Top Free and Paid Social Media Management Tools to Streamline Your Online Presence
Below, you’ll find a curated list of popular tools — some with free plans that provide essential features, and others that are paid but offer advanced capabilities for growing businesses.
Tools with Free Plans
Buffer
Offers a free plan allowing management of up to 3 social accounts and scheduling up to 10 posts per account. Ideal for small businesses and individuals starting out with social media management15.Metricool
Provides a free plan with up to 50 scheduled posts per month and basic analytics. Great for freelancers and small teams looking for an all-in-one dashboard57.Canva
While primarily a design tool, Canva’s free version includes social media templates and direct publishing features, helping you create eye-catching posts without cost5.Later
Focuses on visual content scheduling, especially for Instagram, with a free plan that supports 1 social profile per platform and limited monthly posts57.CrowdFire
Allows managing up to 3 social accounts with scheduling and content suggestions on its free plan, suitable for solo users and small businesses7.Agorapulse
Has a free plan for one user managing 3 social profiles with up to 10 scheduled posts at a time, good for small projects or campaigns6.TweetDeck
Free tool for managing multiple Twitter accounts with real-time tracking and customizable dashboards, perfect for Twitter power users5.
Tools Without Free Plans (Paid or Trial-Based)
Semrush
Includes social media management features within its paid plans. It offers limited free access or trial periods, but full social media scheduling, analytics, and competitive insights require a subscription. Best suited for businesses needing comprehensive marketing and social media analytics in one platform5.Hootsuite
No free plan, but offers a paid plan starting at $99/month. Provides extensive scheduling, analytics, and team collaboration features for mid-sized businesses5.Sprout Social
Paid-only platform starting at $249/month, designed for larger teams and agencies needing advanced analytics and collaboration tools5.SocialPilot
No free plan; paid plans start around $30/month, aimed at agencies and social media managers handling multiple accounts5.Tailwind
Paid plans with limited free trials, focused on Pinterest and Instagram scheduling and analytics57.
How to Choose?
Start with free tools if you’re new or have basic needs: Buffer, Metricool, Canva, and Later offer solid features without cost.
Upgrade to paid tools as your social media presence grows and you need advanced analytics, team collaboration, or multi-platform management.
Use free trials of paid platforms like Semrush or Sprout Social to test advanced features before committing.
Summary Table
| Tool | Free Plan? | Key Features in Free Plan | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buffer | Yes | 3 accounts, 10 posts per account | Small businesses, beginners |
| Metricool | Yes | 50 posts/month, basic analytics | Freelancers, small teams |
| Canva | Yes | Design templates, direct publishing | Visual content creators |
| Later | Yes | 1 profile/ platform, limited posts | Instagram-focused users |
| CrowdFire | Yes | 3 accounts, scheduling, content suggestions | Solo users, small businesses |
| Agorapulse | Yes | 1 user, 3 profiles, 10 scheduled posts | Small campaigns/projects |
| Semrush | Limited | Trial access only; full social media features paid | Businesses needing all-in-one marketing |
| Hootsuite | No | Paid plans with extensive features | Mid-sized businesses |
| Sprout Social | No | Paid plans with advanced analytics | Large teams, agencies |
| SocialPilot | No | Paid plans for agencies | Agencies |
| Tailwind | No | Paid plans, Pinterest/Instagram focus | Visual marketers |
