Comparison · Social listening
Later vs Hootsuite for social media scheduling and analytics
The short answer
Later is built around visual planning, Link in Bio and influencer marketing, with plans from $18.75 per month billed yearly and analytics history that grows from 3 months to 2 years by plan. Hootsuite starts at $99 per month and adds social listening, competitor benchmarking and custom reports, aimed at teams managing many accounts. Small brands and creators focused on Instagram and TikTok look at Later; marketing teams that need listening and benchmarking in the same tool look at Hootsuite.
On this page 5 sections
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Side by side
| Later | Hootsuite | |
|---|---|---|
| Entry price | Starter $18.75 per month, billed yearly | Standard from $99 per month (billed annually) |
| Profiles | 8 on Starter (1 social set), 16 on Growth, 48 on Scale | 10 on Standard; unlimited from Professional |
| Users | 1 on Starter, 2 on Growth, 4 on Scale | Varies by plan |
| Analytics history | 3 months, 1 year, 2 years by plan | Not stated by plan on the page |
| Listening | Not stated on the pricing page | Brand and competitor monitoring; Quick Search of 30 days on Professional |
| Competitor benchmarking | Not stated on the pricing page | 5 competitors on Standard, 20 on Professional |
| Distinctive features | Link in Bio, influencer platform, Meta Ads analytics on Scale | Trend forecasting, advanced report exports |
| Free trial | 14 days | 14 days, no card (posting limits apply) |
When Later fits better
- You are a small brand or creator and Instagram and TikTok carry most of your social traffic.
- You want Link in Bio click tracking and a visual calendar.
- Budget matters more than listening depth.
When Hootsuite fits better
- Several people manage many accounts across networks and need approvals and custom reports.
- You want listening and competitor benchmarking without a separate tool.
- You report social performance to leadership on a schedule.
Tie social to outcomes either way
Native social analytics report reach and engagement. To show revenue or leads, tag every link with UTMs and read the result in GA4: see how to measure social media ROI and the UTM builder.
Other options: Hootsuite alternatives, best social media analytics tools and Later vs Vista Social.
Based on each vendor’s published features as of October 2026. We have not tested these products in a live account. Product names are trademarks of their owners.
Questions
- How much does Later cost?
- Later's Starter plan was $18.75 per month billed yearly, Growth $37.50 and Scale $82.50, in USD with taxes extra, according to its pricing page in October 2026.
- Is Hootsuite worth it for a small business?
- Hootsuite's plans started at $99 per month in October 2026. It suits teams that will use its listening, benchmarking and reporting; a small business that only schedules posts can usually pay less elsewhere.