Did you know over 4.74 billion people use social media worldwide & 93% of internet users are also social media users?
In today’s digital world, having a strong social media presence is crucial for businesses, brands, public figures, influencers, and content creators to connect with their target audience and achieve real-world success. However, maintaining an active social media presence can be time-consuming and challenging, given the numerous tasks involved, such as content creation, editing, posting, and engagement. Responding to users’ queries and comments promptly is equally essential, as customers expect quick responses in the times of social media.
Social media scheduling tools can help streamline your workflow and enable you to schedule, preview, and post your content as far out as you would like. They can also help you organize your social inboxes and improve your response time to user queries. With the global culture of “now,” social media scheduling tools can help you stay active and engaged on social media, allowing you to focus on other aspects of your business.
In this article, we will provide you with some of the best options available today for social media scheduling. With the right scheduling tool, you can effectively manage your social media presence and enhance your brand’s visibility and engagement.
What are social media scheduling tools?
Social media scheduling tools allow you to schedule posts on your different social media accounts for your desired date and time. It allows you to decide what posts go up, when, and on which social media platform – days, weeks, or even months in advance.
Advantages of using social media scheduling tools
Social media scheduling tools offer numerous advantages for businesses and marketers. These tools enable better organization and consistency in posting, thus ensuring a regular and timely presence of your brand on social media platforms. Here are the top 5 benefits of using social scheduling tools in your organization:
Increased efficiency in managing social media accounts
Social media scheduling tools eliminate the need to log in and out of multiple social media accounts, thus saving time for businesses with multiple accounts. Having separate social media accounts for different departments or functions within a company is a common practice. But constantly switching between accounts can be time-consuming. Social media scheduling tools provide a unified platform to sync all your social accounts in one place and manage schedules from the same place.
Consistent posting schedule
Posting regularly on social media is essential to maintain followers’ interest and engagement. Sponsored content also requires a consistent posting schedule. Social media scheduling tools allow you to create and schedule posts ahead of time, thus ensuring a consistent posting schedule.
Refinement of social media strategy
The best social media scheduling tools offer advanced analytics and insights that help businesses understand their social media presence better. They provide information about the most and least engaging types of content, the best times and days to post, and other data that can help you refine your social media strategy for maximum engagement.
Reach a global audience
Managing social media across multiple time zones for global companies can be challenging. Social media scheduling tools enable businesses to post messages, polls, and content at optimal times regardless of time differences, thus increasing their chances of reaching a global audience.
Effective content recycling
Reusing content is an excellent strategy to keep your audience engaged without much effort. Social media scheduling tools make reposting content with different messages or images easy while ensuring sufficient time between every repost.
How to choose social media scheduling tools?
Begin by identifying your objectives and requirements: It is essential to clearly understand your social media marketing objectives and what you need before you start exploring social media scheduling tools. This will help you narrow down your options right from the beginning.
Assess the features you require: Now that you have identified your goals and needs, assess the various features these tools provide to help you achieve them. The best social media scheduler should typically include the following features:
- Social media post scheduling
- Social media monitoring and listening
- Analytics and reporting
- Competitor benchmarking on social media
- Mobile application with desktop-level functionality
Pricing: Pricing is often the first and most crucial factor for small businesses. Look for social media scheduling tools that meet all your requirements within your given budget.
Top 13 social media scheduling tools
Social media scheduling tools empower businesses to maintain a strategic and effective social media presence, enhance engagement with their audience, and maximize the impact of their social media marketing campaigns. Here are the top 13 social media scheduling tools that you can use for the same purpose:
1. Buffer: Best for social media management of multiple accounts
Buffer is a fantastic tool for scheduling social media updates at optimal times. With Buffer, you can easily add updates to the queue, and the posts will be automatically scheduled for the best times, ensuring that your followers aren’t inundated with too much content at once.
In addition to the scheduling feature, Buffer also offers an engagement feature and analytics that are extremely useful. You can even shuffle your queue after 200 posts, which is a great way to keep your content fresh and engaging.
There are many reasons to use Buffer for social media scheduling. It supports scheduling and posting on multiple platforms like Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.
The Buffer Calendar feature helps you to plan your social media content, while the ‘re-buffer’ option allows you to fast-track your best-performing updates. You can also check engagement on your content and easily shorten long links. Buffer allows for seamless workflow management with over 60 app integrations.
