Planoly vs Hootsuite
Which Is Best in 2024?
Overview of Planoly
Planoly was founded in 2016 with the mission to simplify social media management, focusing on visual platforms like Instagram and Pinterest. It aims to provide users with an intuitive platform to schedule and manage content, while also enhancing their content strategy with insights and analytics. Over time, it has become a go-to tool for influencers, small businesses, and social media marketers.
Who It’s Best Suited For:
Planoly is ideal for individuals and small businesses who prioritize visual content on platforms like Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok. It’s particularly useful for creators, influencers, and marketers looking for an easy-to-use tool focused on aesthetics, offering scheduling, content planning, and analytics all in one.
Overview of Hootsuite
Founded in 2008, Hootsuite has grown to be one of the most established names in the social media management space. With a mission to empower businesses and organizations to scale their social media presence, Hootsuite offers a platform that emphasizes multi-platform support and robust analytics, simplifying the management of social media accounts while delivering actionable insights.
Who It’s Best Suited For:
Hootsuite is best suited for businesses, agencies, and large teams managing multiple social media accounts across a variety of platforms. It’s a great choice for organizations that require advanced features such as in-depth analytics, team collaboration, and social listening. Its scalability makes it an ideal option for companies looking to streamline their social media strategy and expand their reach.
Overview
Choosing the right social media management tool can make or break your digital strategy. With so many options out there, it’s crucial to select a platform that not only meets your needs but also fits your workflow and budget. Over the years, I’ve tested several tools, and two that consistently come up in comparisons are Planoly and Hootsuite. Both have their strengths, but how do they stack up against each other?
The goal of this comparison is to offer a clear and unbiased breakdown of Planoly vs Hootsuite to help you decide which platform is best suited for your social media management needs. Whether you’re an individual looking for an intuitive tool to schedule posts or a business in need of a comprehensive management solution, I’ll share insights based on my personal experience with both platforms.
Planoly vs Hootsuite: User Rating
| Rating Categories | Planoly | Hootsuite |
| Star Rating (Out of 5) | 4.3 | 4.1 |
| Meets Requirements (Out of 10) | 8.6 | 8.3 |
| Ease of Use (Out of 10) | 8.7 | 8.4 |
| Ease of Setup (Out of 10) | 9.1 | 8.4 |
| Ease of Admin (Out of 10) | 8.9 | 8.5 |
| Quality of Support (Out of 10) | 9.0 | 7.9 |
| Business Partnership (Out of 10) | 7.8 | 8.3 |
| Product Direction (% positive) | 8.1 | 7.3 |
Hootsuite: Regarded for its comprehensive features, especially for businesses with complex needs. While it excels in multi-platform management, its higher pricing and steeper learning curve can be a downside for some users.
Planoly vs Hootsuite: Feature Comparison
| Features | Planoly | Hootsuite |
| Pricing (per month in USD) | 13$ | 99$ |
| Free Trial | Yes | Yes |
| Platforms Supported | Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest | Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and more |
| Bulk Scheduling | Yes | Yes |
| RSS feeds | No | No |
| Recurring Posts | No | No |
| Social Inbox | No | Yes |
| AI Content Generation | No | No |
| Hashtag Storage | No | Yes |
| Caption Customization | No | No |
| AI Images | No | No |
| Advanced Analytics | Yes | No |
| White Label Reports | No | No |
| URL Shortener | No | No |
| Unlimited Workspaces | No | No |
| Team Management | Yes | No |
a. Scheduling and Automation
Planoly
When I first tried Planoly for scheduling my Instagram posts, I appreciated its intuitive design. The drag-and-drop functionality made scheduling posts effortless, and I could visually plan out my Instagram feed. However, I found Planoly’s scheduling options more limited compared to Hootsuite, particularly when it came to Twitter or LinkedIn.
Hootsuite
Hootsuite, on the other hand, offers broader scheduling capabilities across multiple platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. I appreciated the bulk scheduling feature, which saved a lot of time when scheduling posts in batches. However, the interface felt more complicated, and the learning curve was steeper than Planoly’s simple design.
b. Supported Social Media Platforms
Planoly
Planoly excels with Instagram and Pinterest. Its visual content calendar helped me organize posts, stories, and carousels effortlessly. But when I tried to integrate Twitter or Facebook, I found the platform’s support lacking. It’s clear that Planoly is primarily designed for Instagram-centric users.
Hootsuite
Hootsuite supports a wide array of platforms, including Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and even Google My Business. This multi-platform support is a big reason I continue to use it, as I can manage everything from a single dashboard. However, some G2 users have mentioned that certain integrations could feel slightly limited or require third-party apps.
c. Analytics and Reporting
Planoly
While Planoly offers analytics for Instagram and Pinterest, I found its data to be relatively basic. It provided insights into engagement and post performance, but for a deeper dive into audience growth and strategy refinement, I found it lacking.
Hootsuite
Hootsuite’s analytics were a game-changer for me. The platform offered detailed reporting on engagement, reach, and ROI. I particularly appreciated the ability to create custom reports and monitor all platforms from one dashboard. However, some G2 users found these analytics a bit overwhelming, especially for those new to social media management.
d. User Interface and Experience
Planoly
Planoly’s user interface was a highlight for me. The clean design and visual calendar made scheduling Instagram posts feel seamless. It’s perfect for beginners and those who want a simple, aesthetic-driven tool. However, when testing for other platforms like Twitter or Facebook, I found it a bit less intuitive.
