Starts atFree plan · paid from $20/mo billed yearly
- Free plan1 brand and 1 web/blog
Head-to-head
Metricool vs Sprout Social: do creators need the enterprise tool?
At a glance
Starts atEssentials from $79/seat/mo billed yearly ($99 monthly), 30-day trial
- No free plan
- Free trial30 days
Metricool is free for 1 brand, with Starter at $20/month yearly for 5 brands. Sprout Social is priced per seat: Essentials is $79/month yearly ($99 monthly), and Standard is $199 per seat. For most creators and small teams, Metricool costs far less. Sprout Social fits brands that need a shared inbox, listening and team workflows.
Quick verdict
- Choose Metricool if you are a creator or small team and want scheduling plus analytics at a low price.
- Choose Sprout Social if you run social for a company and need team seats, inbox and listening.
Side-by-side comparison
| Detail | Metricool | Sprout Social |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes: 1 brand, 20 posts a month | No. 30-day free trial, no card |
| Entry paid plan | Starter: $20/month yearly, $25 monthly | Essentials: $79 per seat/month yearly, $99 monthly |
| Next plan | Advanced: from $53/month yearly | Standard: $199 per seat/month |
| Pricing unit | Per brand bundle | Per seat |
| Profiles | Brands: 5 on Starter, 15+ on Advanced | 5 on Essentials and Standard, unlimited on Professional |
| Best for | Creators and small agencies | Brand social teams |
Seat cost adds up
A team of 3 on Sprout Standard is $597 a month. Metricool prices by brands, not people, so adding a helper does not change the base price in the same way.
Which one for Shorts, TikTok and Reels?
- Creator posting Shorts, TikToks and Reels: Metricool.
- Brand team answering comments from one inbox: Sprout Social.
- Testing for free: Metricool Free, or Sprout's 30-day trial.
How to choose
- Count people who need logins.
- If it is just you, start with Metricool Free.
- If a team answers messages daily, trial Sprout for 30 days.
- Compare cost per month at your real seat count.
Common questions
Is Sprout Social worth it for creators?
Usually not for solo creators. It is priced per seat from $79/month and built for teams.
Does Sprout Social have a free plan?
No. It has a 30-day free trial with no card.
Is Metricool a good Sprout Social alternative?
For scheduling and analytics, yes, with a free plan and Starter at $20/month yearly.
Related: Hootsuite vs Metricool, Buffer vs Metricool, Metricool alternatives, analytics tools.
Sources: metricool.com/pricing, sproutsocial.com/pricing. Checked on 16 October 2026. Based on published plans and terms, not a hands-on test.