The Best Social Media Scheduling Tools of 2025

May 28

Let’s be honest—keeping up with social media scheduling, posting, and analytics can feel like herding cats while juggling flaming swords. The tools are endless, the features overwhelming, and the wrong choice can waste more time than it saves.

At Merrick, we’ve tried all the platforms. After plenty of trial, error, and a few caffeine-fueled content calendars, we landed on what works best—for our own team and for our clients.

Whether you're managing your brand's channels solo or collaborating with us under one of our plans, here's our no-nonsense review of the top tools out there: Buffer, Hootsuite, Sprout Social, Later, and SocialBee. We’ve broken them down by platforms, features, usability, and cost—so you can pick the one that fits your flow (and your budget).

1. Buffer

Best for: Small to mid-size agencies and creators who want simplicity, power, and affordability.

Supported Platforms: Instagram, Facebook, X (Twitter), LinkedIn, Pinterest, Mastodon

Pricing: Free plan available; paid plans start at $6/month per channel

Key Features:

Intuitive UI perfect for team onboarding
Visual planner + link in bio builder
Post collaboration, approvals, and scheduling queues
Solid analytics on paid tiers

Why It Stands Out:
Buffer gives agencies the tools they need to scale—with just enough structure to stay efficient, and none of the enterprise bloat.

2. Hootsuite

Best for: Large teams or multi-brand organizations needing deep control and insights.

Supported Platforms: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, X, Pinterest, YouTube, TikTok

Pricing: Starts at $99/month, with steep increases for team plans

Key Features:

Multi-platform publishing & listening
Ad management + campaign performance
Advanced reports and approval workflows
App integrations (150+)

Why It Stands Out:
Hootsuite is a power tool—but comes with power-tool complexity and pricing.

3. Sprout Social

Best for: Enterprise-level marketers who live by analytics and ROI.

Supported Platforms: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, Pinterest, TikTok, YouTube

Pricing: Starts at $249/month

Key Features:

Deep reporting and analytics
Smart Inbox for customer care
Social CRM and audience tagging
Team roles and audit logs

Why It Stands Out:
Sprout offers unmatched insights—for teams that can afford its premium price.

4. Later

Best for: Visual-first brands, ecommerce, and creators.

Supported Platforms: Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest, Facebook, X, LinkedIn (limited)

Pricing: Free plan available; paid plans from $25/month

Key Features:

Drag-and-drop visual calendar
Media library with auto-publishing
“Linkin.bio” tool for Instagram
Hashtag suggestions and performance

Why It Stands Out:
Later is the go-to for brands focused on visuals and content consistency.

5. SocialBee

Best for: Coaches, consultants, and small teams who want automation and content recycling.

Supported Platforms: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, Pinterest, Google Business Profile, TikTok (via integration)

Pricing: Plans from $29/month

Key Features:

Category-based scheduling and automation
Evergreen post recycling
Canva and Zapier integrations
Concierge onboarding support

Why It Stands Out:
SocialBee excels at helping content-heavy brands automate without losing control.

  
  
    Tool
    Best For
    Supported Platforms
    Usability
    Key Strength
    Starting Cost
  

    Buffer
    Small to mid-size agencies
    IG, FB, X, LI, Pinterest, TikTok, YouTube Shorts
    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Very Easy)
    Simplicity, scalability, great for teams
    $6/month per channel
  

    Hootsuite
    Enterprise & multi-brand teams
    IG, FB, X, LI, Pinterest, TikTok, YouTube
    ⭐⭐ (Moderate/Complex)
    All-in-one platform w/ deep features
    $99/month
  

    Sprout
    Enterprise marketers
    IG, FB, X, LI, Pinterest, TikTok, YouTube
    ⭐⭐⭐ (Advanced)
    Analytics + social CRM
    $249/month
  

    Later
    Creators & visual brands
    IG, TikTok, Pinterest, FB, X, LI (limited)
    ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (User-Friendly)
    Visual planning + link-in-bio
    $25/month	
  

    SocialBee	
    Solopreneurs & content marketers
    IG, FB, X, LI, Pinterest, Google Biz, TikTok (via Zapier)
    ⭐⭐⭐ (Moderate)
    Category automation + evergreen content
    $24/month	
  

Whether You’re Flying Solo or Partnering with Us

Whether you’re managing your brand’s channels solo or working with us under one of our social media plans, the right scheduling tool can be the difference between chaos and clarity. And trust us—we’ve been on both sides.

After testing the top contenders, we chose Buffer as our go-to platform—for our internal team and for client accounts. It hits the sweet spot of simplicity, smart features, and cost-effectiveness, making it an easy choice for growing brands.

If you’re unsure which platform fits your team or want help streamlining your social content strategy, we’re here for it. Let’s talk tools, content, and everything in between.