Furthermore, Buffer makes it easy to create a custom schedule for each profile on each social media platform. The Buffer browser extension is a quick and convenient way to schedule content in just one click, and you can even schedule Instagram Stories.
Buffer also provides new analytics to help you determine what’s working and what’s not, and it supports videos and GIFs. Additionally, you can track Google Analytics campaigns using Buffer. All in all, Buffer is an excellent tool to simplify your social media scheduling and management tasks.
Pros
- Provides excellent value for money
- Offers an advanced and flexible link in bio tool
- Suitable for both individuals and teams
Cons
- The user interface could be improved
- The analytics provided are fairly basic
Pricing
- Free: $0
- Pro: $79 per month
- Premium: $199 per month
- Enterprise: Custom plan
2. Post Planner: Best for content curation and planning
Post Planner is a cost-effective content marketing system that enhances social media engagement and promotions for marketers and small businesses. It aids in generating content ideas and sharing them with social followers.
This tool was created by content marketers for individual marketers and businesses to simplify the content curation process. It is common to face difficulties deciding what to post, and Post Planner helps by offering popular content ideas for sharing. Additionally, it provides interesting ideas for enhancing Twitter engagement by scheduling bulk posts.
Post Planner has several benefits, including the ability to discover trending content and target specific audiences while scheduling posts. It also allows for scheduling post links with images, which increases the click-through rate. Another great feature is the RSS feed automation, which enables social media posting to be automated from the RSS feed.
These features are particularly useful for individuals and small businesses. Post Planner is an ideal solution for managing Facebook pages and groups.
Pros
- Provides a library of content ideas
- Offers advanced analytics and reporting
- User-friendly interface
Cons
- Limited social media platform integrations
- No free plan available
Pricing
- Single: $3 per month
- Starter: $7 per month
- Growth: $27 per month
- Business: $47 per month
- Enterprise: $197 per month
3. PromoRepublic: Best for small businesses and agencies
PromoRepublic is a web-based platform for social media marketing that caters to agencies, small businesses, franchises, and marketing departments. It has a content distribution system that allows users to customize their content, run ads, and manage multiple accounts.
The platform uses artificial intelligence to automate post scheduling across various social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Administrators can control who can edit and upload posts. PromoRepublic also includes a built-in image editor to upload image posts to iOS and Android devices and an interface for integrating the platform with other services like HubSpot, Buffer, and Hootsuite.
The platform offers:
- Workflow management
- Collaboration tools
- Content planning
- Custom branding
- Analytics
Pros
- Its intuitive scheduler provides recommendations for the best times to publish posts
- A library of templates and customizable posts
- A content generator that provides curated content and ideas
- Tracking of engagement and mentions
- Separate workspaces for each account
- Responsive customer service
Cons
- Can be expensive for small businesses
- Some users report issues with customer support
Pricing
- Small business: $49 per month
- Agency: $79 per month
- Multi-location: Custom
4. Sprout Social: Best for social media analytics and reporting
Sprout Social is a user-friendly social media planning tool specially designed for corporate purposes. It simplifies social media post scheduling, publishing, engagement monitoring, and analytics.
This tool supports major social media platforms such as Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.
Sprout Social has an excellent social media management system, including Social analytics (Follower analysis, Post-performance, Competitor analysis), Campaign optimization, and Social engagement.
The report customizability feature allows users to gain insights into their engagement and campaigns according to their requirements. Additionally, the Smart Inbox collects all interactions on posts to make it easier for users to read, understand, and respond to any comments from the platform.
Pros
- Sprout Social has an intuitive scheduler
- Supports multiple accounts
- Has a dashboard view of statistical data
- Provides robust reports
- Has content creation tools
- Allows users to monitor competitor
- Views record in real time
Cons
- Pricier compared to other platforms
- Doesn’t offer a re-queue feature or post variants
Pricing
- Standard: $249 per month
- Professional: $399 per month
- Advanced: $499 per month
- Enterprise: Custom
5. SocialPilot: Best for affordable social media management
SocialPilot is a social media management tool offering features such as content curation and reporting. It is an excellent option for enterprise marketers and small businesses. It is also a user-friendly tool.
SocialPilot provides scheduling and publishing automation for all major social networks such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google My Business, Pinterest, TikTok, and Tumblr. Its calendar feature is intuitive, and users can post content natively.
SocialPilot is an affordable option for small businesses and teams, providing good value for its price. It is compatible with major social networks, including Facebook ads. It also integrates with Canva, which is helpful for graphic creation. Additionally, there are no contracts, providing flexibility for users.
