Zoho Social is a popular social media management tool helping businesses schedule posts, monitor engagements, and collaborate on social content. However, many users find that as their needs grow, it can become limiting, especially if you’re not deeply tied into the Zoho ecosystem.
Common pain points, such as feature gaps (like no built-in content recycling or AI assistance) and needing to upgrade to higher-tier plans for essentials such as a social inbox, leave many users searching for better Zoho Social alternatives.
So, let’s check out the top Zoho Social alternatives and see which tools match your budget, team size, and goals. Each option comes with updated pricing, standout features, and real-world pros and cons. No fluff. No tech-speak. Just the truth about what works in 2025 and what doesn’t.
1. RecurPost
RecurPost is a versatile social media scheduler prized for its automated evergreen posting and content library. It’s often chosen by users seeking Zoho Social alternatives that feel lighter, faster, and more affordable, especially in 2025.
It is a smart pick for anyone needing a steady content flow without daily check-ins. For anyone juggling multiple platforms, RecurPost stands out with its AI tools, a smooth calendar view, and pricing that beats many other Zoho Social alternatives across the board.
Key Features
- Evergreen Content Recycling: Set post categories to auto-repeat and keep feeds running even when your calendar’s empty.
- Unified Social Inbox: Reply to all messages and comments across networks in one spot.
- Best-Time Scheduler: Shares content when your audience is most active, boosting engagement.
- Bulk Scheduling: Use drag-and-drop or CSV upload to load thousands of posts at once.
- Team Workspaces: Manage shared calendars and tasks with clear roles for every teammate.
- Third-Party Integrations: Works with Canva, Zapier, Bit.ly, and other tools in your marketing tech stack.
- Analytics & White-Label Reports: Track performance and create clean, client-ready reports.
Pricing Plans
RecurPost starts with a 14-day free trial. After that, pricing is refreshingly simple:
Starter
Personal
Agency
for individuals or non-business users
for small business owners
for agencies managing multiple clients
Compared to other Zoho Social alternatives, RecurPost offers more features and better deals at a far better price, especially for small brands and agencies.
Pros
- Simple, clean, and straightforward interface
- Super useful evergreen post recycling
- Drag-and-drop calendar feels smooth
- Bulk scheduling and powerful automation
- Affordable pricing for multiple accounts
- Responsive customer support with live chat
Cons
- Free trial only; no forever-free plan
- No story auto-posting on Instagram
- Strong analytics, but not as enterprise tools
- Lacks a built-in bio link tool
2. Hootsuite
Hootsuite is a veteran social media management tool, known for its enterprise-level capabilities and support for a wide range of networks. It shows up on Zoho Social alternatives list for its comprehensive feature set, including advanced analytics, team permissions, and even integration with paid ad management.
Key Features
- Streams Dashboard: Track posts, mentions, hashtags, and inboxes side by side in real-time. Stay on top of activity without switching screens.
- Unified Inbox: Consolidate messages from all platforms in one view for faster responses.
- Team Collaboration Features: Assign tasks, manage permissions, and tag teammates to keep workflows organized.
- App Integrations: Connect with Canva, Trello, Dropbox, Google Drive, and more for content creation and storage.
- Analytics & Reports: View basic metrics across posts and channels; higher plans include competitor tracking and deeper insights.
Pricing Plans
Hootsuite has no free plan now. Its paid plans start at:
- Standard: $149/month (1 user, 10 social profiles)
- Advanced: $399/month (1 user, unlimited profiles)
- Enterprise: Custom (5 users, unlimited profiles)
These costs can climb further with extra profiles or users. Zoho Social alternatives, Hootsuite, comparatively costs more but supports larger teams and more profiles.
Pros
- Strong multi-platform scheduling plus a unified inbox in one tool
- Streams that keep social listening live and accessible
- Big list of app integrations for teams with many systems
- Good analytics reporting for brands that need detailed reports
- Hootsuite Academy courses for teams that want guided learning
Cons
- Steep learning curve for new users
- Interface feels dated and a bit overwhelming at first
- Many features are locked in upper tiers or paid add-ons
- Expensive, especially as your team or accounts grow
- It may be overkill for solo creators or small teams
3. Sprout Social
Sprout Social is a premium social media management platform built for scale. Its Smart Inbox, advanced listening, and custom analytics dashboards give it an edge in the enterprise space. It’s one of the top Zoho Social alternatives designed for teams that need rich analytics, smart automation, and polished publishing tools.
