Top 10 Best Hootsuite Alternatives in 2025

Struggling with social media management? Imagine you’re juggling a dozen platforms, trying to post, respond, and track analytics all at once—only to realize your current tool is slowing you down. Frustrating, right?

Hootsuite has been providing social media management solutions for businesses for years. But, with so many other tools on the market offering features similar to – and in some cases even more advanced than – Hootsuite, how can you tell if Hootsuite is still your best option?

In this blog, we will look at the top 10 best Hootsuite alternatives in 2025 that can elevate your social media strategy.

🔑Key Highlights

• Hootsuite is a social media management tool that enables people and businesses to manage a social media account efficiently.
• Money is usually the biggest deciding factor when it comes to selecting a social media management tool.
• The customer support of a social media management tool can be the difference between a good experience and a bad one.
• Just before you make that transition, consider why you’re switching from Hootsuite and what features you need in a Hootsuite alternative.
• Training your team is always a necessary step to ensure that all of the employees are on board and feel comfortable with the new tool.

Used For?

Hootsuite is a social media management tool that enables people and businesses to manage a social media account efficiently.

It enables users to schedule, publish, and track posts across various platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and TikTok from one dashboard.

Hootsuite also allows you to track analytics, including how your campaigns performed, who is engaging with your posts, and how to respond to comments or messages as they come up.

Especially helpful for teams, it has collaboration tools to help multiple users manage content and campaigns at once.

Hootsuite is an enterprise solution for businesses that want to improve their social media marketing management, reduce time investment, and maintain a unified message across platforms.

While powerful, it’s a flexible tool that allows you to get everything from scheduling posts to analyzing ROI to help manage an online presence effectively.

Criteria for Selecting Hootsuite Alternatives

If you are looking for Hootsuite alternatives, here are some criteria based on which you should search for an alternative that suits your business. Some of the features that matter are cost, features, user experience, customer stories, team collaboration, and customer support, among others, which are impactful in determining the effectiveness of a tool for managing social media.

1. Cost: Importance of Budget-Friendly Options

Money is usually the biggest deciding factor when it comes to selecting a social media management tool. Hootsuite does offer different plans, but for some companies, particularly startups and small businesses, the hootsuite’s pricing may be just too high. So, choosing any alternative means weighing budget-friendliness against value.

There are a number of tools — Buffer or Zoho Social, for example — that have free plans or inexpensive tiers that feature the basics. These options are perfect for businesses requiring basic scheduling and reporting functionality without having to spend a fortune. But it’s equally important to assess how scalable those plans are.

The platform should provide flexibility with more features at competitive rates as your business plan expands. Finding more cost-effective alternatives to Hootsuite can help businesses save thousands while still serving their social channels without the loss of functionality.

2. Features: Key Functionalities to Look For

The main reason to change to an alternative usually comes down to the need for a specific feature. While Hootsuite is widely recognized for its scheduling, analytics, and team collaboration capabilities, alternatives can offer unique features tailored to particular industries or user requirements.

Some highlights to be prioritized are:

• Scheduling Tools: Seek out platforms with extensive scheduling functionality that works across various social networks.
• Analytics: Ability to track the effectiveness of campaigns through in-depth analytics and performance metrics
• Team Collaboration: Collaborative tools among team members help streamline the workflow and work more effectively.
• Social Listening: This works well in keeping track of brand mentions and trends on different platforms.
• Automation: It can save you time via the ability to automate repetitive tasks like reposting evergreen content.

Various tools can be excelling in various areas. For example, Later can be used as an excellent choice for visually focused platforms like instagram, while SocialBee will help in content categorization, social listening, and recycling.

Businesses must align their requirements with the platform’s catalog of features.

3. User Experience: The Significance of Intuitive Design

While each type of interface plays a unique role, an intuitive interface directs users toward only the most pertinent and relevant options, leading to higher productivity levels as well as increased user satisfaction.

If using the platform is hard (either due to a steep learning curve or bad design), team members are less likely to use it, which defeats the purpose of using a centralized platform, leading to inefficiencies.

When exploring alternatives, think about the following:

• Ease of Navigation: Of course, the platform needs to have a clean and simple layout.
• Setup Process: The process for onboarding new users or setting up accounts must be easy.
• Mobile Accessibility: A free mobile app enables management on the go.

