Best Social Media Scheduling Tools Shortlist
I've personally chosen a selection of the top social media scheduling tools for 2023. Here's a brief overview of my top recommendations:
- Iconosquare - Best tool for community management
- PromoRepublic - Best unified tool
- Adobe Express - Best free tool
- SocialPilot - Best value for money tool
- HeyOrca - Best tool for client collaboration
- NapoleonCat - Best tool for customer service teams
- Sendible - Best tool for agencies
- Loomly - Best tool for small businesses
- Brandwatch - Best tool for large enterprises
- Planoly - Best tool for visual planning
- SocialBee - Best tool for e-commerce
- MeetEdgar - Best tool for content libraries
Trust me — I understand the challenges of juggling multiple platforms and finding the perfect scheduling tool that fits your business like a glove. That's why I’ve handpicked a list of the 12 best social media scheduling tools for 2023 to simplify your decision-making process.
What Is Social Media Scheduling?
Social media scheduling involves planning and organizing your content in advance and scheduling it for automatic publication at specific times. It ensures a consistent presence on social media platforms.
You can use scheduling tools or platform features to create a content calendar, compose posts, and choose publication dates. These tools often offer features like post previews, content recycling, and analytics to optimize your strategy.
Benefits include time-saving batch content creation, steady content flow during busy periods, and reaching your audience at optimal engagement times. Social media scheduling is valuable for maintaining consistency, boosting efficiency, and managing social media effectively.
Overview of the 12 Best Social Media Scheduling Tools
In this section, I'll evaluate top-notch social media scheduling tools that are currently available in the market. I'll highlight the key benefits and limitations of each tool, accompanied by user interface screenshots for better understanding.
1. Iconosquare - Best tool for community management
Why I picked Iconosquare
I picked Iconosquare because it's the most comprehensive and feature-rich tool for community management. Iconosquare comes pre-loaded with all the essential community management features and integrations, making it the go-to tool for any size team.
Iconosquare Standout Features and Integrations
Features include advanced scheduling capabilities, in-depth analytics and insights, and hashtag and competitor analysis. Iconosquare’s thorough competitor analysis equips you with invaluable knowledge, enabling you to stay one step ahead in your industry. With Iconosquare's array of features, you can better manage and nurture your social media communities across various channels.
Integrations include pre-built connectors like Facebook Pages, Shopify, Google Analytics, Hootsuite, Canva, Dropbox, Slack, Adobe Creative Cloud, and Mailchimp. Iconosquare also offers native Instagram business profile integration and supports a RESTful API. Connect Iconosquare to a paid Zapier account for even more integrations.
Pricing: From $52.50/month (billed annually)
Free Trial: 14-day free trial
Pros
- User-friendly interface
- Hassle-free content scheduling
- Comprehensive analytics
Cons
- Limited social media platform support
- Higher price point
2. PromoRepublic - Best unified tool
Why I picked PromoRepublic
I chose PromoRepublic because it offers a comprehensive suite of features that covers all aspects of social media management. Aspects include content creation, scheduling, analytics, collaboration, and more. PromoRepublic stood out to me as a unified solution that eliminates the need for multiple tools and simplifies the social media management process.
PromoRepublic Standout Features and Integrations
Features include a content library and templates, multi-platform support, collaboration and approval workflow, analytics and reporting, plus an easy-to-use content calendar and scheduling system. These features give content creators and marketers the power to simplify their processes, curate their content, and stand out from the competition.
Integrations include pre-built and native connectors like Facebook Pages, Instagram Business Profiles, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Canva, Dropbox, Slack, Google Drive, and more. PromoRepublic also supports a RESTful API. Connect PromoRepublic to a paid Zapier account for even more integrations.
Pricing: Upon request
Free Trial: Free demo available
Pros
- Extensive content library
- Supports multiple social media platforms
- Responsive customer support team
Cons
- Lack of pricing transparency
- Limited reporting and analytics
3. Adobe Express - Best free tool
Why I picked Adobe Express
I picked Adobe Express because it is free to use and great if you only require a bare-bones social media content scheduler. This tool is ideal for small content creators, influencers, solopreneurs, or those who want to begin establishing a consistent content schedule without the commitment of an annual subscription.
Adobe Express Standout Features and Integrations
Features include content scheduling and planning on multiple channels. You can also use Adobe Express to create a visual plan and view and refine draft posts to better curate your social media feeds.