Key Features
- Smart Inbox: Pull in all messages, DMs, and mentions into a unified view.
- Social Listening: Track keywords, hashtags, sentiment, and even competitor mentions.
- Custom Reporting: Build branded analytics reports with filters and deep performance breakdowns.
- Collaboration Tools: Assign messages, tag teammates, and manage publishing workflows.
- AI Support: Use automatic send-time suggestions, content recommendations, and post previews.
Pricing Plans
There’s no free plan, but a 30-day trial is available. Its paid plans start at:
- Standard: $249 per seat/month (5 social profiles)
- Professional: $399 per seat/month (Unlimited social profiles)
- Advanced: $499 per seat/month (Unlimited social profiles)
It’s one of the higher-priced Zoho Social alternatives, but its features target larger teams and powerful workflows and insights.
Pros
- Trusted by larger brands and agencies
- Built for multi-user collaboration and internal tasking
- Excellent reporting and post-performance tracking
- Mobile apps and CRM integration add flexibility
- Responsive support and guided onboarding
Cons
- Moderate learning curve for first-time users
- Advanced features are locked behind top-tier plans
- Lacks native influencer tracking or marketplace integration
- Seat-based pricing rises fast as the team grows
- Smaller teams may find it too much for their basic needs
4. Buffer
Buffer is a simple and reliable social media scheduler built for individuals and small teams. It’s one of the cleaner and lighter Zoho Social alternatives when it comes to core tools like scheduling, link tracking, and basic analytics, without a steep learning curve.
Key Features
- Easy Scheduling: Calendar or queue-based scheduling with a browser extension. You can also customize captions and first comments.
- Content Suggestions: Curate and share RSS or article suggestions directly from the browser.
- Basic Analytics: Performance metrics (likes, clicks, engagement) per post or account. Exportable CSV reports.
- Link Shortening & UTM: Built-in link shortener with Google Analytics UTM integration.
- Team collaboration: Add roles like creator and approver on higher plans.
Pricing Plans
Buffer offers a free plan with up to 3 channels, 10 scheduled posts/channel, and 1 user account, great for solopreneurs. Its paid plans start at:
- Essentials: $6/channel/month (Unlimited posts, 1 user)
- Team: $12/channel/month (Unlimited posts, unlimited users)
Overall, Buffer is one of the cheapest Zoho Social alternatives and a cost-effective option for users managing just a few accounts.
Pros
- Intuitive and clutter-free dashboard
- Quick setup and easy to connect accounts
- Easy queue-based scheduling system
- Flexible pricing, pay only for what you use
- Perfect for solo users and small teams
Cons
- No unified inbox or social listening tools
- Lacks post-recycling or complex scheduling
- Limited integrations and platform support
- Basic reporting only, no competitive analysis
- Not ideal for teams with advanced workflows
5. Agorapulse
Agorapulse is a social media management tool built around a unified social inbox and automated moderation. It’s built for teams that manage busy inboxes, respond to followers, and present detailed client reports, and turns out to be one of the top Zoho Social alternatives for brands thriving on real-time engagement.
Key Features
- Publishing & Queue: Schedule one-off and recurring posts. Best-time scheduling suggests optimal slots.
- Unified Social Inbox: See and respond to all comments and messages in one place. Assign messages to team members.
- Content Library: Store assets and reuse your go-to content.
- Monitoring & Listening: Track hashtags, keywords, and brand mentions (more advanced on higher plans).
- Reports & ROI: Pre-built and custom reports on engagement, team productivity, and ROI metrics. Export to PDF.
