Hootsuite vs Metricool 2026: Which Social Management Tool Wins?
Quick verdict: Metricool is our overall pick for Hootsuite vs Metricool.
Metricool leads on rating and value with a free tier; Hootsuite leads on team governance. Hootsuite: paid from $99/user/mo (annual, Standard); Metricool: free plan, paid from $20/mo (annual). Prices checked 2026-09-18.
| Tool | Rating | Pricing | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hootsuite Best for teams | 4.1/5 | $99/user/mo (annual, Standard) | Hootsuite is the established enterprise social management platform: publish, monitor and r… |
| Metricool Best overall Best free | 4.2/5 | Free $20/mo (annual) | Metricool is an all-in-one social planner plus analytics platform: schedule across network… |
Bottom line: Metricool (4.2/5, the cluster's top rating) leads on capability-per-dollar — free tier (1 brand, 20 posts/mo, 30-day analytics), brand-based billing from $25/mo monthly ($20 annual), with scheduling, analytics and competitor tracking in one seat. Hootsuite (4.1/5) leads on team governance — shared inbox, approval and routing workflows, Wisdom AI and Talkwalker listening, from $99/user/mo annual, no free plan. Metricool takes 'best overall' and 'best free'; Hootsuite takes 'best for teams.' Pick Metricool for value and measurement; pick Hootsuite for the enterprise routing layer.
Pricing and details
Hootsuite · 4.1/5
14-day free trial (no credit card) · $99/user/mo (annual, Standard)
Hootsuite has no free plan (removed March 2023) — only a 14-day trial with no card. It bills per user, annually. Standard $99/user/mo (up to 10 accounts). Professional $199/user/mo (unlimited accounts, inbox automation). Advanced $399/user/mo (approval workflows, routing). Enterprise is custom. Includes Wisdom AI and Talkwalker listening.
Standard $99/user/mo · Professional $199/user/mo · Advanced $399/user/mo (billed annually)
Hootsuite is the established enterprise social management platform: publish, monitor and route a shared inbox across networks, with Wisdom AI and Talkwalker listening. It bills per user and has no free plan.
Score breakdown
Pros
- Most capable platform in the cluster (core 5/5, collaboration 5/5, stability 5/5)
- Shared inbox with approval and routing workflows for teams
- Includes Wisdom AI and Talkwalker listening
- 14-day trial does not require a credit card
Cons
- Priciest entry in the cluster: Standard $99/user/mo, billed annually, no free plan
- Per-user, per-account bill scales fast for large teams
- Heavier enterprise UI with a steeper learning curve
Pricing verified 2026-09-18
Metricool · 4.2/5
Free plan available · $20/mo (annual)
Metricool bills by brand, not by seat. Free $0 forever: 1 brand, all networks except X/LinkedIn, 20 posts/mo, 5 competitor tracking, 30-day analytics. Starter $25/mo monthly ($20 annual) up to 5 brands (10 brands $36/$45). Advanced $67/mo monthly ($53 annual) up to 15 brands (25 brands $107). X/Twitter costs extra at $10/account/mo. Annual saves up to 24%.
Starter $20/mo · Advanced $53/mo (annual)
Metricool is an all-in-one social planner plus analytics platform: schedule across networks, run a content calendar and get built-in analytics and competitor tracking. It bills by brand and has a genuinely useful free tier.
Score breakdown
Pros
- Highest rating in the cluster (4.2/5)
- Scheduling plus native analytics and competitor tracking in one bill
- Most capable free tier in the set (1 brand, 20 posts/mo, 30-day analytics)
- Brand-based billing with multi-brand support
Cons
- X/Twitter and LinkedIn are add-ons, not in the base plans
- Analytics and extra networks add complexity versus a pure scheduler
Pricing verified 2026-09-18
Frequently asked questions
Which is better overall, Hootsuite or Metricool?
Metricool is our overall pick (4.2/5 vs 4.1/5). Metricool leads on rating and value with a free tier; Hootsuite leads on team governance. Hootsuite: paid from $99/user/mo (annual, Standard); Metricool: free plan, paid from $20/mo (annual). Prices checked 2026-09-18.
Do Hootsuite and Metricool offer free plans?
Metricool has a free tier. Hootsuite paid plans start at $99/user/mo (annual, Standard); Metricool paid plans start at $20/mo (annual).
What does Metricool cost?
$20/mo (annual) — Metricool bills by brand, not by seat. Free $0 forever: 1 brand, all networks except X/LinkedIn, 20 posts/mo, 5 competitor tracking, 30-day analytics. Starter $25/mo monthly ($20 annual) up to 5 brands (10 brands $36/$45). Advanced $67/mo monthly ($53 annual) up to 15 brands (25 brands $107). X/Twitter costs extra at $10/account/mo. Annual saves up to 24%. Prices were last verified on 2026-09-18.