Hootsuite was created in 2008 as a web‑based “tweet scheduler.”
It later evolved into a powerful dashboard that supports multiple networks, including X (Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and YouTube
The platform has long been praised for its simple interface, a unified inbox, a content calendar, and an app directory with more than 150 integrations
These features helped Hootsuite become one of the first names people think of when discussing social‑media management, along with Buffer.
However, despite being one of the OGs in the social media management space, by 2025, many social media professionals have started questioning Hootsuite’s functionality, pricing strategy, and overall direction.
A big question that began to appear everywhere was the same one asked by WebsitePlanet in its article: “Hootsuite 2025 – Is It Past Its Prime?”
Common Hootsuite Complaints from Real Users
These points are based on reviews from real users on G2, Trustpilot, and Capterra, reflecting what customers experienced in 2025.
Hootsuite Con 1: High and Rising Pricing
Old users reported huge price increases over the years, and the free plan was removed.
The cheapest plan now starts at $149/month, making it much less affordable than newer competitors.
Hootsuite Con 2: Clunky and Outdated Interface
Many users describe Hootsuite’s dashboard as hard to navigate and slow. Even after updates, reviewers still find it complicated compared to simpler modern tools.
Hootsuite Con 3: Limited Features on Lower Plans
Important tools such as approval workflows and advanced analytics are locked behind expensive tiers. Users on smaller plans often feel restricted.
Hootsuite Con 4: Slow Customer Support
Multiple reviews mention long response times and limited real help from Hootsuite’s support team, which frustrates paying customers.
Hootsuite Con 5: Hidden Renewal and Cancellation Policy
Many users complained about auto-renewals happening without clear reminders or refund options. Several reviews on Trustpilot mention being charged for another full year even after trying to cancel on time, calling the policy unclear and unfair.
Side Note: 67% of 510 reviews about Hootsuite on Trustpilot gave 1 star!
Below are the best Hootsuite alternatives worth considering in 2025.
1. Nuelink – Automation‑First Scheduling & AI
Nuelink markets itself as a social‑media scheduler with automation super‑powers. The platform connects to major networks and includes a robust automation engine and AI writing assistant.
Key features
- AI writing & ideas: NueAI helps brainstorm and refine posts, generate hashtags, and even draft threads or articles.
- Unified comment dashboard: View and respond to comments from all connected networks from a single interface.
- Bulk scheduling from spreadsheets: Import hundreds of posts via CSV/Google Sheets and schedule them across multiple platforms at once.
- Workspace management: Organize clients or brands into independent workspaces, each with its own social channels, automations, and link‑in‑bio page.
- Automation: Automatically share products from e‑commerce stores or publish blog posts across social channels on a set schedule. Nuelink can even cross‑post Instagram Reels to TikTok or YouTube
- Analytics & bio‑link: Track top‑performing posts, clicks, and link metrics; design custom bio‑link pages (Nue.bio) for each brand.
- Canva integration: Send Canva designs directly to Nuelink for scheduling.
Pricing (yearly plans)
| Plan | Brands / Users / Channels | Automations | Monthly cost* | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | 1 brand, 1 member, 7 channels | 7 automations | ~$18 | 100 posts in queue, 100 AI credits. |
| Premium | 2 brands, 2 members, 20 channels | 20 automations | ~$48 | 365 posts in queue, 200 AI credits. |
| Business | 4 brands, 4 members, 40 channels | 40 automations | ~$78 | Unlimited queue, 500 AI credits. |
| Agency & Agency‑Plus | 10–30 brands with 10–30 members | 100–300 automations | $128–228 | Unlimited posts; ideal for agencies. |
Why Nuelink beats Hootsuite
Nuelink’s automation engine is far more flexible than Hootsuite’s basic RSS imports. You can auto‑post products, blogs, podcast episodes, and cross‑platform content on autopilot. With pricing starting around $18/month and a 14‑day free trial, it’s a cost‑effective automation alternative for Hootsuite.
2. SocialBu – Simple, Automation‑First & Budget‑Friendly
SocialBu positions itself as an easy‑to‑use social‑media management and automation platform. It simplifies planning, scheduling, monitoring, and reporting and includes automation, AI, and an inbox even on its lower plans.