Pricing Plans
Agorapulse has a limited free plan and a 30-day free trial on paid tiers. Its paid plans start at:
- Standard: $99/month (1 user, 10 profiles)
- Professional: $149/month (1 user, 15+ profiles)
- Advanced: $199/month (1 user, 40+ profiles)
Custom enterprise plans are also offered for unlimited profiles/users. Comparatively, Zoho Social alternatives, Agorapulse’s pricing reflects its depth in engagement and analytics tools, ideal for client-heavy teams.
Pros
- Intuitive UI and quick onboarding
- Strong inbox and automation for replying
- Great for team roles and approvals
- Easy bulk uploads and evergreen post queues
- Solid CRM-style audience tagging and insights
Cons
- Paid plans can get pricey with more users
- More complex than needed if you're just posting content
- Some advanced features are locked in higher tiers
- Advanced listening and custom reporting may feel basic
- Better suited for agencies or multi-brand marketers
6. Loomly
Loomly is a content-first social media scheduler built to support teams through the full creative process, from content idea suggestions to publishing. It keeps everyone in sync and is one of the best Zoho Social alternatives for brands that want multiple calendars, post previews, and guided content tips all under one roof.
Key Features
- Content Calendar: Drag-and-drop calendar with real-time post previews for each platform.
- Post & Hashtag Ideas: Built-in inspiration based on trending topics and RSS feeds.
- Approval Workflow: Get client or team feedback on drafts before posts go live.
- Post Optimization: Preview how posts look, schedule Instagram first comments, and optimize images.
- Integrations: Pull from RSS, connect to stock image tools, shorten links, and use basic content libraries.
Pricing Plans
Loomly offers a free plan (3 social accounts, 1 user) with limited features, and its paid plans start at:
- Starter: $65/month (12 accounts, 3 users)
- Beyond: $332/month (60 accounts, unlimited users)
- Enterprise: ustom pricing (61+ accounts, unlimited users)
It is significantly more expensive than entry-level Zoho Social alternatives, but it includes tools for larger content teams with built-in structure.
Pros
- Super clean, drag-and-drop interface
- Post mockups and publishing tips reduce errors
- Easy onboarding, ideal for creative teams
- Supports strong visual collaboration workflows
- Responsive and well-rated customer support
Cons
- Pricing increases fast with added accounts/users
- No social inbox or live mention monitoring
- Lacks advanced analytics and insights
- No deep asset management beyond a media library
- Price-per-profile can feel high for large teams
7. HubSpot Marketing Hub
HubSpot Marketing Hub is an all-in-one marketing automation and social media management system. It works as one of the premium Zoho Social alternatives for brands that want social tied to CRM and campaigns. Teams that already use HubSpot can keep social posts, ads, email, and lead data inside one workspace.
Key Features
- Integrated Marketing: Combine social media, ads, email, and CRM in one system.
- Publishing & Monitoring: Schedule posts, monitor mentions, and track engagement across all networks.
- Contact Syncing: Connect social interactions to CRM records for follow-up and pipeline tracking.
- ROI Reporting: Track engagement, leads, and campaign performance in unified dashboards.
- Collaboration Tools: Role-based permissions and approval flows (on higher plan).
Pricing Plans
HubSpot Marketing Hub’s lower plans skip organic social posting, and its social tools start on the Professional tier, with paid plans as follows:
- Marketing Hub Professional: $890/month (3 Core Seats, Additional Seats at $50/month)
- Marketing Hub Enterprise: $3600/month (5 Core Seats, Additional Seats at $75/month)
Compared to other Zoho Social alternatives, it costs much more, yet it can replace separate tools for email, landing pages, and automation.
Pros
- Clean, user-friendly interface
- Seamless connection between social, CRM, email, and ads
- Social posts tied to actual contact records
- Great for large marketing teams using multiple channels
- Solid dashboards for ROI and performance tracking
Cons
- Extremely high cost
- Not ideal for social-only users
- No deep social listening or trend discovery
- Lacks advanced scheduling flexibility
- Only worthwhile if you need the full CRM/marketing suite
8. Sendible
Sendible is an agency-oriented social media management suite, pulling together scheduling, monitoring, and analytics into one tidy dashboard. It stands out among Zoho Social alternatives by offering perks like content suggestions, visual previews, and white-label reporting for client access.
