Digital marketing agencies have a plethora of tools at their disposal to manage and optimize content across various platforms. While Hootsuite has been a longstanding player in social media management, several alternatives offer features that may better align with the evolving needs of content marketers and agencies.
Why Consider Hootsuite Alternatives?
Hootsuite provides a platform for social media management; however, certain limitations might prompt agencies to explore other options:
- Limited collaboration tools: The platform's collaboration features are not as strong as some competitors, missing a centralized in-app media library for storing assets.
- Approval workflow restrictions: Approval features are only available on higher-tier plans, so teams on lower-tier subscriptions or trials can't use them.
- Complex pricing structure: Hootsuite's pricing can be expensive, especially for small to medium-sized agencies as they grow.
- User interface challenges: Navigating through many menu layers can slow down efficiency, especially when accessing frequently used features.
Key Features to Look For in Hootsuite Alternatives
When evaluating alternatives, consider tools that offer:
- Unified content calendar for all campaigns and channels
- AI content generation
- Content publishing tools and distribution tools
- Content promotion via email and social media
- Social media management tools
- Employee advocacy management
- Content optimization
- Crystal-clear content analytics tools
- Collaborative marketing features
- Content approval automation
- Managed access for writers, editors, and publishers
StoryChief eliminates the need for various tools by bringing SEO, writing, reviewing, publishing, and promotion together in one beautiful platform. Start your free plan now!
Top Hootsuite Alternatives for 2025
Here are some noteworthy alternatives to Hootsuite, each offering unique features tailored to the needs of content marketers and agencies:
1. Hootsuite alternative #1: StoryChief
StoryChief is a content marketing platform designed to streamline content creation, collaboration, distribution, and reporting across multiple channels.
Key Features:
- Real-time collaboration simplifies teamwork for distributed teams.
- Campaign management helps plan and track campaigns across platforms.
- Multi-channel publishing supports content distribution to WordPress, Medium, Blogger, etc.
- SEO and readability tools offer real-time optimization tips for better performance.
- Integrates with over 1,000 tools like CMS platforms, social media, email marketing services, and CRMs.
- Workflow automation reduces manual tasks and boosts efficiency.
- Provides insights into engagement and campaign performance on websites and social media.
- Build custom content and social media strategies for clients using their URLs.
- Receive content ideas based on industry trends and keywords.
Pros:
- Seamless collaboration with team members and clients.
- Robust approval workflows to ensure content quality.
- Integrated SEO optimization tools to enhance content visibility.
Ideal For: Agencies seeking an all-in-one content marketing solution with strong collaboration and multi-channel distribution capabilities.
Don't let disorganization and missed deadlines hold you back. Bring content creation, collaboration, optimization, planning and scheduling together into one tool. Start planning your content today.
2. Hootsuite alternative #2: Planable
Planable focuses on enhancing team collaboration for social media content creation and approval processes.
Key Features:
- Real-time collaboration: Teams can create, review, and approve content together in real-time.
- Visual content calendar: A drag-and-drop calendar that provides a clear overview of scheduled posts.
- Approval workflows: Customizable approval processes to ensure content meets brand standards.
Pros:
- User-friendly interface that simplifies the content creation process.
- Facilitates efficient team collaboration and feedback.
- Supports multiple media types, including images and videos.
Cons:
- Primarily focused on social media content; may lack features for broader content marketing needs.
Ideal For: Teams that prioritize collaborative social media content creation and require streamlined approval workflows.
3. Hootsuite alternative #3: Buffer
Buffer is one of the most popular Hootsuite alternatives. Buffer is a versatile social media management tool trusted by agencies worldwide. It allows for easy content scheduling, engagement tracking, and in-depth analytics. Buffer's clean and intuitive design simplifies the social media management process, making it a go-to choice for agencies aiming for efficiency and effectiveness.
Key Features:
- Social media scheduling: Plan and publish posts across various social platforms.
- Analytics and reporting: Track post performance and gain insights into audience engagement.
- Team collaboration: Collaborate with team members with defined user roles and permissions.
Pros:
- Intuitive and user-friendly design.
- Affordable pricing options suitable for small to medium-sized businesses.
- Responsive customer support.
Cons:
- Limited features compared to more comprehensive platforms.
- Advanced analytics and reporting require higher-tier plans.
Ideal For: Small to medium-sized businesses seeking a simple and effective tool for social media scheduling and basic analytics.
Related article: 20 Best Social Media Management Tools for 2025
StoryChief eliminates the need for various tools by bringing SEO, writing, reviewing, publishing, and promotion together in one beautiful platform. Start your free plan now!
4. Hootsuite alternative #4: Agorapulse
Agorapulse simplifies social media management with its intuitive interface and comprehensive suite of tools. It provides scheduling, monitoring, and reporting features, as well as team collaboration options, making it an ideal choice for agencies working on collaborative projects.
Key Features:
- Social inbox: Manage all social media messages, comments, and mentions in one place.
- Social listening: Monitor brand mentions and relevant keywords across social platforms.
- Reporting: Generate detailed reports to analyze social media performance.
Pros:
- Efficiently manages social interactions with the unified inbox.
- Provides valuable insights through social listening features.
- Offers white-label reporting for agencies.
Cons:
- Pricing can be higher compared to other tools with similar features.
- Some users report a learning curve when navigating the platform.
