Starts atFree trial · paid from $99/mo
- No free plan
- Free trial14 days, no card
Head-to-head
Hootsuite vs Later: which scheduler should creators pick?
At a glance
Starts atPaid from $18.75/mo billed yearly
- No free plan
- Free trial14-day free trial (billing info may be required)
Later is the creator choice: $18.75 a month billed yearly for 8 profiles, with visual planning and link-in-bio. Hootsuite is a team suite from $99 a month per user, with a shared inbox, listening and approvals. Neither has a free plan; both have 14-day trials.
Quick verdict
Side-by-side comparison
| Detail | Later | Hootsuite |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | No. 14-day trial | No. 14-day trial, no card |
| Entry plan | Starter: $18.75/month yearly, 8 profiles | Standard: from $99, per user, up to 10 accounts |
| Mid plan | Growth: $37.50/month yearly, 16 profiles | Professional: from $199, unlimited accounts |
| Top plan | Scale: $82.50/month yearly, 48 profiles | Advanced: from $399. Enterprise custom |
| Post limits | Starter 30 per profile, Scale unlimited | Unlimited on every paid plan |
| Best for | Creators, small brands | Teams and agencies |
For Shorts, TikTok and Reels
Later's visual calendar shows your grid and lets you plan Reels ahead. Starter's 30 posts per profile is about one a day. Hootsuite's unlimited posts help heavy posters, but at $99 per user it costs over five times Later Starter.
How to choose
- Solo creator? Later Starter.
- Posting more than 30 times a month per network? Later Growth or Hootsuite.
- Team with DMs to answer? Hootsuite.
- Use both trials before you commit.
Questions
Is Later cheaper than Hootsuite?
Yes. Later starts at $18.75/month billed yearly. Hootsuite starts at $99 per user.
Does Hootsuite have a free plan?
No. It has a 14-day free trial with no credit card.
Does Later have a free plan?
No. It has a 14-day free trial.
Related: Buffer vs Hootsuite, Buffer vs Later, Hootsuite vs Metricool, Hootsuite alternatives, Later alternatives.
Sources: later.com/pricing, hootsuite.com/plans (ShortStack data verified 15 Oct 2026). Checked on 16 October 2026. Based on published plans and terms, not a hands-on test.