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Cheaper alternatives to Hootsuite
Updated September 30, 2026 · Researched by the SaveStack team
On this page: Shortlist · Quick comparison · FAQ
The shortlist
BufferBest valueFree plan
Simple social media scheduling tool; free plan covers a few channels with basic scheduling.
- Generous free tier
- Very easy to use
- Clean analytics on paid plans.
- Free plan limits channels and scheduled posts
- No social listening or deep team workflows like Hootsuite.
SocialPilot
Social media management for small teams/agencies with bulk scheduling and client management.
- Far cheaper than Hootsuite
- Bulk scheduling and white-label reports
- Supports all major networks.
- UI less refined
- Social inbox and listening weaker than Hootsuite.
Publer
Social scheduler with recycling, bulk scheduling and link-in-bio; usable free tier.
- Free plan is genuinely useful
- Post recycling and bulk CSV scheduling
- Supports many networks.
- Analytics and team features are paid
- No social listening.
Metricool
Social media scheduler plus analytics and ad reporting; free plan for basic use.
- Free tier includes analytics dashboards
- Supports ads reporting
- Clean UI.
- Free plan limits profiles and scheduled posts
- No listening/inbox depth.
Zoho Social
Zoho's social media management tool with scheduling, monitoring and team collaboration.
- Cheap paid tier
- Integrates with Zoho CRM and other Zoho apps
- Decent scheduling/monitoring.
- Fewer third-party integrations outside Zoho
- Analytics less deep than Hootsuite.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Starting price | Free plan | You save | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hootsuite (the expensive one) | $99/user/month | — | — | Teams that need every bell and whistle |
| Buffer | Free plan ($0) | Yes | Save $1,188/year | Individuals/small teams who just need reliable post scheduling for free. |
| SocialPilot | $30/mo ($360/yr, Starter) | — | Save $828/year | Agencies managing multiple client accounts on a budget. |
| Publer | Free plan ($0) | Yes | Save $1,188/year | Creators who want advanced scheduling features without paying. |
| Metricool | Free plan ($0) | Yes | Save $1,188/year | Users who want scheduling + analytics in one free tool. |
| Zoho Social | $15/mo ($180/yr, Standard) | — | Save $1,008/year | Businesses already in the Zoho ecosystem. |
Pricing sources: each vendor's official pricing page, last checked September 30, 2026.
FAQ
Why switch away from Hootsuite? It usually comes down to price. Most teams use a fraction of what Hootsuite offers, so the full subscription is hard to justify. For Hootsuite specifically, switching to Buffer saves $1,188/year versus Hootsuite's sticker price.
Are cheaper tools worse? Rarely, for the basics. The cheaper tools on this page handle the same day-to-day workflow — what you lose is usually the enterprise layer: SSO, audit logs, or white-glove support. The trade-offs are listed under each alternative.
Can I switch back later? Absolutely. Nearly every alternative here offers a free plan or trial, so you can run it alongside Hootsuite before cancelling.
Prices checked September 30, 2026 and may have changed. We may earn a commission if you buy through links on this page.