Ideal For: Agencies and businesses that require comprehensive social media management features, including social listening and detailed reporting.
5. Hootsuite alternative #5: Sendible
Sendible is a versatile social media management platform tailored to the needs of agencies. It offers scheduling, monitoring, and reporting features along with white-label options, making it a great choice for agencies aiming to provide branded social media services to clients.
Key Features:
- Customizable dashboards: Create personalized dashboards to monitor client accounts effectively.
- Content suggestions: Receive content ideas based on industry trends and keywords.
- Robust scheduling: Schedule posts across various social platforms with optimal timing.
Pros:
- Scalable pricing plans suitable for growing agencies.
- White-label options available for client-facing reports.
6. Hootsuite alternative #6: Sprout Social
Sprout Social offers a powerful suite of social media management and analytics tools designed to enhance agency performance. It facilitates content scheduling, social monitoring, and in-depth reporting, all while providing valuable insights into audience behavior. Agencies can make data-driven decisions and optimize their social media strategies with Sprout Social.
Key Features:
- Analytics and reporting: Access in-depth reports to measure performance and inform strategy.
- Social listening: Monitor brand mentions and industry trends to stay ahead of the curve.
- Unified inbox: Manage all social media interactions from a single, streamlined inbox.
Pros:
- Intuitive user interface that simplifies social media management.
- Comprehensive analytics provide valuable insights.
- Strong customer support with responsive assistance.
Cons:
- Higher price point compared to some competitors.
- Limited customization options for reports.
Ideal For: Medium to large agencies seeking a robust, all-in-one social media management solution with strong analytics capabilities.
7. Hootsuite alternative #7: ContentStudio
ContentStudio is an all-in-one content marketing and social media management platform designed to streamline content discovery, planning, publishing, and analysis.
Key Features:
- Content discovery: Find trending content in your niche to share with your audience.
- Content calendar: Plan and organize your content strategy with a visual calendar.
- Automation: Automate your social media posting to maintain consistent engagement.
- Analytics: Measure the performance of your social media content across various platforms.
Pros:
- Comprehensive toolset for content marketing and social media management.
- User-friendly interface with a minimal learning curve.
- Affordable pricing plans suitable for various budgets.
Cons:
- Occasional delays in content publishing.
- Limited integrations compared to some competitors.
Ideal For: Small to medium-sized agencies looking for an affordable, user-friendly content marketing and social media management tool.
8. Hootsuite alternative #8: Later
Later is also considered one of the most popular Hootsuite alternatives. Later is a visual social media scheduling platform, particularly popular for Instagram, that focuses on simplifying the planning and publishing of visual content.
Key Features:
- Visual content calendar: Drag and drop images to plan your social media posts visually.
- Media library: Organize and store your visual assets for easy access.
- Analytics: Track your social media performance with platform-specific insights.
- Linkin.bio: Create a clickable, shoppable Instagram feed to drive traffic.
Pros:
- Intuitive visual scheduling interface.
- Affordable pricing with a free plan available.
- Specialized features for Instagram marketing.
Cons:
- Limited features for platforms outside of Instagram.
- Lacks advanced analytics compared to some competitors.
Ideal For: Individuals and small agencies focusing primarily on visual content, especially for Instagram.
9. Hootsuite alternative #9: CoSchedule
CoSchedule is not just a social media management tool but also an all-in-one marketing calendar and content marketing platform. It enables agencies to plan, execute, and analyze their entire marketing strategy, making it a comprehensive choice for agencies with diverse marketing needs.
Key Features:
- Marketing calendar: Plan, schedule, and execute all your marketing projects in one place.
- Task management: Assign tasks, set deadlines, and track progress to ensure timely project completion.
- Social media scheduling: Plan and automate your social media posts across multiple platforms.
- ReQueue: Automatically fill gaps in your social schedule with your best-performing content.
Pros:
- Integrates content planning and project management.
- User-friendly interface with drag-and-drop functionality.
- Helps maintain a consistent social media presence with ReQueue.
Cons:
- Limited social media listening and engagement features.
- Advanced features may require higher-priced plans.
Ideal For: Marketing teams seeking an integrated solution for content planning, project management, and social media scheduling.
Related article: Top 10 CoSchedule Alternatives for Content Marketers and Agencies
10. Hootsuite alternative #10: Statusbrew
Statusbrew is a comprehensive social media management platform that offers robust features for publishing, engagement, and analytics. It's designed to cater to the needs of agencies and enterprises managing multiple clients and social accounts.
Top features:
- Engagement inbox: Manage and respond to all social conversations from a centralized inbox.
- Team collaboration: Facilitates seamless collaboration with features like approval workflows and role-based access.
- Comprehensive analytics: Offers detailed reports to measure performance and inform strategy.
Who it’s for: Suitable for agencies and enterprises seeking a scalable solution for comprehensive social media management.
Final Thoughts: Choosing The Best Hootsuite Alternatives
Selecting the right social media management tool is crucial for the efficiency and success of your agency.
While Hootsuite has been a longstanding player in the market, the alternatives discussed offer unique features and advantages that may better align with your specific needs and budget.
Whether you prioritize advanced analytics, seamless collaboration, automation, or visual content planning, there's a tool tailored for you.
Free tool: Analyze your target audience, brand voice, content pillars and competitors. Try it now.
Keep reading:
