List of the best social media management tools
Here are my pick of the best social media management software to help you give your social media marketing a boost this year:
1. Metricool : Best for social media analysis and optimization 100% Free
Metricool, created in 2015, is a platform that centralizes social media management and analysis. It stands out for its deep analysis, optimization tools and scheduling options. This solution allows businesses and digital marketing professionals to improve their online presence with accurate data.
Features
Metricool manages a wide range of platforms and ad networks :
- Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn
- TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest
- Google My Business, Twitch, Threads, WordPress
- Integration with Google Ads, Facebook Ads and Instagram Ads
The Metricool visual planner offers a calendar view and the ability to schedule up to 500 posts at once. The tool provides hashtag suggestions based on analysis of millions of posts and automatic republishing of top performing content. Canva integration allows you to create visuals directly in the interface.
Plus, Metricool has many analysis and reporting tools :
- Over 250 metrics tracked
- Customizable dashboards (up to 50 widgets)
- Automated reports (daily, weekly, monthly)
- Comparison with 5 competitors per platform
- Comment analysis with 85% accuracy
Pricing
Metricool has 4 plans :
- Free : $0, 1 user, 3 social media, basic features
- Starter : $18/month, 5 social media, unlimited scheduling, weekly reports
- Advanced : $45/month, 10 social media, advanced features, 3 users, full analysis
- Enterprise : From $139/month, Unlimited management, premium features, 10+ users, dedicated support, custom API
All paid plans include a 14 day free trial.
Our Take
Metricool stands out for its detailed analysis and scheduling tools. The interface is easy to use, but the abundance of features can be overwhelming at first.
Pros
- Detailed analysis and access to data
- Optimization tools based on performance analysis
- Good value for money, especially for the Starter plan
- Effective scheduling and features like Canva integration and AI assistant
Cons
- Interface can be dense due to many features
- Team collaboration features not as developed as some competitors
- Visual creation tools not as extensive as specialized platforms
Metricool is perfect for digital marketing professionals, solo entrepreneurs and agencies looking for an all-in-one platform to analyze and optimize their social media strategies.
Good for those who prefer a data-driven approach with advanced reporting features. But for visual creation or community management focused users, there are other tools that fit better.
2. Simplified : Best for simplified visual creation
Although launched in 2021, Simplified has quickly become a key player in the world of social media management tools.
This intuitive and powerful platform stands out for its global approach, combining visual creation, content planning and performance analysis in the same interface.
This suite is a real digital Swiss Army knife for every community manager or marketer who wants to gain efficiency and impact on social networks.
Features
- Compatible social networks : Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Twitter, LinkedIn, LinkedIn, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Google My Business
- Design : Professional social media templates, simplified editor, automatic resizing, multimedia integration, real-time collaboration
- Scheduling : Unified multi-network calendar, suggested hashtags and captions, categorization of publications, republication of the best posts
- Analytics : Customizable dashboards with key KPIs, audience demographics, comparative analysis of results, automated reports, AI recommendations
- Productivity : Multi-account team, integrations (Shopify, Unsplash, Calendly), mobile app, Simplified Academy training program, responsive customer support
Pricing
The Simplified software offers 3 subscription plans:
- Free: Free version (1 user, 3 social networks, 10 scheduled posts/month)
- Pro: $30/month (3 users, 8 social networks, 100 posts/month)
- Business: $100/month (10 users, 25 networks, unlimited posts)
30-day free trial for paid plans.
Our Take
The Simplified software impresses with the extent of its functionalities for social networks, making it possible to centralize all of its social media activities in a single tool. Its clean interface and pre-designed templates are perfect for creating impactful visuals without design skills.
Post categorization and smart suggestions save valuable time. The analytical functions are also very comprehensive to manage your strategy.
The possibilities for collaboration make the tool suitable for teams.
Simplified Academy's educational support is also a real plus.
Some will regret the absence of a social listening tool and the still limited advertising targeting options. The mobile application can also be improved.
Despite these points of improvement, Simplified stands out as a successful and accessible solution to boost its presence on social networks. An essential tool for increasing productivity and performance on social networks.
3. SocialPilot : Best value for money for agencies and SMEs
Launched in 2014, SocialPilot is a social media management platform for SMEs, agencies and large companies.
With its advanced programming, analytics, and collaboration features, it allows marketing teams to effectively manage their social presence on a large scale. A powerful and intuitive tool to centralize, automate and optimize your social media campaigns.
Features
- Compatible social networks: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, LinkedIn, LinkedIn, Google, Pinterest, Pinterest, Pinterest, Google My Business, TikTok, Tumblr, VK
- Scheduling : Unified social media calendar, bulk scheduling, optimized slots, reusable content queue
- Curation : Trending suggestions, keyword and category search, sorted by popularity
- Analysis : Detailed reports, key performance indicators, competitive comparison
- Collaboration : Roles and permissions, validation flow, action history
- Unified messaging : Centralization of messages and comments, automated replies, attribution
- Ads : Creation and optimization of campaigns, advanced targeting, budget control
- Integrations : Canva, Bitly, Pocket, Google Analytics, browser extensions
- Personalization : Interface in brand colors, dedicated sub-domain
- Group programming : Mass planning and modification via CSV/Excel files
Pricing
SocialPilot has 3 pricing plans:
- Small Team: $42.5/month annual billing
- Studio: $85/month annual billing
- Agency: $127.5/month annual billing
All three plans include a 14-day free trial period. You can contact them if you want a customized plan to meet your specific needs.
Our Take
The SocialPilot software seduces with its intuitive interface and its comprehensive functionalities to effectively manage your presence on social networks.
Its flexible rates suit different budgets and its responsive customer support is a real asset.
However, the free plan is limited in features, which can be frustrating for users with more advanced needs.
In addition, the options for uploading videos are limited, a weak point at a time when this format is king. The free trial is also not available everywhere, limiting testing opportunities.
Despite these few drawbacks, SocialPilot remains an interesting tool for companies looking to optimize their social media management.
4. Meet Edgar : Best for smart content recycling
Created in 2014, Meet Edgar stands out for its intelligent content recycling features to manage your social networks.
By allowing you to categorize your publications and automatically put them back in the queue, the tool helps marketers to optimize their social presence continuously, effortlessly. Smart software to save time and maximize the lifespan of your content on social networks.
Features
- Compatible social networks : Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest
- Organization of content : Classification of publications by thematic categories, planning by type of content
- Automatic recycling : Automatic re-queue of reusable content, continuous programming
- Post suggestions : Recommendations based on history, trends and best results
- Advanced planning : Configurable time slots, adjustable sending frequency, calendar overview
- Content search : Search by keyword in the library, filters by type of publication
- Bulk edit : Simultaneous editing of several publications for social networks, search-replacement options
- Analysis : Monitoring of key indicators by network (engagement, reach, clicks...), statistics by publication
- Integrations : Connection with third-party tools via Zapier (RSS feed, email, productivity...)
- Browser extension : Add posts in one click from any web page
Pricing
MeetEdgar rates are as follows:
- Edgar Lite: $29.99/month (5 social accounts)
- Edgar: $49.99/month (25 social accounts)
- Free trial: Available
Our Take
The MeetEdgar software effectively automates the creation and publication of varied content, maintaining a constant presence on social networks.
The monitoring of results and the intuitive interface are real assets.
However, the lack of Pinterest integration and the high cost can be obstacles.
Despite this, MeetEdgar remains interesting for automating its content strategy and gaining impact, while being aware of these limitations.
5. Sendible : Best for agencies that handle a lot of customers
Created in 2009, Sendible is a social media management platform popular with agencies and businesses for its advanced reporting.
With its robust analytics and automation features, the tool helps teams easily demonstrate the value of their actions on social media.
Features
- Compatible social networks : Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Twitter, LinkedIn, LinkedIn, LinkedIn, LinkedIn, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Google My Business, YouTube
- Multi-accounts : Unified dashboard, calendar or list view, custom filters
- Advanced planning : Precise programming, predefined slots, mass publishing, intelligent queue
- Post suggestions : Trending recommendations, integrated RSS feeds, alerts of new publications
- Unified messaging : Centralized view of messages and comments, assignment of tasks, predefined responses
- Watch and listen : Tracking mentions, keywords and feelings, custom alerts, advanced search
- Team work : Validation of posts for social networks in 2 clicks, assignment of tasks, customizable workflow
- Extensive reporting : Customized dashboards, comparison between periods, conversion tracking, automated reports
- Integrations : Connections with Canva, Slack, Google Analytics..., bulk import/export, open API
- Training and support : Knowledge base, video tutorials, webinars, responsive customer support
Pricing
Sendible offers four pricing plans.
- Creator: $29/month
- Traction: $89/month
- Scale: $199/month
- Expansion: $399/month
- Free trial: 30 days
All plans include a 15% discount if you pay annually.
Our Take
The Sendible software impresses with its user-friendly interface and powerful features to effectively manage its social networks.
Its potential to save time by centralizing marketing efforts is a real asset. Detailed reports provide valuable insights and customer support is responsive.
However, the inbox interface may seem complex at first, requiring time to adapt.
Publishing several images in an Instagram post is also difficult, a downside given the visual importance of this network. In addition, the analysis functions are limited compared to some competitors.
Despite these few weak points, Sendible remains a powerful tool for streamlining and optimizing your social presence.
6. Crowdfire : Best for boosting your Twitter and Instagram presence
Launched in 2010, Crowdfire has established itself as a reference tool for effectively managing its social presence.
Its strength lies in its powerful content curation features that allow marketers to easily find and share engaging content on social media.
Features
- Compatible social networks : Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Etsy, LinkedIn, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Etsy, Shopify, WordPress, Medium, 500px, Vimeo, YouTube
- Social media management: Publication planning, editorial calendar, multi-account programming (Twitter X, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Google My Business, LinkedIn...)
- Content suggestions : Article recommendations for social networks, images and videos adapted to the audience, AI-assisted curation
- Analysis of the results : Monitoring of key metrics, comparison between accounts
- Watch out for mentions : Real-time monitoring, customized notifications, influencer detection, sentiment analysis
- Subscriptions : Follower tracking, inactive account detection, audience growth tools
- Team work : Customized roles and permissions, validation workflow, action history
- Mobile applications : iOS and Android apps, improved publishing and analysis features
- Integrations : Connections with Canva, Dropbox, Google Drive..., browser extensions, email, website, open API...
Pricing
- Free: 3 social accounts, 10 scheduled posts, content discovery, basic analysis reports.
- Plus: $7.48/month, 10 social accounts, 100 scheduled posts, 100 scheduled posts, content discovery, advanced analytics reports, social engagement features.
- Premium: $37.48/month, 50 social accounts, 500 scheduled posts, 500 scheduled posts, content discovery, advanced analytics reports, social engagement features, social listening features.
- VIP: $74.98/month, 100 social accounts, 1,500 scheduled posts, 1,500 scheduled posts, content discovery, advanced analytics reports, social engagement features, social listening features, custom reporting features.
- Free trial: 14 days for the Premium plan.
Our Take
The Crowdfire software seduces with its intuitive interface, its comprehensive functionalities and its flexible rates to effectively manage its social networks. Responsive customer support is the top of its assets.
However, content recommendations are limited and blog promotion options are restricted. The focus on quantity rather than quality will not suit everyone.
Despite these limitations, the use of Crowdfire remains interesting for small businesses looking to optimize their presence on social media without breaking the bank.
An effective software to start and gain visibility, while ensuring the quality of shared content.
7. SocialBee : Best for organizing and publishing content
Launched in 2016, SocialBee is a social media management tool designed for small businesses and entrepreneurs who want to save time and optimize their social presence.
Its functionalities for categorizing content and intelligent scheduling of publications allow you to effectively automate your social media strategy, while maintaining total control over the quality and relevance of the messages broadcast.
Features
- Compatible social networks : Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Twitter, LinkedIn, LinkedIn, LinkedIn, LinkedIn, LinkedIn, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Pinterest, Google My Business, TikTok
- Content planning : Intuitive calendar, programming by categories, custom expiration dates
- “Evergreen” categories : Creation of reusable content categories, automatic filling of queues
- Visual editor : Preview of posts by platform, specific settings by network (hashtags, emojis...)
- Importing content : Addition via RSS, Pocket integration, bulk CSV/Excel imports
- Content suggestions : Recommendations for posts adapted to the audience, AI-assisted curation
- Team work : Content validation, task assignment, precise access rights
- URLs : Integrated link shortener, custom redirects, automatic UTMs
- Integrations : Connections with Canva, Zapier, Slack, Chrome, and Firefox extensions
- Extensive reports : Performance metrics by profile and by publication, comparison between periods
Pricing
SocialBee offers four flexible pricing plans:
- Solo: $15/month (3 social accounts, 100 scheduled posts)
- Pro: $39/month (10 social accounts, 500 scheduled posts)
- Agency: $79/month (25 social accounts, 3,000 scheduled posts)
- Enterprise: Custom rate (50 social accounts and more)
- Free trial: 14 days
Our Take
SocialBee software stands out for its time-saving potential, simplifying the planning and management of publications on multiple platforms.
Highlighting evergreen content is a real asset in optimizing its impact on social media.
Its flexibility allows you to finely adapt your content strategy. Monitoring, analysis, and collaboration features are valuable allies.
However, the initial setup can be complex for novices, with a learning curve to be expected.
Additionally, programming options for Pinterest are limited compared to other platforms.
Despite these few weak spots, SocialBee remains a powerful tool for businesses looking to streamline their social media presence.
8. Buffer : Best for newbies
A pioneer in social media management tools, Buffer stands out for its simplicity and its productivity-based approach.
