Later vs Hootsuite
Later or Hootsuite
Later
Later is a social media management tool designed for heavy visual-based content. It supports a drag and drop calendar, auto-scheduling to the platform it supports. It started as just an Instagram management-based platform, but later evolved into a multi-platform tool. Its analytics are focused mainly on Instagram, making it a good choice for Instagram creators or agencies mainly focused on Instagram. However, if agencies have neutral or minimal usage of Instagram, the platform may feel overpriced.
Hootsuite
Hootsuite is a social media tool designed to help businesses and agencies to schedule posts, manage multiple accounts, track performance, and engage with audiences from a single dashboard. It offers robust analytics and reporting. It supports almost all major platforms. While it’s powerful and widely used by enterprises and agencies, Hootsuite comes with a steeper learning curve and higher pricing compared to simpler tools.
Overview
This comparison between Later and Hootsuite will explore the features, pricing, and overall user experience of both tools. By the end, you’ll have a clearer idea of which platform suits your business’s social media marketing needs, whether it’s for scheduling, content planning, analytics, or team collaboration.
Later vs Hootsuite: User Rating
| Criteria | Later | Hootsuite |
|---|---|---|
| Star Rating (Out of 5) | 4.5 | 4.1 |
| Meets Requirements (Out of 10) | 8.7 | 8.3 |
| Ease of Use (Out of 10) | 9.2 | 8.4 |
| Ease of Setup (Out of 10) | 9.1 | 8.4 |
| Ease of Admin (Out of 10) | 9.3 | 8.5 |
| Quality of support (Out of 10) | 8.9 | 7.9 |
| Has the product been a good partner in doing business? (Out of 10) | 9.0 | 8.3 |
| Product Direction (% positive) (Out of 10) | 8.6 | 7.3 |
On G2, Later has a 4.5/5 rating. Users appreciate its simple design and intuitive content calendar. Some, however, point out that its lack of advanced analytics limits its usefulness for businesses focused on data-driven marketing strategies.
Hootsuite also has a 4.5/5 rating on G2. Customers rave about its powerful features, including analytics, team collaboration, and scheduling across multiple platforms. However, some note the platform’s complexity, which can be difficult for beginners to navigate.
Later vs Hootsuite: Feature Comparison
| Features | Later | Hootsuite |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing (per month in USD, pricing is set for the baseline of managing 5 social media accounts) | $25 | $149 |
| Free Trial | Yes | Yes |
| Platforms supported | Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, TikTok | Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, YouTube, TikTok |
| Bulk scheduling | No | Yes |
| RSS feeds | No | No |
| Recurring posts | No | No |
| Social inbox | Yes | Yes |
| AI content generation | No | No |
| Hashtag storage | No | Yes |
| Caption Customization | No | No |
| AI images | No | No |
| Advanced analytics | No | No |
| White label reports | No | No |
| URL shortener | No | No |
| Unlimited workspaces | No | Yes |
| Team management | No | Yes |
Now, let’s compare the two tools in terms of some of their features:
a. Scheduling and Automation
Later’s scheduling functionality is incredibly easy to use. The drag-and-drop content calendar allows users to visually plan posts. Later is particularly strong in Instagram scheduling, allowing for visual post creation, tagging, and hashtag management. It also supports automation for posting at optimal times.
Hootsuite offers comprehensive scheduling tools with a focus on automation. It allows bulk scheduling, auto-scheduling, and the ability to set posts for multiple platforms at once. Hootsuite also supports automated reports and notifications for better team collaboration.
b. Supported Social Media Platforms
The number and type of social media platforms supported by a tool is critical for users who manage multiple profiles across various platforms.
Later supports six platforms: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and TikTok. This range should meet the needs of many users, especially those focusing on visually oriented platforms like Instagram and Pinterest.
Hootsuite, however, supports seven platforms: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, YouTube, and TikTok.
In addition to the platforms supported by Later, Hootsuite also includes YouTube, which is a significant advantage for users who also manage video content.
c. Analytics and Reporting
Later offers basic analytics, including insights into post-engagement and audience growth. It’s sufficient for users who need general performance data but lack advanced reporting features.
Hootsuite shines when it comes to analytics. The platform provides in-depth reports on performance, engagement, ROI, and more. Users can customize reports and track metrics across multiple platforms to assess the success of their social media campaigns.
d. User Interface and Experience
Ease of use is crucial when it comes to any kind of software. It directly impacts user experience, affecting the speed of adoption, productivity, and overall satisfaction.
