Sprout Social Alternatives for Social Media Management in 2025
Platforms keep adding new features, audiences keep growing, and brands, agencies, and creators need tools that make managing their presence easier and more affordable. Sprout Social is a well-known option because it offers a lot of advanced features like scheduling, analytics, social listening, and customer management. However, its pricing, based on users and social profiles, can quickly add up for growing teams or agencies handling multiple clients.
If you want a social media management tool that fits your budget better or suits your workflow more closely, it’s worth checking out alternatives. Whether you’re after something simpler, more flexible, or with extras like AI tools and integrations, this guide covers the best Sprout Social alternatives to consider in 2025. Each option offers different features and pricing to help you manage social media more efficiently without overspending.
What is Sprout Social?
Sprout Social is a well-known social media management tool built for mid-size to large teams. It includes everything from cross-channel scheduling and analytics to CRM tools and social listening. While it’s packed with features, Sprout Social charges per user, which can quickly add up for growing teams or multi-client agencies.
Top Features
- Unified inbox for managing messages across platforms: Sprout Social combines messages from all your social accounts into one inbox. This helps teams respond faster without switching apps, avoid duplicate replies, and manage conversations smoothly.
- Smart scheduling and automation: You can schedule posts across multiple profiles and use ViralPost® to find the best times to publish. Bulk scheduling, saved replies, and chatbots help keep your content consistent and engagement timely.
- Advanced analytics and performance reports: Track engagement, audience growth, and content results with detailed reports. Customizable, branded reports make sharing insights with your team or clients simple.
- Social listening tools to track brand sentiment: Monitor mentions, keywords, and hashtags to see what people say about your brand. Sentiment analysis and alerts help you react quickly to shifts in online conversations.
- CRM tools for customer care and relationships: Keep track of conversation history, add notes, and manage cases to improve social support. Integrations with helpdesk software help connect social messages to broader customer service workflows.
- Branded reporting for internal or client use: Create custom reports with your branding, focusing on the metrics you want. Scheduled delivery ensures your team or clients stay informed on social media performance.
Supported Platforms: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Threads, TikTok, X (Twitter), YouTube
Sprout Social Pricing
Sprout Social is a popular choice for businesses looking for robust social media management tools. While they don’t have a free plan, they offer a 30-day free trial so you can explore the platform before committing. Their pricing is based on a per-user model with limits on the number of social profiles, which can add up quickly for larger teams or multiple accounts.
- Standard Plan: $199 per user per month, includes up to 5 social profiles, basic CRM features, core scheduling, and standard analytics.
- Professional Plan: $299 per user per month, supports up to 10 social profiles, adds workflow automation, approval processes, and advanced analytics.
- Advanced Plan: $399 per user per month, allows up to 15 social profiles, with social listening, premium workflows, and custom reports.
- Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing for 16 or more profiles, offers custom support, API integrations, and large-scale workflow management.
Sprout Social’s pricing model charges per user and limits the number of profiles per plan, which can make costs rise quickly for larger teams or agencies. This is why many look for alternatives with more flexible pricing and better collaboration options.
Why Consider Sprout Social Alternatives?
Sprout Social is a reliable option, but it’s not the perfect fit for everyone. Its pricing can add up quickly since it charges per user, which might not work well for teams managing multiple clients or growing brands. Some people also find the platform a bit more complicated than they need.
If you want a tool that’s easier to use, offers more flexible plans, or includes features like AI tools and integrations without extra costs, looking at other options makes sense. Finding the right alternative can help you get what you need without paying for things you don’t.
The Best Sprout Social Alternatives in 2025
Here’s a breakdown of the top platforms people are switching to this year. Each option shines in different areas like team collaboration, pricing, analytics, or publishing features.
Metricool
Best All-Around Platform for Teams, Agencies, and Content Creators
Metricool is an all-in-one social media planning and analytics platform designed to support creators, agencies, and brands of all sizes. It provides detailed insights, smooth team collaboration, and dependable publishing tools at prices that work for different budgets and needs. Whether you’re managing multiple client profiles or running your own brand professionally, Metricool adapts to your workflow.
Top Metricool Features
- Schedule and publish on major platforms like Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest, X, Threads, Google Business, Bluesky, and more, all from one dashboard.
- AI tools that help create captions and generate fresh post ideas to keep your content flowing.
- Visual planning tools including a calendar view, autolists for easy content organization, and bulk publishing to save time.
- Detailed web traffic and engagement analytics to track how your audience interacts with your content.
- In-depth tracking of competitors and hashtags to stay ahead and discover new opportunities.
- Create custom reports in PDF or PowerPoint, and automatically send them to clients or your team.
- A social inbox that brings together messages and comments from Instagram, Facebook, X, and Google Reviews in one place.
