Head to head

ContentCal vs Tailwind

vs

ContentCal was a well-liked UK content calendar built around planning and approvals. Adobe bought it in December 2021, closed the standalone product on 31 March 2023, and rolled its features into Adobe Express, so it's here for the record rather than as a tool you can buy.

From
Custom
Free plan

Tailwind is a visual-social specialist: it grew up on Pinterest, added Instagram and Facebook, and pairs scheduling with AI that writes posts and designs images. It publishes to just those three networks, runs flat plans from a free tier up to $49.99 a month on annual billing, and ignores X, LinkedIn, and TikTok entirely.

From
$17.99 /mo
Free plan

Bottom line

ContentCal and Tailwind both cover the basics; the right one comes down to how you post.

Features compared

FeatureContentCalTailwind
AI captionsNot assessedYes
Basic analyticsYesYes
Advanced reportsNot assessedYes
Bulk uploadNot assessedYes
Evergreen recyclingNot assessedYes
Team rolesYesYes
ApprovalsYesNo
Link in bioNot assessedYes

Platforms compared

NetworkContentCalTailwind
InstagramAutoAuto
FacebookAutoAuto
X (Twitter)AutoNo
LinkedInAutoNo
TikTokReminderNo
PinterestAutoAuto
Google BusinessAutoNo

Pricing

ContentCal

  • ContentCal was acquired by Adobe in December 2021 and the standalone product closed on 31 March 2023. You can no longer buy it.
  • Its content calendar and scheduling features were folded into Adobe Express as the Content Scheduler, which is reviewed separately.
  • When it ran, ContentCal sold flat monthly plans (a Pro tier and a larger Company tier); those plans no longer exist, so no current pricing applies.

Tailwind

Free Forever

Free
Seats
1
Accounts
1
Scheduled posts
5
  • 1 account, 1 user, 5 posts a month across Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook
  • 5 Tailwind credits and 5 post designs a month
  • Smart.bio link, basic analytics

Pro

$29.99 /mo

$17.99/mo billed annually

Seats
1
Accounts
1
Scheduled posts
150
  • $29.99/mo, $17.99 on annual (save $144/yr)
  • 1 account, 1 user, 150 posts a month
  • 150 Tailwind credits, 200 post designs, advanced analytics, Smart.bio

Advanced

$54.99 /mo

$29.99/mo billed annually

Seats
2
Accounts
2
Scheduled posts
300
  • $54.99/mo, $29.99 on annual (save $300/yr)
  • 2 accounts, 2 users, 300 posts a month
  • 300 Tailwind credits, unlimited post designs, advanced analytics

Max

$99.99 /mo

$49.99/mo billed annually

Seats
5
Accounts
3
Scheduled posts
Unlimited
  • $99.99/mo, $49.99 on annual (save $600/yr)
  • 3 accounts, 5 users, unlimited posts a month
  • 1,000 Tailwind credits, unlimited post designs, advanced analytics
  • Flat, quota-bundled plans: each tier bundles a number of accounts (social profiles), monthly posts, Tailwind credits, and users. Publishing is limited to Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook; there's no X, LinkedIn, TikTok, or YouTube.
  • There's a genuine Free Forever plan (1 account, 5 posts a month) and no separate trial; you upgrade when you outgrow it.
  • Annual billing is steeply discounted, 40% to 50% off, so Pro is $17.99 a month, Advanced $29.99, and Max $49.99.
  • Tailwind Credits power the AI features (Ghostwriter writing and Tailwind Create designs) and refill at about $10 per 100 credits when you run out.
  • Separately, Tailwind sells Pinterest-only products (Pin Scheduling and Creation, Pinterest SEO, Pinterest Engagement) priced per Pinterest account; the plans above are the main multi-network suite. Nonprofits get 50% off.
  • Prices are USD, read off the live pricing page by toggling monthly and annual and cross-checked against current third-party listings.

Pros and cons

ContentCal

  • Clean, approachable content calendar and content hub
  • Strong, simple approval workflows
  • Good team and client collaboration
  • Discontinued on 31 March 2023; no longer sold
  • Folded into Adobe Express, with a different shape and focus
  • Existing comparisons that still list it are out of date

Tailwind

  • Best-in-class for Pinterest, with SmartSchedule, SmartLoop, and Communities
  • AI that both writes posts (Ghostwriter) and designs images (Tailwind Create)
  • Instagram feed planner and Smart.bio link-in-bio built in
  • Genuine free plan and steep annual discounts
  • Only publishes to Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook
  • AI features are metered by credits that cost extra to top up
  • No social inbox or approval workflows
  • Not built for agencies or client management

ContentCal vs Tailwind: FAQ

Is ContentCal or Tailwind cheaper?
Tailwind starts at $17.99 per month, while ContentCal is quoted custom, so Tailwind is the one with a public entry price.
Does ContentCal or Tailwind have a free plan?
Tailwind has a free plan; ContentCal does not.
Which is better, ContentCal or Tailwind?
ContentCal is the stronger pick for most people, while Tailwind is the better fit for Pinterest and Instagram creators and small businesses. We don't score them; the right call comes down to how you post.