Key Features
- Unified Publishing: Schedule to all networks; includes link previews and first-comment scheduling for Instagram.
- Content Library: Store and reuse images, hashtags, and post templates. Supports bulk scheduling and queue categories.
- Collaboration: Task assignment, approvals, and client access to custom dashboards.
- Analytics & Reports: Basic engagement insights and Google Analytics traffic integration.
- Integrations: Canva integration and bit.ly support, plus keyword monitoring.
Pricing Plans
Sendible offers a 14-day free trial and has flexible pricing across five tiers, which are as follows:
- Creator: $29/month (6 profiles, 1 user)
- Traction: $89/month (24 profiles, 4 users)
- Scale: $199/month (49 profiles, 7 users)
- Advanced: $299/month (100 profiles, 20 users)
- Enterprise: $750/month (400 profiles, 80 users)
Zoho Social alternatives, Sendible’s mid-tier pricing can be higher comparatively, but it includes more users and client features per plan.
Pros
- Wide multi-platform scheduling, plus Google Business Profile
- Visual previews streamline post formatting
- Strong white-label dashboard for client-facing work
- Smooth approval workflow that cuts email back-and-forth
- Clean PDF reports for client check-ins
Cons
- The screen can feel dated, and pages may lag
- Glitches in media upload sometimes fail to publish some posts
- Light social listening and no serious competitor tracking
- Social account connections may disconnect on occasion
- Costs rise as team size and client profiles grow
9. Meltwater
Meltwater is a seasoned player in the media monitoring space that’s evolved into a powerful tool for PR teams, marketers, and communications professionals. For organizations looking beyond basic scheduling, it stands out among Zoho Social alternatives for its broad reach and serious listening power.
Key Features
- Cross-Channel Monitoring: Track your brand, competitors, or keywords across social platforms, blogs, podcasts, and global news outlets.
- AI Analytics Dashboards: Measure campaign reach, track share of voice, and visualize sentiment trends over time.
- Influencer Database: Discover, reach out to, and track creators directly through the platform.
- PR Campaign Reporting: Combine social and media impact in one report to share with leadership or clients.
- Real-Time Alerts & Reports: Push updates via Slack, Teams, or email. Custom reports on demand.
Pricing Plans
Meltwater is an enterprise-priced solution with custom quotes that offers:
- No free tier: No free or small-team plans, but free trials or limited demos can be requested.
- Mid-Sized Package: $15,000–$20,000 per year
- Large Enterprise Package: $40,000+/year
Zoho Social alternatives, Meltwater, offer 24/7 support and onboarding, and it’s mostly used by large brands and agencies.
Pros
- Best-in-class for monitoring brand mentions and sentiment tracking
- Covers social media + news + forums + blogs
- Excellent for crisis alerts and reputation insights
- Real-time alerts help large PR teams stay ahead
- AI insights assist in share-of-voice reporting
Cons
- Overkill for users who just want to schedule content
- Interface can feel complex or overwhelming
- Post scheduling is basic and limited to a few platforms
- Custom pricing puts it out of reach for freelancers or small businesses
- Sentiment tags still miss sarcasm or subtle language in some cases
10. Sprinklr
Sprinklr is a heavyweight platform built for large enterprises that want everything under one roof: social media management, customer support, advertising, and social listening. It’s one of the high-end picks among Zoho Social alternatives, especially if you need automation, control, and scale across dozens of channels.
Key Features
- Omnichannel Engagement: One interface to manage Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, LinkedIn, plus chat and messaging apps.
- AI-Powered Insights: Smart sentiment analysis, automatic tagging of messages, smart response suggestions.
- Advanced Publishing: Bulk scheduling for massive volumes, built-in asset library, and tagging for commerce (shoppable posts).
- Custom Analytics: Fully customizable reports and dashboards at enterprise scale.
- Integrations & APIs: Deep integration with CRMs, ecommerce tools, and mobile apps.