With its intuitive programming, analytics, and collaboration features, the platform allows marketers to become more efficient and focus on creating engaging content.
Features
- Compatible social networks : Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest
- Programming of publications: Unified calendar, scheduling at the exact date and time, recurring time slots, scheduling queue.
- Creation and curation: Content suggestions, keyword research, integrated image editing (Pablo), real-time collaboration.
- Analytics: Monitoring of key metrics (engagement, reach, clicks...), best hours of publication, automated reports.
- Multi-accounts: Unified dashboard, access rights settings, fast account switching
- Browser extensions: Integrated share button (Chrome, Firefox, Safari), one-click content curation
- Integrations: Connections with third-party apps (Zapier, IFTTT, Feedly...), RSS import, open API
- Mobile apps: iOS and Android applications to schedule, publish and follow your posts on the go
- Buffer Analyze: Advanced performance analysis tool, benchmarking, personalized recommendations.
- Education: Blog, guides, videos, podcasts, online courses to inspire and train for excellence in social media marketing.
Pricing
Buffer offers 4 pricing plans.
- Free: 3 social accounts, 10 scheduled posts
- Essentials: $5/month per additional social account
- Team: $10/month per additional social account
- Agency: Personalized rate
- Free trial: 14 days
Our Take
Buffer is distinguished by its intuitive interface and its comprehensive functionalities to effectively manage its social networks. Its flexible rates suit different budgets and its responsive customer support is an asset.
However, the free plan is limited, which can frustrate users with advanced needs. The integration of Instagram is not optimal, a negative point given the popularity of this network.
Despite these weak points, Buffer remains interesting for optimizing its social presence without breaking the bank.
LEARN MORE >> Discover Buffer
9. Agorapulse: Best for Customer Relationship Management
Launched in 2011, Agorapulse is a powerful social media management tool for businesses and agencies.
With its intuitive interface and advanced publishing, engagement, and reporting features, it allows social teams to gain efficiency and impact.
Features
- Compatible social networks : Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube
- Publishing and planning : Unified editorial calendar, flexible scheduling, bulk scheduling
- Unified social messaging : Centralized management of messages and comments, filtering by type, assignment of conversations, predefined replies
- Watch and surveillance : Monitoring of mentions, hashtags and competitors, sentiment analysis, customized alerts
- Analysis reports : Key performance metrics, competitive comparison, personalized and automated reports
- Team : Precise roles and permissions, validation workflow, conversation notes, response time tracking
- Mobile applications : iOS and Android apps for publishing, interacting, and tracking mentions on the go
- Ads : Creation and management of Facebook and Instagram ads, advanced targeting, flexible budgets and calendars
- Integrations : Canva, Bitly, Dropbox, Dropbox, Google Analytics, Google Analytics, Zapier, Hubspot
- Agorapulse Academy : Free courses, webinars, certifications in social media management
Pricing
Agorapulse offers 3 pricing plans to meet the needs of every type of business.
- Pro: €79/month (10 social profiles, 2 users)
- Premium: €159/month (20 social profiles, 4 users)
- Company: Variable rate according to your needs
- Free trial: 28 days
All plans offer a discount of almost 20% when paid annually.
Our Take
Agorapulse stands out for its user-friendly interface and its powerful features to effectively manage its social networks. Detailed reports provide valuable insights and customer support is responsive.
However, the cost can be high for some budgets. The social listening function could benefit from being improved and the lack of diversity of emoticons may be frustrating for some users. The lack of a search option in the inbox is also a downside.
Despite these weak points, Agorapulse remains a powerful tool for optimizing its social presence.
LEARN MORE >> Discover Agorapulse for FREE
10. Hootsuite: Best for big businesses
Created in 2008, Hootsuite is one of the pioneers of social media management.
Praised by large companies for its robustness and security, the platform offers complete functionalities to manage your social networks on a large scale.
Features
- Compatible social networks : Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Twitter, LinkedIn, LinkedIn, LinkedIn, LinkedIn, Pinterest, YouTube, TikTok
- Multi-networks : Unified dashboard, mobile app, column view, filters, and advanced search
- Scheduling posts : Editorial calendar, precise programming, predefined slots, mass publication
- Creation and curation : Trendy post suggestions, RSS feed integration, multimedia library
- Engagement and messaging : Messages and comments, task assignments, predefined responses
- Social watch : Tracking mentions, keywords and feelings, custom reports, Brandwatch integration
- Performance analysis : Key statistics (reach, engagement, conversions...), competitive comparison, automated reports
- Team management : Precise assignment of roles and permissions, validation process, performance monitoring
- Security and compliance : Single sign-on (SSO), strict access controls, activity logging, GDPR compliance
- Integrations : + 150 applications (Canva, Zapier, Zapier, Slack, Salesforce...), open API
- Hootsuite Academy : Online courses, certifications, guides, and webinars to master social media marketing
Pricing
The Hootsuite platform offers 3 pricing plans:
- Professional: $49/month (billed annually)
- Team: $129/month (billed annually)
- Business: $739/month (billed annually)
- Company: Personalized rate
The first two plans have a 30-day free trial period. For the last one, you need to request a demo.
