The verdict
On the data we hold, Publer comes out ahead. Here is why, point by point.
What the data says
- Both cover 12 of the 12 features we compared.
- Only Publer has a free plan to start on.
- Publer starts lower, at $5/mo against $99/mo.
- Both have an API and an MCP server, so either works with AI employees.
- In our Organic social ranking, Publer places 5 and Hootsuite 2 of 14.
Side by side
| 16 points compared | ||
|---|---|---|
| Starts at | $99/mo | $5/mo |
| Free plan | No | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| MCP server | Yes | Yes |
| AI content assistant | Yes | Yes |
| AI post drafting | Yes | Yes |
| Analytics & reporting | Yes | Yes |
| Best time to post | Yes | Yes |
| Bulk post upload | Yes | Yes |
| Competitor benchmarking | Yes | Yes |
| Link in bio page | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-network publishing | Yes | Yes |
| Post approval workflow | Yes | Yes |
| Post scheduling & queues | Yes | Yes |
| Team collaboration | Yes | Yes |
| Unified social inbox | Yes | Yes |
| Links |
Plans and pricing
Hootsuite
- StandardUp to 10 social accounts; $99 per user per month billed annually.$1,188/yr/seat
- ProfessionalUnlimited social accounts; $199 per user per month billed annually.$2,388/yr/seat
- AdvancedTeam approvals and routing; shown as up to $399 per user per month billed annually.$4,788/yr/seat
Publer
- FreeFree forever for one user: 1 workspace, 3 social accounts (no X), 10 scheduled posts per account.Free
- ProfessionalFrom $5 per month for 1 social account, plus $4 per extra account; unlimited scheduling and X support.$5/mo
- BusinessFrom $10 per month for 1 social account; adds analytics, AI, approvals, and API and MCP access.$10/mo
Prices as the vendors list them. They change often; the final price is on their sites.
Who each is for
Choose Hootsuite if…
Social media managers, marketing teams and agencies who publish and monitor several social networks, accounts or brands and need scheduling, a shared inbox, listening and reporting in one place.
Choose Publer if…
Small teams, creators and agencies that post to several social networks and want one calendar, bulk scheduling and client workspaces without paying for a full social suite.
Other options worth a look
Tool·Client acquisitionSchedule social posts, analyse engagement, and manage paid campaigns across multiple platforms in one place.Organic social
From €16/mo yearlyFree plan
Tool·Client acquisitionManage publishing, engagement, analytics, and social listening across brands from one dashboard.Organic social
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Tool·Client acquisitionSchedules and publishes visual content across Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Pinterest, LinkedIn and more.Organic social
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Tool·Client acquisitionSchedules and publishes social media posts across multiple platforms from one dashboard with team approval workflows.Organic social
From $5/mo yearlyFree plan
Tool·Client acquisitionSchedule, publish and manage social media across multiple channels and analyse performance from one dashboard.Organic social
From €16.15/mo yearly
Tool·Client acquisitionCreate, schedule and analyse LinkedIn posts with AI to build your personal brand and generate leads.Organic social
From $32/mo yearlyAffiliate link