Hootsuite offers broader social platform coverage (35+ networks) and more advanced team collaboration features, while Later specializes in Instagram-first visual content planning with superior visual scheduling and aesthetic-focused tools. Hootsuite is better for multi-channel enterprise teams, while Later excels for Instagram and Pinterest-focused creators.
Hootsuite vs Later — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Enterprise social media management platform with advanced analytics, monitoring, and team collaboration across 35+ networks.
Visual-first social media scheduling platform optimized for Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest content creators.
Supported Social Platforms. Starting Price (Monthly). Instagram Visual Planning Tools. Team Members (Basic Plan). Content Calendar Interface. Analytics & Reporting. Influencer Collaboration Tools
Choose Hootsuite if you manage multiple social channels for an enterprise team (LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, TikTok) and need advanced analytics, team workflows, and compliance reporting. Choose Later if you're an Instagram-focused creator, influencer, or brand prioritizing visual content aesthetics, carousel planning, and shoppable feeds with a lower entry price.
Hootsuite: 50+ custom report types | Later: N/A
Social Listening Keywords (Standard Plan)
Hootsuite: Basic (template-based) | Later: N/A
Hootsuite: 30 (with freemium) | Later: N/A
Posts Schedulable Per Month (Entry Plan)
Hootsuite: Advanced (competitor analysis, sentiment, ROI attribution) | Later: Basic (engagement, reach, clicks)
Hootsuite: Limited integration via third-party apps | Later: Native Instagram Shopping integration
Hootsuite: Grid and list view with bulk actions | Later: Drag-and-drop visual calendar
Hootsuite: Paid add-on ($10-50/month) | Later: N/A
Hootsuite: 8 major channels | Later: N/A
Hootsuite: Historical reporting only | Later: N/A
Hootsuite: 20+ platforms | Later: 15 platforms
Scheduled Posts per Month (Professional Plan)
Hootsuite: 5 permission tiers | Later: N/A
Hootsuite: Business hours only (40 hrs/week) | Later: N/A
Content Calendar Usability Score (UX Rating)
Hootsuite: No (third-party only) | Later: N/A
Hootsuite: Standard preview, basic scheduling | Later: Carousel designer, grid preview, shoppable feeds, Linkin.bio
Hootsuite: Spreadsheet-style, text-focused | Later: Visual drag-and-drop with image preview
Hootsuite: Yes, limited 30-day trial | Later: Yes, full-featured free plan
Hootsuite: All 35+ networks | Later: Instagram and Pinterest only
Hootsuite: No, via integrations only | Later: Yes, native with payment system
Hootsuite: Minimal/Third-party only | Later: 500,000+
Hootsuite: Professional+ only | Later: All plans
Hootsuite: N/A | Later: No (paid plans only)
Hootsuite: N/A | Later: Pinboard-style visual drag-and-drop
Hootsuite: N/A | Later: Advanced with product tagging
Hootsuite: N/A | Later: Up to 15% discount
Hootsuite: N/A | Later: 6 major platforms
Hootsuite: N/A | Later: Excellent visual editing on mobile
Hootsuite: N/A | Later: Caption generation, hashtag suggestions
Hootsuite: N/A | Later: Grid view, visual feed preview
Hootsuite: N/A | Later: 5 (Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest, Facebook, LinkedIn)
Hootsuite: N/A | Later: Yes—engagement rates, best posting times, competitor benchmarking
Hootsuite: N/A | Later: Yes—multi-step approval chains with comments
Hootsuite: N/A | Later: 6-month visual calendar
Hootsuite: N/A | Later: No—must write captions separately
Hootsuite: N/A | Later: Not available (requires $50+/month Growth plan)
Hootsuite: N/A | Later: Yes, with native scheduling and analytics
Hootsuite: N/A | Later: Engagement, reach, impressions, audience demographics, ROI, revenue attribution
Grid Preview (How feed looks before posting)
Hootsuite: N/A | Later: Basic grid preview available on paid plans
Hootsuite: N/A | Later: 14 days free trial
Hootsuite: N/A | Later: Unlimited (Professional plan+)
Hootsuite: N/A | Later: 15+ metrics including competitor benchmarking, demographics, content performance
Hootsuite: N/A | Later: Desktop-first with functional mobile app (secondary experience)
Hootsuite: N/A | Later: Basic calendar view without live feed layout preview
Hootsuite: N/A | Later: 14-day free trial, no free tier
Hootsuite: N/A | Later: Unlimited with role-based permissions
Hootsuite: N/A | Later: Basic timeline view with limited visual preview
Hootsuite: N/A | Later: Shopify integration available
Hootsuite: N/A | Later: 100 scheduled posts
Hootsuite: N/A | Later: Yes (native feed + Reels)
Hootsuite: N/A | Later: No (RSS feed only)
Hootsuite: N/A | Later: No (Zapier integration)
How to choose between Hootsuite and Later
Hootsuite vs Later — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for Hootsuite vs Later. Contains 103 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
Hootsuite vs Later — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for Hootsuite vs Later.
Which is better for managing multiple social media channels?
Hootsuite is significantly better for multi-channel management, supporting 35+ platforms versus Later's 8 networks. Hootsuite's unified dashboard lets you schedule, monitor, and analyze content across LinkedIn, Twitter, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube, and niche platforms simultaneously. Later is best if your focus is primarily Instagram and Pinterest with secondary channel support.
Which has better team collaboration features?
Hootsuite offers superior team collaboration with 3+ team members on the basic $49 plan, granular permission controls, and approval workflows. Later's starter plan is single-user only, and team features are only available on premium plans ($75+/month). For agencies or marketing teams, Hootsuite is the clear winner.
Is Later worth it for Instagram-focused creators?
Yes, Later is significantly better for Instagram creators. It includes a visual carousel designer, Instagram grid preview showing aesthetic impact, shoppable feed integration, and Linkin.bio setup—tools Hootsuite doesn't offer. At $25/month, Later also has a better free plan for testing. Later's interface is built specifically for visual planning, while Hootsuite treats Instagram as one of many channels.
Hootsuite offers comprehensive analytics across all 35+ supported platforms with custom report builders, ROI tracking, and competitor benchmarking. Later's analytics are limited primarily to Instagram and Pinterest performance. If you need detailed cross-platform insights, Hootsuite is superior. Later is sufficient if you only care about Instagram/Pinterest metrics.
What's the cheapest way to start with each platform?
Later has a free plan with limited scheduling (10 posts) and basic features, making it ideal for solo creators testing the platform. Hootsuite offers a 30-day free trial of paid features but no permanent free tier. Later's $25/month Professional plan is cheaper than Hootsuite's $49/month Professional plan, making Later more accessible for small accounts.
How to Choose Between Hootsuite and Later
Supported Social Platforms: Hootsuite has 35+ networks, while Later has 8 major platforms.
Starting Price (Monthly): Hootsuite has $49, while Later has $25.
Consider: Instagram Visual Planning Tools
Instagram Visual Planning Tools: Hootsuite has Standard grid preview, while Later has Advanced carousel designer, Linkin.bio integration, shoppable feeds.
Team Members (Basic Plan): Hootsuite has 3 team members, while Later has 1 user only.
Content Calendar Interface: Hootsuite has Text-heavy, spreadsheet-style, while Later has Visual drag-and-drop with Instagram preview.
Analytics & Reporting: Hootsuite has Comprehensive cross-platform analytics, custom reports, while Later has Instagram/Pinterest-focused analytics, limited cross-platform.
Consider: Influencer Collaboration Tools
Influencer Collaboration Tools: Hootsuite has Multiple influencer network integrations, while Later has Native influencer marketplace and payment system.