Hootsuite
Hootsuite’s interface is feature-rich but can be overwhelming, especially for new users. It took me some time to get used to the layout and the various tabs, but once I familiarized myself with the platform, managing multiple accounts from a central dashboard became much easier. Some G2 users echoed my sentiments, noting that the platform’s complexity can be a barrier for beginners.
Pricing Comparison:
Planoly is an excellent choice for solo entrepreneurs or small businesses focused on Instagram and Pinterest. The free plan and affordable Basic Plan are great for individuals or small teams who don’t need to manage a wide range of social platforms. The Agency Plan is ideal for businesses looking to scale their content, but for those seeking broader platform support, it may feel limiting.
On the other hand, Hootsuite’s pricing is better suited for businesses managing multiple platforms. While the pricing for agency plans can get expensive, Hootsuite offers more comprehensive features, such as team collaboration and advanced analytics, making it a solid option for larger teams or organizations with complex needs.
For those just starting out with Instagram, Planoly is a great choice for its simplicity and cost-effectiveness. However, for those managing multiple social accounts across various platforms, Hootsuite provides the features necessary to scale effectively.
Pros and Cons of Using Planoly
Pros
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- User-friendly interface for Instagram and Pinterest.
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- Affordable pricing for small businesses and solo entrepreneurs.
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- Visual content calendar for managing Instagram feed aesthetics.
- Strong Instagram analytics for engagement tracking
Cons
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- Limited multi-platform support
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- No team collaboration features
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- Basic reporting compared to competitors
- Post limits on lower-tier plans
Pros and Cons of Using Hootsuite
Pros
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- Supports multiple platforms (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.)
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- Advanced team collaboration and content approval
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- Robust analytics and customizable reporting
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- Flexible plans for businesses of all sizes
Cons
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- Expensive pricing for higher-tier plans
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- Steep learning curve for beginners
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- Limited posts on the free plan
Planoly:
- Best for Instagram and Pinterest-focused brands
- Ideal for solo entrepreneurs and small businesses
- Great for brands prioritizing a cohesive, visual content strategy
Hootsuite:
- Best for multi-platform social media management
- Ideal for teams needing collaboration and approval features
- Perfect for data-driven businesses needing in-depth analytics
Conclusion: Planoly vs Hootsuite Comparison
In conclusion, both Planoly and Hootsuite are excellent social media management tools, but each serves a different set of needs. Planoly is perfect for small businesses or individuals focused on Instagram and Pinterest, offering an easy-to-use, visually-driven platform for content scheduling and planning. In contrast, Hootsuite excels for larger businesses or teams managing multiple social media accounts. It offers robust analytics, team collaboration features, and broad platform support, but comes with a steeper learning curve and higher price tag. Ultimately, the choice between Planoly and Hootsuite depends on the scale of your business, your social media goals, and the platforms you prioritize.
Introduction of RecurPost as an Alternative
While Planoly and Hootsuite are both strong contenders in the social media management space, I found that RecurPost offers a more flexible, cost-effective alternative. After using both Planoly and Hootsuite, I can confidently say that RecurPost stands out with its user-friendly design, strong automation features, and affordability. It combines the best of both worlds: offering advanced automation and pricing that’s more accessible for businesses and individuals looking to streamline their social media strategy. If you’re frustrated with the limitations of Planoly or Hootsuite, RecurPost is definitely worth considering.
| Feature | RecurPost | Planoly | Hootsuite |
| Pricing (per month in USD) | $25 | $30 | $18 |
| Free Trial | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Bulk Scheduling | Yes | Yes | No |
| AI Content Generation | Yes | Yes | No |
| Advanced Analytics | Yes | Yes | No |
| Team Management | Yes | Yes | No |
| Platform Support | Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Google Business Profile, YouTube, TikTok | Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Google Business Profile, YouTube, TikTok | Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, TikTok |
| Caption Customization | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| URL Shortener | Yes | Yes | No |
| White Label Reports | Yes | Yes | No |
How RecurPost Addresses Common Pain Points (Planoly and Hootsuite)
- Limited Automation: One of the key issues I found with both Planoly and Hootsuite was the limited automation for recurring posts. RecurPost solves this by offering content libraries and automatic content recycling. I can create a library of evergreen posts and have them repost at optimal times—something I sorely missed in both Planoly and Hootsuite.
- High Pricing for Advanced Features: While both tools are feature-rich, Hootsuite’s pricing can get steep, especially when scaling up. Planoly’s higher-tier plans also felt restrictive. RecurPost offers a Pro Plan (starting at $12.99/month) that includes advanced features at a much more accessible price point.
- Complicated User Interface: While Planoly and Hootsuite are powerful tools, their interfaces can feel overwhelming for beginners. With RecurPost, I found the drag-and-drop calendar and intuitive dashboard much easier to navigate. Even with a growing social media presence, it made managing multiple accounts feel straightforward.
Feature Highlights of RecurPost
- Scheduling and Automation: RecurPost’s standout feature is its recurring post automation. The content recycling tool allows me to keep my social media pages active without manually reposting evergreen content.
- Supported Platforms: RecurPost supports a wide range of platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, YouTube, and Google My Business. It also integrates with RSS feeds and Zapier for greater flexibility.
- Analytics and Reporting: RecurPost provides actionable analytics across all its supported platforms, even on lower-tier plans. This makes it a great option for businesses looking to track engagement and performance without paying for expensive advanced features.
- User Interface and Experience: The RecurPost dashboard is clean and easy to navigate, even for beginners. The drag-and-drop calendar makes scheduling posts simple, and the platform’s powerful features don’t feel overwhelming.
Overall, RecurPost combines ease of use, automation, and affordability in a way that makes it an excellent choice for businesses and individuals wanting to streamline their social media strategy without breaking the bank.