- Integrations with popular tools like Canva, Zapier, Looker Studio, and Google Drive to streamline your workflow.
- Mobile app that lets you schedule, monitor, and manage your social media accounts wherever you are.
Supported Platforms: Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X (Twitter), Bluesky, LinkedIn, Pinterest, TikTok, Google Business Profile, YouTube, Twitch, Meta Ads, Google Ads, TikTok Ads
Pricing
Metricool offers flexible pricing for solo creators, growing teams, and full-service agencies. Whether you’re managing one brand or dozens, you’ll get access to powerful features without getting charged per user.
- Free Plan: Manage 1 brand, connect all social channels except LinkedIn and X (Twitter), schedule up to 50 posts per month, analyze up to 5 competitors, access 3 months of analytics, use the AI assistant, and get basic features with no time limit.
- Starter Plan: From $18 per month (billed yearly), manage up to 5 brands, unlimited scheduled posts, full analytics history, 100 competitor profiles, LinkedIn access, optional X/Twitter add-on, downloadable reports, SmartLinks, Google Drive and Canva integrations, and AI assistant.
- Advanced Plan: From $45 per month (billed yearly), includes everything in Starter plus up to 15 brands, unlimited users, team and client access, role permissions, post approvals, custom report templates, Looker Studio and Zapier integrations, and advanced AI features.
- Custom Plan: For 50+ brands, includes all Advanced features plus flexible limits, integration options, premium support, and scalable team access. Pricing is tailored.
Metricool vs. Sprout Social
Metricool delivers advanced features built for agencies and teams, without the steep price tag or user-based billing that platforms like Sprout Social use. While Sprout charges per user and can get expensive fast, Metricool offers multi-user access at no extra cost. You can manage multiple brands, dive into detailed analytics, and create custom reports without needing to upgrade plans. It also comes with built-in AI tools and integrations like Canva and Zapier to help streamline your workflow.
Whether you’re handling one brand or dozens, Metricool gives you everything you need without stretching your budget.
Hootsuite
Best for Large Teams Needing Approval Flows and Content Collaboration
Hootsuite remains a popular choice for businesses that need to manage multiple users and roles while handling a high volume of content. Its dashboard makes it easy to publish across many social networks and coordinate teams smoothly.
Top Hootsuite Features
- Supports all major networks including YouTube, TikTok, and Google Business
- Streams view to manage real-time content, mentions, and engagement
- Bulk scheduling, content library, and approval workflows
- AI tools for content ideas and writing support
- Advanced reporting dashboards with export options
- Built-in integrations with tools like Trello, Dropbox, Slack, and Canva
Supported Platforms: Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), LinkedIn, TikTok, YouTube, Threads, WhatsApp, and Pinterest.
Pricing: Hootsuite offers plans tailored to different business sizes and needs. While they don’t offer a free plan, they do offer a 30-day trial:
- Standard Plan: $99 per user/month (billed annually). Manage up to 5 social accounts with unlimited post scheduling. Includes an AI assistant for generating images and captions, access to Canva templates and a content library, a unified inbox for all messages, automated DM responses, and brand sentiment analysis.
- Advanced Plan: $249 per user/month (billed annually). Supports unlimited social accounts and adds custom analytics reports, team approval workflows, bulk scheduling of up to 350 posts, advanced inbox features with tagging and auto-routing, plus benchmarking against up to 20 competitors with report exports.
- Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing. Designed for large organizations, it offers fully customized solutions, single sign-on (SSO), integrations with over 100 business tools, dedicated onboarding and ongoing support, plus advanced social listening, employee advocacy, and AI chatbot features.
Hootsuite vs. Sprout Social
When it comes to managing large teams or juggling multiple clients, Hootsuite takes the lead with its detailed user permissions and approval workflows. These tools give managers clear control over who can publish and review content, making it easier to keep processes organized and avoid mistakes. While Sprout Social offers collaboration features, it doesn’t provide the same level of control, which can slow down complex team workflows.
Buffer
Best for Simplicity and Budget-Friendly Scheduling
Buffer is designed for users who want a straightforward way to schedule and manage social media posts without complexity. It’s popular with solopreneurs, content creators, and small business owners who need reliable publishing tools alongside basic analytics and helpful features at a price that fits smaller budgets.
Top Features
- Clean interface for quick publishing across Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, X, Pinterest, TikTok, Threads, and more
- AI writing assistant for captions and ideas
- Visual calendar and drag-and-drop rescheduling
- Engagement analytics and basic reporting
- Custom link-in-bio tool
- Connects with Bitly, Canva, and Zapier
Supported Platforms: Bluesky, Facebook, Google Business Profile, Instagram, LinkedIn, Mastodon, Pinterest, Threads, TikTok, X (Twitter), YouTube
Pricing: Buffer offers flexible pricing plans for different needs, including a limited free plan:
- Free Plan: Connect up to 3 channels, 10 scheduled posts per channel (refillable), 100 content ideas, 1 user account, AI assistant, basic analytics, and email support.
