PilotPost
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Small businesses usually look for a Hootsuite alternative because its plans are aimed at growing teams, and the total cost rises as you add users and features. Cheaper options such as Buffer, Later, Metricool, SocialBee and PilotPost each cover the core job of scheduling posts, with different strengths. The right choice depends on which networks you use, how many people post, and which extras you really need.
Key takeaways
- Hootsuite is a capable, full-featured platform, but small teams often pay for features they do not use.
- Compare the pricing model (per user, per channel or per plan), not just the starting price.
- List the networks you post to before you compare tools. Coverage varies, especially for TikTok, Bluesky, Threads and Telegram.
- Check mobile apps, analytics and team access during a free trial, using your own content.
- Plan the switch: export what you need, run both tools briefly, then cancel.
Why small businesses look for Hootsuite alternatives
Hootsuite has been around since 2008 and is widely used by larger organisations. Its feature set includes scheduling, social listening, inbox management and reporting. For a café, a consultancy or a two-person ecommerce shop, the common reasons to look elsewhere are:
- Pricing tied to users. Hootsuite's plans are structured around the number of users, so adding a colleague or freelancer can mean moving to a higher tier. Check Hootsuite's current pricing page for exact figures, as plans change.
- Paying for depth you do not use. Listening and advanced reporting are valuable for big brands, but many small businesses only need a calendar, publishing and basic analytics.
- Complexity. A powerful tool takes longer to learn. If one person handles social media alongside everything else, simplicity has real value.
- Network coverage. Some small businesses want newer or niche channels, such as Bluesky or Telegram, in the same calendar as their main networks.
None of this makes Hootsuite a bad product; it is simply built for larger teams.
What to compare
Before looking at tools, write down your answers to these questions:
- Which networks do you post to now, and which might you add? Make a list.
- How many people need access? Include freelancers and agencies.
- How many posts do you publish a week? Some plans cap scheduled posts.
- What formats do you rely on? Reels, TikTok videos, carousels, YouTube Shorts.
- Do you need analytics, and how detailed? A simple view of what worked, or client-ready reports?
- Do you work from your phone? If so, the mobile app needs to be good, not an afterthought.
- What is your monthly budget, including growth? Price your setup in a year, not just today.
Then compare tools against your list, not against each other's marketing.
Five cheaper Hootsuite alternatives, by strength
PilotPost is our product, and it is included in this list. We have described the others neutrally, based on what each is generally known for. Features and prices change, so check each provider's site for current plans.
| Tool | Best known for | Pricing model (check current prices) | Worth a look if you... |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buffer | Simple, clean scheduling | Tiered plans; check current limits | Want something easy that one person can run |
| Later | Visual planning, Instagram-first roots | Tiered plans; check current limits | Plan feeds visually and post mostly to Instagram and TikTok |
| Metricool | Analytics and reporting alongside scheduling | Tiered plans; check current limits | Care about reports and comparing performance |
| SocialBee | Content categories and evergreen recycling | Tiered plans; check current limits | Reuse evergreen posts and like category-based queues |
| PilotPost | One calendar for ten networks, including Telegram and Bluesky | Flat plans from €19 a month | Post to many networks and want AI help with captions |
A little more on each
Buffer is often recommended to beginners and suits sole traders who mainly want to queue posts.
Later began as an Instagram planning tool and is still strongest for people who think visually, arranging posts as a grid before scheduling.
Metricool combines planning with analytics, which appeals to small businesses and freelancers who report results to someone else.
SocialBee organises posts into categories (tips, promotions, testimonials) and can recycle evergreen content, which reduces how much new material you need each week.
PilotPost is a web-based scheduler where you write a post once and publish to Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, LinkedIn, X, Threads, Pinterest, Bluesky and Telegram from one calendar. AI writes captions and hashtags, Insights shows performance, you can add team members, and there are mobile apps on iOS and Android. Plans are Starter, Pro and Agency, from €19 a month, with a 7-day free trial. See pricing, or our compare page for a feature-by-feature view.
How to test alternatives properly
Most schedulers offer a free trial or free plan. Make the most of it:
- Use real content. Schedule a genuine week of posts, including at least one video.
- Connect every network you use. Some connections are fiddlier than others, and you want to find out now.
- Try it on your phone. Create and schedule a post entirely from the mobile app.
- Invite a colleague. Check how team access works and what they can see.
- Look at the analytics after a week. Are they clear enough to make decisions with?
Give each tool the same test and note what annoyed you.
Migration checklist: switching from Hootsuite
Switching is usually straightforward if you plan it. Work through this list:
- Export or note your scheduled posts. List everything queued for the next few weeks, with dates, captions and media.
- Save your analytics. Download or screenshot the reports you will want for year-on-year comparison.
- Collect your media. Make sure all images and videos are saved somewhere you control, not only inside the old tool.
- Save your best captions and hashtag sets. Copy them into a document for reuse.
- Check account access. Confirm you have admin access to each social account directly, not just through Hootsuite.
- Connect accounts to the new tool. Reconnect each network and test a post on every one.
- Recreate your queue. Schedule the upcoming posts in the new tool.
- Run both briefly. Pause the old queue once the new one is live, so nothing is posted twice.
- Update your team. Invite team members to the new tool and remove them from the old one.
- Cancel at the right time. Check your renewal date and cancel before it, once the new setup is working.
Allow a week for the whole process. For tips on keeping several accounts organised during the move, see our guide to managing multiple social media accounts.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a cheaper alternative to Hootsuite?
Yes. Several tools, including Buffer, Later, Metricool, SocialBee and PilotPost, offer lower-cost plans aimed at small businesses. They cover scheduling and basic analytics, with fewer enterprise features. Compare them on your own networks, team size and budget, and check current prices on each provider's site.
What should a small business look for in a social media scheduler?
Focus on network coverage, ease of use, a good mobile app, team access and a pricing model that will not jump as you grow. Analytics matter too, but most small businesses need clear basics rather than enterprise reporting.
Can I move my scheduled posts from Hootsuite to another tool?
Plan to recreate them. List your upcoming posts, save your media and captions, connect your accounts to the new tool, and schedule the posts there. Pause the old queue once the new one is live, so nothing goes out twice.