Integrations include pre-built and native connectors like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.
Pricing: Free
Free Trial: Freemium version available
Pros
- Easy-to-use
- Free
- Integrates with popular social media platforms
Cons
- Limited reporting and analytics
- Limited channels
4. SocialPilot - Best value for money tool
Why I picked SocialPilot
I picked SocialPilot for this list due to its comprehensive set of social media scheduling features at an affordable price point. If you’re looking for the most bang for your buck, consider testing out SocialPilot’s free trial to see if it’s a good fit.
SocialPilot Standout Features and Integrations
Features include multi-platform content scheduling, content curation, social media analytics, team collaboration, and client management. What helps the platform stand out from other tools is that SocialPilot allows users to schedule multiple posts in bulk. It also offers content suggestion and discovery features and has robust analytics and reporting capabilities.
Integrations include pre-built and native connectors like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Canva, and Bitly. SocialPilot also supports a RESTful API. Connect SocialPilot to a paid Zapier account for even more integrations.
Pricing: From $25.50/user/month (billed annually)
Free Trial: 14-day free trial
Pros
- Multi-platform scheduling
- Easy-to-use collaboration features
- Highly scalable
Cons
- Lack of advanced social listening capabilities
- Limited video support
5. HeyOrca - Best tool for client collaboration
Why I picked HeyOrca
I chose HeyOrca because it is a social media scheduling and planning tool designed specifically for marketing agencies and social media teams. HeyOrca offers several features that enhance client collaboration. I found that HeyOrca’s real-time collaboration capabilities helped simplify the social media management process.
HeyOrca Standout Features and Integrations
Features include real-time collaboration, content visualization, approval workflows, social media scheduling and publishing, and performance analytics. HeyOrca’s content library stood out to me because it’s built in, making it easy for users to approve assets.
Integrations include pre-built connectors like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Google Drive, Buffer, Dropbox, and more.
Pricing: From $35/month
Free Trial: 14-day free trial and free demo available
Pros
- Centralized content library
- Time-saving approval features
- Dedicated customer support
Cons
- No mobile app
- No Zapier integration
6. NapoleonCat - Best tool for customer service teams
Why I picked NapoleonCat
I chose NapoleonCat because it's an ideal option for customer service teams. It provides a social media scheduling tool that meets their unique requirements. It enables efficient and effective customer interactions. NapoleonCat caters to the specific needs of customer service teams.
NapoleonCat Standout Features and Integrations
Features include a unified inbox, automated moderation, workflow management, analytics and reporting, team management, social listening, and more. NapoleonCat stands out from other tools because it provides a comprehensive platform for managing social media accounts, including scheduling and publishing posts, monitoring social media mentions and comments, and engaging with customers in real time.
Integrations include pre-built connectors like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, Google My Business, and Pinterest.
Pricing: From $27/user/month
Free Trial: 14-day free trial
Pros
- Robust analytics and reporting
- Unified inbox
- Includes social listening features
Cons
- Limited native integrations
- Limited customization options
7. Sendible - Best tool for marketing agencies
Why I picked Sendible
I selected Sendible because it is widely regarded as the best social media scheduling tool for marketing agencies. Sendible offers a centralized platform for managing multiple clients' social media accounts, supports scheduling across various platforms, facilitates client collaboration, and provides advanced scheduling and automation options.
Sendible Standout Features and Integrations
Features include multi-channel scheduling, client collaboration, content curation and discovery, advanced scheduling and automation, analytics and reporting, approval workflows, and various client management features. Sendible sets itself apart from other tools on this list because it also offers white-labeling options, allowing agencies to brand the platform with their own logos and colors.
Integrations include pre-built and native connectors like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Canva, Bitly, YouTube, WordPress, and Pinterest.
Pricing: From $29/user/month
Free Trial: Free trial available
Pros
- White-labeling options for branding
- Multi-channel scheduling
- Client account-tracking
Cons
- Lack of support for emerging social media platforms
- Limited social listening capabilities
8. Loomly - Best tool for small businesses
Why I picked Loomly
I picked Loomly because it’s my top choice for small businesses due to its exceptional features, integrations, and pricing structure. Loomly has a user-friendly interface that makes it easy for small businesses to schedule and plan consistent posts. Loomly also has affordable pricing tiers without having to compromise on comprehensive features.
