A comprehensive, feature-by-feature comparison of Later and Sprout Social to help you choose the best social media management tool in 2026.
Later leads in 1 categories while Sprout Social leads in 4, with 7 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 Later and Sprout Social stack up across 12 key features
| Feature | Later | Sprout Social |
|---|---|---|
| AI-Powered Scheduling | ||
| AI Content Assistant | ||
| Analytics & Reporting | ||
| Team Collaboration | ||
| Bulk Scheduling | Better | |
| RSS Feed Automation | Better | |
| Content Calendar | ||
| Link in Bio | Better | |
| Social Inbox | Better | |
| Custom Reporting | Better | |
| Hashtag Suggestions | ||
| Media Library |
The biggest differences between Later and Sprout Social that will affect your decision
Later offers link in bio while Sprout Social does not. This gives Later an edge for users who need this capability.
Sprout Social offers bulk scheduling while Later does not. This gives Sprout Social an edge for users who need this capability.
Sprout Social offers rss feed automation while Later does not. This gives Sprout Social an edge for users who need this capability.
Sprout Social offers social inbox while Later does not. This gives Sprout Social an edge for users who need this capability.
Later starts at $25/mo vs Sprout Social at $249/mo
Starting at $25/mo14-day free trial
Starting at $249/mo30-day free trial
Here's our recommendation based on your needs
Common questions about Later vs Sprout Social
Later has slightly more Instagram-specific features like Linkin.bio. However, Planify offers AI-powered optimal timing, more generous post limits, and supports more platforms. For Instagram-only users, Later is good; for multi-platform, Planify wins.
No, Later discontinued their free plan. Their cheapest option is $25/mo. Planify offers a free plan with 3 accounts and 30 posts/month.
Sprout Social targets enterprise clients with social listening, CRM, and advanced reporting. At $249/mo minimum, it's designed for companies with large social media teams. Planify offers core scheduling and analytics features for $19/mo.
For scheduling, analytics, and content management — yes. Planify lacks social listening and CRM features, but for 90% of social media management tasks, it delivers comparable value at a fraction of the cost.
It depends on your needs. Later is best for instagram-focused creators and visual brands, while Sprout Social is best for large enterprises and agencies with big budgets needing advanced social crm. 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 Later and Sprout Social
Planify combines the best of both worlds with AI-powered scheduling, a generous free plan, and support for 7+ platforms including Bluesky and Threads.