3 tools that do the same job as Hootsuite, compared on checked pricing and features. Hootsuite's cheapest paid plan is $99 a month for one person, and three of the alternatives cost less. Two of the three have a free plan.
Prices checked against each vendor's own pricing page; Hootsuite's on October 5, 2026.
Cheapest paid plan that covers the team, per month before tax, at the yearly rate where one is published. Each tool's prices were checked against its own pricing page, most recently on October 5, 2026.
1. Sprout Social
Best for in-house social teams that handle customer messages and reviews as a shared queue
Sprout Social is a social media management platform for in-house teams, combining publishing, a shared Smart Inbox, review management and reporting. Every plan is priced per seat, from $79 a seat a month billed yearly, or $99 month to month, on Essentials.
One person
$79/mo
Essentials · Hootsuite: $99/mo
Team of 10
$790/mo
Essentials · Hootsuite: $990/mo
Free plan
No
Choose Sprout Social if…
You want it cheaper for one person: $79/mo on Essentials, against $99/mo for Hootsuite.
You want it cheaper for a team of 10: $790/mo on Essentials, against $990/mo for Hootsuite.
Buffer is a social media scheduler with analytics and a comment inbox, suited to small businesses and creators who post to a few accounts. Paid plans charge per connected channel, starting at $6 a channel each month or $5 billed yearly, and Team allows unlimited users.
One person
$5/mo
Essentials · Hootsuite: $99/mo
Team of 10
$10/mo
Team · Hootsuite: $990/mo
Free plan
Free
Choose Buffer if…
You want it cheaper for one person: $5/mo on Essentials, against $99/mo for Hootsuite.
You want it cheaper for a team of 10: $10/mo on Team, against $990/mo for Hootsuite.
You need a free plan: Buffer has one (Free); Hootsuite doesn't.
Stay with Hootsuite if…
You rely on what Buffer lacks: social listening, competitor benchmarking and paid & organic together.
Metricool is a social media planner with analytics, competitor tracking, ad reporting and an inbox, suited to freelancers and agencies handling several brands. Plans are priced by how many brands you manage, from $25 a month, or $20 billed yearly, for up to five.
One person
$20/mo
Starter · Hootsuite: $99/mo
Team of 10
$53/mo
Advanced · Hootsuite: $990/mo
Free plan
Free
Choose Metricool if…
You want it cheaper for one person: $20/mo on Starter, against $99/mo for Hootsuite.
You want it cheaper for a team of 10: $53/mo on Advanced, against $990/mo for Hootsuite.
You need a free plan: Metricool has one (Free); Hootsuite doesn't.
