Social media management is a crucial aspect of any business's marketing strategy. With the advent of powerful cloud-based social media management tools, it has become easier than ever to manage multiple social media accounts simultaneously. In this article, we are going to compare and contrast the features of three of the most popular cloud-based social media management tools: Hootsuite, Sprout Social, and Buffer.
Hootsuite
Hootsuite is an all-in-one social media management tool used by businesses of all sizes. Hootsuite allows users to manage multiple social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn in one place. It has a user-friendly interface and robust scheduling features that make it easy to manage social media activities. Hootsuite also provides analytics features that allow users to track the performance of their social media activities.
Key Features
- Customizable streams allow users to monitor multiple social media accounts in one place.
- Automated scheduling of posts based on peak engagement times.
- Advanced analytics and reporting features.
- Collaboration tools that enable teams to work together on social media activities.
Pricing
Hootsuite offers a 30-day free trial, after which users can choose from four pricing options:
- Free plan
- Professional plan ($49/month)
- Team plan ($129/month)
- Business plan ($599/month)
Sprout Social
Sprout Social is another popular social media management tool. It is known for its robust social media listening capabilities that allow businesses to monitor brand mentions and competitors. Sprout Social also provides advanced reporting features that enable businesses to track their social media performance and identify areas for improvement.
Key Features
- Advanced listening features for monitoring brand mentions and competitors.
- Robust scheduling capabilities with features like ViralPost and RSS feeds.
- In-depth reporting features for tracking social media performance.
- Collaboration tools for teams to work together on social media activities.
Pricing
Sprout Social also offers a 30-day free trial, after which users can choose from three pricing options:
- Standard plan ($99/month)
- Professional plan ($149/month)
- Advanced plan ($249/month)
Buffer
Buffer is a popular social media management tool for small businesses and individuals. It is known for its simplicity and ease of use. Buffer allows users to schedule posts across multiple social media platforms, and it also provides basic analytics features that enable users to track post performance.
Key Features
- Simple and user-friendly interface.
- Scheduling posts across multiple social media platforms.
- Basic analytics features that enable users to track post performance.
- Collaboration tools that allow teams to work together on social media activities.
Pricing
Buffer offers a 14-day free trial, after which users can choose from three pricing options:
- Pro plan ($15/month)
- Premium plan ($65/month)
- Business plan ($99/month)
Conclusion
After comparing all three tools, it's clear that each social media management tool has its own strengths and weaknesses. Hootsuite is a great option for larger corporations with multiple social media accounts, while Sprout Social is perfect for businesses that want advanced listening and reporting features. Finally, Buffer is an excellent solution for smaller businesses and individuals looking for a simple way to manage their social media activities.
We hope this comparison has helped you in making an informed decision on which social media management tool to use for your business.
References
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Hootsuite. "Pricing." Hootsuite.com. Accessed November 28, 2021. https://www.hootsuite.com/pricing
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Sprout Social. "Pricing." Sproutsocial.com. Accessed November 28, 2021. https://www.sproutsocial.com/pricing
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Buffer. "Pricing." Buffer.com. Accessed November 28, 2021. https://www.buffer.com/pricing