Why SocialBu Is a Great Hootsuite Alternative
Visual Content Calendar & Bulk Scheduling – SocialBu offers a drag‑and‑drop calendar, CSV bulk uploads, rescheduling, and first‑comment scheduling for Instagram. It combines batch creation and calendar control into a simpler interface for teams who schedule in bulk
Automation You’ll Actually Use – Set rules to auto‑reply to DMs/comments, auto‑post from RSS, and run recurring queues so evergreen content stays live without manual reposting. Larger suites often hide automation behind expensive add‑ons; SocialBu includes it in lower‑tier plans.
Unified Social Inbox – Manage messages, comments, mentions and reviews across all supported networks in one organized inbox. Hootsuite’s similar workflow requires higher tiers or separate pricing.
Evergreen Recycling & Queue Rules – Keep your best posts in rotation using categories and repeat rules so content continues working for you.
Supports Modern Networks – Besides Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, and LinkedIn, SocialBu connects to Threads, TikTok, YouTube, Reddit, Mastodon, Pinterest, Bluesky, and Google Business Profiles, giving you more reach without extra fees.
Other useful tools – AI content helpers, a mobile app, browser extension, reels and Stories scheduling, first‑comment scheduling, API/webhook access, and many free tools that save time daily.
Pricing & plans
| Plan | Monthly cost (yearly) | Social accounts & users | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | 2 accounts, 40 posts/month, 1 user | Great for testing basic scheduling. |
| Standard | ~$19 (or $15.8/year) | 12 social accounts, 4 team members | Bulk scheduling, automation, AI content generation. |
| Super | ~$59 (or $49.2/year) | 30 accounts, 8 team members | Social inbox, automations (60 rules), phone support. |
| Supreme | ~$199 (or $165.8/year) | 150 accounts, 20 team members | 400 automations, advanced team collaboration and analytics. |
All paid plans have a seven‑day free trial and include AI, automation and inbox features.
Final verdict
If you want scheduling, AI‑powered content creation, automation, a shared inbox, and analytics at a fair price, SocialBu offers exceptional value.
However, if you require deeper ad management, comprehensive social listening, or strict approval workflows, a larger suite like Hootsuite may still be necessary.
3. Buffer – The Friendly, Affordable Scheduler
Buffer has long been known for simplicity and affordability. It offers a free forever plan that lets you connect three social channels and schedule up to ten posts per channel.
Even this plan includes an AI assistant and basic analytics.
Essentials plan ($5/month per channel): Provides unlimited scheduled posts, advanced analytics, engagement inbox, hashtag manager, and first-comment scheduling.
Team plan ($10/month per channel): Adds unlimited users, content approval workflows, and access-level management.
Buffer supports all major networks (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Threads, TikTok, X, YouTube, Google Business Profile, Mastodon, and Bluesky).
Its per-channel pricing means you pay only for what you need—perfect for individuals who manage just one or two accounts.
Compared with Hootsuite’s $99 minimum, Buffer’s free and $5 options make it a budget-friendly alternative.
4. Sprout Social – Enterprise-Grade Management & Listening
Sprout Social is a premium tool built for teams that need deeper analytics, social listening, and customer engagement. Its Standard plan starts at $199 per seat/month and includes five social profiles, keyword and location monitoring, review management, and post-level reporting. The Professional plan ($299 per seat/month) offers unlimited social profiles, message tagging, competitor and paid insights, optimal send times, and an AI assistant to enhance posts. The Advanced plan ($399 per seat/month) adds AI-powered reply assistance, sentiment analysis in the Smart Inbox, API access, helpdesk integrations, and productivity reports.
What sets Sprout Social apart:,
- Smart Inbox with sentiment analysis: Aggregate messages, comments, and reviews, then triage them with AI-detected sentiment.
- Advanced analytics: Group, profile, and post-level reporting across channels, plus competitor benchmarking.
- Social listening: Track keywords, hashtags, and brand mentions to uncover trends.
- Customer care features: Integration with helpdesk platforms and review-management tools.
- Team collaboration: Approval workflows, message tagging, and productivity reports to manage large teams.
Sprout Social is significantly more expensive than Hootsuite and the other alternatives, but it offers enterprise-class features for organizations that need deeper insights and customer support tools.
