Metricool’s base pricing starts at $22/month, but the real cost is almost always higher once you add the platforms most users actually need. LinkedIn adds $5/month. Twitter/X adds $5/month. Separate workspaces for multiple brands add more. A creator managing 5 platforms often ends up paying $35-$50/month , thus not the advertised $22.
If you’re evaluating Metricool alternatives in 2026, this guide covers 10 legitimate options with real pricing, honest feature comparisons, and dedicated sections for the three most-searched direct comparisons: Metricool vs Buffer, Metricool vs Later, and Metricool vs Hootsuite.
Full disclosure: SchedPilot is our own product. We’ve placed it at position 5 where it genuinely fits specific use cases and explain where other tools are better choices. However our tool itself is one of the most affordable tools, a more affordable Buffer alternative if you wish, and we think along with the support we have, and ability to implement custom request features you might have, we are the best fit for small and medium social media marketing agencies.
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Table of contents
- Quick comparison: 10 Metricool alternatives at a glance
- Why users switch from Metricool in 2026
- The 10 best Metricool alternatives
- Metricool vs Buffer: detailed comparison
- Metricool vs Later: detailed comparison
- Metricool vs Hootsuite: detailed comparison
- Which Metricool alternative should you pick?
- How to migrate from Metricool
- Frequently Asked Questions
Quick comparison: 10 Metricool alternatives at a glance
| Tool | Starts at | Best for | Free plan? | Key strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buffer | $6/channel/mo | Solo users, simple scheduling | Yes (3 channels) | Simplest UI |
| Later | $16.67/mo | Visual-first planning (Instagram) | Yes (limited) | Visual Instagram grid |
| Hootsuite | $149/mo | Enterprise with listening needs | 30-day trial | Most features |
| Agorapulse | $49/user/mo | Social customer service teams | 30-day trial | Best unified inbox |
| SchedPilot | $9/mo | Multi-platform at low price | Free trial | No per-platform fees |
| SocialPilot | $30/mo | Growing agencies | 14-day trial | 10 accounts included |
| Sendible | $29/mo | Small-mid agencies | 14-day trial | White-label reports |
| Statusbrew | $89/mo | Agencies needing automation | Free plan | Approval workflows |
| Planable | $39/user/mo | Client approval workflows | Free (50 posts) | Best approval flow |
| Loomly | $42/mo | Small marketing teams | 15-day trial | Content planning |
Why users switch from Metricool in 2026
Before the list: knowing why you’re switching helps narrow down which alternative fits. The five most common reasons users leave Metricool:
The advertised price isn’t the real price. Metricool’s $22/month Starter plan excludes LinkedIn and Twitter/X (both $5/month add-ons each). Most marketing teams need at least these two platforms, so actual monthly cost is $32 minimum — and that’s for a single brand.
Feature gaps in core areas. Metricool’s scheduling works well, but the unified inbox is weaker than Agorapulse, the analytics are lighter than Hootsuite, and the team collaboration features trail Planable. Users often realize they’re paying for a “jack of all trades” when they really need a specialist.
Slow customer support. Multiple Reddit threads cite Metricool support taking 3-7 days to respond to billing or feature issues. At the $20-$50/month price point, this is acceptable — but frustrating for agencies on deadlines.
UI can feel dated. Metricool’s interface hasn’t had a major redesign in years. Newer tools (Planable, Buffer’s 2024 update) feel more modern.
Add-on hell. Beyond LinkedIn and Twitter, Metricool charges for competitor tracking add-ons, extra brand slots, and analytics expansions. Users comparing the bill to alternatives often find a flat-priced tool costs less total even at similar feature levels.
If any of those hit home, the right alternative below addresses that specific frustration.
The 10 best Metricool alternatives in 2026
1. Buffer — best for solo users with simple needs
Buffer is the closest direct competitor to Metricool for individuals and small teams. Similar feature set, cleaner pricing, significantly simpler interface.
What I like: Per-channel pricing rewards multi-platform users ($6/channel vs Metricool’s platform add-ons). Free plan covers 3 channels (Metricool’s free is more limited). Cleaner UI than Metricool. Mobile app is among the best in the category.
