencies | See website | Yes |
 Planable | Team collaboration and approvals | See website | Yes |
Is your product missing or out of date?
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The best free Hootsuite alternatives
#1Buffer
Best for: Simple scheduling for small teams4.3/5 on
G2 (1,041 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit buffer.com
Starting price$5 per channel per month
Free planYes
Buffer is the simplest move away from Hootsuite for a solo creator or small team. The interface centers on a queue, a calendar, and basic analytics, without the seat fees and complexity that make Hootsuite feel heavy. The free plan covers three channels with a limit on scheduled posts per channel, which is enough for a small brand testing a new workflow.
The limits are clear. Buffer does not offer social listening, and full analytics history sits behind paid plans. Per-channel pricing also means a brand on many networks pays more than a flat-priced rival. For a team on three to five channels that values simplicity, Buffer remains the lowest-risk starting point.
What we like- Clean queue and calendar
- Free plan covers three channels
- AI assistant for captions
Watch out for- No social listening
- Advanced analytics need paid plans
- Per-channel cost grows with networks
#2Metricool
Best for: Analytics-first scheduling4.5/5 on
G2 (98 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit metricool.com
Starting priceSee website
Free planYes
Metricool suits creators who care about performance data as much as scheduling. The free plan covers one brand with scheduling and analytics, and paid plans add competitor tracking, ad reporting, and more brands. For a small business that wants to know which posts drive traffic and engagement, that analytics depth is a real advantage.
The trade-off is complexity. Metricool packs more reports and settings into the dashboard than Buffer, so new users need a short learning period. Paid pricing also varies by brand count. For analytics-led users, Metricool is often the better free starting point, even if Buffer feels simpler on day one.
What we like- Strong analytics and competitor tracking
- Free plan for one brand
- Ad reporting included
Watch out for- Paid plans start higher than Buffer for some users
- Interface takes time to learn
#3Later
Best for: Visual Instagram planning4.5/5 on
G2 (384 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit later.com
Starting price$25 per month
Free planFree trial
Later built its name on visual planning, and that strength remains. The drag-and-drop calendar, grid preview, and Link in Bio tool suit Instagram-first brands, creators, and shops that plan content by look as much as by date. Scheduling, media library, and analytics cover the core needs of a visual team.
Later does not offer a permanent free plan on current tiers, so it sits in this list as a low-cost paid alternative rather than a free replacement. Teams that do not prioritize Instagram may find Buffer or Metricool cheaper. For visual brands, the planner alone can justify the monthly cost.
What we like- Visual grid planner
- Link in Bio tool
- Strong Instagram and TikTok workflow
Watch out for- No permanent free plan on current tiers
- Best value for visual-first brands
#4SocialPilot
Best for: Agencies on flat pricing4.5/5 on
G2 (846 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit socialpilot.co
Starting price$30 per month
Free planFree trial
SocialPilot appeals to agencies because flat pricing avoids per-seat surprises. One monthly price covers a set number of accounts, with bulk scheduling, a content library, and client reporting. That model suits teams managing several small clients who each need a few channels.
There is no permanent free plan, only a 14-day trial, so small solo users may prefer Buffer. The interface is practical rather than elegant, and analytics depth is lower than Sprout Social. For agencies that need predictable cost across clients, SocialPilot is a strong Hootsuite replacement.
What we like- Flat pricing for multiple accounts
- Bulk scheduling
- White-label reports on higher plans
Watch out for- No free plan
- Interface is functional rather than polished
#5Zoho Social
Best for: Small teams in the Zoho system4.6/5 on
G2 (2,976 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit zoho.com
Starting price$15 per month
Free planYes
Zoho Social makes sense for businesses already using Zoho CRM, Books, or other Zoho apps. Scheduling, monitoring, and basic reporting sync with the wider Zoho system, and the free plan gives small teams a no-cost start. Paid entry at $15 per month is lower than Hootsuite by a wide margin.
The network range and analytics depth are narrower than Buffer or Sprout Social, and teams outside Zoho gain less from the integration. For a Zoho shop with modest social needs, Zoho Social keeps tools and billing in one place. For a standalone social team, Buffer or Metricool usually fits better.
What we like- Free plan available
- Ties into Zoho CRM and apps
- Affordable paid entry
Watch out for- Smaller network range than some rivals
- Analytics are basic on lower plans
#6Publer
Best for: Affordable all-round scheduling4.7/5 on
G2 (545 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit publer.io
Starting priceSee website
Free planYes
Publer is a practical all-round scheduler with a free plan for three accounts, bulk scheduling, and content recycling on higher plans. It covers major networks, offers a media library, and includes a link-in-bio tool. For a small brand that wants more than Buffer basic scheduling without paying, Publer is worth testing.
Analytics are simpler than Metricool, and free plan limits vary by network, including X. Publer also lacks enterprise listening and deep reporting. For everyday scheduling at low cost, it strikes a useful balance between free access and paid features.