Pricing Plans
Sprinklr offers a self-service Social plan for smaller teams with social media management and basic customer service tools, and enterprise plans with advanced configurations, user roles, or multiple modules, priced at:
- Standard: $299/user/month (when billed annually)
- Enterprise: Custom quotes (often in the thousands per month for the full CXM suite)
There is no free plan, but Zoho Social alternatives, Sprinklr, do provide a free trial (typically 30 days) on request for the self-serve plan.
Pros
- Handles social and support at massive scales
- Top-tier AI automation for responses and routing
- Powerful listening across niche and global platforms
- End-to-end campaign, care, and commerce in one place
- Trusted by enterprise-level teams
Cons
- Steep pricing; not for small or mid-size companies
- Interface can be overwhelming without onboarding
- Often requires outside setup or consulting
- More power than most businesses will ever need
- Lacks flexibility for budget-conscious users
11. SocialPilot
SocialPilot is a comprehensive social media scheduler and covers almost all the essential features of high-end platforms at a lower cost. It’s built for teams and agencies on a budget and stands out among Zoho Social alternatives for its content curation and client management.
Key Features
- Unlimited Scheduling: No limits on the number of posts (within your plan’s profile count).
- Social Inbox: Respond to Facebook messages, Instagram comments, and X (Twitter) mentions in one place.
- Team Collaboration: Assign roles, approve posts, and leave internal notes across accounts.
- Basic Analytics: Track post reach, clicks, and export simple reports.
- White-label Reporting: Premium and Ultimate plans allow agencies to brand client reports.
Pricing Plans
SocialPilot offers a 14-day trial but no free plan. Paid plans are as follows:
- Essentials: $30/month (1 user, 7 profiles)
- Standard: $50/month (3 users, 15 profiles)
- Premium: $100/month (6 users, 25 profiles)
- Ultimate: $200/month (unlimited users, 50 profiles)
It also offers an Enterprise plan for those who need custom solutions. All plans come with reasonable scheduling limits and collaboration features and are generally cheaper than the comparable tiers of many other Zoho Social alternatives.
Pros
- Simple, clean scheduling interface
- Bulk posting and RSS automation save time
- Manages multiple client accounts within budget
- White-label reports add polish for client work
- Responsive customer support with live chat
Cons
- The screen can feel dated compared to newer tools
- Basic reporting only, lacks engagement breakdowns
- Limited ad tools and no advanced listening
- Glitches when linking Facebook pages (occasionally)
- No free tier beyond the trial
12. Later
Later is a visual social media scheduler that started with Instagram-first posting in mind. It’s one of the lighter Zoho Social alternatives for anyone who wants to manage Instagram easily, especially small brands, solo creators, and influencers.
Key Features
- Visual Content Calendar: Schedule posts with a drag-and-drop interface, with optional grid preview (for Instagram feed).
- Social Inbox (Meta only): Handle Instagram and Facebook comments/messages in middle-tier plans.
- Instagram Tools: Get hashtag suggestions, schedule your first comment, and use the “best time to post” tips.
- Linkin.bio: Create a shoppable landing page linking to products or content (helpful for e-commerce).
- Basic Performance Metrics: Track growth, engagement, and top-performing content in simple reports.
Pricing Plans
Later offers a range of plans, including a free trial for 14 days and a Starter plan, mostly for solopreneurs, with 1 social set and 8 platforms. Other paid plans are as follows:
- Starter: $25/month (1 social set, 30 posts/month/profile)
- Growth: $50/month (2 social sets, 180 posts/month/profile)
- Scale: $110/month (6 social sets with unlimited posts)
Overall, Zoho Social alternatives, Later’s pricing, though mostly affordable, also lets you avail a further 25% discount if billed yearly.
Pros
- Simple visual calendar and scheduler
- Grid preview for Instagram feed planning
- Easy hashtag suggestions and management
- Auto-publish for Stories and Reels
- Quick to learn and easy to use
Cons
- Focused on Instagram/Pinterest, fewer tools for other networks
- Limited bulk import (no RSS automation)
- Pricing increases quickly for extra sets or users
- Deep analytics only on top plans
- Posting errors are sometimes reported
What is Zoho Social?
