The social media schedulers, compared
We sign up, pay, and use these tools, then write down what holds up: what they cost, where they post, the features that work, and the kind of person each one suits.
9 tools reviewed · last updated 4 June 2026
Where to start
Three schedulers to start with.
Full comparison
Sorted alphabetically. Switch tools off to compare a shortlist side by side.
Compare:
| Tool | From | Networks | AI captions | Basic analytics | Advanced reports | Bulk upload | Evergreen recycling | Team roles | Approvals | Link in bio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BufferFree plan available | $5per channel / mo | 11 | Yes | Yes | Partial | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| HootsuiteNo free plan | $99per user / mo | 9 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| LaterFree plan available | $18.75per social set / mo | 8 | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| MetricoolFree plan available | $20by brand count | 11 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Partial | Partial | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| PlanableFree plan available | $33per workspace / mo | 9 | Yes | Yes | Partial | Yes | Partial | Yes | Yes | No |
| PublerFree plan available | $12per social account | 13 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| RellaNo free plan | $24per member / mo | 8 | Yes | Partial | Not assessed | Partial | Not assessed | Yes | Yes | No |
| SocialBeeNo free plan | $29per month | 12 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Sprout SocialNo free plan | $79per user / mo | 11 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Common questions about social media schedulers
- Which social media scheduler is best?
- It depends on what you're running. The cheapest pick for one or two channels, the one with a free plan worth keeping, and the right tool for an agency are all different. We lay them out on the same facts so you can match one to your own situation.
- Is there a good free social media scheduler?
- Yes. Buffer, Later, Metricool, Planable, and Publer all have a free plan, which is enough to schedule a handful of posts across a few accounts. They get tight on limits as you grow, and that's usually the point you start paying.
- How much do social media schedulers cost?
- Paid plans start around $5 a month at the low end and climb from there depending on how many channels, seats, or clients you run. A few tools price per channel, others per seat or per brand, so two "$10 plans" can bill very differently. Each review spells out the unit so the numbers compare like for like.
- Do posts publish automatically, or do you get a reminder to post?
- For most networks the scheduler publishes on its own at the time you set. Instagram and TikTok have historically been the awkward ones: many tools now post to them directly through the official APIs, but a few still send a phone reminder for certain formats like Stories. Each review notes which networks publish directly and which lean on a reminder.
- How often are these reviews updated?
- We re-check pricing and features regularly, because both move often in this category. The current set was last updated in June 2026, and every review and price carries the date it was verified so you can see how fresh it is.