Pros
- Provides in-depth analytics and insights
- Integrates with multiple social media platforms
- Offers a content curation feature
Cons
- Some users report issues with customer support
- Limited features on the free plan
Pricing
- Agency+: $170 per month
- Agency: $85 per month
- Small team: $42.50 per month
- Professional: $25.50 per month
6. SmarterQueue: Best for social media automation
SmarterQueue is the best social media scheduler with a highly flexible scheduling system offering a paid service. It comes equipped with a unique feature called the Evergreen Recycling function, which reuses the best-performing content to ensure that your queue never runs out of content. This feature eliminates the need for constantly finding new content for scheduling.
SmarterQueue is one of the best social media scheduling tools available in the market, surpassing its cheap counterparts. It is a trusted tool used by many online business owners.
Let’s explore some of SmarterQueue’s features:
- Evergreen cycling
- Visual calendar
- Content curation
- RSS feeds
- Social tagging/mentions
- Content categories
Pros
- Offers a content curation feature
- Integrates with multiple social media platforms
- Provides in-depth analytics and insights
Cons
- Can be expensive for small businesses
- Some users report issues with the user interface
Pricing
- Agency: £69.99 per month
- Business: £33.99 per month
- Solo: £19.99 per month
- Custom: £19.99 per month
7. Recurpost: Best for recurring and recycling social media posts
Recurpost is a straightforward social media scheduling tool that helps extend the life of your high-quality content. It allows you to post at the ideal frequency to keep your social media accounts active. It supports popular social media networks, including Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
One of Recurpost’s notable features is its ability to reshare your social media content automatically. Other features include:
- Content Library: You can easily schedule posts, automate them, and measure and track their performance.
- Chrome Browser Plugin: You can schedule posts directly using the plugin.
- User-Friendly: The platform is simple and easy to use.
Pros
- Offers a content recycling feature
- Provides in-depth analytics and insights
- Integrates with multiple social media platforms
Cons
- Limited features on the free plan
- Some users report issues with the scheduling process
Pricing
- Solopreneurs: $15 per month
- Agency: $79 per month
- Enterprise: Custom
8. TweetDeck: Best for managing Twitter accounts
TweetDeck is a Twitter management tool that enables users to schedule tweets in advance, making it a cost-effective solution. It offers live updates from the timeline, and users can monitor notifications and activity easily.
Here are some reasons to use TweetDeck:
- It is a free tool.
- It is specifically designed for Twitter profile management.
- Users can schedule tweets ahead of time.
- It provides live updates from the timeline.
- Users can monitor notifications and activity.
Pros
- Features a unique column-based dashboard that sets it apart from other tools
- Allows you to link and manage multiple accounts from a single platform
- Completely free of charge
Cons
- Limited to scheduling on Twitter only
Pricing
Free
9. Pally: Best for AI-powered social media management
Pallyy is a powerful social media scheduler designed to streamline your content creation process. Its user-friendly interface allows you to easily schedule posts on popular platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Google My Business.
One of the standout features of Pallyy is its intuitive content calendar, which makes it simple to visualize your upcoming content plans and scheduling. It is an ideal choice for Instagram and TikTok users who primarily post visual content like images and videos.
Pallyy’s scheduling workflow is incredibly efficient. You can upload your media in bulk and drag it onto the calendar to schedule your content. The platform also includes a grid preview for Instagram and a link in bio tool that supports both grid and button-based bio link pages.
Pallyy features a social inbox from which you respond to messages and comments. It’s worth noting that Pallyy supports TikTok comments, a feature that’s not commonly offered by other social media management platforms.
Pros
- Impressive free plan
- Exceptional design and planning tools
- Excellent visual workflows
- Premium plan is affordable
- Perfect for scheduling on Instagram
Cons
- Many advanced features only cater to Instagram
- Additional social sets come with extra charges, which can be costly if you’re managing multiple brands.
Pricing
- Free
- Premium: $15 per month
10. Publer: Best for simple and efficient social media scheduling
Publer is a social media management tool offering a simple and minimalist user interface. Publer is excellent for users seeking a clean and efficient social media management tool. With Publer, you can easily post, schedule, and analyze your content on all your social media channels, making it a versatile tool for social media managers and content creators.
Connecting your social media accounts and scheduling content on Publer is a quick and seamless process, thanks to its user-friendly interface. One of its standout features is the auto-scheduling tool, which allows you to schedule your posts for optimal times automatically. The bulk media uploader is also a helpful feature for brands and enterprises with high social media engagement.