Zoho Social is a social media management platform in the wider Zoho business suite. Teams use it to schedule posts, reply to followers, and track basic results in one shared dashboard. Launched around 2015, it has become a common pick for small and mid-sized brands.
Its core features include a publishing calendar, content queue, URL shortener, basic listening for mentions, and a social inbox, and it fits best for users already running other Zoho tools such as Zoho CRM. However, its certain limitations have prompted many users to look for other Zoho Social alternatives.
Features such as richer reports, better listening, or full inbox tools sit only on higher tiers. Some users also describe its interface as dated and harder to learn. New team members may need extra time before they feel fully comfortable with streams and menus.
Social listening stays simple with keyword and mention tracking, but no strong sentiment or trend insights, and support for newer networks, such as TikTok, has lagged at times.
So, when pricing climbs faster than feature needs, many teams begin to compare Zoho Social alternatives that give fresher interfaces, richer analytics, or better multi-user value.
Why Look for Zoho Social Alternatives?
If you’re eyeing other tools, you’re not the only one. Here’s why many teams are exploring other Zoho Social alternatives:
- Rising costs: It feels affordable at first; however, the problem starts when you add more brands or team members and must jump to higher plans. An agency might move from a mid-tier plan to an expensive agency tier just to add a few clients. Many teams then notice that other Zoho Social alternatives give similar features at a lower monthly cost.
- Limited features on lower plans: On basic tiers, Zoho Social keeps many useful tools locked away. The Standard plan covers only one brand and skips the full social inbox and deeper analytics. Growing teams often hit caps on profiles, reports, or scheduled posts. To get core needs like better reports or stronger collaboration, they must upgrade far more than they planned.
- Complex interface: Some users find its dashboard busy and hard to scan. Multiple columns, hidden menus, and extra clicks slow simple tasks such as checking mentions. New team members may need more training time than with cleaner social media management tools. This friction pushes some users to seek Zoho Social alternatives with simpler layouts.
- Changing needs: Social platforms move fast, and brands now care about TikTok, Reels, and new formats. Zoho Social has sometimes been slow to add or polish support for newer features and channels. Teams that rely on newer formats, fresh metrics, or up-to-date posting tools may feel held back. They then look for tools that ship new social features sooner.
- Reliability and support gaps: Missed posts, slow loading screens, or account disconnects can hurt live campaigns. Some users report patchy support or long waits to fix issues that affect daily work. For agencies and busy brands, trust is vital. If they cannot rely on stable posting and quick fixes, switching tools becomes a serious option.
- Poor value proposition: The social media management space is crowded, and rivals keep adding stronger features at sharp prices. Many tools now include content libraries, white label reports, or stronger inboxes on mid-range plans. Whether it’s due to limited innovation on Zoho Social’s part or simply better offers from other companies, many teams now feel like they’re paying more and getting the same results.
In summary, all of these points prompt users to seek smarter, more flexible Zoho Social alternatives offering modern functionality at a better price point.
How to Choose the Best Zoho Social Alternative
When evaluating Zoho Social alternatives, keep the following checklist in mind to find the best fit:
- Your core needs: Identify what you absolutely need from a social media tool. Is it cross-platform scheduling, strong analytics, a social inbox, content recycling, or deep client reporting? List what you cannot live without in a social media management tool, and make sure the alternative you choose excels in the areas that matter most to you.
- Supported platforms: Ensure your Zoho Social alternatives support all the social networks you use. Some tools might have excellent features for Facebook and Twitter, but lack support for newer or niche platforms like TikTok or Pinterest. Verify that the tools on your shortlist can manage content for all the platforms your business relies on.
- Content volume & team size: Consider how much content you publish and the size of your team. Some alternatives may limit the number of scheduled posts per month or the number of team members/collaborators on an account. Choose a tool that can comfortably handle your posting volume and allow your team to work together without extra fees.
- Analytics & reporting: If tracking performance is important, look at what analytics each alternative provides. Some tools offer in-depth reports (engagement rates, follower growth, best posting times, competitor benchmarking, etc.), while others might only give basic stats. Ensure the alternative provides the level of insight you need, especially if Zoho Social’s reporting was insufficient for you.
