Skip to content
ToolGPA

Alternatives · Social Media

Later alternatives

Later compared with 8 alternatives: Buffer, Hootsuite, Sprout Social, Planable, Metricool and 3 more.

Later is a paid product with a free trial, starting at $18.75 per month for up to 8 social profiles, billed annually. 3 of the 8 alternatives are free or have a free plan. 5 more offer a free trial.

8 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 17, 2026 · Where the facts come from

At a glance

ToolPriceFree planRuns on
LaterThis toolFree trial · from $18.75/moTrial onlyWeb, iOS, Android, Browser extension
BufferFree plan · from $5/moYesWeb, iOS, Android, Browser extension
HootsuiteFree trial · from $99/moTrial onlyWeb, iOS, Android
Sprout SocialFree trial · from $79/moTrial onlyWeb, iOS, Android
PlanableFree trial · from $33/moTrial onlyWeb, iOS, Android
MetricoolFree plan · from $20/moYesWeb, iOS, Android
IconosquareFree plan · from €9/moYesWeb, iOS, Android
Sked SocialFree trial · from $58/moTrial onlyWeb, iOS, Android
TailwindFree trial · from $17.99/moTrial onlyWeb, Browser extension

Price against what you get

Later starts at $18.75 a month and scores 2.7 out of 4 on features, ease of use and platforms. 1 of the 8 alternatives on this chart scores higher and starts lower: Buffer.

Hootsuite scores higher without starting lower. Iconosquare and Tailwind start lower without scoring higher.

Features, ease of use and platforms, averaged

C2.0B3.0A4.0$2$5$10$20$50$100More for lessCosts more, scores moreCosts less, scores lessCosts more, scores lessLaterBufferHootsuiteSprout SocialPlanableMetricoolIconosquareSked SocialTailwind

What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →

  • The best score at each price
  • Has a free plan
  • No free plan
The full chart of social media schedulers, and the best at every price

How each one differs from Later

  1. Buffer

    Social media scheduler priced by the channel, with a free plan

    • Buffer starts at $5 per channel / month, billed annually ($6 billed monthly). Later starts at $18.75 per month for up to 8 social profiles, billed annually.
    • Buffer has a free plan. Later does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Buffer also covers templates.
    • Later also covers shared inbox.

    Suits: Solo creators and small businesses posting to a handful of accounts

    Buffer vs LaterBuffer pricing and details

  2. Hootsuite

    Social media suite for publishing, inbox, listening and reports

    • Hootsuite starts at $99 per user / month, billed annually. Later starts at $18.75 per month for up to 8 social profiles, billed annually.
    • Only Later lists a browser extension.

    Suits: Marketing and social teams that also handle customer messages on social

    Hootsuite vs LaterHootsuite pricing and details

  3. Sprout Social

    Social media management with a shared inbox, listening and reports

    • Sprout Social starts at $79 per seat / month, billed annually ($99 billed monthly). Later starts at $18.75 per month for up to 8 social profiles, billed annually.
    • Only Later lists a browser extension.

    Suits: Marketing teams that handle social customer care in the same tool

    Sprout Social vs LaterSprout Social pricing and details

  4. Planable

    Social media planning and approvals for agencies and brand teams

    • Planable starts at $33 per workspace / month, billed yearly ($39 billed monthly). Later starts at $18.75 per month for up to 8 social profiles, billed annually.
    • Only Later lists a browser extension.
    • Later also covers shared inbox and reports.

    Suits: Agencies that need clients to review and approve posts before they go out

    Planable vs LaterPlanable pricing and details

  5. Metricool

    Social media planner and analytics priced by the number of brands

    • Metricool starts at $20 per month for up to 5 brands, billed annually ($25 billed monthly). Later starts at $18.75 per month for up to 8 social profiles, billed annually.
    • Metricool has a free plan. Later does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Later lists a browser extension.
    • Later also covers shared inbox.

    Suits: Freelancers and small agencies paying by brand rather than by user

    Metricool vs LaterMetricool pricing and details

  6. Iconosquare

    Social media analytics and scheduling for brands and agencies

    • Iconosquare starts at €9 per month for up to 3 social profiles, billed annually. Later starts at $18.75 per month for up to 8 social profiles, billed annually.
    • Iconosquare has a free plan. Later does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Later lists a browser extension.
    • Later also covers shared inbox.

    Suits: Brands that care most about reporting on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook results

    Iconosquare vs LaterIconosquare pricing and details

  7. Sked Social

    Social media scheduler for teams that need approvals and reports

    • Sked Social starts at $58 per month for up to 6 social profiles, billed annually ($69 monthly). Later starts at $18.75 per month for up to 8 social profiles, billed annually.
    • Only Later lists a browser extension.

    Suits: Brand teams that need sign-off before anything is posted

    Sked Social vs LaterSked Social pricing and details

  8. Tailwind

    Pinterest scheduler that designs, writes and times Pins for you

    • Tailwind starts at $17.99 per Pinterest account / month, billed annually ($29.99 monthly). Later starts at $18.75 per month for up to 8 social profiles, billed annually.
    • Only Later lists iOS and Android apps.
    • Later also covers shared inbox.

    Suits: Bloggers and online shops that get traffic from Pinterest

    Tailwind vs LaterTailwind pricing and details

Limits worth knowing in Later

  • There is no free plan, only a 14-day trial, and the plans page shows annual-billed prices, which Later says are 25% below monthly billing.
  • Starter has 1 user, 30 posts per profile a month and 3 months of analytics, with no add-ons; the social inbox and approvals need Growth.
  • A social set holds one profile per network, so a second Instagram account needs a second set ($11.25 a month on Growth and Scale, billed annually).
  • Competitor benchmarking, brand mentions and custom analytics are limited to Scale.
Later pricing and details

Common questions

What are the alternatives to Later?

The alternatives to Later in this directory are Buffer, Hootsuite, Sprout Social, Planable, Metricool, Iconosquare, Sked Social and Tailwind. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Later.

Is there a free alternative to Later?

Yes. Buffer, Metricool and Iconosquare have a free plan alongside paid ones.

When were these prices checked?

Every listing on this page was checked on Oct 17, 2026, against the pages it cites. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.