3 Best scheduling tools

Compare three popular social media scheduling tools - Later, Buffer, and Planable - to help you find the right fit for your social media strategy.

When it comes to managing your social media strategy, the right scheduling tool can make a world of difference. In this article, we will compare three popular scheduling tools – Later, Buffer, and Planable – and explore their features, benefits, and suitability for different social media needs. 

By evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of each tool, you can make an informed decision and choose the one that aligns best with your specific goals and requirements. Whether you’re focused on visual content, team collaboration, or streamlining the approval process, understanding the unique capabilities of these scheduling tools will empower you to optimize your social media management and achieve greater efficiency and effectiveness in your online presence. 

So let’s dive in and discover which tool can help take your social media strategy to the next level.

Overview

BufferLaterPlanable
Star Rating979 reviews
4.52  stars
296 reviews
4.5 stars
581 reviews
4.54 stars
Market SegmentSmall-Business
(70.7% of reviews)
Small-Business
(83.8% of reviews)
Small-Business
(94.4% of reviews)
Entry Level PriceFreeFree 1 Social Set & UserFree 1 Social Set & User

1

Buffer

Grow your audience on social and beyond.

Buffer  is a versatile scheduling tool that allows users to manage multiple social media accounts seamlessly.

  • Multi-platform scheduling: Schedule and publish posts across various social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.
  • Team collaboration: Collaborate with team members and assign specific roles and permissions for efficient content creation and scheduling.
  • Analytics and reporting: Monitor post performance, track key metrics, and generate detailed reports to measure the effectiveness of your social media campaigns.
  • Browser extension: Easily add content to your Buffer queue while browsing the web with the browser extension.
Positive
  • Easy to setup and connect platforms
  • Flexible pricing model
  • Photo editor
  • Free trial
Negatives
  • Need to supplement with other tools
  • Not supporting all social networks
  • Limitation on the number of posts that can be scheduled in advance
2

Later

Social media management made easy.

Later is a robust social media scheduling tool designed to simplify content planning and management across various platforms.

  • Visual content calendar: Organize and visualize your social media posts with a user-friendly calendar interface.
  • Instagram-centric functionality: Leverage Later’s specialized tools for scheduling Instagram posts, including automatic posting to Instagram Stories.
  • Linkin.bio: Create a shoppable Instagram feed by linking posts to external content.
  • Analytics: Gain insights into post performance and audience engagement to optimize your strategy.
Positive
  • Social media analytics
  • Hashtag analysis
  • Multiple social channels in one place.
  • Free trial
Negatives
  • Limit to how many posts can scheduled in a month
  • Lots of paid features
  • Not able to post carousel posts
3

Planable

If you plan content in sheets or task managers, this is for you.

Planable is a collaborative scheduling tool designed
to simplify the approval process for social media content.

  • Content collaboration: Seamlessly collaborate with team members, clients, and stakeholders by providing a centralized platform for reviewing, editing, and approving content.
  • Content preview: Visualize how your posts will appear on different social media platforms, ensuring a consistent and visually appealing feed.
  • Commenting and feedback: Facilitate communication and feedback exchange within the platform, eliminating the need for multiple email threads.
  • Integration with other tools: Connect Planable with tools like Buffer and Slack for a streamlined workflow.
Positive
  • Great tool for planning the content
  • Easy-to-use interface
  • Free trial
Negatives
  • Complicated scheduling process
  • Lack of analytics
  • Limited functionality

Which platform is the best? 

When comparing Later, Buffer, and Planable, it’s essential to consider your specific needs and priorities. If you have a strong focus on Instagram and visual content, Later stands out with its specialized features like the visual content calendar and Linkin.bio functionality. Buffer, on the other hand, offers versatility by supporting multiple platforms and providing robust analytics and reporting features. It excels in team collaboration and offers a browser extension for seamless content addition. Planable shines in streamlining the approval process and facilitating efficient collaboration with its content preview and commenting features. 

Depending on your requirements, such as the nature of your social media presence, team dynamics, and content approval workflow, you can choose the scheduling tool that aligns best with your specific needs. 

Pricing

BufferLaterPlanable
Essentials
Starting at $6.00 / £4.71
Per Month
Starter
$15.00 / £11.76
1 Social Set & User Per Month
Basic
Starting at $11.00/ £8.63
1 User
Team
Starting at $12.00/ £9.41
Per Month
Growth
$40.00 / £31.37
3 Social Sets & Users Per Month
Pro
Starting at $22.00 / £17.25
1 Users
Agency
Starting at $100.00 / £78.43
Per Month
Advanced
$80.00/ £62.74
6 Social Sets & Users Per Month
Enterprise Plan
Contact Us
1 Users
Free trialFree trialFree trial

Show all Most Helpful Highest Rating Lowest Rating Add your review
  1. I have been using Later for a while now and I wouldnt change it for anything else!

  2. Buffer is the best platform, and its pricing is reasonable

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