Every business now uses social media to market their products or services. To succeed on social media, you need tools that help you create content, schedule posts, assess performance, and enhance your strategy. Most new businesses and startups need affordable social media tools to stay within their spending limits. This article will show you the leading paid social media tools and suggest their suitable free replacements based on your requirements.
Hootsuite leads social media tool development with advanced content scheduling, team collaboration and advanced analytics functionality. The system handles many social networks and helps you understand how your followers act.
- Paid Features: Advanced analytics, team collaboration tools, and ad management.
- Pricing: Starts at $99/month for professional plans.
Free Alternative: Buffer: Buffer helps schedule and measure social media content without charging users. This system provides essential social media control to small businesses and independent professionals without demanding a big investment.
Sprout Social is known for its in-depth analytics and intuitive interface. It’s ideal for businesses that want to dig deep into metrics and create data-driven strategies.
- Paid Features: Advanced reporting, social listening, and CRM integration.
- Pricing: Starts at $249/month.
Free Alternative: Zoho Social: Zoho Social offers a free plan with basic scheduling and reporting capabilities. It’s a good alternative for businesses looking for foundational analytics and publishing features.
Canva is a favourite among marketers for creating visually appealing social media graphics. Its user-friendly interface makes designing easy for professionals and beginners alike.
- Paid Features: Access to premium templates, brand kits, and stock images.
- Pricing: Canva Pro starts at $12.99/month.
Free Alternative: Crello (now VistaCreate): VistaCreate provides many free templates and design tools similar to Canva. While it may lack some of Canva Pro’s premium features, it’s sufficient for creating professional-looking social media posts.
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SEMrush is a multi functional tool offering SEO, content marketing, and social media management features. Its social media toolkit allows scheduling and performance tracking.
- Paid Features: Competitor analysis, keyword tracking, and advanced social analytics.
- Pricing: Starts at $119.95/month.
Free Alternative: Ubersuggest: Ubersuggest offers a range of SEO and basic social media tools for free. While it’s not as extensive as SEMrush, it’s a cost-effective option for startups.
Agorapulse is a user-friendly tool that combines publishing, monitoring, and reporting into a single platform. Its collaborative features make it ideal for teams.
- Paid Features: Social listening, detailed analytics, and team workflows.
- Pricing: Starts at $49/month.
Free Alternative: SocialBee: SocialBee’s free version allows you to schedule and organise content effectively. Although it lacks some of Agorapulse’s advanced features, it’s a great alternative for managing basic tasks.
BuzzSumo helps marketers discover trending topics, analyse competitors, and monitor social media mentions. It’s a valuable tool for creating engaging, shareable content.
- Paid Features: Content analysis, influencer identification, and detailed insights.
- Pricing: Starts at $119/month.
Free Alternative: AnswerThePublic: AnswerThePublic allows users to find popular questions and topics related to their niche. While it doesn’t offer advanced analytics, it’s an excellent tool for content brainstorming.
Later is a visual-first platform designed for scheduling Instagram posts. It provides an intuitive drag-and-drop calendar to plan content effectively.
- Paid Features: Analytics, hashtag suggestions, and team collaboration.
- Pricing: Starts at $18/month.
Free Alternative: Planoly: Planoly’s free plan offers basic Instagram scheduling and analytics. It’s a great choice for individuals and small businesses focusing on Instagram marketing.
HubSpot is a powerhouse in marketing, sales, and customer service. Its social media tools integrate seamlessly with its CRM, making it ideal for businesses with a holistic marketing approach.
- Paid Features: Advanced CRM integration, marketing automation, and detailed analytics.
- Pricing: Starts at $50/month for the starter package.
Free Alternative: Mailchimp: Mailchimp’s free plan includes basic email marketing and social posting tools. While it’s primarily known for email marketing, its social features are a bonus for small businesses.
Loomly is designed for teams that require a collaborative platform to plan and execute social media campaigns. It’s perfect for agencies managing multiple clients.
- Paid Features: Content approval workflows, audience targeting, and post-optimisation tips.
- Pricing: Starts at $26/month.
Free Alternative: Trello: Trello isn’t a dedicated social media tool, but it’s excellent for organising and collaborating on content calendars. Its flexibility makes it a versatile choice for small teams.
AdEspresso by Hootsuite focuses on creating and managing social media ad campaigns. It’s particularly popular for Facebook and Instagram ads.
- Paid Features: A/B testing, advanced targeting, and detailed analytics.
- Pricing: Starts at $49/month.
Free Alternative: Facebook Ads Manager: Facebook Ads Manager is free and provides all the tools needed to create and manage Facebook and Instagram ads. While it lacks AdEspresso’s ease of use and advanced features, it’s a cost-effective solution for budget-conscious marketers.
Recommended Read: Check out our blog on Top 10 Paid SEO Tools and Their Best Free Alternatives.
Conclusion: Choosing the Right Social Media Tools
Your selection of social media tools depends on what you aim to achieve using which platforms and how much you have available to spend. Free social media tools suit small business needs just as well as paid options that offer top-level capabilities. Trying both kinds of social media tools helps you get the best results within your spending limits.
The optimal social media tool stands out because it fits best with your particular business activities. Pick capabilities that fit your needs and experiment with social media tools until you find a solution that serves your purposes well while staying within budget.
Maximize your social media strategy! 🚀 Whether you opt for paid tools or free alternatives, ASH Media Co. is ready to help you find the best solutions to boost your brand’s growth. Let’s get started! 👉 Our Services
