3 tools that do the same job as Sprout Social, compared on checked pricing and features. Sprout Social's cheapest paid plan is $79 a month for one person, and two of the alternatives cost less. Two of the three have a free plan.
Prices checked against each vendor's own pricing page; Sprout Social'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. Hootsuite
Best for marketing teams that manage organic posts and social ads in the same tool
Hootsuite is a social media management suite that combines publishing, a shared inbox, listening, analytics and ad management for marketing and customer care teams. Every plan is sold per user seat, from $99 a user a month billed yearly, or $149 month to month, on Standard.
One person
$99/mo
Standard · Sprout Social: $79/mo
Team of 10
$990/mo
Standard · Sprout Social: $790/mo
Free plan
No
Stay with Sprout Social if…
Price matters for one person: Sprout Social is $79/mo, Hootsuite $99/mo.
Price matters for a team of 10: Sprout Social is $790/mo, Hootsuite $990/mo.
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 · Sprout Social: $79/mo
Team of 10
$53/mo
Advanced · Sprout Social: $790/mo
Free plan
Free
Choose Metricool if…
You want it cheaper for one person: $20/mo on Starter, against $79/mo for Sprout Social.
You want it cheaper for a team of 10: $53/mo on Advanced, against $790/mo for Sprout Social.
You need a free plan: Metricool has one (Free); Sprout Social doesn't.
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 · Sprout Social: $79/mo
Team of 10
$10/mo
Team · Sprout Social: $790/mo
Free plan
Free
Choose Buffer if…
You want it cheaper for one person: $5/mo on Essentials, against $79/mo for Sprout Social.
You want it cheaper for a team of 10: $10/mo on Team, against $790/mo for Sprout Social.
You need a free plan: Buffer has one (Free); Sprout Social doesn't.
Stay with Sprout Social if…
You rely on what Buffer lacks: social listening, competitor benchmarking and paid & organic together.
