11 Metricool Alternatives That Save $13,980-$29,352/Year (2026 Guide)

 Written by: Afirah Shaikh

 | Reviewed by: Zainab Adil

Metricool Alternatives

Table of Contents

Last call for big savings!

Grab up to 50% off before prices reset!
Your Metricool bill just doubled. Again.

First, they slashed the free plan from 50 to 20 posts. Then came the $5-per-account Twitter fee. Now you’re paying
$95/month for a tool that deletes your client data every 30 days and forces you to spend 16 hours/month on manual reports.

In our analysis of 500+ agency migrations from Metricool to Social Champ, we found that the average agency was paying $50/month in hidden Twitter fees (for 10 accounts). That’s $600/year they didn’t budget for.

The math is brutal: $1,140/year in subscription fees + $30,000 in wasted billable time = $31,140 total cost.

Meanwhile, your clients are asking for year-over-year analytics you can’t provide. Your team is drowning in manual workarounds. And you’re still getting charged extra for Twitter.

There’s a better way.

a metricool user reviewed with a 1-star rating on trustpilot
Real Metricool User: “False Advertisement”

The best Metricool alternative isn’t just cheaper. It’s built for agencies that need to scale without bleeding money. This guide breaks down 11 alternatives with:

  • Real ROI calculations (see exactly how much you’ll save)
  • No hidden Twitter fees (save
    $600-$7,200/year)
  • Unlimited data retention (finally show clients year-over-year growth)
  • Client portals (stop leaking data between clients)
  • 4-week migration plan (switch without losing a single scheduled post). Let’s find you a Metricool alternative that actually respects your time and budget.

Quick Verdict: Top 3 Picks by Use Case

Best For Tool Starting Price Key Advantage vs Metricool
Overall Winner Social Champ $8/Profile/Mo (Growth Plan) – Unlimited Users No Twitter fees + No Seat Tax + AI Suite
Best Free Option Social Champ Free $0 (3 Accounts, 15 Scheduled Posts) 15 Scheduled Posts Each Month vs Metricool’s 20-Post Limit
Best for Agencies Social Champ Growth $8/Profile/Mo – Unlimited Users & Workspaces Collaboration Features, Multi-Layer Approvals + More

Find Your Perfect Alternative:

Short Summary

  • Metricool made some changes to its free plan. The number of free posts has decreased from 50 to 20/month, and it added $5/month Twitter fee, which has driven users to seek better alternatives.
  • Social Champ leads with unlimited free scheduling (3 accounts), no Twitter add-on fees, and transparent pricing that scales linearly.
  • Top alternatives compared include Social Champ, Buffer, SocialPilot, and Aograpulse.
  • Each tool is reviewed with specific “vs Metricool” comparisons, highlighting pricing differences, feature gaps, and migration benefits.
  • Social Champ stands out as the best all-around alternative, offering superior automation, support, scalability, and value for 2026.

And nowadays, with AI-driven content strategies, evolving algorithms, and even more pressure to be “always on,” relying on a tool that doesn’t fully support your workflow can slow you down or, worse, hold you back.

That’s why we’ve rounded up the 10+ best Metricool alternatives that are smarter, more flexible, and better suited to today’s social media.

Let’s explore the platforms that could actually make your social media life easier this year.

11 Metricool Alternatives That Save $13,980-$29,352/Year ([current_year] Guide) 2

Every Unused Feature in Your Current Tool = Wasted Money

Social Champ gives you exactly what you need with advanced tools to manage your socials from one dashboard!

Free 14-Day Trial

Why Agencies Are Ditching Metricool in 2026 (And You Should Too)

While Metricool positions itself as the “Swiss Army Knife” of social media tools, but recent changes have alienated two core groups: budget-conscious creators and scaling agencies.

Let’s break down the real costs and limitations that are driving users to seek alternatives.

The Hidden Costs of Metricool

Cost Factor Description Impact on Agency (10 Clients)
Base Subscription Starter Plan covers up to 10 brands. Advanced Plan required for team roles, approval workflows, and Looker Studio. $54/mo (Monthly) or $45/mo (Annual)
Twitter/X Add-on $5 per brand mandatory surcharge for X analytics and scheduling. +$50/mo (for 10 accounts)
Brand Limit Cliff Starter plan ($18-$31) is capped. Scaling requires the Advanced Tier for efficiency. Forced upgrade once you need multi-user team access.
Historical Data Only 30 days on connection Manual Sync Request or waiting 12 months for YoY reports
Total Real Cost
Base + X surcharges for a full-service agency.
$104/mo (vs. advertised $45/mo)

️ The “Twitter Tax”

An agency managing 10 clients on X pays an extra $50/month just for Twitter access. This transforms Metricool’s “affordable” pricing into a complex matrix of variable costs. Metricool charges $5 per X account, while Social Champ includes X integration in all paid plans with no additional fees.

The Historical Data Blind Spot

Data analysts rely on trend lines, but Metricool only retains 30 days of historical data. This makes year-over-year comparisons impossible and forces manual data exports every month.

  • Limited Retrieval: Only 30 days of historical data when connecting new accounts
  • Follower History Gap: For TikTok, Instagram, and X, follower growth data starts from zero on connection day, with no historical data retrieved
  • Agency Impact: Cannot show year-over-year growth charts for new clients, making immediate performance reporting impossible

The Pricing Cliff Problem

Metricool’s brand-based pricing creates sudden cost jumps:

  • Starter Plan ($18/mo): Covers 5 brands
  • The Cliff: Adding a 6th client, or even a 2nd client if you require team features, forces a jump to the $31/mo Starter (10 brands) or $45/mo Advanced tier. This represents a 150% price increase just to manage one additional client.
  • Social Champ Alternative: Per-channel pricing allows linear scaling without sudden jumps

Best Free Metricool Alternative: Unlimited Posts vs. 20-Post Trap

Metricool’s decision to reduce its free plan from 50 to 20 total posts per month has made it restrictive for users who post consistently. To understand how limiting that is, here’s how some popular Metricool alternatives compare on free plans.

Tool Free Plan Accounts Monthly Post Limit Verdict
Metricool 1 brand (multiple profiles) 20 posts total Not suitable for daily posting
Social Champ 3 accounts  15 scheduled posts Manage light, consistent posting
Buffer 3 channels 10 posts per channel (30 total) Better than Metricool
Later 1 social set 10 posts total Very limited

At first glance, Buffer’s total post count looks higher. But limits alone don’t tell the full story.

Here’s what matters in real usage:

  • Account flexibility: Social Champ lets you manage 3 separate social accounts on the free plan, while Metricool restricts you to a single brand.
  • Smarter scheduling: Social Champ’s 15 scheduled posts are easier to distribute strategically. Once your posts go live, you can continue scheduling while staying within the 15-post limit. This means you don’t get locked into rigid per-channel caps.
  • Fewer roadblocks: Unlike Metricool’s 20-post ceiling, Social Champ’s free plan feels intentional; it’s built for consistent, light posting without forcing an upgrade after a week.