What we like- Free plan for three accounts
- Bulk scheduling
- Link-in-bio and recycling tools
Watch out for- Analytics are simpler than Metricool
- Some networks have limits on free plans
Starting priceSee website
Free planYes
Pallyy suits brands and small agencies that manage several networks from one calendar. The free plan covers one account with a monthly post limit, which is enough to test the workflow. Paid plans price by brand rather than by seat, which helps small teams that share access.
The free post limit means active brands will need a paid plan quickly, and Pallyy has a smaller review base than Buffer or Later. For a team that values a clean calendar and brand-based pricing over advanced analytics, Pallyy is a solid low-cost alternative.
What we like- Free plan for one account
- Clean multi-network calendar
- Affordable brand-based pricing
Watch out for- Free plan limits posts per month
- Smaller user community than Buffer
#8Planable
Best for: Team collaboration and approvals4.6/5 on
G2 (1,125 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit planable.io
Starting priceSee website
Free planYes
Planable focuses on collaboration, which Hootsuite users often miss when they move to a simple scheduler. Team members can comment, approve, and preview posts in feed style before publishing, which reduces errors for client work. The free plan covers 50 posts, giving a team a real trial of the approval flow.
Scheduling and analytics are less deep than Buffer or Metricool for some networks, and larger teams need paid plans. Planable fits agencies and marketing teams where approvals matter more than listening or advanced reports. For a solo creator, Buffer or Metricool will usually be simpler.
What we like- Free plan for 50 posts
- Visual approval workflow
- Feed-style previews
Watch out for- Scheduling depth is lower than Buffer on some networks
- Paid plans needed for larger teams
How we chose
We compared pricing pages, product documentation, and public reviews on G2 and Capterra, and checked each tool for free plan limits, supported networks, scheduling, analytics, inbox features, and team tools. We favored tools that exist today and offer a free plan or a low-cost entry point as a Hootsuite replacement. Where a current price could not be confirmed from a vendor page, we listed it as See website rather than guessing.
How to move without losing scheduled content
Start by listing every channel, scheduled post, and report that Hootsuite currently handles. Free plans cap channels and scheduled posts, so a team moving six channels at once may need a paid plan on the new tool or a staged move. Export or copy evergreen posts, media, and hashtag sets before cancelling, since some exports do not transfer cleanly between tools.
Next, test the new tool with one channel for two weeks. Check publishing reliability, link handling, image quality, and analytics accuracy, and confirm that approvals work the way the team expects. Pay attention to networks that need reconnection or have posting limits, since those issues often appear only after the first week.
Finally, compare cost at real scale. Multiply per-channel or per-user prices by actual channels and seats, and add any analytics or reporting upgrades. A tool that looks cheap for one user can become costly for a team of five, while a flat-priced agency tool can become cheaper as clients grow. Choose the plan that fits the next six months, not just the first month.
A final check before moving is reporting and link tracking. Confirm whether the new tool keeps historical analytics, or starts fresh on the move date, since that gap affects quarterly reports. Check UTM handling, link shortening, and first-comment features for Instagram, because those small features affect campaign tracking. Also test mobile publishing, since some teams approve posts on a phone. A tool that publishes well on desktop but fails on mobile will slow a team that works away from desks.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a truly free alternative to Hootsuite?
Yes. Buffer, Metricool, Zoho Social, Publer, Pallyy, and Planable all offer free plans, though each caps channels, posts, or analytics. For a solo creator on a few channels, a free plan is often enough. Larger teams usually need a paid plan.
Which free Hootsuite alternative is best for small business?
Buffer is the simplest choice for most small businesses, with a clean scheduler and a free plan for three channels. Metricool is better for businesses that want stronger analytics and competitor tracking on the free tier.
Does any free alternative offer social listening like Hootsuite?
No free plan in this list matches Hootsuite listening depth. Sprout Social and similar enterprise tools offer listening, but at a much higher price. Free and low-cost tools focus on scheduling, publishing, and basic analytics instead.
Can I schedule posts for free on Instagram and TikTok?
Yes, within limits. Buffer, Metricool, Publer, and Later support Instagram and TikTok scheduling, though free plans cap channels and posts. Check each tool for current network support, since platform rules change.
How do I choose between per-channel and flat pricing?
Per-channel pricing suits brands on few networks, since you pay only for what you use. Flat pricing suits agencies and multi-client teams, since the cost stays stable as accounts grow. Count channels and seats before choosing.
Can I manage client accounts with a free plan?
Free plans suit one brand or a few channels, but client work usually needs paid plans for approvals, reporting, and white-label views. Planable and SocialPilot suit client workflows better than list-only schedulers, though both need paid tiers for larger teams.
Sources we checked (8)
- https://buffer.com/pricing
- https://metricool.com/pricing
- https://later.com/pricing
- https://www.socialpilot.co/pricing
- https://www.zoho.com/social/pricing.html
- https://publer.io/pricing
- https://pallyy.com/pricing
- https://planable.io/pricing
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.