Disclosure: Some links on this page are affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you make a purchase through these links, at no extra cost to you. This helps support our work in maintaining this directory.
Sarah Chen
Editor-in-Chief
Sarah Chen, Editor-in-Chief
Hootsuite scores 3.8/5 — a capable tool for social media scheduling. Supports all major social platforms. However, expensive compared to newer competitors, which matters at $99/mo.
About Hootsuite
Hootsuite pioneered social media management and remains one of the most widely used platforms for scheduling, monitoring, and analyzing social media activity across multiple networks.
Professional ($99/month) includes 1 user, 10 social accounts, and unlimited scheduling. Team ($249/month) adds 3 users, 20 accounts, and team features. Enterprise (custom) includes unlimited users and advanced features.
The core workflow: compose posts, preview how they'll look on each platform, schedule for optimal times, and track performance. The content calendar provides a visual overview of planned posts across all channels.
OwlyWriter AI generates social media captions, repurposes top-performing content, and suggests post ideas based on trending topics. It's a practical time-saver for content creation.
Social listening monitors brand mentions, competitors, and industry keywords across social networks. The analytics dashboard tracks follower growth, engagement rates, click-through rates, and ROI across campaigns.
For solo founders managing multiple social accounts, Hootsuite's $99/month price tag is steep. Buffer ($6/channel/month) or Later (free for basic use) offer better value for individual users. Hootsuite's strengths emerge with team collaboration and enterprise features.
Limitations: the discontinuation of the free plan disappointed many users, pricing is significantly higher than newer competitors, and the interface hasn't kept pace with modern design trends.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- +Supports all major social platforms
- +Good analytics and reporting
- +Established and reliable
- +Team collaboration features
Cons
- -Expensive compared to newer competitors
- -Free plan was discontinued
- -Interface feels dated
- -Limited on lower-tier plans
Best For
- ▶Social media scheduling
- ▶Brand monitoring
- ▶Social analytics
- ▶Team social media management
- ▶Campaign tracking
Key Features
Alternatives to Hootsuite
Social media scheduling and analytics for small teams.
Premium social media management with deep analytics
Visual social media scheduling for Instagram and beyond
Compare Hootsuite
How We Evaluate Tools
Our editorial team tests and reviews each tool based on features, pricing, ease of use, integration ecosystem, and real user feedback. Ratings reflect our independent assessment and are not influenced by affiliate partnerships. Learn more about our process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hootsuite free?
Hootsuite is a paid tool. A free trial may be available. Professional: $99/month (1 user, 10 accounts). Team: $249/month (3 users, 20 accounts). Enterprise: custom.
What are the best alternatives to Hootsuite?
The best alternatives to Hootsuite include Buffer, Sprout Social, Later. Each offers similar functionality with different strengths in features, pricing, and ease of use. Visit our alternatives page for detailed comparisons.
What is Hootsuite used for?
Social media management and scheduling platform Common use cases include: Social media scheduling, Brand monitoring, Social analytics, Team social media management, Campaign tracking.