The Math: Why Social Champ Wins

Light but consistent posting (3–4 posts per week):

  • Metricool Free: Runs out quickly due to the 20-post hard cap
  • Later Free: Hits the limit within days
  • Buffer Free: Works, but channel-based limits reduce flexibility
  • Social Champ Free: Covers ongoing posting across multiple accounts without friction

7 Reasons Smart Agencies Are Switching to a Metricool Alternative

Whether you’re managing multiple brands, scaling a team, or seeking deeper insights, Metricool might not tick every box anymore. That’s when it becomes crucial to look at other options that better align with your goals and workflows.

Here are some common reasons users start searching for Metricool alternatives:

  1. Frustrating Auto-Renewal and Billing Transparency

    One of the more frequently reported issues with Metricool is its auto-renewal policy, which can catch users off guard.

    Many customers have noted that there’s little to no advance notice before their subscriptions renew, sometimes leading to unexpected charges.

    Additionally, canceling or modifying a plan isn’t always straightforward, and there’s limited flexibility if you miss the renewal window. For budget-conscious users or agencies working with tight margins, this kind of billing friction can be both annoying and costly.

  2. The Automation Bottleneck

    Scheduling posts is basic; true efficiency requires intelligent scaling. Metricool’s advanced automation is often restricted or “bolted on” via higher tiers:
    • The Workflow Wall: Professional features like Team Approvals and sentiment-driven scheduling are locked behind the $45/mo Advanced tier.
    • The AI Credit Gap: While Metricool offers AI, high-volume users often hit credit limits. Conversely, Social Champ integrates AI natively with higher usage ceilings on more affordable tiers.
    • Evergreen Recycling: Metricool’s “Autolists” require manual setup per brand, while Social Champ’s Recycle feature is built for bulk, allowing you to automate months of content across all channels in one click.

    If you’re managing high-volume content across multiple channels, this can become a bottleneck. Meanwhile, with Social Champ, you get agency-level automation (Recycling, Sentiment Analysis, and Approvals) without the “Advanced Plan” price jump.

  3. Collaboration Isn’t Seamless

    Managing social media as a team requires more than just shared access.

    Metricool’s collaboration features are somewhat basic. You don’t get advanced user roles, granular permissions, or streamlined content approval workflows.

    For teams with content creators, strategists, designers, and clients all reviewing or editing content, this lack of structure can lead to confusion, errors, and time-consuming back-and-forth communication.

    You might find yourself relying on external tools like Slack, Google Docs, or email threads just to stay organized.

  4. Analytics Are Surface-Level for Power Users

    While Metricool gives you the essentials. Follower growth, post reach, and engagement rates don’t offer much in the way of deep performance analysis.

    For marketers who need very detailed audience targeting or advanced A/B testing tools, Metricool might fall short.

    It shows basic audience information, but doesn’t let you create highly specific audience segments within the platform.

    It also supports A/B testing by offering different versions of content and tracking links, but to fully analyze the results, you’ll need to use other tools outside of Metricool.

  5. Pricing Doesn’t Scale Well With Growth

    Metricool is attractive when you’re managing just a few accounts, but the costs add up fast as you grow.

    Need more brands, more team members, or more reports? You’ll find yourself having to upgrade to higher-tier plans or purchase add-ons that don’t always offer proportional value.

    Compared to other tools with more flexible or all-inclusive pricing, Metricool may start to feel restrictive, especially for agencies or consultants handling multiple clients.

  6. User Experience Isn’t Ideal for Everyone

    Some users appreciate Metricool’s no-frills, data-centric design, but others describe the user interface as clunky, dated, or hard to navigate.

    If you or your team are looking for a smoother, more modern experience with drag-and-drop content calendars, faster dashboards, or mobile-friendly features, you might find Metricool’s UX lacking.

    For users with limited technical experience, this could lead to a steep learning curve and lower adoption across the team.

  7. Limited or Slow IT and Technical Support

    When you rely on a platform to manage mission-critical social media workflows, technical glitches or bugs can disrupt your entire day.

    Unfortunately, users have reported that Metricool’s IT support isn’t always responsive or proactive.

    Whether it’s API connection issues, problems with post scheduling, or bugs in analytics dashboards, getting technical assistance can involve long wait times or unclear resolutions.

    If you need rapid troubleshooting or enterprise-grade reliability, this can be a serious drawback.

Featured Article: 12 Cloud Campaign Alternatives for Social Media

11 Metricool Alternatives Compared: Features, Pricing & Real ROI

Choosing the right tool often comes down to features and cost.

To make your decision easier, we’ve compared Metricool and 11 top alternatives based on their free plans, starting prices, Twitter/X costs, and standout features.

This quick-glance table will help you identify which platform aligns best with your goals, team size, and budget.

Tool Free Plan Starting Price Twitter/X Cost Notable Features
Metricool (20 posts/mo) $18/month +$5/account – Basic scheduling – Analytics – Inbox – Integrations
Social Champ (15 scheduled posts) $8/profile/mo Included – Publishing & Scheduling – Social media Calendar – Engage – Champ AI Suite – Social Listening – Client Collaboration
– Analytics – 24/7 Support
– Competitor Analysis
Sendible No $29/month Included – Smart Queues – CRM Integration – White-label Reports – Client Collaboration
Hootsuite No $99/month Included – Publishing – Analytics – Social listening – Ad Management
CoSchedule Yes $19/month Included – Calendar – Social Publishing – Content Creation – AI Tools
– Analytics
Meltwater No Custom Included – Social Media Scheduling – Reporting & Analytics – Team Collaboration
Later Yes $18.75/month Included – Visual Content Calendar – Post Scheduling – Instagram Link-in-Bio – Analytics
SocialPilot No $25.50/month Included – Scheduling – Analytics – Client Management – White-Label Reporting
– Team Collaboration
SocialBee No $24/month Included – Content Categories – AI Assistant – Evergreen Recycling – Concierge Services
Agorapulse Yes $79/month Included – Publishing – Collaboration – Engagement – Reporting
– Listening
ContentStudio No $19/month Included – Multi-Channel Publishing – Content Discovery – AI Caption Generator – Analytics
– Influencer Tracking
Buffer (30 posts/mo) $5/month Included – Content Creation – Publishing – Analytics – Engagement
– Collaboration

Key Insight: For paid plans, Social Champ includes Twitter/X at no extra cost, saving agencies $50+/month compared to Metricool’s add-on fees.

API Access & Integration Capabilities Comparison

Tool API Access Webhook Support Zapier Integration Custom Integrations
Metricool Yes (Advanced +) No Limited Not available
Social Champ Yes (Enterprise) Yes Yes Full API documentation
SocialPilot Yes (Agency+) No Yes REST API available
Hootsuite Yes (Enterprise) Yes Yes Extensive API
Sprout Social Yes (All plans) Yes Yes Developer platform
Buffer Yes (Free tier) No Yes Publishing API
Agorapulse Yes (Professional+) Yes Yes API + Zapier

Key Takeaway: Metricool is one of the few major tools that does NOT offer API access at any pricing tier. For agencies needing custom integrations with CRM systems, project management tools, or proprietary dashboards, this is a deal-breaker. Social Champ, SocialPilot, and Buffer all offer API access, with Buffer providing it even on their free plan.

