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The Top 3 Social Media Scheduling Tools and Why 

June 13, 2023
Image of a black lady in a yellow shirt holding a black mobile phone. The logo for CREATIVE in TiME is overlayed in the lower centre of the image.

Are you struggling to find the perfect social media scheduling tool for your business?  

With so many options out there, it can be overwhelming to know which one to choose. Each platform comes with its unique set of benefits at various price points, which is why we’ve put together this blog piece to help you choose the right platform for you.   

We will be reviewing and evaluating the following top 3 social media scheduling tools: 

  • Planable – CREATIVE in TiME’s favourite!  
  • Later  
  • Sprout Social  

Here, you will find a breakdown of the platforms, what they offer and what makes each one unique for a more informed decision for your social media scheduling. Or, of course, you can get in touch with CREATIVE in TIME, and we can take the stress of social media marketing and scheduling away from you.  

Planable  

If you’re looking for social media planning software that offers a comprehensive and collaborative approach, look no further than Planable.  

This user-friendly tool allows businesses to schedule their social media posts in advance, with the added bonus of creating, previewing, and approving content for multiple platforms in one place. But what sets Planable apart is its unique collaborative features, which allow team members and clients to work together in real-time, providing feedback and suggestions on content before it goes live. However, please be aware that when more than one person is commenting etc on the platform, it will increase your monthly cost. This makes it an excellent option for agencies and businesses with multiple stakeholders involved in the social media planning process.  

Compared to Sprout Social and Later, Planable offers a more comprehensive and collaborative approach to social media planning, making it a top choice for businesses with a presence on multiple platforms. While Later is great for scheduling Instagram posts, it lacks the same level of collaboration and feedback options as Planable.  

And while Sprout Social offers similar features, it provides a different level of collaboration and integration options, making Planable the go-to choice for businesses looking to streamline their social media planning process. 

Later 

Later is the social media planning software you’ve been searching for to take your Instagram presence to the next level.  

With Later, you can easily schedule your Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest posts in advance, all in one place. Plus, you’ll get access to a visual content calendar and Instagram Stories scheduling, making it easier than ever to plan your social media content. 

And if you’re a small business or an individual with a limited social media presence, Later has you covered with a free plan that allows you to schedule up to 10 posts per month. With features like a drag-and-drop interface, media library, and hashtag suggestion tool, Later is a comprehensive social media planning tool that won’t break the bank. 

While Sprout Social offers similar features, it can be costly for small businesses, with plans starting at $249 (around £199) per month. However, Sprout Social does have more integration options, including LinkedIn and YouTube, making it a better fit for businesses with a presence on these platforms.  

And while Planable provides a more collaborative and comprehensive social media planning tool, Later’s Instagram-specific features make it the perfect choice for businesses looking to up their Instagram game.  

So, if you’re ready to streamline your social media planning process and take your Instagram presence to the next level, give Later a try. 

Sprout Social  

If you’re looking for a comprehensive social media planning tool, Sprout Social could be the one you’ve been searching for. 

This software allows businesses to manage and schedule their social media content across multiple platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Pinterest. With features like a content calendar, social media inbox, and social listening tool, Sprout Social provides everything you need to stay on top of your social media game. 

What sets Sprout Social apart is its focus on social media analytics. With detailed insights into social media performance and audience engagement, Sprout Social provides businesses with the data they need to make informed decisions about their social media strategy.  

However, this level of sophistication comes at a cost, with monthly plans starting at $249 (around £199) per month, which may be a drawback for small businesses. 

While Later offers a more affordable option for businesses looking to manage their Instagram presence, Sprout Social offers integration with a broader range of platforms and a more extensive suite of features, making it a better option for businesses with a more significant social media presence.  

And compared to Planable, Sprout Social offers a more comprehensive social media management tool with a focus on analytics and reporting. Does Sprout Social sound like the ideal tool for you? 

How To Know Which Social Media Scheduling Tool to Use 

Choosing the right social media scheduling tool is crucial and should align with your availability, business goals, and budget.   

Consider the most important features to you, such as team management, scheduling capabilities, and analytics.   

You should also choose a tool that fits your budget and provides the features you need to achieve your business goals. By selecting the right tool, you can streamline your social media management and achieve success on your social media platforms.  

Social Media Scheduling Tool Roundup  

So, we’ve gone over a lot right now and we know it can be overwhelming so here is a more digestible table going over the key differences between the top 3 social media scheduling tools.  

Feature  Planable Sprout Social Later 
Social Media Platforms Supported Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest 
Content Calendar Yes Yes Yes 
Social Listening No Yes No 
Analytics Basic Advanced Basic  
Collaboration Yes Yes Yes 
Approval Workflow Yes Yes Yes 
Hashtag Recommendations Yes Yes Yes 
Bulk Scheduling Yes Yes Yes 
User Permissions Yes Yes Yes 
Customer Support Email, Live Chat Email, Phone, Live Chat Email, Live Chat 
A table showing the differences between Planable, Sprout Social and Later with their set list of features.

Take Your Social Media Stress Away with CREATIVE in TiME 

While there are social media scheduling tools out there that can make your life much easier, our marketing agency can make it a whole lot easier. Yes, with scheduling tools, the act of actually getting your posts out consistently becomes more manageable, but formulating a social media marketing plan, creating the graphics, sourcing the written imagery, writing the captions, finding the hashtags…it’s a lot of work. But it doesn’t have to be.   

CREATIVE in TIME is a creative digital marketing agency that has been developing effective social media marketing campaigns for years with a proven track record of boosting engagements and driving traffic to company websites using social media platforms.   

As a full-service marketing agency, we don’t just specialise in social media marketing; we do it all! From Search Engine Optimisation and Content Marketing to Pay-Per-Click (PPC) and Website Development, CREATIVE in TIME have the knowledge and expertise to streamline and up-level your business’s overall marketing strategy. 

Get in touch today, and we can get started on making the best out of your business’s digital presence.   

By Andrea Warner

Award Winning Business builder, Marketing guru, franchise creator, 20 years of business experience in B2C and B2B, Networking Queen. Brings humour and laughter to every meeting. Why wouldn’t you?

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