Social media scheduling tools that help you make the posts, compared
Six tools compared for one person who posts as themselves: what each one is best at, and which ones help you make the posts.
Postmosis is our product, so it's listed first. Every fact about the other five comes from their own pages, listed under Sources. Nobody paid to be here, and there are no ratings.
How we picked
- Made for one person who posts as themselves, not only for a social team
- Posts to each of Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok, YouTube
- Shows what one person pays to start, or says how you get a price
- Read from each tool's own pages, not review sites
At a glance
| Best for | Networks | Free plan | Paid plans from | Help making the post | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Postmosis | Making the posts, then scheduling them | 6, no X | No | One plan, on our pricing page | Writes posts, makes slides, edits your video |
| Buffer[1][2] | Simple scheduling with a free plan | 12, including X | Yes, up to 3 channels | $5 a month per channel, billed yearly | An AI Assistant for posts |
| Metricool[3][4] | Analytics, competitors and ads | 11, X as an add-on | Yes, 1 brand and 20 posts a month | $20 a month, billed yearly | An AI assistant, an image and video editor |
| Later[6] | Instagram and TikTok planning | 8, no X | None listed, 14-day trial | $18.75 a month, billed yearly | 5 AI credits a month on Starter |
| Planoly[7][8] | Planning your Instagram grid | 7, plus reminders for X | In its phone app, 10 uploads a month | $14 a month, billed yearly | AI post ideas and captions |
| Hootsuite[9][10] | Teams with an inbox and listening | 10, including X | None listed, 14-day trial | $99 a month per person, billed yearly | Posts and images with AI |
Read from each tool's own pages on 28 October 2026. Each number in brackets links to its source below.
1. Postmosis
Best for: making the posts, then scheduling them
Postmosis helps you make the posts, then schedules them. It writes for what you do, and it turns a post into slides or edits the video you filmed. Connect up to 3 accounts, and posts go out in your own time zone.
2. Buffer
Best for: simple scheduling with a free plan
Buffer sells social media management for everyone, and its AI Assistant helps you create and repurpose posts. The Team plan adds unlimited team members and approvals.[1][2]
Visit Buffer3. Metricool
Best for: analytics, competitors and ads
Metricool is built around the numbers, with your competitors and your ads beside your posts.[3][4]
Visit Metricool4. Later
Best for: Instagram and TikTok planning
Later is built for Instagram and TikTok, with best times to post on your calendar and a Link in Bio page. Its home page now leads with creator campaigns for brands.[5][6]
Visit Later5. Planoly
Best for: planning your Instagram grid
Planoly lets you preview and rearrange your Instagram grid before you post. Starter is aimed at solo creators, and its link-in-bio page can sell digital products.[7][8]
Visit Planoly6. Hootsuite
Best for: teams with an inbox and listening
Hootsuite suits a team, with one inbox for messages and monitoring of your brand and competitors. For one person, it's the priciest here.[9][10]
Visit HootsuiteSources
- Buffer home page, read 28 October 2026
- Buffer pricing, read 28 October 2026
- Metricool home page, read 28 October 2026
- Metricool pricing, read 28 October 2026
- Later home page, read 28 October 2026
- Later pricing, read 28 October 2026
- Planoly home page, read 28 October 2026
- Planoly pricing, read 28 October 2026
- Hootsuite plans, read 28 October 2026
- Hootsuite vs Buffer, on Hootsuite's site, read 28 October 2026
Common questions
Start my weekWhat's the best social media scheduling tool for one person?
It depends on what stalls. If making the posts is the hard part, Postmosis. To start free, Buffer or Metricool. For Instagram and TikTok planning, Later or Planoly. For a team with an inbox, Hootsuite.
Is there a free social media scheduling tool?
Yes. Buffer and Metricool have free plans, and so does Planoly's phone app. Postmosis has no free plan.
Which of these post to X?
Buffer and Hootsuite. Metricool sells X as an add-on, and Planoly sends reminders for X. Postmosis and Later don't post to X.
Why is Postmosis first?
It's our product, and we'd rather say so than hide it. The other five are in the order a solo professional is most likely to weigh them.
More comparisons
Buffer alternative
Buffer schedules what you've made. See where Postmosis fits and where Buffer is better.
Hootsuite alternative
Hootsuite is built for teams. See what fits when it's just you.
Later alternative
Later is built around Instagram and TikTok. Here's where Postmosis fits instead.
Metricool alternative
Metricool is built for the numbers. Here's where Postmosis fits instead.
Make next week's posts, then schedule them
See the price, start, and make your first posts this week.