2026 Comparison

Publer vs Sprout Social: Which is Better?

A comprehensive, feature-by-feature comparison of Publer and Sprout Social to help you choose the best social media management tool in 2026.

12 features compared
Publer: 4.5/5 rating
Sprout Social: 4.4/5 rating

Our Verdict

Publer leads in 1 categories while Sprout Social leads in 2, 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.

Publer: 1 wins
Sprout Social: 2 wins
Tied: 9 features

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

See how Publer and Sprout Social stack up across 12 key features

Feature
Publer
Sprout Social
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
Key Differences

What Sets Them Apart

The biggest differences between Publer and Sprout Social that will affect your decision

Link in Bio

Publer offers link in bio while Sprout Social does not. This gives Publer an edge for users who need this capability.

Winner: Publer

Social Inbox

Sprout Social offers social inbox while Publer does not. This gives Sprout Social an edge for users who need this capability.

Winner: Sprout Social

Custom Reporting

Sprout Social offers custom reporting while Publer does not. This gives Sprout Social an edge for users who need this capability.

Winner: Sprout Social

Pricing & Value

Publer starts at $12/mo compared to Sprout Social at $249/mo, making it the more affordable option for budget-conscious users.

Winner: Publer
Pricing

Pricing Comparison

Publer starts at $12/mo vs Sprout Social at $249/mo

Publer

More Affordable

Starting at $12/moFree plan available

Free$0/month
  • 3 social accounts
  • 10 scheduled posts
  • Basic features
Professional$12/month
  • Unlimited scheduling
  • Analytics
  • Bulk scheduling
Business$21/month
  • Teams
  • Approval workflows
  • Priority support

Sprout Social

Starting at $249/mo30-day free trial

Standard$249/month
  • 5 social profiles
  • 1 user
  • All-in-one social inbox
Professional$399/month
  • Unlimited profiles
  • Competitive reports
  • Custom workflows
Advanced$499/month
  • Everything in Pro
  • Digital asset library
  • Chatbots

Which Tool is Right for You?

Here's our recommendation based on your needs

Choose Publer if you:

  • Want a free plan to get started without any commitment
  • Need AI-powered scheduling to optimize your posting times
  • Want AI assistance for creating content and captions
  • Need to schedule many posts at once with bulk scheduling
  • Are looking for a tool best suited for: budget-conscious users wanting multi-platform scheduling
Visit Publer

Choose Sprout Social if you:

  • Need AI-powered scheduling to optimize your posting times
  • Want AI assistance for creating content and captions
  • Need a unified inbox to manage all social conversations
  • Require custom reports for clients or stakeholders
  • Need to schedule many posts at once with bulk scheduling
Visit Sprout Social
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Publer vs Sprout Social

Is Publer cheaper than Planify?

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.

Does Publer have a free plan?

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.

Why is Sprout Social so expensive?

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.

Can Planify replace Sprout Social?

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.

Which is better overall, Publer or Sprout Social?

It depends on your needs. Publer is best for budget-conscious users wanting multi-platform scheduling, 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.

Can I switch from Publer to Sprout Social easily?

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.

Looking for a better alternative?

Try Planify — A Modern Alternative to Publer & 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.