According to the given data, Later scores a high 9.2 out of 10 in ease of use. This suggests that Later is intuitive and user-friendly.
It likely has an interface that is easy to navigate, making it simple for users to find and use the features they need.
This simplicity is critical in a social media management tool, where users often need to schedule posts, track engagement, and manage comments or messages across various platforms.
On the other hand, Hootsuite scores a little lower with 8.4 out of 10 in ease of use. Although it’s still a relatively high score, it indicates that some users may find the platform a little more complex or challenging to navigate.
With Hootsuite being a comprehensive tool that integrates a wide array of features, it may take some time for new users to familiarize themselves with the platform and effectively utilize its features.
e. Pricing Comparison
Later offers its services for $25 per month. This makes it a more affordable option compared to many other social media management tools in the market, including Hootsuite.
For small businesses or individual users who are budget-conscious, this could be a deciding factor.
It’s important to note, though, that the features offered within this price range must also meet the users’ needs.
Hootsuite, on the other hand, is priced at $149 per month, making it one of the more expensive options in this comparison.
However, the higher cost comes with a broader range of features and capabilities, which could justify the pricing for larger businesses or for users with more extensive needs.
Hootsuite’s pricing may reflect its comprehensive suite of tools, providing a one-stop-shop for all social media management needs.
HootSuite is infamous for raising their prices even as much as 10X at times. They don’t even grandfather existing users, so keep that in mind as your pricing might just shoot up in no time. Later is a good alternative, but we have talked about a plethora of other Hootsuite alternatives.
Pros and Cons of Using Later
Pros
- Mainly Instagram-centric analytics
- Link in bio feature available
Cons
- Evergreen queue and automated content recycling are not available
- Native AI image generation is not supported
Pros and Cons of Using Hootsuite
Pros
- Robust analytics and reporting
- Robust team and collaboration features
Cons
- New users may find the interface overwhelming
- Issues with tagging, audio, and story scheduling
Ideal Use CasesLater is the Optimal Choice:
- Small businesses or solo content creators focusing on Instagram, Pinterest, or Facebook
- Brands with a strong visual marketing strategy that need an intuitive platform for planning and scheduling posts
- Budget-conscious businesses needing basic social media scheduling without the complexity of advanced features
Hootsuite Excels When:
- Larger businesses or agencies managing multiple social media accounts
- Teams that need in-depth analytics, social listening, and collaboration features
- Companies with a diverse social media strategy that spans various platforms
Conclusion of Later vs Hootsuite Comparison
When choosing between Later and Hootsuite, it’s important to consider what best aligns with your needs as a social media manager or business owner. Both platforms offer robust features, but they cater to different priorities.
For small businesses or solo entrepreneurs focused on visual platforms, Later is an affordable and easy-to-use choice, especially if visual content planning is a priority. However, for larger agencies or businesses with complex social media needs, Hootsuite offers greater depth, especially in advanced analytics and platform integrations.
But, if you’re looking for a balanced solution that combines ease of use with powerful features at a great price point, RecurPost is an excellent middle-ground choice. Whether you’re a small business owner seeking AI-driven content ideas or an agency managing multiple clients with advanced analytics needs, RecurPost offers the flexibility to scale. Plus, the recurring post scheduling and multi-platform support make it a great tool for businesses of all sizes, especially when budget and usability are key considerations.
If you’re still unsure about the best tool for your business, consider RecurPost as an alternative. RecurPost combines ease of use with powerful features at a competitive price point. Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur or part of a growing team, RecurPost can help you schedule and manage your social media effortlessly.
RecurPost is the best social media management tool in terms of overall value. It stands out from Later and Hootsuite by offering a simpler, smarter, and more affordable approach to managing social media. When it comes to cost, Hootsuite and Later reserve their most useful features, such as bulk scheduling, for higher-priced packages. RecurPost, on the other hand, takes a balanced approach by focusing on providing all the essential core features users need, without the heavy price tag.
It’s unique evergreen content recycling automatically reuses your best posts, saving time and maximizing visibility, something competitors don’t provide. With smart queues and categorized content libraries, RecurPost makes it easy to maintain a consistent presence across multiple platforms without constant manual effort. Recurpost makes it easy for users to adopt an easy-going social media management tool without falling into complexities.