Our Take
Hootsuite impresses with its intuitive interface and powerful features to effectively manage your social presence. Its wide range of integrations, tools like Brandwatch, and responsive support are real assets.
The limited free plan, programming processing time, and additional fees for some apps are weak spots.
Despite this, Hootsuite remains essential for optimizing its social presence. It's a versatile and scalable solution, ideal for teams ready to invest in advanced features.
LEARN MORE >> Discover Hootsuite for FREE
11. Sprout Social: Best for Customer Service Analytics
Created in 2010, Sprout Social is a social media management platform acclaimed for its interface or intuitive implementation and its advanced functionalities.
With its powerful tools for engagement, social listening and analytics, it is the ideal solution for businesses looking to build lasting relationships with their audience on social networks in an effective way.
Features
- Compatible social networks : Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, LinkedIn, Pinterest, YouTube, LinkedIn, Pinterest, YouTube, YouTube, TikTok, TikTok, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Trip Advisor, Glassdoor, Google My Business, Google My Business, Google My Business, Reddit, Trustpilot
- Multi-network hub : Unified dashboard, calendar, list or grid views, advanced filters
- Smart planning : Timed programming, Sprout queue, optimal time suggestions (ViralPost model), mass publishing
- Unified messaging : Centralized inbox, message sorting, rich contact profiles, predefined replies
- Social watch : Monitoring of keywords, hashtags and mentions, sentiment analysis, customized alerts
- Team work : Task assignment, validation workflows, internal notes, performance reports
- In-depth analysis : Key metrics (impressions, engagement, reach...), predefined and customizable reports, sector comparisons
- Managing reviews : Monitoring of reviews on +85 sites, real-time alerts, dedicated dashboards
- Social CRM : 360° customer profiles, history of multi-channel interactions, advanced segmentation
- Advocacy : Content curation for employees, gamification of engagement, dedicated analytics
- Integrations : +50 integrations (Salesforce, Dropbox, Dropbox, Feedly, Canva...), open API
Pricing
Sprout Social offers three pricing plans to meet the needs of every type of business.
- Standard: $199 per month
- Premium: $299 per month
- Advanced: $399 per month
- Large Businesses: Variable rate according to your needs (more than 40 social profiles, more than 8 users)
All plans are discounted by around 20% when paid annually, Sprout Social offers a 30-day free trial.
Our Take
Sprout Social captivates with its user-friendly interface and powerful features for publishing, interacting, analyzing, and listening. Team collaboration is effective and detailed reports are very useful. The customer support is great.
However, it is one of the most expensive tools on the market. Social listening and the availability of emoticons can be improved. An inbox search is also missing.
Despite its high cost and these few limitations, Sprout Social remains a reference for optimizing its social presence from A to Z. It is a premium choice for teams ready to invest in a complete solution and collaborate effectively.
LEARN MORE >> Discover Sprout Social for FREE
What are social media management tools?
Social media management tools are platforms designed to centralize and simplify the management of your social channels.
These services are used to plan your posts, collaborate with your team, launch campaigns, and monitor your online activities all in one place.
These solutions allow you to every”Community manager“:
- Reach your audience effectively.
- Obtain analyses to assess your online performance and your online reputation
- Optimize your operations for better efficiency.
- Distribute and manage your content simultaneously across multiple networks.
- Interact with your community on each social network and manage interactions.
- Working together with your marketing automation processes
Adopting these SaaS tools is a strategic way to strengthen your online presence and to value the content you create.
Summary.
Social networks make it possible to instantly reach more than half of the world's population in order to increase the results of your business, your e-reputation or lead generation, which is no small thing.
“Social networks are not just media. The key to success is listening, engaging, and building relationships.
Before choosing the best marketing software, you should carefully consider what you hope to achieve with it and what features best fit the needs of your business, your community manager, or compatibility with your other tools like your marketing automation software.
If you're a small business, Simplified or SocialPilot could be great social media management tools to increase your follower count.
With all of these in mind, try to make the right choice for your business. All of the tools mentioned in this list come with a free trial, so you can test their functionality before making your final decision.