Starts atFree trial · paid from $99/mo
- No free plan
- Free trial14 days, no card
Head-to-head
Hootsuite vs Metricool: which is better for Shorts and TikTok creators?
At a glance
Starts atFree plan · paid from $20/mo billed yearly
- Free plan1 brand and 1 web/blog
For a solo creator, Metricool is the better pick. It is free for 1 brand, and Starter is $20/mo billed yearly ($25 monthly) for 5 brands. Hootsuite has no free plan. Its FAQ says plans start at $99 for Standard, sold per user. Hootsuite makes sense for teams that need a shared inbox, listening and approvals.
Quick verdict
Side-by-side comparison
| Detail | Hootsuite | Metricool |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | None | 1 brand, 20 scheduled posts/mo, 30 days of analytics, no LinkedIn or X |
| Free trial | 14 days, no credit card, no automatic charge at the end | No trial listed; Free plan with no time limit |
| Entry paid plan | Standard: starts at $99 per Hootsuite's FAQ, sold per user | Starter: from $20/mo billed yearly, or $25 monthly |
| What the entry plan covers | Up to 10 social accounts, unlimited scheduling, one inbox, brand monitoring | 5 brands, unlimited posts (fair use), unlimited analytics history |
| Higher plans | Professional from $199, Advanced from $399, Enterprise custom | Advanced: from $53/mo billed yearly, or $67 monthly; 15+ brands, team roles, approval, API |
| Team tools | Shared inbox, listening, approvals on Advanced | Team roles and approval on Advanced |
| Pricing notes | Per user; annual billing gives a lower rate | Prices exclude VAT |
How the prices compare
Hootsuite's cheapest plan starts at $99 per user. Metricool Starter is $25 monthly or $20/mo billed yearly. Even Metricool Advanced, at $67 monthly, costs less than Hootsuite Standard. Hootsuite's exact monthly and yearly per-user figures were not shown in the page text we captured, so check before you buy.
Trying before you pay
Hootsuite gives a 14-day free trial with no card. Trial accounts have daily posting limits of 10 to 20 posts and no bulk scheduling. Metricool simply has a free plan you can keep using.
Who each one is for
Hootsuite is a suite for brands and agencies: inbox, listening and competitor benchmarking in one place. Metricool covers scheduling, analytics and competitor tracking, which is what most Shorts creators need.
Which one for a Shorts creator?
- Just starting, $0 budget: Metricool Free.
- Posting daily to TikTok, Shorts and Reels: Metricool Starter.
- Team replying to lots of comments and DMs: Hootsuite.
- Agency with many brands on a budget: Metricool Advanced.
Common questions
Does Hootsuite have a free plan?
No permanent free plan, but there's a free trial. Hootsuite pricing: Paid, from $99/mo; 14-day free trial. Prices change, so check the official site.
Does Metricool have a free plan?
Yes. Metricool pricing: Freemium, from $20/mo yearly ($25 monthly). Prices change, so check the official site.
Which is better, Hootsuite or Metricool?
Pick Hootsuite if you run a team and need a shared inbox, social listening and approvals. Pick Metricool if you are a creator or small agency and want scheduling plus analytics at a low price, or free.
Related: Hootsuite alternatives, Metricool alternatives, Buffer vs Hootsuite, Buffer vs Metricool.
Sources: hootsuite.com/plans, metricool.com/pricing. Checked on 15 October 2026. Based on published plans, not a hands-on test.