Loomly Standout Features and Integrations
Features include social media scheduling, content creation, audience targeting, social media monitoring, and various brand management tools. Loomly’s unique features allow for collaborative content creation, allowing small business teams to work together easily.
Integrations include pre-built and native connectors like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Google Analytics, Canva, Dropbox, and Slack. Loomly also provides a Zapier integration and supports a RESTful API.
Pricing: From $26/2 users/month (billed annually)
Free Trial: 15-day free trial
Pros
- User-friendly interface
- Comprehensive collaboration tools
- Content creation assistance
Cons
- Reporting limitations
- No built-in hashtag research
9. Brandwatch - Best tool for large enterprises
Why I picked Brandwatch
Although Brandwatch is known more for its social listening capabilities, I decided to add it to this list because of its intuitive social media scheduling tool. Brandwatch’s social media scheduling tool is easy to use and allows you to manage multiple accounts across different channels, making it a great fit for large enterprises.
Brandwatch Standout Features and Integrations
Features include multi-channel scheduling, a unified calendar, performance tracking, social media advertising, advanced scheduling and automation, URL shortening, a comprehensive content pool, and various collaboration features. Brandwatch stood out to me because of its intuitive and easy-to-use mobile app.
Integrations include pre-built and native connectors like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Salesforce, and Reddit. Brandwatch also supports a RESTful API. Connect Brandwatch to a paid Zapier account for even more integrations.
Pricing: From $25/user/month
Free Trial: Free trial available
Pros
- Highly scalable
- Easy-to-use
- Intuitive content visualizer
Cons
- Steep learning curve for beginners
- Limited reporting capabilities
10. Planoly - Best tool for feed planning
Why I picked Planoly
I picked Planoly since it is highly regarded as an excellent social media scheduling tool for feed planning. Planoly stands out from the competition thanks to its visually appealing interface designed specifically for organizing social media content.
Planoly Standout Features and Integrations
Features include a visual-centric interface, drag-and-drop functionality, grid preview and visual consistency, hashtag management, content planning, content collaboration, analytics and insights, and more. I found that Planoly was one of the only social media scheduling tools that also offers Instagram Stories planning and comment management.
Integrations include pre-built and native connectors like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Shopify, Dropbox, Canva, Google Analytics, Slack, Later, and Adobe Creative Cloud. Planoly also provides a Zapier integration and supports a RESTful API.
Pricing: From $11.25/user/month (billed annually)
Free Trial: 7-day free trial
Pros
- Grid preview and feed planning
- Instagram story planning
- Intuitive collaboration features
Cons
- Lacks advanced scheduling features
- Limited mobile app functionality
11. SocialBee - Best tool for e-commerce
Why I picked SocialBee
I picked SocialBee because it is particularly well-suited for e-commerce businesses thanks to its array of features and integrations. SocialBee helps e-commerce businesses make the most out of existing content with content recycling. Maximize content visibility with category-based scheduling for targeted distribution and more.
SocialBee Standout Features and Integrations
Features include content recycling, content curation, URL shortening and tracking, post variations, analytics and reporting, and advanced scheduling options. SocialBee stands out from other tools on this list with its category-based scheduling that lets you create different posts for different categories and even different days of the week.
Integrations include pre-built and native connectors like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Shopify, Medium, Canva, Google My Business, Bit.ly, Trello, Asana, Shopify, and WordPress. SocialBee also provides a Zapier integration and supports a RESTful API.
Pricing: From $29/user/month
Free Trial: 14-day free trial and free demo available
Pros
- Targeted content distribution
- Well-suited for A/B testing
- Intuitive collaboration features
Cons
- Limited visual customization
- Mobile app limitations
12. MeetEdgar - Best tool for content libraries
Why I picked MeetEdgar
I picked MeetEdgar because it is a highly regarded social media scheduling tool for content libraries. It excels in managing evergreen content, organizing it into categories, and automating scheduling across various platforms. I found that MeetEdgar is a preferred choice for those looking to efficiently manage their content libraries on social media.
MeetEdgar Standout Features and Integrations
Features include content categorization, automated content scheduling, variation in post content, queue-based scheduling, social media analytics, URL shortening and tracking, collaboration features, and more. MeetEdgar stood out to me because of its unique evergreen content management features.