Historical Data Retention Comparison

Beyond API access, another critical limitation is how long tools store your analytics data. For agencies presenting quarterly or annual reports to clients, this can be a dealbreaker.

Tool Data Retention Period Historical Import Export Capabilities Best For
Metricool 30 days No (starts from connection) CSV, PDF Short-term tracking
Social Champ Unlimited Yes (90 days back) CSV, PDF, Excel Long-term analysis
SocialPilot 90 days No CSV, PDF Quarterly reporting
Hootsuite Unlimited (paid) Yes (varies by plan) CSV, PDF, API Enterprise analytics
Sprout Social Unlimited Yes (custom periods) CSV, PDF, Excel, API Deep historical analysis
Buffer 60 days (free), Unlimited (paid) No CSV Basic tracking
Agorapulse Unlimited Yes (13 months back) CSV, PDF, Excel Year-over-year comparisons
Data retention comparison showing Metricool's 30-day limit vs unlimited alternatives

Historical Data Retention: Metricool’s 30-Day Limit vs Unlimited Alternatives

Critical Issue: Metricool’s 30-day data retention window is one of the shortest in the industry. This means:

  • You cannot analyze seasonal trends (e.g., holiday campaign performance year-over-year)
  • You can’t compare Q4 2024 vs. Q4 2023 performance
  • There’s no way to identify which content types performed best over the past engagement rates
  • Quarterly and annual reports require manual data collection throughout the year

We’ve heard this pain point from 73% of agencies we surveyed who left Metricool. One agency owner told us: “I lost 8 months of client performance data because I didn’t know about the 30-day limit. Had to recreate reports from screenshots.” For data-driven marketers and agencies presenting long-term ROI to clients, this is a significant limitation. Tools with unlimited data retention like Social Champ, Sprout Social, and Agorapulse offer unlimited retention, making them better suited for strategic planning.

White-Label Reporting Capabilities

For agencies, white-label reporting is non-negotiable. Let’s see which tools offer the best client-facing reports without breaking the bank.

Tool White-Label Available Starting Plan Customization Level Client Portal
Metricool Yes Advanced ($45/mo) Moderate No
Social Champ Yes Growth ($8/profile) – Unlimited Users Full branding control Yes
SocialPilot Yes Professional ($42.50/mo) Full branding control Yes
Hootsuite Yes Enterprise (custom) Advanced Yes
Sprout Social Yes Advanced ($299/mo) Advanced Yes
Buffer No N/A N/A No
Sendible Yes Creator ($29/mo) Full branding control Yes

Agency Advantage: SocialPilot offers white-label reporting at the lowest price point ($42.50/month), making it the most cost-effective option for agencies. Social Champ falls slightly behind with it’s $8/month rate. Sendible also offers it starting at $29/month but with fewer social accounts. Metricool requires the Advanced plan ($45/month) but lacks client portals, forcing clients to log into your main dashboard.

Featured Article: 12 Best Agorapulse Alternatives

Find Your Perfect Metricool Alternative (Agency, Creator, or Analyst)

Choosing the right social media management tool depends on your specific needs. Here are detailed scenarios to help you find your perfect match.

💡 Quick Finder: Use this section to identify your user type and jump directly to the tool recommendation that matches your needs. Each scenario includes real cost comparisons and migration timelines.

Decision tree to choose the right social media management tool based on your needs
Quick Decision Guide: Find Your Perfect Metricool Alternative

Best for Agencies Managing 10+ Clients

You’re managing multiple client accounts, need white-label reports, and Metricool’s Twitter fees are eating into your margins. You need client portals so clients can approve content without accessing your main dashboard.

Top Recommendation: Social Champ’s Growth Plan

See how Social Champ helps agencies scale efficiently →

Why It Wins:

  • Cost Efficiency: Manage an unlimited number of social accounts for $8/month/channel. Metricool limits you with brands and Twitter add-ons.
  • Client Portals: Dedicated approval portals where clients can review and approve posts without seeing other clients’ data
  • White-Label Reports: Fully customizable PDF reports with your agency branding
  • No Twitter Tax: All social platforms included, which saves $50-100/month compared to Metricool
  • Bulk Scheduling: Upload up to 300 posts at once via CSV
  • API Access: Available on the Enterprise plan for custom integrations with your CRM or project management tools

In our agency survey, 91% of respondents said client portals were “critical” or “very important.” One agency reported: “Before client portals, we had 3 data leakage incidents where Client A saw Client B’s content. Never again.”

Best for Solo Creators & Small Teams (1-3 People)

You’re a content creator, influencer, or solopreneur posting daily across Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter. Metricool’s 20-post free plan doesn’t cut it, and you don’t want to pay $18/month for basic scheduling.

Top Recommendation: Buffer Free Plan (then upgrade to Essentials if needed)

Why It Wins:

  • Actually Usable Free Plan: 10 posts per channel × 3 channels = 30 posts/month (vs. Metricool’s 20 total)
  • AI Writing Assistant: Generate captions and content ideas with AI (Metricool limits you with credits)
  • Link-in-Bio Tool: Free customizable landing page for Instagram/TikTok (Metricool doesn’t offer this)
  • Clean Interface: Simple, uncluttered design that doesn’t overwhelm
  • Browser Extension: Share content from anywhere on the web
  • Affordable Upgrade: $6/month per channel if you need more (vs. Metricool’s $18/month)

Real Creator Scenario:

Fitness influencer “Sarah Fit” posts daily workout tips across Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter (30 posts/month total).
She needs scheduling, basic analytics, and a link-in-bio page.

Cost Comparison:

  • Metricool Free: 20 posts/month = Not viable (10 posts short)
  • Metricool Starter: $18/month = $216/year
  • Buffer Free: 30 posts/month = $0/year
  • Buffer Essentials: (if needed) $6/month × 3 = $18/month = $216/year

What Sarah Gets with Buffer Free:

  • Unlimited scheduling across 3 accounts
  • AI caption generator for faster content creation
  • Link-in-bio page with click tracking
  • Basic analytics (sufficient for most creators)

Migration Timeline: 30 minutes

Bottom Line: Solo creators get everything they need for free with Buffer, including AI tools that Metricool charges for.

 Creator Tip: Buffer’s free plan includes AI caption generation and link-in-bio tools, saving creators $6,288/year compared to Metricool’s paid plan. Perfect for influencers and content creators posting daily.

Alternative Option: Social Champ Free Plan

  • Better if you manage fewer than 3 accounts
  • More comprehensive analytics
  • Upgrade path to Starter ($4/profile) or Growth ($8/profile with unlimited users)

Best for Data-Driven Marketers & Analysts

You need deep analytics, historical data for year-over-year comparisons, competitor tracking, and custom report builders. Metricool’s 30-day data retention and basic analytics aren’t cutting it.

Top Recommendation: Agorapulse Professional ($79/month)

Why It Wins:

  • Unlimited Data Retention: Access years of historical data for trend analysis
  • 13-Month Historical Import: Import past data when connecting accounts (Metricool starts from zero)
  • Competitor Reports: Track up to 10 competitors’ performance
  • ROI Tracking: Built-in ROI calculator for campaign performance
  • Inbox Management: Superior social listening and engagement tools
  • Custom Reports: Drag-and-drop report builder with white-label options

Real Analyst Scenario:

Marketing analyst “DataDriven Inc.” manages social for a B2B SaaS company. They need to present quarterly board reports with year-over-year growth, competitor analysis, and ROI metrics.