- Collaboration workflow: If you work with a team or clients, consider how the tool handles collaboration. Features like content calendars, approval workflows, assignment of tasks, and commenting can streamline your social media process. Different Zoho Social alternatives differ in how they handle multi-user collaboration.
- Integrations: Check if the alternative tool integrates with other software you use (like CRM systems, analytics tools, or cloud storage). A good ecosystem can save you time, for example, integration with Canva for design, Google Drive for content, or Slack for notifications. If you were using Zoho Social for its CRM synergy, decide if you need an alternative that also offers CRM integration or if you’ll handle that differently.
- Budget & scalability: Determine your budget and think long-term. While some tools might fit your budget now, consider how the pricing scales if your social media presence grows (more profiles, more team members, more features needed). Look for Zoho Social alternatives with transparent pricing and the option to upgrade without huge jumps in cost.
- Trial period & support quality: Finally, take advantage of free trials or free plans. Testing a platform is the best way to know if it truly fits your needs. During the trial, involve your team and simulate your daily tasks to see if it’s a good fit. Also, evaluate the quality of customer support and resources (tutorials, community forums, knowledge base).
By following this checklist, you’ll be able to narrow down your Zoho Social alternatives to the one that best aligns with your goals, team, and budget. Remember that “best” is subjective; the best tool is the one that you and your team will actually use effectively to drive your social media objectives.
Free vs. Paid Zoho Social Alternatives
When searching for Zoho Social alternatives, you’ll encounter both free and paid options. Here’s what you need to know:
Free Alternatives
Free alternatives can be a great starting point, especially for individuals or small businesses on a tight budget. For example:
- Buffer’s free tier handles 3 profiles, with up to 10 scheduled posts each
- Agorapulse’s free version supports 1 user across 3 social profiles
- Loomly’s free plan lets you manage 1 user and 3 social accounts
Free Zoho Social alternatives are best if you have a light social media load or just want to test out a platform’s interface. Just keep in mind that as your needs grow (say you start adding more social channels, or you want to coordinate with another team member), you might need to upgrade to a paid plan eventually, whether on that same tool or by switching to another.
Paid Alternatives
Paid Zoho Social alternatives typically unlock the full suite of features, such as unlimited scheduling, multiple user accounts, robust analytics and reporting, and priority customer support, and are designed to provide value that justifies their cost.
Tools such as RecurPost, SocialPilot, and Later give clear public pricing with trials, so teams can test before buying. Lower-cost tools tend to suit small and mid-sized brands that need bulk scheduling, evergreen recycling, simple approval flows, and basic but useful analytics.
Premium suites such as Hootsuite, Sprout Social, Agorapulse, or Sendible climb higher in price but add richer listening, advanced reports, and stronger collaboration, which suits agencies and larger companies more than solo users.
What About Zoho Social?
Zoho Social is a budget-friendly social media scheduler that integrates deeply with the Zoho ecosystem. It works well for small to mid-sized teams and is used to schedule posts, reply to followers, and track basic results in one shared dashboard. It runs only on paid plans with a time-limited trial.
Many budget-sensitive teams that want a free forever option, hence look at Zoho Social alternatives like Buffer, Agorapulse, or Loomly, while brands that want extra features per dollar compare tools such as RecurPost, SocialPilot, or Later.
When to Use Free
Free Zoho Social alternatives fit a slower posting pace and work great for individuals running a few profiles, small businesses, or teams that want time to learn a new dashboard before paying. If you post at a modest pace and only need core scheduling, you probably don’t need a paid tool, at least not right away.
When to Invest in Paid
If your posting volume grows, free caps can slow work. That’s where paid Zoho Social alternatives come in, offering better scheduling, collaboration, and analytics that help you save time and post smarter. Paid tiers also make sense when a team needs roles and approvals.
Hybrid Approach
You can also mix and match various Zoho Social alternatives rather than jump straight into a large suite. For example, a brand might use Loomly free for one user view, then run posting through a paid plan in RecurPost, SocialPilot, or Later for more profiles and stronger queues.
