Social Media Tools

Scheduling, publishing, engagement and reporting tools for managing social channels.

In short

Popular social media tools include Buffer, Hootsuite, Later, Sprout Social and Metricool. Compare them by the main job you need done, who will use the tool, integrations and current pricing on each official site.

6 tools in this category

Buffer

Social Media Tools · Buffer

Social media scheduling and publishing.

Good for: simple scheduling Visit

Hootsuite

Social Media Tools · Hootsuite

Social media management platform.

Good for: managing many accounts Visit

Later

Social Media Tools · Later

Visual social media planning and scheduling.

Good for: visual content planning Visit

Sprout Social

Social Media Tools · Sprout Social

Social media management for businesses.

Good for: larger teams Visit

Metricool

Social Media Tools · Metricool

Social media scheduling and analytics.

Good for: scheduling plus analytics Visit

Canva

Design Tools · Canva

Online design platform for everyone.

Good for: social media graphics Visit

How to choose a social media tool

Start with the outcome. Write down the one or two jobs the tool must do well. Ignore features you won't use.
Check who will use it. A tool for a solo founder and one for a 20-person team are different purchases.
Look at integrations. Make sure it connects to the apps you already rely on.
Compare current pricing. Plans and limits change often, so check the official pricing page and note how costs scale.
Trial with real work. Use a free plan or trial, if offered, on an actual project before committing.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most popular social media tools?

Widely used options include Buffer, Hootsuite, Later, Sprout Social and Metricool. This page lists all 6 social media tools in the ToolsCaptain directory.

How do I choose a social media tool?

Start with the one or two jobs it must do, who will use it and your budget. Shortlist three options, compare current pricing on each official site, check integrations with the apps you use, and trial your top two with real work.

Which social media tool is best?

There isn't one best tool for everyone. The right choice depends on your goals, team size, budget and existing software. Our comparisons, such as Canva vs Figma, show where popular options differ.