What frustrates me: Analytics depth is less than Metricool’s. No social listening (Metricool has some). Team features require jump to higher tier.
Pricing: Free (3 channels). Paid plans from $6/channel/month Essentials, $12/channel/month Team, $120/month Agency (10 channels).
Best for: Solo creators and small teams who want simple scheduling without Metricool’s add-on complexity.
Skip if: You need social listening, competitor tracking, or deep analytics — Buffer is intentionally minimal here.
See the detailed head-to-head in the Metricool vs Buffer section below.
2. Later — best for visual-first creators
Later is purpose-built for Instagram-heavy and visual creators. If your content is driven by how it looks on a grid, Later’s visual planner is genuinely better than Metricool’s.
What I like: The visual planner is the best in the category — you can literally drag-and-drop posts on a mock Instagram grid. Link-in-bio tool (Linkin.bio) is included at all tiers. Strong Instagram analytics.
What frustrates me: Leans heavily on Instagram — Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest support feel secondary. Pricing isn’t always cheaper than Metricool at equivalent feature levels.
Pricing: Free plan (limited). Paid plans from $16.67/month Starter (annual), $30/month Growth, $53.33/month Advanced.
Best for: Instagram-focused brands, visual artists, photographers, e-commerce.
Skip if: You post more to LinkedIn, Twitter, or YouTube than Instagram — Later is Instagram-first by design.
See the detailed head-to-head in the Metricool vs Later section below.
See our Later alternatives guide if Later also feels wrong.
3. Hootsuite — best for enterprise feature parity
Hootsuite is the direct enterprise-feature competitor to Metricool — social listening, analytics, team workflows, enterprise reporting — at enterprise pricing.
What I like: Hootsuite Professional at $149/month includes social listening that Metricool charges extra for. Streams feature lets you monitor custom columns (mentions, keywords, competitors). 200+ integrations.
What frustrates me: Learning curve is real (2-4 hours for initial setup). Dashboard can feel cluttered. Pricing is 5-7× Metricool’s.
Pricing: $149/month Professional (1 user), $399/month Team, $739/month Business, Enterprise custom.
Best for: Agencies and mid-sized teams that need Hootsuite’s feature depth and can justify the price jump.
Skip if: You want simpler tools. Hootsuite matches Metricool’s complexity and adds its own.
See the detailed head-to-head in the Metricool vs Hootsuite section below and our Hootsuite alternatives guide.
4. Agorapulse — best for social customer service
Agorapulse is the right choice when the unified inbox is what you actually need Metricool for. Agorapulse was built around inbox management, not scheduling with inbox bolted on.
What I like: Best-in-class unified inbox. Collision detection prevents two team members from replying to the same comment. CRM-lite features track repeat commenters. Reporting is strong.
What frustrates me: $49/user/month entry is higher than Metricool. Mobile app is missing several desktop features.
Pricing: 30-day trial, then $49/user/month standard.
Best for: Teams doing significant customer service through social (SaaS support, e-commerce with high comment/DM volume).
Skip if: You’re primarily publishing content — Agorapulse is inbox-first.
5. SchedPilot — best for flat-rate multi-platform publishing
Full disclosure: SchedPilot is our own product. Here’s where it genuinely fits as a Metricool alternative and where it doesn’t.
What we built: A scheduler designed for creators and small teams who post to many platforms and want flat, predictable pricing. Upload once, schedule across Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, X, YouTube, Pinterest, Threads, Bluesky, and Facebook. No per-platform add-ons. LinkedIn is included. Twitter is included. Whatever platforms we support, you get all of them for one flat price.
Where SchedPilot fits: You’re leaving Metricool specifically because the add-on pricing is the issue, and your main need is publishing across many platforms rather than analytics or social listening. $5/month flat, regardless of platform count.
Where SchedPilot doesn’t fit: If Metricool’s value to you is the deep analytics or competitor tracking, SchedPilot doesn’t replicate those features. Metricool itself (without LinkedIn/Twitter add-ons) or Hootsuite is closer if analytics depth is critical.
