Up-to-date Top Picks for the Best Alternatives in 2025
In the ever-evolving landscape of social media management, businesses and creators are constantly seeking tools that cater to their unique needs. Here, we explore some top alternatives to Later, each offering distinct features, pros, and cons.
Planable
Planable, a cloud-based social media management tool, simplifies and streamlines the planning, collaboration, and approval of social media content. Recognized as the best Later alternative for collaboration and approval workflows, Planable offers a free option that includes 50 scheduled posts and paid plans starting at $33/month. It is ideal for teams needing smooth content review processes, which Later lacks.
Buffer
Buffer offers a queue-based scheduling system across a wider range of social platforms compared to Later, including Twitter and LinkedIn. Although its analytics are more basic, it is better for users managing multiple channels beyond Instagram-focused strategies.
Hootsuite
Hootsuite is a feature-rich and scalable tool, strong in analytics for multiple platforms. It may have a steeper learning curve but caters well to businesses requiring robust scheduling, analytics, monitoring, and team collaboration tools.
Blaze
Blaze competes with Later on scheduling ease and content creation tools, also fostering community feedback forums. It might appeal to users looking for in-app editing plus peer support, although its platform coverage (especially for LinkedIn) should be verified per user needs.
Agorapulse
Agorapulse caters more to agencies and teams that need extensive monitoring and community management features alongside scheduling. It competes well as an all-in-one tool for social media teams, although sometimes at a higher cost.
Detailed Insights
- Planable is recognized as the best Later alternative for collaboration and approval workflows with a free option that includes 50 scheduled posts and paid plans starting at $33/month. It is ideal for teams needing smooth content review processes, which Later lacks.
- Buffer offers a queue-based scheduling system across a wider range of social platforms compared to Later, including Twitter and LinkedIn. However, its analytics are more basic, whereas Later provides deeper insights like hashtag performance and audience demographics. Buffer is better for users managing multiple channels beyond Instagram-focused strategies.
- Later itself excels in visual content planning with a drag-and-drop calendar, Instagram grid preview, and a Link in Bio feature that turns your profile link into a shoppable landing page. This makes it strong for brands that rely on Instagram's visual layout.
- Blaze competes with Later on scheduling ease and content creation tools, also fostering community feedback forums. It might appeal to users looking for in-app editing plus peer support, although its platform coverage (especially for LinkedIn) should be verified per user needs.
- Agorapulse caters more to agencies and teams that need extensive monitoring and community management features alongside scheduling. It competes well as an all-in-one tool for social media teams, although sometimes at a higher cost.
Summary
Choosing the right alternative depends on your team size, budget, platform usage, and need for collaboration or analytics. For visual-first Instagram strategies, Later remains strong; for broader platform support or advanced collaboration, Planable and Buffer are top contenders.
| Tool | Best for | Platforms Supported | Pricing Highlight | |------------|------------------------------------|--------------------------------|------------------------------| | Planable | Team collaboration & approvals | Facebook, Instagram, Twitter etc. | Free plan (50 posts), $33/mo+ | | Buffer | Multi-platform scheduling | Instagram, FB, Twitter, LinkedIn | Affordable, simple plans | | Hootsuite | Feature-rich & analytics | Wide range including LinkedIn | Higher cost, scalable | | Blaze | Content creation + community feedback | Instagram, FB, Pinterest, LinkedIn| Varies, check platform support| | Agorapulse | Agency-scale social engagement | Major platforms | Premium pricing |
In addition to these tools, Sendible and Planoly also offer unique features to enhance your social media management experience. Sendible, primarily designed for agencies, consolidates social networks into a unified hub, offering robust tools for engagement, monitoring, publishing, lead generation, and detailed reporting. Planoly includes an AI caption writer and hashtag generator to assist in creating engaging content. Meanwhile, Sprout Social is a comprehensive cloud-based social media management solution designed for businesses of all sizes to enhance their audience interactions and streamline marketing routines.
- Planable's cloud-based technology simplifies multi-account management and team collaboration, offering smooth content review processes that Later lacks.
- With Buffer's queue-based post scheduling, users can manage multiple social-media platforms, including Twitter and LinkedIn, beyond Instagram, despite its more basic analytics.
- Blaze fosters community collaboration and in-app editing, making it a viable option for creators seeking peer support and content creation tools, but its platform coverage should be verified, especially for LinkedIn.