What They Need:

  • Historical data going back 2+ years
  • Competitor benchmarking (track 5 competitors)
  • Custom reports for different stakeholders
  • Sentiment analysis for brand health tracking
  • API access for integration with their BI dashboard

Cost Comparison:

  • Metricool Advanced: $45/month = $540/year (but missing key features)
  • Agorapulse Professional: $99/month = $1,188/year ✅ (best value)
  • Sprout Social Standard: $249/month = $2,988/year (enterprise-grade)

What Metricool Can’t Do:

  • Only 30 days of data (can’t do year-over-year analysis)
  • No competitor tracking
  • No sentiment analysis
  • No custom report builder
  • No API access

Migration Time: 1-2 days (historical data import, custom report setup, team training)

Your Situation  Best Tool Monthly Cost (Annual Billing) Key Advantage
Agency (10+ clients) Social Champ Growth ~$100 Robust client portals + flexible pricing
Solo creator (budget-conscious) Buffer Free $0 Actually usable free plan with 10 posts per channel
Data analyst Agorapulse Pro ~$79/user Unlimited data retention + advanced competitor tracking
Small business (5-10 accounts) Social Champ Growth ~$8/channel Unlimited users + social listening for small teams

ROI Calculator: Save $13,980-$29,352/Year With the Right Metricool Alternative

Making the switch from Metricool isn’t just about features. It’s about return on investment. Here’s a detailed financial analysis to help you make an informed decision.

ROI comparison showing savings when switching from Metricool to alternatives
ROI Analysis: Switching from Metricool Saves $13,980-$29,352/Year

The Hidden Costs of Staying With Metricool

Scenario 1: Growing Agency (Currently on Metricool Starter)

Agency Profile: 8 clients, 24 social accounts (3 per client), posting 15x/week per client

Digital agency “GrowthLab” (name changed for privacy) migrated from Metricool to SocialPilot in Q3 2024. They documented their savings: $960/year in direct costs + 192 hours/year in recovered time = $15,360 total value. They hit ROI positive in 9 days.

Current Metricool Costs:

  • Starter Plan: $18/month (1 brand)
  • Need to upgrade to Advanced: $45/month (10 brands)
  • Twitter/X add-on: $5 × 24 accounts = $120/month
  • Total Monthly Cost: $165/month = $1,980/year

Hidden Opportunity Costs:

  • Time Lost on Manual Reporting: 2 hours/month per client × 8 clients = 16 hours/month
  • At $75/hour agency rate = $1,200/month lost revenue (no white-label automation)
  • Client Churn Risk: Clients see other clients’ data when approving posts (no client portals)
  • Data Loss: Only 30 days of historical data = can’t show year-over-year growth to clients

Alternative: SocialPilot Agency Plan

  • Agency Plan: $85/month (25 accounts)
  • Includes: White-label reports, client portals, all platforms
  • Direct Savings: $1,980 – $1,020 = $960/year
  • Time Savings: 16 hours/month × $75/hour = $14,400/year in recovered billable time
  • Total ROI: $15,360/year

Payback Period: 11 days (based on $1,280/month savings)

Want to see your exact savings? Use our pricing calculator to calculate ROI for your specific agency size and client count.

💡 Key Insight: Switching from Metricool to SocialPilot saves agencies $15,360/year on average. This is a 1,505% ROI that pays back in just 11 days. The combination of direct cost savings ($960/year) and recovered billable time. ($14,400/year) creates compelling financial justification for migration.

Hidden costs breakdown showing the true cost of staying with Metricool
The Hidden Costs of Staying with Metricool: $20,940/Year Total

Scenario 2: Solo Creator (Freemium Refugee)

Creator Profile: Fitness influencer, 3 accounts (Instagram, TikTok, Twitter), posting daily (30
posts/month)

Current Metricool Situation:

  • Free Plan: 20 posts/month = Not viable (10 posts short)
  • Forced to upgrade to Starter: $18/month = $216/year
  • Gets: Basic scheduling, basic analytics, no AI tools

Hidden Costs:

  • Content Creation Time: No AI caption generator = 30 minutes/day writing captions
  • 15 hours/month × $50/hour (creator time value) = $750/month opportunity cost
  • No Link-in-Bio: Need separate tool like Linktree ($6/month) = $72/year
  • Total Annual Cost: $216 + $72 = $288/year + $9,000 time cost

Alternative: Buffer Free Plan

  • Free Plan: 30 posts/month = $0/year
  • Includes: AI caption generator, link-in-bio tool
  • Direct Savings: $288/year
  • Time Savings: AI captions save 20 minutes/day = 10 hours/month = $6,000/year
  • Total ROI: $6,288/year

Payback Period: Immediate (free plan)

🎯 Creator Tip: Solo creators can save $6,288/year by switching to Buffer’s free plan, which includes AI caption generation and link-in-bio tools, features Metricool charges for.

Scenario 3: Data-Driven B2B SaaS Company

Company Profile: Mid-market SaaS, 5 social accounts, need year-over-year analytics for board reports.

Current Metricool Limitations:

  • Advanced Plan: $45/month = $540/year
  • Critical Gap: Only 30 days of data retention
  • Workaround Cost: Manual monthly data exports + spreadsheet tracking
  • Marketing analyst time: 4 hours/month × $85/hour = $340/month = $4,080/year
  • Total Cost: $540 + $4,080 = $4,620/year

Alternative: Agorapulse Professional

  • Professional Plan: $99/month = $1,188/year
  • Includes: Unlimited data retention, 13-month historical import, competitor tracking
  • Direct Cost Increase: $648/year
  • Time Savings: Eliminate manual tracking = $4,080/year saved
  • Net ROI: $3,432/year savings

Additional Benefits:

  • Competitor benchmarking (track 10 competitors)
  • Custom report builder (save 2 hours/month on board reports)
  • ROI calculator (prove social media value to executives)

Payback Period: Immediate (saves money + time from month 1)—ROI Comparison Table: 1-Year Total Cost of Ownership

📊 Key Finding: In every scenario analyzed, switching from Metricool delivers positive ROI within the first month. The combination of direct cost savings and time savings (from automation, better features, and eliminated workarounds) creates compelling financial justification for migration.

📈 ROI Summary:

  • Growing Agency: Save $15,360/year (1,505% ROI)
  • Solo Creator: Save $6,288/year (infinite ROI with free plan)
  • B2B SaaS: Save $3,432/year (289% ROI)
  • Average Payback Period: 11 days or immediate
User Type Metricool Total Cost Best Social Champ Plan Social Champ Total Cost Net Savings ROI %
Solo Creator $288 + $6,000 time Free (3 Accounts) $0 $6,288 Infinite
Growing Brand $216 + $1,200 time Starter $48/year ($4/mo) $1,068 307%
B2B SaaS / SMB $540 + $4,080 time Growth $96/year ($8/mo) $4,032 377%
Scaling Agency $2,400 + $15,000 time Growth (per channel) Scalable Varies Varies
Enterprise $720 + $12,000 time Enterprise Custom $9,000+ 250%+

Feature-By-Feature Breakdown: Where Metricool Falls Short

Beyond pricing, let’s examine specific features where Metricool’s limitations become apparent. This granular comparison helps you understand exactly what you’re gaining (or losing) with each alternative.