Pricing: Free trial, then $5/month flat.
Best for: Creators and small teams posting across many platforms who want predictable pricing without per-platform add-ons.
Skip if: Advanced analytics or competitor tracking is a hard requirement.
6. SocialPilot — best for growing agencies
SocialPilot is agency-first pricing. The entry tier includes 10 accounts where Metricool caps at fewer.
What I like: Bulk scheduling is the fastest in the category (500 posts from CSV in minutes). White-label reports on most paid plans. 10 accounts at entry tier.
What frustrates me: Analytics depth doesn’t match Metricool. Instagram direct publishing has historically been flaky. Mobile app is secondary.
Pricing: 14-day trial, then $30/month Standard (10 accounts), $50/month Team (20 accounts), $85/month Agency+ (30 accounts).
Best for: Agencies managing 10-50 clients who need bulk scheduling without enterprise pricing.
Skip if: You need deep social listening or enterprise analytics.
7. Sendible — best for small-mid agencies
Sendible is purpose-built for agencies managing 4-25 client accounts.
What I like: Client management features at all paid tiers. White-label reports on Scale and above. Good platform coverage. Fair agency pricing.
What frustrates me: Interface is functional but not visually polished. Smaller team means slower feature velocity.
Pricing: 14-day trial, then $29/month Creator (1 user), $89/month Traction (3 users), $199/month Scale (7 users).
Best for: Agencies with 4-25 clients needing white-label reporting.
Skip if: You’re solo or don’t have external clients.
8. Statusbrew — best for agencies with automation needs
Statusbrew is the underrated option for agencies. Strong publishing, solid analytics, real approval workflows at a fraction of Hootsuite’s price.
What I like: Unified inbox works well. Approval workflows support multiple levels. Automation rules save agency time. Reasonable mid-market pricing.
What frustrates me: Smaller community and fewer tutorials than bigger brands. Lower brand recognition (matters if pitching tools to clients).
Pricing: Free plan (limited). Paid from $89/month Team, $179/month Scale, $269/month Enterprise.
Best for: Agencies wanting automation and workflow features without enterprise pricing.
Skip if: You need deep social listening or complex analytics.
9. Planable — best for client approval workflows
Planable solves the one problem Metricool doesn’t solve well: client approvals. Posts appear exactly as they’ll look live, and clients approve with one click.
What I like: Accurate post previews for every platform. Multi-step approval workflows. Free plan covers 50 posts lifetime. Comments thread directly on posts.
What frustrates me: Analytics are weak. No social listening. Scheduling itself is fine but not differentiated.
Pricing: Free (50 posts lifetime). Paid plans from $39/user/month (Basic), $59/user/month (Pro), $99/user/month (Enterprise).
Best for: Agencies where client approvals are the real friction.
Skip if: You’re solo or approvals aren’t your bottleneck.
10. Loomly — best for content-planning teams
Loomly fills a specific gap: content planning and ideation. If your team spends time brainstorming what to post, Loomly’s content suggestions save real time.
What I like: Content ideas based on trending topics. Good approval workflows. Decent analytics. Fair small-team pricing.
What frustrates me: No social listening. Small community. Some platform integrations feel less polished.
Pricing: 15-day trial, then $42/month Base (2 users), $80/month Standard (6 users), $175/month Advanced (14 users).
Best for: Small marketing teams who need help planning content, not just publishing.
Skip if: You mainly need scheduling.
Metricool vs Buffer: detailed comparison
This is one of the most-searched Metricool comparisons. Here’s the honest head-to-head.
Pricing comparison
| Tier | Metricool | Buffer |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Yes (1 brand, limited platforms) | Yes (3 channels) |
| Entry paid | $22/mo + $5 LinkedIn + $5 Twitter = $32/mo | $6/channel/mo (5 channels = $30/mo) |
| Mid tier | $53/mo (5 brands) | $12/channel/mo Team |
| Agency | $90/mo (15 brands) | $120/mo Agency (10 channels) |
Winner on pure pricing: Roughly tied, but Buffer is more predictable (no add-on surprises).
