Best Alternatives To Hootsuite For Managing Social Media

Social media is not just a place where people can share pictures of their weekend trips or see what people in their lives are up to. For businesses, it’s a pretty powerful tool to connect with customers and sell to them. And if your business is not on social media these days, you run the risk of falling behind your competitors.

But keeping up on multiple social media platforms is a ton of work behind the scenes. Each platform needs specific, tailored content and each account needs hands-on managing. This is where social media management tools have come in to become an extension of your social media team.

 

Why Social Media Management Tools Are A Game-Changer

 

Running one social media account requires planning, detail and consistency. Now multiply that by three or four platforms and each one has a different audience and content formats that change quite regularly. This is a lot to manage even for a team of social media managers but fortunately, scrambling is a thing of the past with these management tools.

They are known for their ability to schedule posts in advance but they offer much more than that. Most of these platforms give you detailed analytics so you can see what content is or isn’t working to tailor it accordingly.

Since they link directly to your social media accounts, you can respond to comments, check your inboxes and basically, run your account from one platform. They’re a time, and sanity, saver for social media managers everywhere.

 

Alternatives To Hootsuite For Managing Social Media

 

Hootsuite has been around for close to two decades and one of the most well-known scheduling platforms. But as social media has taken off exponentially, other competitors have started to enter the market.

Whether you are on a budget or looking for specific features to benefit your team, here are some alternatives to Hootsuite worth looking at.

 

1. Buffer

 

 

Buffer is a fan favourite and for good reason. For small teams or individuals who don’t need all the bells and whistles, it’s easy to use with a clean, simple interface. You can schedule posts across platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest and TikTok with detailed analytics to help you monitor your content’s performance.

With its mobile app, you can manage social media posts while out and about and the free plan is quite generous with plenty of features.

 

2. Sprout Social

 

 

Sprout Social is not just a simple scheduling tool. It’s a full-scale business platform with CRM integrations and advanced reporting, suited to agencies and big companies. The platform offers competitor tracking, sentiment analysis and team workflows designed to be customisable.

It is a premium platform and the price reflects it, but it is highly worth it for businesses who manage multiple accounts. While there is no free plan, a free trial is available.

 

3. Later

 

 

 

Later first started as a scheduling tool for Instagram but has now branched out to other platforms like Facebook, TikTok, LinkedIn and Twitter. It’s great for visual content where feeds need to be aesthetic and users love the drag-and-drop calendar with the ability to preview your feed.

The platform is perfect for creators and e-commerce brands who need to use link-in-bio tools and user-generated content. In addition to paid plans, there is also a free option.

 

 

 

4. Sendible

 

 

Sendible is a platform that was created with agencies in mind who manage multiple client accounts. Teams are able to set up approval systems, generate reports and keep an eye on brand keywords and mentions. Additionally, you can connect it to your Canva account to design graphics within the platform itself.

With its client-focused features and powerful integrations, it’s a pretty good balance and users can enjoy a 14-day free trial before purchasing a paid plan.

 

5. Zoho Social

 

 

Zoho Social forms part of the Zoho suite which includes CRM and e-mails. So for those who already use Zoho, it’s a no-brainer to make use of this tool. With smart scheduling, team collaboration and insightful analytics, it offers great value and integrates with your other Zoho tools.

It’s an ideal platform for businesses who want to integrate social media into their wider business system, and a free trial is available.

 

6. Loomly

 

 

Loomly is the perfect social media management tool for teams who prioritise everyone’s involvement. Suitable for agencies or in-house marketing teams, it provides real-time collaboration for approving work and designing posts. Moreover, it has a great content calendar that is very visual and easy to use.

Users are also able to boost Facebook posts directly from Loomly and can make edits by accessing the version’s history. While there are no free plans, there is a 15-day free trial.

 

7. SocialBee

 

 

SocialBee focuses on creating content for different categories whether it be promotional, educational or generic posts. These can then be rotated to ensure a consistent flow of content. For solo entrepreneurs or small businesses who want an active social media presence but don’t always have the time for it, this is the go-to tool.

Additionally, the platform offers concierge services if you wish to outsource your content creation and has a 14-day free trial for new users.

 

8. Metricool

 

 

For brands who prioritise analytics as much as scheduling, Metricool may be the management platform for you. It combines scheduling with ad tracking and deep analytics, ideal for consultants and social media analysts who are required to report on content performance.

It can connect with Facebook ads, Google Ads and even your website’s traffic data to give you a comprehensive overview of your content’s insights. There is also a free plan available.