A comprehensive, feature-by-feature comparison of Hootsuite and Publer to help you choose the best social media management tool in 2026.
Hootsuite leads in 2 categories while Publer leads in 1, with 9 ties. Both are capable tools, but for the best value with AI-powered features and a free plan, consider Planify as a modern alternative to both.
See how Hootsuite and Publer stack up across 12 key features
| Feature | Hootsuite | Publer |
|---|---|---|
| AI-Powered Scheduling | ||
| AI Content Assistant | ||
| Analytics & Reporting | ||
| Team Collaboration | ||
| Bulk Scheduling | ||
| RSS Feed Automation | ||
| Content Calendar | ||
| Link in Bio | Better | |
| Social Inbox | Better | |
| Custom Reporting | Better | |
| Hashtag Suggestions | ||
| Media Library |
The biggest differences between Hootsuite and Publer that will affect your decision
Hootsuite offers social inbox while Publer does not. This gives Hootsuite an edge for users who need this capability.
Hootsuite offers custom reporting while Publer does not. This gives Hootsuite an edge for users who need this capability.
Publer offers link in bio while Hootsuite does not. This gives Publer an edge for users who need this capability.
Publer starts at $12/mo compared to Hootsuite at $99/mo, making it the more affordable option for budget-conscious users.
Hootsuite starts at $99/mo vs Publer at $12/mo
Starting at $99/mo30-day free trial
Starting at $12/moFree plan available
Here's our recommendation based on your needs
Common questions about Hootsuite vs Publer
Hootsuite starts at $99/mo which is 5x more expensive than Planify Pro ($19/mo). For small-to-medium businesses, Planify offers comparable features at a fraction of the cost. Hootsuite is only worth it for large enterprises needing social listening.
For most teams, yes. Planify offers team collaboration, multi-account management, analytics, and AI features. The main things you'd miss are social listening and some enterprise integrations.
Publer Pro is $12/mo vs Planify Pro at $19/mo. However, Planify's free plan offers 30 posts vs Publer's 10. Planify includes more advanced AI features and a more polished interface at both tiers.
Yes, Publer offers a free plan with 3 accounts and 10 scheduled posts. Planify's free plan is more generous with 30 posts/month and AI features included.
It depends on your needs. Hootsuite is best for large enterprises with dedicated social media teams and big budgets, while Publer is best for budget-conscious users wanting multi-platform scheduling. We recommend trying Planify as an alternative that combines the best of both with AI-powered features and a free plan.
Yes, switching between social media management tools is straightforward. Simply connect your social accounts to the new platform and start scheduling. Your existing posts on the old platform remain unaffected during the transition.
Learn more about Hootsuite and Publer
Planify combines the best of both worlds with AI-powered scheduling, a generous free plan, and support for 7+ platforms including Bluesky and Threads.