Social Media · 2026 Comparison
Hootsuite vs Metricool: Which Is Better in 2026?
Hootsuite and Metricool are both social_media tools, but they're built around different workflows. Hootsuite focuses on mid to large teams managing multiple brands and platforms, and is used primarily by social media director. Metricool is designed for marketers wanting analytics-focused social tool, catering to social media analyst. This comparison covers pricing, features, use cases, and which tool is the right pick depending on your situation.
Updated 2026-04-16
TL;DR — Our Verdict
Metricool wins this comparison
If cost is a factor, Metricool is the clear starting point — it's free while Hootsuite starts at Starts at $99/month for 10 profiles. That said, Hootsuite makes sense if you need mid to large teams managing multiple brands and platforms at a professional level and the pricing fits your budget.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Social Media | Social Media |
| Who should use this? | Mid to large teams managing multiple brands and platforms | Marketers wanting analytics-focused social tool |
| Use Case | Complete social media management platform | Social media analytics and scheduler |
| Pricing | paid | freemium |
| Free Entry | No | WinnerYes |
| Company Size | 1000+ | 50-200 |
| Best For | Mid to large teams managing multiple brands and platforms | Marketers wanting analytics-focused social tool |
| Ideal User | Social Media Director | Social Media Analyst |
How They Score
Relative scores based on available data — not editorial opinion.
| Dimension | Hootsuite | Metricool |
|---|---|---|
| Features | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Pricing Access | 2/5 | Winner 5/5 |
| Integrations | Winner 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Ease of Use | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Output Quality | Winner 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Value for Money | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Community & Support | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Documentation | Winner 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Overall Rating | 4/5 | 4/5 |
Feature-by-Feature Breakdown
Deep dive into how Hootsuite and Metricool compare on specific capabilities.
Pricing & Value
Hootsuite: Starts at $99/month for 10 profiles
Metricool: Free tier, Pro from $22/month — includes a free tier for testing.
Value scores: Hootsuite 4/5 vs Metricool 4.3/5 — Metricool offers better value per dollar.
Ease of Use
Hootsuite: Scores 4.1/5 for ease of use — beginner-friendly.
Metricool: Scores 4.4/5 for ease of use — beginner-friendly.
Heads up with Hootsuite: High cost, complex setup for teams
Heads up with Metricool: Feature richness can overwhelm
Integrations & Ecosystem
Hootsuite: 4 integrations + API access
Metricool: 3 integrations
Both connect to: Google Analytics.
Only Hootsuite: Salesforce, Adobe, Canva
Only Metricool: Facebook, Instagram
Output Quality
Hootsuite: Output quality rated 4.5/5 — excellent for professional work.
Metricool: Output quality rated 4.2/5 — excellent for professional work.
Hootsuite strengths: Comprehensive features; Social listening; 35+ platforms
Metricool strengths: Good analytics; Affordable; Smart links
Workflow Fit
Hootsuite workflow: Plan content → Schedule across platforms → Monitor → Analyze → Engage
Metricool workflow: Connect accounts → Schedule → Monitor → Analyze competitors → Report
Ecosystem note: Extensive integration marketplace, CRM connections
Hootsuite vs Metricool: Deep Dive
Hootsuite
Complete social media management platform
Hootsuite is an enterprise-grade social media management platform offering scheduling, analytics, social listening, and team collaboration across 35+ social networks.
Strengths
- Comprehensive features
- Social listening
- 35+ platforms
- Team workflows
Weaknesses
- Expensive
- Complex interface
- Learning curve
Integrations
Company Size
1000+
Best For
Mid to large teams managing multiple brands and platforms
Ideal User
Social Media Director
Pricing Summary
Starts at $99/month for 10 profiles
Pricing
paid
Metricool
Social media analytics and scheduler
Metricool provides social media scheduling, analytics, and reporting with competitor analysis and smart links.
Strengths
- Good analytics
- Affordable
- Smart links
- Competitor analysis
Weaknesses
- Limited on free
- UI can be cluttered
- Learning curve
Integrations
Company Size
50-200
Best For
Marketers wanting analytics-focused social tool
Ideal User
Social Media Analyst
Pricing Summary
Free tier, Pro from $22/month
Pricing
freemium
Which Wins by Use Case?
Winner per scenario, based on available field data.
Best for Budget
Metricool
Metricool offers a free entry point — the safer starting choice for cost-sensitive users.
Recommendations by User Type
Solo Founder (Budget-Conscious)
Metricool wins — Metricool's free tier lets you validate the fit before spending money. Start there, upgrade to Hootsuite only if you hit limits.
Key factor: Free tier availability
Beginner (New to This Category)
Either wins — Both are beginner-friendly. Choose based on which interface feels more intuitive to you.
Key factor: Ease of use score
Professional (Quality-Critical Work)
Depends on specific needs wins — Quality is comparable. Consider other factors like workflow fit and integrations.
Key factor: Output quality score
Self-Starter (Learns from Docs)
Either wins — Both have adequate documentation. You'll be able to self-serve most questions.
Key factor: Documentation quality
Enterprise Team (Needs Support)
Either wins — Support quality is comparable. Both should meet enterprise needs with proper onboarding.
Key factor: Community & support score
Which Should You Choose?
Choose Hootsuite if…
- →You are a Mid to large teams managing multiple brands and platforms
- →Your primary need is mid to large teams managing multiple brands and platforms
- →You need: comprehensive features
Choose Metricool if…
- →You are a Marketers wanting analytics-focused social tool
- →Your primary need is marketers wanting analytics-focused social tool
- →You want to evaluate before committing to a paid plan
- →You need: good analytics
Neither may be ideal if…
- ✕You need something easy to learn — both have steep learning curves
- ✕You learn best from documentation — neither has strong docs
Integration Comparison
Both tools connect to 1 integration. See what's unique to each.
Shared (1)
Only Hootsuite (3)
Only Metricool (2)
Pricing Comparison
Strengths Comparison
| Hootsuite | Metricool |
|---|---|
| Comprehensive features | Good analytics |
| Social listening | Affordable |
| 35+ platforms | Smart links |
| Team workflows | Competitor analysis |
Looking for alternatives?
Best Hootsuite alternatives →Looking for alternatives?
Best Metricool alternatives →Other Social Media Tools to Consider
Neither tool the right fit? Here are other options in the Social Media space.
More Social Media Comparisons
Explore other head-to-head comparisons in the Social Media space.
Verdict: Which Should You Choose?
If cost is a factor, Metricool is the clear starting point — it's free while Hootsuite starts at Starts at $99/month for 10 profiles. That said, Hootsuite makes sense if you need mid to large teams managing multiple brands and platforms at a professional level and the pricing fits your budget.
Hootsuite vs Metricool: FAQ
Is Hootsuite better than Metricool?
If cost is a factor, Metricool is the clear starting point — it's free while Hootsuite starts at Starts at $99/month for 10 profiles. That said, Hootsuite makes sense if you need mid to large teams managing multiple brands and platforms at a professional level and the pricing fits your budget.
Which is cheaper, Hootsuite or Metricool?
Hootsuite starts at Starts at $99/month for 10 profiles. Metricool is free to use.
What is Hootsuite best used for?
Hootsuite is built for Complete social media management platform, primarily used by Social Media Director.
What is Metricool best used for?
Metricool is built for Social media analytics and scheduler, primarily used by Social Media Analyst.
Which is better for teams, Hootsuite or Metricool?
Hootsuite is suited for Mid to large teams managing multiple brands and platforms. Metricool is suited for Marketers wanting analytics-focused social tool.