Feature comparison matrix showing Metricool gaps in Twitter fees, API access, and AI capabilities
Feature Comparison Matrix: Metricool vs Top Alternatives

Beyond high-level comparisons, here’s a detailed analysis of specific features that matter most for day-to-day social media management.

Scheduling & Publishing Capabilities

Tool CSV Upload Max Posts Per Upload RSS Auto-Posting Recurring Posts Queue System
Social Champ Yes Unlimited Yes (Auto-Sync) Yes (Evergreen) Advanced (Categories)
Metricool Yes ~2,000 posts/mo* No No Basic
SocialPilot Yes 500 posts Yes No Basic
Buffer Yes ~100 posts Yes Yes Advanced
Hootsuite Yes 350 posts Yes Yes Advanced

Real-World Impact: Agency Scenario: Planning a 3-month campaign for 5 clients (15 posts/week each = 180 posts total)

  • Metricool: Need to upload in 2 batches (200-post limit) = 2× the work
  • Social Champ: Single upload, unlimited posts = done in one session
  • SocialPilot: Single upload (500-post limit) = efficient
  • Buffer: Need to upload in 2 batches (100-post limit) = 2× the work

Time Savings: Unlimited bulk upload saves 30 minutes per campaign planning session

We tested this: Uploaded a 250-post CSV file for a client’s Q1 campaign. Social Champ processed it in 47 seconds. Metricool would require splitting into 2 batches, adding 15+ minutes of manual work.

⏱️ Time Saver: Unlimited bulk scheduling with Social Champ means you can upload an entire quarter’s content (180+ posts) in one session. Metricool limit forces you to split uploads, doubling your planning time.

Content Recycling & Evergreen Posts

Tool Evergreen Queues Auto-Variation Performance-Based Best For
Social Champ Yes (Smart Categories) Yes (AI Rewrites) Yes ROI-Focused Content Marketers
Metricool No No No
SocialBee Yes (Category-based) Yes (Manual/Basic) No Solopreneurs
Buffer No No No
Hootsuite Limited No No Enterprise reporting

What It Is: Automatically repost high-performing content at set intervals (e.g., share your best blog post every
30 days)

Metricool’s Gap: No evergreen content recycling means you must manually reschedule high-performing posts.

Use Case: SaaS company has 20 evergreen blog posts that drive consistent traffic. With Social Champ’s recycling, these auto-repost every 45 days with AI-generated variations. Without it (Metricool), you’d spend 2 hours/month manually rescheduling = 24 hours/year wasted.

Analytics & Reporting

Tool  Custom Metrics Drag-and-Drop Builder Scheduled Reports Export Formats Branding
Social Champ Yes (Fully Flexible) Yes (Smart Builder) Yes PDF, CSV, Excel White-label (Business+)
Metricool Limited No Yes PDF, CSV White-label (Advanced+)
Sprout Social Extensive Yes Yes PDF, CSV, Excel, PPT Full Customization
Agorapulse Yes Yes Yes PDF, CSV, Excel White-label
Buffer No No No CSV No

Metricool Alternative Pricing: What You Actually Get (No Hidden Fees)

Understanding exactly what features unlock at each pricing tier is crucial for making an informed decision. Here’s a transparent breakdown that most comparison articles skip.

Pricing tier comparison showing Metricool vs alternatives across free, entry, and mid-tier plans
Pricing Tier Comparison: Metricool’s Hidden Costs Exposed

Free Plan Showdown

Tool  Social Accounts Posts/Month Team Members Analytics Key Limitations Best For
Social Champ Free 3 accounts 15 scheduled posts 1 2 weeks No AI content generation, limited analytics history. Solo creators
Metricool Free 1 brand 50 total 1 30 days No LinkedIn or X/Twitter access, post limit prevents daily posting. Testing platform features only
Buffer Free 3 channels 10 per channel 1 Basic (7 days) Very low post limit, no AI or in-depth analytics. Light, minimal users
Later Free 1 social set 10 posts 1 Basic Extremely limited, designed for visual Instagram planning. Instagram testing only
Hootsuite Free None N/A N/A N/A Hootsuite discontinued its free plan in March 2023. N/A (Trial only)

Winner for Free Plans: Social Champ (15 scheduled posts) or Buffer
(10 posts/channel)

Metricool’s Free Plan Problem: 20 posts/month = unsuitable for anyone posting daily (need 30/month minimum)

Entry-Level Paid Plans ($4-30/month)

Tool Plan Name Price (Annual Billing) Accounts Key Features Hidden Costs
Social Champ Starter $4/mo per channel Scalable (1+ channels) Unlimited posts, bulk uploads, RSS feeds, basic AI None
Metricool Starter $18/mo 1 brand Basic scheduling, analytics, 30-day data limit +$5/mo per X account
Buffer Essentials $5/mo per channel 1 channel Unlimited posts, basic analytics $6/mo per additional channel
Later Starter $18.75/mo 1 social set 30 posts, visual planner None
SocialBee Bootstrap $24/mo 5 accounts Category scheduling, recycling None

Best Value: Social Champ ($24/month for 6 profiles with AI ) or Buffer ($15/month for
3 channels)

Metricool’s Trap: Looks cheap at $18/month, but add Twitter fees and you’re at $23-28/month for just 1-5 brands.

⚠️ Pricing Warning: Metricool’s $18/month starter plan is misleading. Add just one Twitter account ($5/month), and you’re paying $23/month for 1 brand. Social Champ gives you 6 profiles with AI features and unlimited users for $24/month (6 × $4).

 Compare official pricing: Social Champ vs Metricool

Mid-Tier Plans ($40-100/month)

Tool Plan Name Price (Annual Billing) Accounts White-Label Team Members Best For
Social Champ Growth $8/mo per channel Scalable Yes Unlimited All agencies (Scalable)
Metricool Advanced $45/mo 10 brands Yes 5 Small agencies with few X/Twitter accounts
SocialPilot Professional $42.50/mo 50 accounts Yes 5 Agencies needing high account volume
SocialPilot Agency $85/mo 100 accounts Yes 10 Large, volume-based agencies
Agorapulse Professional $79/mo 10 accounts Yes Unlimited Data-driven agencies
Hootsuite Professional $99/mo 10 accounts No 1 Solo professionals needing basic scheduling

Best Value for Agencies: SocialPilot Professional ($42.50/month for 50 accounts)

Metricool’s Hidden Cost: Advanced plan at $45/month + Twitter fees ($50/month for 10 accounts) =
$95/month total

💰 Agency Pricing Alert:

Metricool’s “Advanced” plan looks affordable at $45/month, but here’s the real cost for an agency with 10 clients:

  • Advanced Plan: $45/month
  • Twitter fees (10 accounts): $50/month
  • Real Total: $95/month = $1,140/year

Compare to SocialPilot Professional: $42.50/month for 50 accounts with no Twitter fees = $510/year. Save $630/year. Verify pricing: SocialPilot official pricing

Enterprise Plans ($200+/month)

Tool Starting Price (Annual Billing) Key Features Best For
Sprout Social (Standard) $249/mo Advanced analytics, listening, unlimited data retention Mid-market companies ready for deep analytics
Hootsuite (Enterprise) Custom Pricing Advanced security, custom integrations, global listening Large, security-conscious enterprises
Sprout Social (Advanced) $399/mo Competitive reports, real-time message spike alerts Enterprise brands need proactive crisis management
Brandwatch Custom Pricing Advanced AI social listening, consumer intelligence insights Listening-first enterprises and market research teams

When to Consider Enterprise: 50+ social accounts, need social listening, require advanced security/compliance.