Feature comparison
| Feature | Metricool | Buffer |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduling | ✅ Good | ✅ Excellent |
| Analytics | ✅ Strong (main selling point) | ⚠️ Basic |
| Social listening | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Competitor tracking | ✅ Included (with add-on) | ❌ No |
| Unified inbox | ⚠️ Basic | ⚠️ Basic |
| Content calendar | ✅ Good | ✅ Excellent |
| Mobile app | ⚠️ Functional | ✅ Best in category |
| Learning curve | ⚠️ Medium | ✅ Low |
| Integrations | ~30 | 25+ |
Who should pick Metricool over Buffer
- You actually use the analytics depth (most users don’t)
- Social listening matters to you
- Competitor tracking is valuable for your use case
- You can tolerate the LinkedIn/Twitter add-on fees
Who should pick Buffer over Metricool
- You primarily need scheduling and will rarely use deep analytics
- You prefer predictable per-channel pricing
- You want a cleaner, simpler interface
- You post to 3 or fewer platforms
The honest verdict: If you’re using less than 40% of Metricool’s features (which most users are), Buffer is simpler and often cheaper. If you genuinely use Metricool’s analytics and listening, stay with Metricool unless the add-on fees are breaking your budget.
Metricool vs Later: detailed comparison
Another major Metricool comparison — especially for Instagram-heavy brands.
Pricing comparison
| Tier | Metricool | Later |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Yes | Yes (limited) |
| Entry paid | $22/mo + add-ons | $16.67/mo Starter (annual) |
| Mid tier | $53/mo | $30/mo Growth |
| Top tier | $90/mo Agency | $53.33/mo Advanced |
Winner on pricing: Later is typically cheaper for equivalent feature levels.
Feature comparison
| Feature | Metricool | Later |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-platform scheduling | ✅ Broad | ⚠️ Instagram-heavy |
| Instagram visual planner | ⚠️ Basic | ✅ Best in category |
| Link-in-bio tool | ❌ Not included | ✅ Linkin.bio included |
| Analytics | ✅ Strong | ⚠️ Instagram-focused |
| Competitor tracking | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Social listening | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| LinkedIn support | ⚠️ Add-on fee | ✅ Included |
| Twitter/X support | ⚠️ Add-on fee | ✅ Included |
Who should pick Metricool over Later
- Non-Instagram platforms are primary for you (Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube)
- You need social listening or competitor tracking
- Analytics depth matters
- You’re willing to pay add-ons for LinkedIn/Twitter
Who should pick Later over Metricool
- Instagram is your primary platform (70%+ of your content)
- Visual planning matters (you plan your grid aesthetic)
- You want a link-in-bio tool included
- You’d rather not pay add-on fees for standard platforms
The honest verdict: For Instagram-first creators, Later wins decisively. For multi-platform brands where Instagram is one of many, Metricool is better — but only if you’re using its analytics and listening features.
Metricool vs Hootsuite: detailed comparison
Finally, the enterprise comparison — Metricool vs Hootsuite.
Pricing comparison
| Tier | Metricool | Hootsuite |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Yes | 30-day trial only |
| Entry paid | $22/mo + add-ons | $149/mo Professional |
| Team | $90/mo Agency | $399/mo Team |
| Enterprise | Custom | $739/mo Business + Enterprise |
Winner on pricing: Metricool is dramatically cheaper (5-7× less).