Integrations include pre-built and native connectors like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Shopify, Slack, Google Drive, Google Sheets, Google Analytics, Pocket, Shopify, and WordPress. MeetEdgar also provides a Zapier integration and supports a RESTful API.
Pricing: From $24.91/user/month (billed annually)
Free Trial: 7-day free trial
Pros
- Reliable customer support and resources
- Robust social media analytics
- Intuitive automations
Cons
- Limited visual customization
- Limited mobile app functionality
Other Options
These other notable alternatives are worth considering:
- Later - Best tool for entrepreneurs
- Tailwind - Best tool for email marketing
- Plann - Best all-in-one tool
- Crowdfire - Best tool for content curation
Selection Criteria for Social Media Scheduling Tools
After conducting thorough research and analysis of numerous social media scheduling tools, I curated a list of the top solutions available. I also made sure to pay special attention to feedback from users and industry experts. In my evaluation, I prioritized usability and automation features, which I’ll discuss in greater depth below.
Core Functionality
The core functionality of social media scheduling tools helps businesses and individuals organize their content creation and publishing process, save time, maintain a consistent presence, and achieve greater success in their social media endeavors.
Key Features
In order to offer the core functionalities mentioned above, social media scheduling tools require the following key features:
- Content scheduling: Users can schedule their posts to be automatically published at specific times and dates, ensuring a consistent presence on social media platforms.
- Content calendar: Tools offer a visual calendar view where users can plan and organize their content, making it easier to see the overall social media strategy and schedule.
- Post management: Users can compose and edit their social media posts within the tool, adding captions, images, and other media elements.
- Multiple platform management: Social media scheduling tools support various social media platforms, allowing users to manage and schedule content across multiple accounts from a single dashboard.
- Queue and publishing queues: Tools often offer the ability to create queues or posting schedules, allowing users to define time slots for different types of content and maintain a consistent posting schedule.
- Post preview: Users can preview how their posts will appear on different social media platforms before scheduling them.
- Analytics and reporting: Many tools provide analytics features to track post performance, engagement metrics, follower growth, and other key metrics to measure the effectiveness of social media strategies.
- Collaboration and team management: Some tools facilitate collaboration and workflow management among team members, allowing multiple users to contribute, review, and approve posts before publication.
- Content recycling: Tools may offer the ability to recycle or republish evergreen content, ensuring that valuable posts are shared with new audiences over time.
Usability
To narrow down my choices among social media scheduling tools, I undertook a thorough evaluation of their usability. This involved assessing factors such as the intuitiveness of the user interface, the availability of support, and the quality of documentation. To gauge usability, I conducted extensive tests by exploring software demos and meticulously reviewing user feedback.
Value for Money
I opted for social media scheduling tools that provide a wide range of features at an affordable rate. For example, a small-scale business could anticipate spending approximately $15 per month for essential functionalities, whereas a large-scale enterprise might allocate around $50 for a comprehensive feature set. Numerous tools within this category also grant complimentary trial periods or demonstrations. It's advisable to use these opportunities to assess whether the tool aligns with your specific business requirements.
Automations
When putting this roster together, it was crucial to consider the inclusion of automation capabilities. I prioritized features such as content scheduling automation, automated audience targeting, and automations that help gather data.
People Also Ask
Here are frequently asked questions about social media scheduling tools:
What types of social media tools are there?
What is the purpose of using a social media scheduler?
What is the recommended timeframe for scheduling social media posts?
Other Software Reviews
Marketing software comes in all shapes and sizes, from social media platform management to website and product reporting. You'll probably need several tools to cover the whole gambit of needs. Here are some other social software review lists that I recommend checking out:
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- Social Media Management Software
- Social Media Marketing
- Social Media Scheduling
- Social Listening Tools
- Social Media Analytics
Social Advocacy Software
- Customer Advocacy Software
- Affiliate Marketing Software
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Continue the Conversation
By using social media scheduling tools, businesses can unlock a slew of remarkable advantages, positioning themselves for success in the dynamic realm of social media. To get the most benefit from social media scheduling, organizations should choose a dependable tool that fits their needs and easily integrates with their systems.
With so many social media scheduling tools, it's common to feel overwhelmed when trying to choose the best fit for your business. Subscribe to The CMO newsletter for valuable insights and the latest updates.