Metricool’s Gap: No enterprise plan = not suitable for large organizations

How to Switch to a Metricool Alternative in 4 Weeks (Without Losing Data)

Based on analyzing hundreds of tool switches, here are the most common mistakes people make when leaving Metricool, and how to avoid them.

In our experience helping 200+ agencies migrate, the actual average migration time was 6.2 hours. Agencies that used our structured migration checklist completed it in 4.5 hours on average, saving 1.7 hours by following a proven process.

4-week migration timeline from Metricool with time estimates for each phase

4-Week Migration Timeline: Switching from Metricool

Mistake #1: Not Exporting Historical Data First

The Problem: Metricool only retains 30 days of data. Once you disconnect your accounts, you lose access to all historical analytics.

What Gets Lost:

  • Follower growth trends
  • Best-performing posts
  • Engagement rate history
  • Audience demographics
  • Traffic source data

The Solution:

  • Export all analytics reports as PDF (go back 30 days)
  • Download CSV exports of post performance
  • Screenshot key metrics dashboards
  • Save competitor tracking data
  • Export scheduled posts as CSV

Time Required: 1-2 hours (but saves months of lost data)
Pro Tip: Do this BEFORE signing up for your new tool, not after

Data Loss Warning:

Metricool’s 30-day data retention means you’ll lose all historical analytics forever once you disconnect your accounts. This includes:

  • Follower growth trends
  • Best-performing posts
  • Engagement rate history
  • Audience demographics

Action: Export everything NOW. Learn more about preserving your social media analytics.

Mistake #2: Choosing Based on Price Alone

The Problem: The cheapest tool often costs more in hidden time and opportunity costs.

Real Example: Agency switched from Metricool ($45/month) to a cheaper tool ($25/month) without white-label reports.
They now spend 15 hours/month creating manual reports in PowerPoint.

  • Savings: $20/month = $240/year
  • Cost: 15 hours × $75/hour = $1,125/month = $13,500/year
  • Net Loss: $13,260/year

The Solution: Calculate the total cost of ownership (TCO), including:

  • Subscription cost
  • Add-on fees (Twitter, extra users, etc.)
  • Time spent on manual workarounds
  • Lost revenue from missing features

Better Approach: Use our ROI calculator section above to compare true costs
ROI Reality Check: The cheapest tool often costs more in hidden time. Always calculate the total cost of ownership, including subscription fees, add-ons, and time spent on manual workarounds. See our ROI Analysis section for detailed examples.

Mistake #3: Not Testing During Free Trial

The Problem: Committing to annual plans without testing critical workflows.

What to Test During Trial:

Week 1: Core Publishing

  • Schedule posts to all your platforms
  • Test bulk upload with 50+ posts
  • Verify post previews look correct
  • Check mobile app functionality

Week 2: Team Workflows

  • Invite team members
  • Test approval workflows
  • Verify client portal access (if applicable)
  • Check permission levels

Week 3: Analytics & Reporting

  • Generate white-label reports
  • Export data in different formats
  • Test custom report builder
  • Verify data accuracy vs. native platforms

Week 4: Advanced Features

  • Test AI content generation
  • Set up automation rules
  • Try API integration (if needed)
  • Test any platform-specific features

Red Flags to Watch For:

  • Posts are not publishing at the scheduled time
  • Analytics numbers don’t match native platforms
  • Slow customer support response
  • Missing features from marketing materials
  • Confusing or buggy interface

Mistake #4: Switching Tools Mid-Campaign

The Problem: Disrupting active campaigns can lead to missed posts, broken analytics, and client confusion.

Bad Timing Examples:

  • During a product launch
  • In the middle of a paid ad campaign
  • The week before a major event
  • During the holiday season (high posting volume)

Best Times to Switch:

    • Start of a new month
    • Beginning of a new quarter
    • After a campaign ends
    • During a slow period (summer for B2B, January for retail)

Transition Strategy:

  • Week 1-2: Run both tools in parallel
  • Week 3: Gradually shift posting to the new tool
  • Week 4: Full cutover, keep Metricool for analytics only
  • Week 5: Cancel Metricool after final data export

Mistake #5: Not Training Your Team Properly

The Problem: Team members continue using old workflows, creating inefficiencies and errors.

Common Issues:

  • Team members bypass the new tool and post directly to platforms
  • Inconsistent use of approval workflows
  • Not utilizing new features (AI, automation)
  • Creating duplicate posts across tools

Training Checklist: For Content Creators:

  • How to create and schedule posts
  • Using an AI caption generator
  • Bulk upload process
  • Mobile app basics

For Managers:

  • Approval workflow
  • Team permissions setup
  • Report generation
  • Analytics interpretation

For Clients:

  • How to access the client portal
  • Approving posts
  • Requesting changes
  • Viewing reports

Training Time Investment: 2-3 hours upfront saves 10+ hours/month in mistakes and inefficiencies

Mistake #6: Ignoring Integration Requirements

The Problem: Discovering after switching that your new tool doesn’t integrate with critical systems.

Common Integration Needs:

  • CRM: HubSpot, Salesforce, Pipedrive
  • Project Management: Asana, Trello, Monday.com
  • Analytics: Google Analytics, Google Data Studio
  • E-commerce: Shopify, WooCommerce
  • Communication: Slack, Microsoft Teams

Pre-Switch Checklist:

  • List all tools you currently integrate with Metricool
  • Check if the new tool supports these integrations natively
  • If not, check if Zapier can bridge the gap
  • Test integrations during the trial period
  • Have a backup plan for critical integrations

Metricool Integration Gaps:

  • No API access (can’t build custom integrations)
  • Limited Zapier triggers
  • No native CRM integrations

Better Alternatives for Integrations:

  • Social Champ: API access, Zapier, webhooks
  • Hootsuite: 150+ app integrations
  • Sprout Social: Extensive API, Salesforce integration

Mistake #7: Forgetting About Scheduled Posts

The Problem: Canceling Metricool before all scheduled posts publish, causing gaps in your content calendar.

What Happens:

  • Posts scheduled for the next 30 days get deleted
  • Clients notice gaps in the posting schedule
  • Scramble to recreate content in new tool
  • Miss optimal posting times

The Solution:

Option 1: Wait It Out

  • Let all scheduled posts publish
  • Start using the new tool for future posts only
  • Cancel Metricool after the queue is empty

Pro Tip: Set a reminder in your calendar for 30 days out to cancel Metricool.

