Alternatives
Hootsuite alternatives in 2026
Six tools worth a look if you're leaving Hootsuite, from full-inbox suites to lean publishing tools.
Last checked:
We make PublishBuddy, which is one of the 6 tools on this page. Each price was checked on that tool's own pricing page on the date in the sources list at the end.
The short version
Most people leave Hootsuite over price. It charges per user, and approvals start on its Advanced plan at $399 per user a month, billed yearly. What to pick next depends on what you'll still use: the inbox, listening, or mostly publishing.
Agorapulse and Vista Social keep a full inbox for less. Sprout Social is the move if you still need enterprise depth. PublishBuddy, which we make, suits small teams that mostly publish. SocialPilot and Sendible suit agencies.
Why people look for a Hootsuite alternative
Per-user pricing adds up. Hootsuite costs $99 per user a month on yearly billing for 10 accounts, and each extra person pays the same again.
Standard stops at 10 accounts. More means Professional, at $199 per user a month.
Approvals start on Advanced, at $399 per user a month billed yearly.
Its Wisdom AI agent drafts posts and reports, but Hootsuite says it can't publish content by itself.
The options at a glance
| Tool | Cheapest paid plan | 10 accounts | Free plan | Good fit for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agorapulse | $99/month per user (10 accounts) | $99/month (Standard, 1 user) | No (a free AI-only plan) | Community teams that live in the inbox |
| Vista Social | $99/month (15 accounts, 2 users) | $99/month (Professional) | No | The most features per plan: inbox, reviews, listening, AI |
| Sprout Social | $99/month per seat (5 accounts) | $399/month per seat (Professional) | No | Large teams: inbox, listening, deep reports |
| PublishBuddy | $29/month (Pro, 10 accounts) | $29/month | Yes, 3 accounts | An AI agent that writes and schedules, and 10 to 20 accounts on one plan |
| SocialPilot | $30/month (7 accounts, 1 user) | $50/month (Standard) | No | Agencies that need white label and a DM inbox |
| Sendible | $35/month (6 accounts) | $70/month (Core plus a workspace) | No | Agencies with many clients and reviewers |
Monthly billing, in US dollars. Most tools charge less per month when you pay for a year.
Agorapulse: a full inbox for less
Cheapest paid plan: $99/month per user (10 accounts). 10 accounts: $99/month (Standard, 1 user). Free plan: No (a free AI-only plan).
Good fit if your team lives in the inbox: comments, DMs and reviews on every plan, plus ROI and white-label reports. Standard is $99 per user a month with 10 profiles, or $79 billed yearly.
Less good if you post to X, which costs $29 to $69 a month per X profile, or your team is big, since it's priced per user too.
PublishBuddy: publishing, AI and approvals for less
Cheapest paid plan: $29/month (Pro, 10 accounts). 10 accounts: $29/month. Free plan: Yes, 3 accounts.
Good fit if you mostly plan and publish. $29 a month covers 10 accounts and 5 team members, approvals come with Business at $49, and the AI agent schedules posts.
Less good if you need a DM inbox, social listening or ads tools. PublishBuddy doesn't have them yet.
Sendible: agencies with many logins
Cheapest paid plan: $35/month (6 accounts). 10 accounts: $70/month (Core plus a workspace). Free plan: No.
Good fit if you have lots of clients and reviewers: unlimited users on every plan and client dashboards, from $35 a month for 6 accounts.
Less good if you post to Pinterest or Telegram, or want AI images, video or an API.
How to choose
Start with the inbox. If your team answers DMs and reviews all day, look at Agorapulse, Vista Social or Sprout Social first. PublishBuddy handles comments only.
Then count people. Agorapulse and Sprout Social charge per user. Vista Social includes 2 to 4, PublishBuddy 5 on Pro and 15 on Business, and Sendible has unlimited users.
If listening matters, Sprout Social and Agorapulse sell it as an add-on, and Vista Social prices it per listener.
Want the wider view? The buyer's guide sorts 16 tools by how you work.
Before you leave Hootsuite
- Write down what you use Hootsuite for: the networks, how many accounts, who posts, who approves, and which reports you send. That list rules most tools in or out.
- Export your scheduled posts. Hootsuite's calendar exports a CSV covering up to 365 days ahead. Its media links expire after a week, so save your images and videos first.
- Download the reports you want to keep. Stats stored in Hootsuite don't move to another tool.
- Check when Hootsuite renews, so you don't pay for a month you won't use.
- Try your top two picks on the same accounts for a week. Most tools here have a free trial, and several don't ask for a card.
- Move what's still scheduled, then delete it from Hootsuite so nothing posts twice. Cancel once its queue is empty.
Frequently asked questions
What's the cheapest Hootsuite alternative?
Of the tools on this page, PublishBuddy costs least for 10 accounts: $29 a month with 5 team members. Sendible starts at $35 a month for 6 accounts with unlimited users. Prices were checked on each tool's site on October 25, 2026.
Which alternatives have an inbox like Hootsuite's?
Agorapulse, Vista Social and Sprout Social all handle comments, DMs and reviews. Agorapulse and Vista Social include it on every plan, and Sprout Social from Standard.
Which Hootsuite alternatives include social listening?
Sprout Social and Agorapulse sell listening as an add-on. Vista Social charges per listener from $75 a month, and listening on your own profiles is free. PublishBuddy, SocialPilot and Sendible don't offer it.
Which alternatives have an AI agent?
Vista Social's Ask Vista and PublishBuddy's agent both schedule posts from a chat inside the app. Agorapulse calls its AI tools assistants, not agents, and Sprout Social's Trellis analyzes data.
Can I export my Hootsuite posts?
Yes. Hootsuite's calendar exports scheduled posts as a CSV covering up to 365 days. Its media links expire after a week, so save your images and videos first.
Sources
- Hootsuite pricing page, checked
- Agorapulse pricing page, checked
- Vista Social pricing page, checked
- Sprout Social pricing page, checked
- SocialPilot pricing page, checked
- Sendible pricing page, checked
Want to see if PublishBuddy fits?
Scheduling, analytics, and an AI agent that writes and schedules for you. 10+ platforms. From $29/mo with 10 accounts included.
14-day free trial. No credit card required.
SocialPilot: white-label reports at a flat price
Cheapest paid plan: $30/month (7 accounts, 1 user). 10 accounts: $50/month (Standard). Free plan: No.
Good fit if you send clients white-label reports: Premium at $100 a month covers 25 accounts and 6 users, with client approvals.
Less good if you need listening, AI images or video, or an API without an Enterprise contract.
SocialPilot and PublishBuddy compared