Buying guide
Metricool alternatives
Metricool combines scheduled publishing, competitor tracking and reports across brands. Alternatives are worth comparing when you want a simpler publishing queue, more detailed draft approval, a different reporting interface or a stronger focus on incoming conversations.
Buffer is a useful first comparison for publishing and team access. SocialPilot is worth exploring for client account management, while Planable concentrates on getting drafts agreed.
The main options
| Product | Main reason to consider it | Difference worth checking |
|---|---|---|
| Buffer | Publishing, comments and reports with a simple queue | Per-channel subscriptions; unlimited members on Team |
| SocialPilot | Multiple client accounts, approvals and reports | Account bundles and Premium client approval |
| Planable | Visual feedback and required approval | Workspace pricing plus optional reporting and inbox |
| Iconosquare | Dashboards, branded reports and benchmarking | Network metrics and report entitlement by subscription |
| Later Social | Visual planning and Instagram-focused tools | Social sets, post allowances and Link in Bio |
| Agorapulse | Shared replies alongside posts and reports | Supported message types and per-user costs |
Buffer: keep publishing straightforward
Buffer makes it easy to prepare posts, keep a queue filled and follow comments and results. Its free plan includes LinkedIn and supports three channels. The ten queued posts per channel are replenished as posts publish, unlike Metricool's monthly free-post allowance.
Buffer Team includes approvals and unlimited members. For several people sharing a small set of accounts, its per-channel pricing can be attractive. Metricool's brand bundles become more useful as the number of businesses and reports grows. Our Buffer versus Metricool comparison includes transparent cost examples.
SocialPilot: organise client publishing
SocialPilot gives a team a calendar for multiple accounts, reports and a route to client approval. Premium includes six users, external client sign-off and bulk CSV scheduling. That can be a useful combination when preparing and approving the next batch of client posts is the main job.
Metricool Advanced already offers approvals and client roles, so approvals alone do not distinguish the two. Compare how the calendars, account bundles and report options fit the way you work.
Planable: make revisions easier
Planable keeps comments next to visual drafts. People can discuss the caption and image together, then use approval modes to make it clear what is ready to publish. Required approval starts on Pro.
That focus is useful when feedback is getting lost between documents and messages. Reports and an inbox are optional paid additions, so Planable is not automatically less expensive than Metricool once you include all three functions.
Iconosquare: look closely at the reports
Iconosquare offers customised dashboards, branded reports and competitor benchmarks alongside publishing. It deserves a closer look when the detail and presentation of performance data matter to your choice.
Compare the metrics available for your actual networks and the reporting tools included in the subscription. A broad analytics promise does not mean every network supplies the same data or that every feature is included at the entry level.
Later and Agorapulse
Later Social brings visual planning, Instagram-focused tools and Link in Bio together. It is worth comparing when organising photos and videos is more important than producing reports across several brands. Metricool versus Later explains that choice more fully.
Agorapulse combines publishing with a shared inbox for supported comments and messages. It is useful when keeping replies moving is becoming a larger part of the work. Check the messages you want to handle; LinkedIn direct messages are not supported.
Choose the approach you prefer
Metricool itself is worth considering for brand-based publishing and reporting, from its free plan to subscriptions for several businesses. The alternatives offer different ways to organise that work, rather than a necessary upgrade.
Buffer is the clearest first comparison for a simpler queue and flexible team access. SocialPilot is another useful choice when client publishing and approval take priority.
Explore all social media management tools. Read our Metricool review for its own features, plans and pricing.