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 $79/mo.
- Both have an API and an MCP server, so either works with AI employees.
- In our Organic social ranking, Publer places 5 and Sprout Social 3 of 14.
Side by side
| 16 points compared | ||
|---|---|---|
| Starts at | $5/mo | $79/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | No |
| 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
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
Sprout Social
- EssentialsPer seat; $99 per month billed monthly, $79 per month billed annually.$99/mo/seat
- StandardPer seat; $199 per month billed annually, monthly price not shown.$2,388/yr/seat
- ProfessionalPer seat; $299 per month billed annually, monthly price not shown.$3,588/yr/seat
- AdvancedPer seat; $399 per month billed annually, monthly price not shown.$4,788/yr/seat
Prices as the vendors list them. They change often; the final price is on their sites.
Who each is for
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.
Choose Sprout Social if…
Mid-market and enterprise marketing teams managing several brands or many profiles that need publishing, a shared inbox, listening and reporting in one social platform with collaboration workflows.
Other options worth a look
Tool·Client acquisitionSchedule social posts, analyse engagement, and manage paid campaigns across multiple platforms in one place.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
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Tool·Client acquisitionSchedule, publish and manage social media across multiple channels and analyse performance from one dashboard.Organic social
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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