Loomly — and others like Buffer — are well known for their user-friendly designs, which are suited for beginners or small teams with little technical knowledge. A platform with a good user experience is easy to adopt and increases productivity, especially for social media managers to streamline campaigns.

4. Customer Support: Evaluating Quality and Availability

The customer support of a social media management tool can be the difference between a good experience and a bad one. Technical problems, billing questions, or feature inquiries must be addressed quickly to lessen outages.

Factors to consider include:

• Availability: 24/7 support helps in the case of global businesses.
• Channels: Having multiple support channels (email, chat, phone, etc) is a big plus.
• Knowledge Base: It includes step-by-step guides, tips, and FAQs to support self-service.

You can rely on Agorapulse and Sprout Social for responsive and professional support teams to answer any and all questions you might have; after all, you need to know someone will have your back on this journey. The platform’s commitment to excellent support is a part of its customer care focus.

A good alternative will have the right cost, features, user experience, and customer support. By keeping these criteria in mind, companies can successfully find a tool that is in line with their requirements, streamlining workflow and staying budget-friendly.

Apps like Buffer, SocialBee, and Zoho Social are great examples of the right combination of price, applicable features, design, and usability to compete directly with Hootsuite.

Overview of the Top 10 Hootsuite Alternatives

Here is a general overview of the best alternatives to Hootsuite which will help you in your quest for effective social media management:

Tool	Key Features	Best For
Dialaxy	Social engagement, virtual phone tools	Privacy-focused professionals
Buffer	Scheduling, analytics, team collaboration	Small businesses, startups
Sprout Social	CRM tools, analytics, content calendar	Agencies, large enterprises
Zoho Social	Social listening, reports, automation	Small to medium businesses
Agorapulse	Unified inbox, bulk scheduling, reports	Customer support focus
SocialBee	Content categorization, recycling posts	Coaches, solopreneurs
Later	Visual scheduling, link in bio feature	Instagram & Pinterest users
Sendible	Multi-platform support, custom reports	Agencies, advanced users
Loomly	Post ideas, content calendar, analytics	Teams managing multiple brands
CoSchedule	Marketing calendar, workflow automation	Content marketing teams
eClincher	Auto-posting, social listening, CRM tools	Businesses needing automation

Detailed Analysis of Each Hootsuite Alternative

1. Dialaxy

Dialaxy provides innovative solutions for managing virtual phone numbers and call-forwarding needs.

Features:

• Virtual phone number management.
• Call forwarding and voicemail to email.
• Integration with CRM tools.
• Privacy-focused number generation.

Pros:

• Perfect for businesses needing privacy solutions.
• Easy integration with existing workflows.
• Affordable for startups and small businesses.
• Strong customer support.

Cons:

• Focused primarily on phone-based solutions, not social media.
• Limited analytics compared to social media platforms.
• Best suited for niche use cases.
• Requires additional tools for complete social media management.

2. Buffer

Buffer simplifies social media scheduling and analytics for individuals and small teams.

Features:

• Schedule posts across multiple platforms.
• Basic performance analytics for tracking engagement.
• Browser extension for easy content sharing.
• Collaboration tools for team management.

Pros:

• Simple and intuitive interface.
• Affordable pricing plans.
• Ideal for beginners and small teams.
• Integrates with popular platforms like Instagram and Twitter.

Cons:

• Limited advanced analytics options.
• No unified social inbox.
• Lacks robust customer support.
• It can feel basic for larger teams.

3. Sprout Social

Sprout Social provides a robust platform for social media management and customer engagement.

Features:

• Advanced analytics and reporting tools.
• Unified social inbox for efficient communication.
• Content publishing and scheduling.
• Social listening for tracking brand mentions.

Pros:

• Comprehensive reporting and insights.
• Excellent customer service and support.
• Social CRM for customer relationship management.
• Scalable for large teams and enterprises.

Cons:

• Expensive for small businesses.
• Learning curve for beginners.
• Limited customization options for reports.
• Some features require additional costs.

4. Zoho Social

Zoho Social offers affordable social media management with CRM integration for businesses.

Features:

• Schedule and publish posts across platforms.
• Built-in CRM integration for lead management.
• Social listening and monitoring.
• Custom reports and analytics.

