Head to head

ContentCal vs Threads scheduling

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

Threads scheduling, as a native capability, is still thin. Meta has been adding a basic schedule option in the app and opened a Threads API so third-party tools can queue posts, but there's no full-featured native scheduler, so most people schedule Threads through a cross-network tool.

From
Custom
Free plan

Bottom line

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

Features compared

FeatureContentCalThreads scheduling
AI captionsNot assessedNot assessed
Basic analyticsYesYes
Advanced reportsNot assessedNo
Bulk uploadNot assessedNo
Evergreen recyclingNot assessedNo
Team rolesYesNot assessed
ApprovalsYesNot assessed
Link in bioNot assessedNot assessed

Platforms compared

NetworkContentCalThreads scheduling
InstagramAutoNo
FacebookAutoNo
X (Twitter)AutoNo
LinkedInAutoNo
TikTokReminderNo
PinterestAutoNo
ThreadsNoAuto
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.

Threads scheduling

Free

Free
Seats
1
Accounts
1
  • Free, within the Threads app and via the Threads API
  • A basic native scheduling option, rolling out and limited
  • Third-party schedulers can publish to Threads through the API
  • There's no product to buy here. Threads itself has been adding a basic native scheduling option in the app, and Meta's Threads API lets approved third-party tools (Buffer, Hootsuite, and others) publish to Threads on a schedule.
  • The Threads API has no true scheduled-publish field, so third-party tools hold the post and publish it at the chosen time rather than handing Threads a future timestamp.
  • Native scheduling availability is uneven and rolling out, which is why most people schedule Threads through a dedicated cross-network tool instead.

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

Threads scheduling

  • Free, and native where it's available
  • Threads API lets established schedulers publish for you
  • Native chained posts and drafts
  • Threads' own insights in the app
  • Native scheduling is basic and rolling out unevenly
  • No calendar, bulk scheduling, or recycling
  • The API has no true scheduled-publish field
  • Threads only; serious scheduling means a third-party tool

ContentCal vs Threads scheduling: FAQ

Is ContentCal or Threads scheduling cheaper?
Both ContentCal and Threads scheduling are quoted custom, so you have to ask each one for a price.
Does ContentCal or Threads scheduling have a free plan?
Threads scheduling has a free plan; ContentCal does not.
Which is better, ContentCal or Threads scheduling?
ContentCal is the stronger pick for most people, while Threads scheduling is the better fit for anyone who just wants to queue the occasional Threads post in-app. We don't score them; the right call comes down to how you post.