Key features of Publer include:
- Ability to recycle and schedule recurring posts
- Integration with Google My Business
- An auto-scheduling tool
- A bulk media uploader
Pros
- Provides a unique column-based dashboard
- Integrates with multiple social media platforms
- Completely free to use
Cons
- Limited features compared to other social media scheduling tools
- Only supports Twitter scheduling for non-paid posts.
Pricing
- Free
- Professional: $12 per month
- Business: $21 per month
11. SocialBee: Best for content categorization
With SocialBee, you can easily schedule and automate your social media posts and ensure that your profiles are always up-to-date with fresh content.
One of the standout features of SocialBee is its user-friendly interface, which allows you to categorize your content just like top social media specialists do. This ensures that your audience always enjoys the best mix of content. With SocialBee’s ability to schedule posts for all your social media platforms in one place, sharing content has never been easier.
Other noteworthy features of SocialBee include the ability to import content from various sources and edit it in different formats, post and customize content for Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, Pinterest, and Google My Business, and generate your own posting schedule based on best practices for each platform.
And if you work with a team, SocialBee’s Collaboration Features can help you collaborate better and work together more efficiently.
Pros
- Easy-to-use interface for scheduling and automating social media content across multiple platforms
- Ability to categorize content for an optimized mix of posts
- Collaboration features to work with team members and clients
- Importing content from multiple sources is possible
Cons
- Limited analytics capabilities
- Some users have reported glitches and issues with the platform
Pricing
- Bootstrap: $29 per month
- Accelerate: $49 per month
- Pro: $99 per month
12. Sked Social: Best for Instagram scheduling
Sked Social is a social media management tool that is designed to simplify social media management for individuals and businesses. Sked Social allows users to manage multiple social media accounts across various platforms easily.
With this social media management tool, you can schedule and publish posts on popular social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, and LinkedIn, all from one easy-to-use dashboard. It also provides users with advanced features such as Instagram Story scheduling, hashtag and location research, post analytics, and team collaboration tools.
Sked Social is especially helpful for businesses and agencies that manage multiple social media accounts, as it can save time and streamline their social media management process.
Pros
- Create a set of captions and hashtags that can be reused for future posts, saving time and effort.
- Use the visual planner to drag and drop posts into a non-live version of your Instagram feed to test their appearance before publishing them. This feature is particularly helpful for creating a visually cohesive and aesthetically pleasing Instagram feed.
Cons
- No direct scheduling for Facebook or LinkedIn
- Limited customization options for social media posts
Pricing
- Fundamentals: $21 per month
- Essentials: $63 per month
- Professional: $113 per month
13. Plannthat: Best for analytics and data reporting
Plannthat is a comprehensive social media suite that serves as an all-in-one solution for managing your social media presence across Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, and Pinterest. Its features include an auto-scheduler, social strategist, and content calendar tool, making it a one-stop shop for all your social media needs.
Plannthat also provides valuable insights into various metrics, such as follower growth, engagement rates, and conversion rates, helping you make data-driven decisions to improve your social media strategy. It even includes a competition analysis feature, enabling you to stay ahead of the curve and outpace your competitors.
The app is user-friendly and supports team collaboration, making it an ideal solution for bloggers, business owners, creatives, and social media influencers. It can be shared across multiple devices, and other users can be invited to contribute ideas, making it a versatile and flexible tool for managing your social media presence.
Pros
- User-friendly interface for scheduling and automating social media content
- Comprehensive analytics capabilities to track follower growth, engagement rates, and sales conversions
- Competition analysis and weekly growth tips for strategic planning
- Collaboration features for team members
Cons
- Limited social media platform options compared to other tools
- No direct scheduling for TikTok
- Some users have reported issues with the app’s speed and stability
Pricing
- Power User: $12 per month
- Build: $24 per month
- Grow: $60 per month
Final Thoughts
Social media management can be overwhelming and time-consuming, but using the right tools can make it easier and more efficient. Streamlining your workflow and monitoring your strategy can save time and get better results.
Using social media scheduling tools can be a great way to optimize your social presence. It’s essential to find the best social media scheduler for you, considering your needs, budget, and learning curve.
Don’t just go for what others recommend; take the time to test out different options and select the one that feels like the best fit for you. With the right tool, you can manage your social media strategy like a pro and achieve success without sacrificing time or sanity. Good luck!