Pros:

• Cost-effective and scalable.
• Seamless integration with Zoho products.
• Offers team collaboration tools.
• User-friendly interface.

Cons:

• Limited advanced analytics compared to competitors.
• Restricted customization for scheduling options.
• Some integrations are paid add-ons.
• It may feel basic for large-scale enterprises.

5. Agorapulse

Agorapulse combines publishing, monitoring, and analytics in one user-friendly tool.

Features:

• Unified social inbox for streamlined communication.
• Social media scheduling and publishing.
• Competitor analysis and reporting.
• Social listening and monitoring.

Pros:

• A comprehensive suite of features in one platform.
• Offers free tools like social barometer reports.
• Ideal for team collaboration.
• Excellent customer support.

Cons:

• Pricing can be high for small businesses.
• The mobile app lacks some functionality.
• Advanced features require higher-tier plans.
• Learning curve for new users.

6. SocialBee

SocialBee is a content-focused tool that helps manage and schedule social posts with ease.

Features:

• Content categories for better organization.
• Advanced scheduling and recycling options.
• Built-in URL shortener and tracking.
• Collaboration tools for team workflows.

Pros:

• Affordable and user-friendly interface.
• Excellent content recycling features.
• Supports multiple platforms, including LinkedIn and Pinterest.
• Great for managing content-heavy strategies.

Cons:

• Lacks advanced analytics.
• No dedicated social inbox.
• Limited integration options.
• Small learning curve for new users.

7. Later

Later is a visual-first social media tool, ideal for managing Instagram content.

Features:

• Drag-and-drop visual content calendar.
• Instagram-focused tools like Linkin.bio.
• Media library for organizing assets.
• Analytics for tracking Instagram performance.

Pros:

• Excellent for visually-driven social media.
• Affordable for small businesses.
• Easy-to-use interface with tutorials.
• Supports multiple platforms, including TikTok and Pinterest.

Cons:

• Limited features for non-Instagram platforms.
• No unified social inbox.
• Analytics are basic on lower plans.
• Restricted functionality in the free plan.

8. Sendible

Sendible is an all-in-one platform tailored for agencies managing multiple clients.

Features:

• Multi-client social media management.
• Social listening and monitoring tools.
• Advanced analytics and reporting.
• Integration with blogging platforms like WordPress.

Pros:

• Ideal for agencies handling multiple accounts.
• Strong customization options for reporting.
• Excellent integrations with third-party tools.
• Unified inbox for better communication.

Cons:

• Expensive for individual users or small teams.
• Steeper learning curve.
• Mobile apps could be improved.
• Some advanced features require higher-tier plans.

9. Loomly

Loomly is a brand-centric tool for content creation and social media management.

Features:

• Content ideas and inspiration tools.
• Calendar-based post-scheduling.
• Approval workflows for teams.
• Basic analytics and reporting.

Pros:

• Simple and intuitive interface.
• Affordable pricing plans.
• Great for collaborative workflows.
• Content suggestions based on trends.

Cons:

• Lacks advanced social listening features.
• Basic analytics may not suit large businesses.
• No unified inbox.
• Limited integrations compared to competitors.

10. eClincher

eClincher is a comprehensive tool for social media management with advanced features for businesses.

Features:

• Unified social inbox and scheduling.
• Social listening and analytics tools.
• Auto-posting with RSS feeds.
• Media library for asset management.

Pros:

• Powerful features in a single platform.
• Excellent customer support.
• Great for team collaboration.
• Advanced automation options.

Cons:

• Expensive for small teams or solo users.
• Complex interface for beginners.
• Requires time to master advanced tools.
• Mobile apps could be more robust.

Actionable Steps for Transitioning from Hootsuite to an Alternative

After you finally decide that you want to transition from Hootsuite to another social media management tool, you have to consider the following steps to make it a seamless process with proper planning and execution.

Here is a step-by-step guide to ensure a smooth transition to any alternative of your choice:

I. Evaluate Your Needs and Goals

Just before you make that transition, consider why you’re switching from Hootsuite and what features you need in a Hootsuite alternative. Consider factors like:

• Budget: Know how much you can spend on a new tool.
• Features: You’ll want to focus on features like advanced analytics, bulk scheduling, or team collaboration.
• Platform compatibility: Make sure your new tool covers all your active social platforms.