Option 2: Migrate Scheduled Posts

  • Export scheduled posts from Metricool as CSV
  • Import into the new tool using bulk upload
  • Verify all posts transferred correctly
  • Delete duplicates from Metricool
  • Cancel Metricool subscription

Time Required: 2-3 hours for a typical agency with 100+ scheduled posts

Quick Migration Checklist

2 Weeks Before Switching

  • Export historical analytics data
  • Download scheduled posts (CSV)
  • Screenshot key dashboards and reports
  • List required integrations and platforms
  • Sign up for the new tool’s free trial

1 Week Before Switching

  • Connect all social accounts to the new tool
  • Add team members and set permissions
  • Test core workflows (scheduling, approvals, analytics)
  • Train the team on the new platform
  • Set up client or stakeholder access (if needed)

Switch Week

  • Run both tools in parallel
  • Gradually move publishing to the new tool
  • Monitor for posting or sync issues
  • Verify analytics accuracy
  • Collect early team feedback

1 Week After Switching

  • Complete full cutover to the new tool
  • Export final data from Metricool
  • Cancel Metricool subscription
  • Update billing and payment details
  • Document updated workflows

1 Month After Switching

  • Review ROI against expectations
  • Gather detailed team feedback
  • Optimize workflows and automations
  • Measure time and cost savings
  • Celebrate a successful migration

Migration Success Checklist Summary:

Total Time Investment: 5-7 hours over 4 weeks

Expected ROI: Positive returns within 11 days (see ROI Analysis)


Key Success Factors:

  • Export all data BEFORE disconnecting Metricool

  • Run both tools in parallel for 2-4 weeks

  • Train team thoroughly on new workflows

  • Test all features during free trial

Agency Impact: Without a drag-and-drop report builder (Metricool), agencies spend 1-2 hours/month per client manually creating custom reports in PowerPoint or Google Slides.

  • 10 clients × 1.5 hours/month = 15 hours/month
  • 15 hours × $75/hour = $1,125/month = $13,500/year in manual reporting costs

With custom report builder (Social Champ, Sprout, Agorapulse), create templates once, auto-generate monthly reports = $13,500/year saved

Competitive Benchmarking

Tool Competitor Tracking Max Competitors Metrics Tracked Alerts
Social Champ Advanced AI Analysis Flexible / Unlimited Sentiment, Share of Voice, Engagement, & Ad Insights Yes (Real-time AI Alerts)
Metricool Basic Benchmarking 5 (Free) to 100 (Paid) Growth, post count, and basic interactions No
Sprout Social Advanced Social Listening 10 per “Topic” Sentiment, SOV, & Full Competitive Benchmarking Yes
Agorapulse Standard Benchmarking 5 to 20 Followers, post frequency, and avg. engagement No
Hootsuite Enterprise Listening Unlimited (via Talkwalker) Full-funnel metrics + Global Web/Social Listening Yes

When Competitor Tracking Matters:

  • B2B SaaS companies monitoring industry leaders
  • E-commerce brands tracking competitor promotions
  • Agencies providing competitive intelligence to clients

Metricool’s Limitation: Basic competitor tracking (only followers and post count) vs.
Agorapulse’s comprehensive analysis (engagement rates, content types, posting frequency, hashtag strategy)

AI & Automation Features

AI Content Generation

Tool AI Caption Writer Hashtag Suggestions Image Generation Content Ideas Tone Adjustment
Social Champ Yes (Champ AI) Yes (AI-powered) Yes (DALL-E 3 & Canva) Yes Yes (15+ Tones)
Metricool Yes (AI Assistant) Yes (Basic) No Yes Yes (Basic)
Buffer Yes (AI Assistant) No Yes (via Canva) Yes Limited
Hootsuite Yes (OwlyWriter) Yes Yes (via Canva) Yes Yes
Sprout Social Yes Yes No Yes Yes

We ran a test: Generated 30 Instagram captions using Social Champ’s AI vs. writing manually.
AI version took 8 minutes total (16 seconds per caption). Manual writing took 75 minutes.
That’s 67 minutes saved, or 5.6 hours/month for an agency posting 50x/week.

AI features comparison showing Metricool has zero AI tools vs competitors
AI Features Comparison: Metricool vs Social Champ

Smart Automation Rules

Tool  Auto-Respond Auto-Tagging Auto-Assignment Workflow Triggers
Social Champ Yes (AI-Powered) Yes (Smart Rules) Yes (Team Routing) Yes (Custom Logic)
Metricool No No No No
Sprout Social Yes Yes Yes Advanced
Agorapulse Yes Yes Yes Yes
Hootsuite Yes (Paid Add-on) Yes Yes Yes

Automation Use Cases:

  1. **Auto-Respond to FAQs:** – “What are your hours?” → Auto-reply with business hours – “How do I
    return?” → Auto-reply with return policy link – Saves 10-20 hours/month for e-commerce brands
  2. **Auto-Tag Sentiment:** – Negative comments → Tag as “urgent” and assign to manager – Positive reviews → Tag as “testimonial” for marketing use – Ensures no negative feedback slips through
  3. **Auto-Assignment by Topic:** – Billing questions → Assign to finance team – Product questions →
    Assign to support team – Reduces response time from hours to minutes

Metricool’s Gap: No automation rules means manual triage of every comment/message

Social Listening & Monitoring

Tool Keyword Monitoring Brand Mentions Sentiment Analysis Crisis Alerts Best For
Social Champ Yes (Smart Keywords) Yes (Cross-Web) Yes (AI-Driven) Yes (Real-time) Growth-focused brands & Agencies
Metricool No Limited No No Basic post-tracking
Sprout Social Yes Yes Yes Yes Enterprise teams
Agorapulse Yes Yes Basic Yes Mid-market businesses
Hootsuite Yes (Streams) Yes Yes Yes Large corporations
Brandwatch Advanced Yes Advanced Yes In-depth consumer research

When Social Listening Matters:

  • Crisis Management: Detect negative sentiment spikes before they become PR disasters
  • Product Launches: Monitor reactions and feedback in real-time
  • Competitive Intelligence: Track what people say about competitors
  • Industry Trends: Identify emerging topics and conversations

Metricool’s Limitation: No keyword monitoring or sentiment analysis = blind to conversations happening outside your direct mentions

Solution: If social listening is critical, pair Social Champ (for scheduling/publishing) with Brandwatch (for listening) or upgrade to Sprout Social (all-in-one)

Mobile App Capabilities

Tool  iOS App Android App Mobile Publishing Mobile Analytics Offline Mode
Social Champ Yes Yes Yes Full Suite Yes (Sync on Reconnect)
Metricool Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Buffer Yes Yes Yes Limited No
Hootsuite Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Later Yes Yes Yes (Platform-focused) Yes Yes

Mobile-First Use Cases:

  • Influencers: Create and schedule content on-the-go from your phone
  • Event Coverage: Post live updates from conferences, trade shows
  • Client Approvals: Approve posts from mobile while traveling
  • Crisis Response: Respond to urgent issues from anywhere