- Essentials Plan: $5 per month per channel (billed yearly), unlimited scheduled posts, unlimited content ideas, 1 user account, advanced analytics, engagement inbox, hashtag manager, first comment scheduling, and customer support.
- Team Plan: $10 per month per channel (billed yearly), includes everything in Essentials plus unlimited user accounts, content approval workflows, access levels, and collaboration features.
Buffer vs. Sprout Social
Buffer works best for smaller teams or individuals who want simple scheduling and basic insights without extra complexity. Its clean design helps you get started quickly, and the pricing lets you scale without overspending. Sprout Social, on the other hand, offers more advanced tools built for larger teams and detailed reporting. If your focus is ease and cost-effectiveness, Buffer fits the bill. If you need more control and depth, Sprout Social might be a better match.
Sprinklr
Best for Large Enterprises and Global Teams
Sprinklr is designed for global brands that need to manage content, monitor reputation, and handle customer care at scale. It combines social media management with deep listening, automation, and cross-functional workflows to help large teams stay aligned. Sprinklr Social is part of the larger Unified-CXM platform, meaning teams can coordinate marketing, support, and research in one ecosystem.
Top Sprinklr Features
- Centralized control of all social media and customer service channels
- Advanced social listening and brand monitoring
- Crisis management tools and alert systems
- AI-driven insights and competitor benchmarking
- Automated workflows and content governance
- Deep integrations with Salesforce, Adobe, and cloud analytics tools
Supported Platforms: Bluesky, Discord, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Nextdoor, Pinterest, Reddit, Snapchat, TikTok, Tumblr, Twitch, X (Twitter), Telegram, Whatsapp, YouTube
Pricing: Sprinklr offers custom pricing based on company size and needs. Contracts are often higher than other tools due to its enterprise focus.
Sprinklr vs. Sprout Social
For global teams managing brand presence across multiple markets, Sprinklr offers more depth than Sprout Social. It’s built not just for publishing and engagement but also for listening, customer service, and cross-functional collaboration. If your company needs to coordinate social efforts across regions while monitoring brand reputation and responding to customer issues, Sprinklr is better equipped to handle that complexity.
Meltwater
Best for PR, Media Monitoring, and Broad Analytics
Meltwater is a robust platform designed for communications, PR, and marketing teams that want to monitor conversations across traditional media, digital news, broadcast, blogs, and social platforms. Its tools are built to help brands understand media sentiment, track performance, and connect with journalists or influencers all within one integrated system. Meltwater also offers AI-driven insights and data integrations for more advanced teams.
Top Meltwater Features
- Real-time monitoring of news outlets, blogs, forums, and social platforms
- Media intelligence dashboards with sentiment and competitor analysis
- Influencer tracking and outreach tools
- Scheduling and publishing capabilities
- Shared dashboards and automated reports for teams
- Data export tools for analysis in BI platforms
Supported Platforms: LinkedIn, Instagram, X, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok
Pricing: Meltwater uses a custom pricing model, typically geared toward enterprise-level clients and PR departments. There are three main packages:
- Essentials: A foundational set of tools for small teams getting started with media monitoring and reporting, with access to training resources and guided onboarding.
- Suite: A more flexible setup that lets teams combine solutions across departments. Ideal for growing businesses that need integrated tools for reporting, publishing, and collaboration.
- Enterprise: A premium package built for large organizations with global operations. It includes custom configurations, managed services, comprehensive data sets, and support for multiple stakeholders under one contract.
Meltwater vs. Sprout Social
Sprout Social centers on social media management and engagement, while Meltwater covers a broader media landscape, including news and broadcast. If your focus is strictly social, Sprout Social is a solid choice. But for teams that want to monitor brand presence across social, traditional media, and influencer conversations, Meltwater offers a more complete view. It’s often a better fit for PR and corporate communications teams who need a wider scope and deeper media intelligence than what social-only tools provide.
Which Sprout Social Alternative Should You Choose?
Metricool offers a strong mix of features that fit most teams, freelancers, content creators, businesses, brands, and agencies. It delivers detailed analytics, easy team collaboration, and simple scheduling tools at a price that makes sense. If you want a platform that covers your needs without adding complexity, Metricool is worth considering.
For solo users or startups looking for something lighter, Buffer can also a solid option with straightforward scheduling. Larger companies managing global campaigns or advanced PR needs might prefer Sprinklr or Meltwater.
If you want to manage your social media more efficiently with a tool that can grow with your team, trying Metricool could be a good next step. It combines ease of use with features designed to help you stay organized and make better decisions on social media.