Write down your objectives, such as ease of use, cutting costs, or better analytics. This clarity will enable you to select a proper alternative.

II. Research and Compare Alternatives

Find the Hootsuite alternatives that best fit your needs. Some popular tools are Buffer, Sprout Social, Later, and Zoho Social. Research key aspects such as:

• Plans and pricing models.
• Looking at user reviews to assess reliability and ease of use
• Connect with existing tools, such as your CRM or email marketing platforms.

Pencil down your needs and create a comparison chart of the tools.

III. Test the New Platform

Most social media management solutions come with a free trial or demo version. Look for the features, UX, Performance, etc, and try to play around with it. During this phase:

• Experiment with scheduling posts
• Test analytics reports and track engagement
• Evaluate the ease of collaboration

By testing, you can ensure the new tool fits your workflow before fully committing.

IV. Export Your Data from Hootsuite

Make a backup of some important data before canceling your Hootsuite subscription. To do this:

• Export scheduled posts: Download your content calendar for indefinite access.
• Archive analytics: Early identifiers, historical performance tiles, and reports that can be stored for later use.
• Store team settings: Record all permissions, end user roles, and workflows to set them up in the new tool.

V. Set Up Your New Tool

After you’ve chosen an alternative, configure it by:

• Linking all your social media accounts.
• Import your content calendar or build a new posting schedule.
• Setting up date/time zones, notifications, user roles, etc. for your team members

You are now charged with getting to know the dashboard and features.

VI. Train Your Team

Training your team is always a necessary step to ensure that all of the employees are on board and feel comfortable with the new tool. You need to organize a training session or share tutorials to help them understand the features of the alternate platforms.

VII. Monitor and Optimize

After you complete the transition, you need to monitor the performance of the tool for a few weeks. The first option you choose may not always be the best one available to you, so you need to keep a close eye and which factors are performing well and what needs to be remedied.

Pay attention to:

• Scheduling and publishing efficiency
• Analytics accuracy
• User experience for your team.

VIII. Cancel Hootsuite Subscription

After you have transitioned to another alternative and ensured that it is the best option for you can then cancel your Hootsuite subscription to avoid unnecessary charges.

Confirm the cancellation and retain any receipts or documents for reference.

Conclusion

Hootsuite is a classic social media management tool, but it is not your only option. Based on your needs, budget, and the services features to be used, there are multiple great alternatives for this which can enhance your workflow and streamline your social media strategy.

Platforms with robust features like Buffer, Sprout Social, and Zoho Social exist, while niche tools for requirements like content categorization or visual scheduling (e.g., SocialBee, Later) also thrive.

From a small business that needs more cost-effective options to an agency with multiple clients or a content-heavy brand that simply needs more robust analytics — there’s a Hootsuite alternative for your goals.

From evaluating your needs, testing the platforms and transitioning seamlessly, your perfect tool is out there for taking your social media presence and getting tangible results.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why should I consider alternatives to Hootsuite?

Hootsuite is a great social media management tool, but it comes with a price and may not offer features that suit your business needs or the kind of interface that you are looking for. These alternatives tend to offer lower pricing and better features, and you may be able to access a better interface for your site.

What are the most important criteria to look for in a Hootsuite alternative?

They may include things like cost, feature set (such as scheduling, analytics, social listening, and automation), user experience, tools for collaboration within teams, and customer support. Evaluate what your business needs before you select a platform.

Which Hootsuite alternative is best for small businesses?

Small businesses will find Buffer and Zoho Social to be good options. They provide low-cost pricing plans, user-friendly interfaces, and basic functions such as scheduling, analytics, and team collaboration.

Can I use multiple social media management tools simultaneously?

Yes, you can. Most businesses use multiple tools to manage the different parts of the social media strategy. For example, Later could be used for Instagram visuals and Agorapulse for analytics and social listening.

Is it easy to switch from Hootsuite to another tool?

Yes, it can be a smooth process as long as you plan ahead. Most of them will let you export at least some data from Hootsuite like scheduled posts and analytics. Most of the platforms will surely provide onboarding support to ease the process of setting up your new account.