Feature comparison
| Feature | Metricool | Hootsuite |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduling | ✅ Good | ✅ Excellent |
| Social listening | ✅ Yes | ✅ Industry-leading |
| Analytics | ✅ Strong | ✅ Enterprise-grade |
| Streams (custom monitoring) | ❌ No | ✅ Unique feature |
| Team collaboration | ⚠️ Basic | ✅ Advanced |
| Integrations | ~30 | 200+ |
| Unified inbox | ⚠️ Basic | ✅ Strong |
| Advocacy program | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| White-label reporting | ⚠️ Limited | ✅ Full |
Who should pick Metricool over Hootsuite
- You’re a small-to-mid team on a limited budget
- You don’t need Hootsuite’s enterprise features (Streams, advocacy)
- Your social listening needs are moderate (not real-time brand monitoring)
- You want self-serve pricing
Who should pick Hootsuite over Metricool
- You manage enterprise or mid-market scale (50+ accounts)
- Real-time social listening is critical (crisis management, PR)
- You need deep integrations with existing enterprise software
- Your team has dedicated social media ops staff
- Advocacy programs or Streams features matter
The honest verdict: For 90% of users, Hootsuite is overkill. Metricool does 80% of what Hootsuite does at 20% of the price. Hootsuite is only worth it for genuinely enterprise use cases.
Which Metricool alternative should you pick?
The shortest version:
- Heavy Instagram visual planning: Later
- Simple multi-platform scheduling: Buffer or SchedPilot
- Most Metricool features at lower price: Buffer (simpler) or SocialPilot (agency)
- Enterprise-grade features: Hootsuite
- Social customer service: Agorapulse
- Client approval workflows: Planable
- White-label agency reports: Sendible
- Flat pricing without add-ons: SchedPilot
- Content planning help: Loomly
- Automation-heavy workflows: Statusbrew
The right pick depends on which specific Metricool feature you’re paying for and which one you can live without.
For users who realized they only need publishing (not analytics/listening), the savings are significant — Buffer or SchedPilot cut monthly bills by 50-80% vs Metricool with add-ons.
For a deeper look at Metricool’s actual costs with add-ons, see our Metricool pricing breakdown.
How to migrate from Metricool {#migration}
Migration is straightforward but requires planning to avoid losing data:
1. Export scheduled content. Metricool supports CSV export of scheduled posts. Download all scheduled content before canceling.
2. Export analytics history. Screenshot or PDF-export your most important analytics reports. These don’t re-import to other tools — you’ll start fresh in the new tool’s analytics.
3. Note your brand/workspace configurations. If using multi-brand workspaces, document each brand’s connected accounts and posting times before migration.
4. Set up the new tool in parallel. Don’t cancel Metricool until the new tool is publishing reliably. Use the free trial to verify.
5. Reconnect social accounts via OAuth. Never share social media passwords. Legitimate schedulers use OAuth.
6. Test one week of posts. Schedule 10-20 posts, verify publication on each platform works correctly.
7. Cancel Metricool at billing cycle end. Metricool’s subscriptions are month-to-month, so timing is flexible.
Total migration: 3-7 days for a careful switchover.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the cheapest Metricool alternative?
Buffer free plan ($0 for 3 channels) and SchedPilot ($5/month flat) are the cheapest paid options. Both are significantly cheaper than Metricool’s $22/month starter plus platform add-ons. For users needing analytics comparable to Metricool at a lower price, SocialPilot at $30/month is closest.
Is there a free Metricool alternative?
Yes. Buffer offers a genuine free plan (3 channels, basic scheduling). Planable offers 50 posts lifetime free. Statusbrew has a limited free plan. Later has a free tier. All are free forever (not time-limited trials), with paid upgrades available.
What’s better than Metricool?
“Better” depends on your use case. For Instagram-visual planning: Later. For simple scheduling: Buffer. For enterprise features: Hootsuite. For agencies: SocialPilot or Sendible. For customer service: Agorapulse. For flat pricing without add-ons: SchedPilot. Metricool is a solid all-in-one but loses to specialists in specific use cases.
Which is better: Metricool or Buffer?
Depends on your priority. Metricool has better analytics and includes social listening. Buffer has a simpler interface, better mobile app, and more predictable per-channel pricing. If you actively use Metricool’s analytics, stay with Metricool. If you’re paying for features you don’t use, Buffer is cheaper and simpler.
Which is better: Metricool or Later?
For Instagram-heavy brands, Later is better — the visual planner and included link-in-bio tool are designed for Instagram-first workflows. For multi-platform brands, Metricool is more versatile. Later’s add-on-free pricing is also typically cheaper than Metricool’s Starter + platform fees.