In conclusion, free alternatives are ideal for individuals or small teams with minimal needs. Paid tools, however, offer more comprehensive features for serious social media marketers. The good news is that there’s no shortage of smart Zoho Social alternatives, both free and paid, that can scale with you.
Zoho Social Alternatives Feature Comparison Table
Here’s a quick comparison of Zoho Social alternatives based on key features, pricing, and free plan availability:
HubSpot Starter includes limited social features; fuller social tools sit in higher Marketing Hub tiers.
Notes: Free plan availability and prices are as of 2025 and may vary by billing period or promotions. “Starting price” reflects the lowest paid tier with core features, while higher tiers offer additional functionality. Always check the latest details with the vendor.
This table shows the wide range of Zoho Social alternatives available, from free entry-level tools to robust, enterprise-ready solutions. Use this comparison as a guide to match features to your social media needs.
Zoho Social Alternatives by Business Type
Different organizations need different tools. Here are some top Zoho Social alternatives by category:
For Small Businesses & Solopreneurs: For small businesses and startups, simplicity and affordability are key. You likely want a tool that saves time without breaking the bank. Zoho Social alternatives, RecurPost, stand out here for teams that reuse old posts with its evergreen content recycling and content libraries that keep feeds active with less daily work. Buffer is also a strong choice, offering an intuitive interface and even a solid free plan to help you manage your social media effectively while keeping costs low. SocialPilot is another great choice for brands that want a lower entry price. Its Professional plan, covering around 10 profiles and unlimited scheduling, provides strong value at lower tiers.
For Agencies: Agencies need to manage multiple clients’ social media accounts, collaborate internally, and produce reports to show clients’ progress. Sendible is a favorite among marketing agencies that want a white-label dashboard. It also supports an approval workflow and a unified inbox. Another good fit is Loomly, which offers strong team collaboration features and an intuitive visual calendar. It also provides some “post ideas” suggestions, which can be handy for agencies juggling many accounts and looking for creative inspiration. Zoho Social alternatives, Agorapulse, also fit agencies that manage replies for clients. Its social inbox and clear assignment flow keep teams aligned.
For Freelancers & Influencers: Individual freelancers or solopreneurs seek out tools that are simple, free (or nearly so), and scalable just enough to cover a handful of accounts without extra complexity. Zoho Social alternatives, Buffer, shine here with a clean interface, three free channels, and low-cost paid upgrades for additional profiles. RecurPost and SocialPilot also work well for freelancers with several smaller clients, thanks to evergreen libraries that keep posts going even on quiet weeks. Later, focused on grid previews, link in bio pages, and visual planning for Instagram and TikTok, is also a great choice for creators with strong visual brands.
For Enterprises: Enterprises and large organizations often require more advanced features, robust analytics, and multi-team support. Sprout Social is well-suited for this category and is a great fit for teams that need social listening plus advanced reporting. Its CRM integration can connect social activity to sales data. Sprinklr works well for global brands that run omni-channel care and marketing. It brings social, messaging, and support queues into one place, with advanced permissions for regions and product lines. Zoho Social alternatives, Meltwater, is also a great choice. It suits PR and communication teams that need media monitoring plus social listening across news, blogs, and social networks, with share of voice and sentiment views for senior leaders.
For E-commerce Businesses: Stores that sell online care about comments, tags, and quick replies as much as scheduled posts. Zoho Social alternatives, Agorapulse, pull reviews, messages, and post comments into a single inbox that suits service and support teams. Later works well for product-heavy brands that rely on Instagram and TikTok, with grid previews, shoppable style link pages, and strong visual scheduling. Sendible, acting like a mini social CRM, is another great option. It helps teams see message history for repeat buyers and can link social replies with Google reviews or blog posts.
When choosing an alternative, consider your specific needs, whether you’re a small business just starting up or a large enterprise with complex workflows. The good news is, there are plenty of Zoho Social alternatives that offer robust functionality at various price points, making it easier to find the right tool for your social media goals.
