Hootsuite
The most widely used social media management platform for teams and agencies
From $99/mo
What is Hootsuite?
Hootsuite is the most established social media management platform, having launched in 2008 and growing to serve over 18 million users. It supports publishing, scheduling, monitoring, analytics, and team collaboration across all major social networks: Instagram, Facebook, X (Twitter), LinkedIn, Pinterest, YouTube, and TikTok.
The platform's core strength is breadth: a single dashboard to manage every social account, a visual content calendar, bulk scheduling, a social listening stream, and detailed analytics including competitor benchmarking. Hootsuite's AI features include OwlyWriter AI for caption and content generation, best-time-to-post recommendations, and AI-powered hashtag suggestions. The app directory includes 150+ integrations with tools like Canva, Salesforce, and Adobe. At the team level, Hootsuite's approval workflows and permission management make it the default choice for agencies managing client accounts at scale. Pricing is high, which has pushed smaller users toward Buffer or Later.
Key Features
- Multi-Network Scheduling (Instagram, Facebook, X, LinkedIn, Pinterest, YouTube, TikTok)
- Visual Content Calendar
- Bulk Scheduling
- OwlyWriter AI (caption generator)
- Social Listening & Streams
- Analytics & Competitor Benchmarking
- Team Approval Workflows
- 150+ App Integrations
- Best Time to Post (AI recommendations)
- Ads Management Integration
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Supports more social networks than any competitor
- Best team collaboration and approval workflows for agencies
- 150+ app integrations including Canva and Salesforce
- Comprehensive analytics with competitor benchmarking
Cons
- Expensive — $99/mo minimum for meaningful features
- Free plan discontinued in 2023
- Dashboard UI is complex and can overwhelm new users
- Analytics reports at lower tiers have limited date ranges
Pricing
Model: Subscription
| Plan | Price | Key Limits |
|---|---|---|
| Professional | $99/mo | 10 social accounts, 1 user, unlimited scheduling |
| Team | $249/mo | 20 social accounts, 3 users, approval workflows |
| Business | $739/mo | 35 accounts, 5 users, custom analytics |
| Enterprise | Custom | Unlimited accounts and users |
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does Hootsuite have a free plan?
- No. Hootsuite discontinued its free plan in 2023. A 30-day free trial is available. Paid plans start at $99/mo. Buffer or Later are better alternatives if you need a free social scheduling tool.
- Is Hootsuite good for Instagram?
- Yes. Hootsuite supports direct Instagram publishing including Reels, Stories, and carousels. The best-time-to-post feature and hashtag suggestions are particularly useful for Instagram growth.
- Does Hootsuite have an affiliate program?
- Yes. Hootsuite's affiliate program offers 15-25% recurring commission with a 60-day cookie. It is managed through Impact and is available to content creators and marketing consultants.