Which is better: Metricool or Hootsuite?
Hootsuite has dramatically more features (Streams, advocacy, 200+ integrations) at 5-7× the price. Metricool covers 80% of what Hootsuite does at 20% of the cost. Only pick Hootsuite if you’re genuinely enterprise-scale and need the advanced features.
Does Metricool have a free plan?
Yes, Metricool offers a free plan with 1 brand and limited platforms. It excludes LinkedIn and Twitter/X (both require paid plans). The free plan works for testing but most users upgrade within weeks due to platform restrictions.
Why is Metricool so expensive?
Metricool’s advertised $22/month Starter isn’t the real cost. Adding LinkedIn ($5), Twitter/X ($5), additional brands ($10-$20), and competitor tracking can push actual monthly cost to $40-$70+. Users often start at $22 and end up paying double within months as they add needed features.
What Metricool alternatives include LinkedIn and Twitter for free?
Buffer, Later, SchedPilot, SocialPilot, Sendible, and Hootsuite all include LinkedIn and Twitter/X at base pricing without add-on fees. This is the main reason users switch — the add-on fees feel unfair when competitors include the same platforms by default.
Can I get a Metricool alternative with better analytics?
Hootsuite has deeper analytics than Metricool. Sprout Social (at $249/month Standard) has the deepest analytics in the category. At lower price points, Metricool’s analytics are actually one of the best — which is why it’s hard to find cheaper alternatives that match them.
What’s the best Metricool alternative for small agencies?
SocialPilot (for 10-50 clients) and Sendible (for 4-25 clients with white-label needs) are the two best fits. Both offer agency-specific features (client management, white-label reports) that Metricool doesn’t include at lower tiers.
Is Metricool worth it in 2026?
For users who actively use its analytics, competitor tracking, and social listening features — yes. For users primarily using it to schedule posts across multiple platforms — probably not, because alternatives like Buffer and SchedPilot do that at significantly lower total cost (especially when accounting for Metricool’s platform add-ons).
Can I migrate my Metricool data to another tool?
Partially. Metricool exports scheduled posts as CSV (most tools support this import). Analytics reports export as PDFs but don’t re-import — you’ll start fresh analytics in the new tool. Brand/workspace configurations need to be manually recreated.
What Metricool competitors are free?
Buffer (3 channels free), Planable (50 posts lifetime free), Statusbrew (limited free plan), Later (limited free tier). Metricool itself has a free plan but with platform restrictions. For truly free ongoing use, Buffer is the most capable option.
Does Metricool have a mobile app?
Yes, Metricool has iOS and Android apps. However, reviews indicate the mobile app is less capable than the web interface and lags in feature updates. Buffer’s mobile app is generally considered the best in the category if mobile usage is critical.
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The bottom line
Metricool is a legitimately good product for users who actively use its analytics and social listening features. For most users — those primarily using it to schedule posts — Metricool is often 2-3× more expensive than it needs to be once add-on fees are included.
The right alternative depends entirely on which Metricool feature you actually need:
- Just scheduling: Buffer or SchedPilot
- Instagram visual planning: Later
- Enterprise features: Hootsuite
- Customer service: Agorapulse
- Agency workflow: SocialPilot or Sendible
- Client approvals: Planable
- Automation: Statusbrew
- Content planning: Loomly
- Flat pricing, no add-ons: SchedPilot
Before renewing Metricool, audit your actual feature usage for one month. If you’re using 2-3 features and paying for 10, one of the alternatives above will save you money while covering the same ground.
If you’re a multi-platform creator and the platform add-on fees are your main frustration, SchedPilot is starting at $9/month for Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, X, YouTube, Pinterest, Threads, Bluesky, and Facebook — no per-platform fees, no per-seat fees. Free trial, no credit card required.
Related reading: our Metricool pricing deep-dive if you want the full breakdown of Metricool’s actual costs with add-ons, our Hootsuite alternatives guide, our Later alternatives guide, and our Buffer vs Hootsuite comparison.