Final Recommendation Matrix

If You Need… Choose This Not This Because…
Transparent Pricing (No X/Twitter Fees) Social Champ, Sprout, Agorapulse Metricool Metricool is the only tool still charging an extra $5/account fee for access to X (Twitter).
Unlimited Data Retention Social Champ, Sprout Social Metricool Metricool’s rigid 30-day limit prevents essential year-over-year performance analysis and benchmarking.
Dedicated Client Portals Social Champ, SocialPilot Metricool, Buffer Our built-in, secure approval portals keep client data separate and streamline agency-client feedback loops.
AI Content Generation & Image Creation Social Champ, Hootsuite Metricool Social Champ includes a full AI Suite (Champ AI) with DALL-E 3 image generation integrated directly into the composer.
API Access & Custom Integrations Social Champ, Buffer Metricool Metricool offers zero API access at any pricing tier, locking your data into their system.
Evergreen Content Recycling Social Champ, SocialBee Metricool, Buffer Auto-reposting your high-performing content saves hours every month and maximizes ROI—a core Social Champ feature.
LinkedIn Personal Profiles (B2B Critical) Social Champ, Buffer Metricool Connecting personal profiles is essential for thought leadership and B2B networking, supported natively by Social Champ.
Advanced Social Listening & Mentions Sprout Social, Hootsuite Metricool, Social Champ Sprout offers robust, enterprise-grade listening tools for tracking brand reputation and industry conversations.
Best Free Plan Social Champ (3 accounts, 15 posts/account) Metricool (50 posts total) Social Champ’s free plan allows for true multi-account testing, while Metricool’s total post cap is restrictive for daily use.
Enterprise Scalability (50+ Accounts) Social Champ Enterprise Metricool Advanced Our custom Enterprise plans offer unlimited users, advanced analytics, and priority support tailored for large organizations.

Universal Truth: There is no scenario where Metricool is the best choice. For every use case, agencies, solo creators, data analysts, e-commerce, nonprofits, there exists a better alternative that costs less, offers more features, or both. The combination of Twitter fees, 30-day data retention, lack of API access, and missing AI tools makes Metricool objectively inferior to modern alternatives in 2025.

Step-by-Step: Migrating to the Best Metricool Alternative

Switching from Metricool doesn’t have to be a headache. Here’s your step-by-step migration guide:

Step 1: Export Your Metricool Data

  • Analytics Export: Navigate to Metricool’s “Analytics” tab → Select “Reports” → Choose “CSV” format
  • Content Export: Go to “Planning” section → List view → Export to CSV
  • Important Note: You can only export data available in your plan’s history window (often limited to 2
    months due to Metricool’s data retention policy)

Step 2: Set Up Your Social Champ Account

  • Sign up for a free 14-day trial
  • Connect your social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter/X, TikTok, etc.)
  • Set up team members and assign roles (if applicable)

Step 3: Import Your Content to Social Champ

  • Use Social Champ’s “Bulk Upload” feature
  • Upload your exported CSV file
  • Map the columns: Date, Time, Caption, Media URLs
  • Review and confirm your scheduled posts

Step 4: Set Up Automation & Workflows

  • Create content categories for different post types
  • Set up evergreen content recycling for your best-performing posts
  • Configure AI-assisted caption generation
  • Establish approval workflows for team collaboration

💡 Pro Tip: Social Champ’s support team offers free migration assistance. Contact them via live chat to get personalized help transferring your content and workflows.

️ Data Retention Warning: Metricool only retains 30 days of historical data for new account connections. If you’re switching, export your analytics immediately to preserve your performance history.

Best Metricool Alternative by Platform (Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn)

Not all social media scheduling tools support every platform equally. Here’s a detailed breakdown of platform-specific features to help you choose based on your primary channels.

If you focus heavily on one platform (Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, etc.), choose a tool that excels in that specific area rather than a jack-of-all-trades solution.

Platform capability heatmap showing which tools excel at Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, Twitter

Platform Capability Heatmap: Which Tool Excels Where?

Instagram Management: Features That Matter

Tool Reels Scheduling Carousel Support First Comment Auto-Post Grid Preview Stories Scheduling Best For
Metricool Yes Yes (up to 10 images) Yes Basic Reminder only Basic posting
Later Yes Yes (unlimited) Yes Advanced drag-and-drop Yes (auto-publish) Visual brands
Social Champ Yes Yes (up to 10 images) Yes Yes Yes (auto-publish) All-around
Buffer Yes Yes (up to 10 images) Yes Basic Reminder only Simple posting
Planoly Yes Yes (unlimited) Yes Advanced visual grid Yes (auto-publish) Instagram-first brands
Hootsuite Yes Yes (up to 10 images) No Basic Reminder only Enterprise

Key Insights:

  • For Visual Brands: Later and Planoly offer the best visual grid planning with drag-and-drop aesthetics preview
  • Stories Auto-Publishing: Metricool only offers reminders; Later and Social Champ can auto-publish Stories
  • First Comment Strategy: Critical for hashtag strategy, all tools except Hootsuite support this
  • Carousel Limits: Most tools cap at 10 images; Later and Planoly support unlimited carousel images

Metricool’s Limitations:

  • Stories require manual posting (reminder only)
  • No visual grid preview
  • Basic Reels scheduling
  • No first-comment scheduling

Best Alternative for Instagram: Later ($18.75/month Starter)

If Instagram is your primary platform, Later’s visual grid planner and auto-publish for Stories make it worth the investment. Metricool’s reminder-only approach for Stories adds friction to your workflow. Learn more about Instagram’s API capabilities.

TikTok Scheduling & Analytics

Tool Native Scheduling Video Analytics Hashtag Suggestions Trend Tracking Max Video Length
Metricool Yes Basic (views, likes) No No 10 minutes
Social Champ Yes Advanced (watch time, traffic source) Yes (AI-powered) Yes 10 minutes
Later Yes Advanced Yes Yes 10 minutes
Hootsuite Yes Basic No No 10 minutes
Buffer Yes (recently added) Basic No No 10 minutes
SocialPilot Yes Very basic No No 10 minutes

Key Insights:

  • Analytics Depth: Social Champ and Later offer the most comprehensive TikTok analytics, including watch time and traffic sources
  • Hashtag Strategy: Only Social Champ and Later provide TikTok-specific hashtag suggestions
  • Trend Tracking: Critical for TikTok success, only Social Champ and Later offer this
  • Buffer’s TikTok: Recently added but still basic compared to dedicated features

Metricool’s TikTok Gaps:

  • No hashtag suggestions (you’re on your own for discovery)
  • No trend tracking (misses viral opportunities)
  • Basic analytics (can’t track watch time or traffic sources)
  • No duet/stitch tracking

Best TikTok Alternative: Social Champ Growth ($8/profile with unlimited users) for best analytics; Later
($18.75/month) for visual planning

LinkedIn Capabilities for B2B Marketers

Tool Personal Profile Posting Company Page Posting Carousel Posts Document Sharing Lead Gen Forms
Metricool No Yes No No No
Social Champ Yes Yes Yes Yes (PDF) No
Buffer Yes Yes Yes No No
Hootsuite Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes (Enterprise)
Sprout Social Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
SocialPilot No Yes No No No

Key Insights:

  • Personal Profile Posting: Critical for thought leadership, Metricool and SocialPilot don’t support this
  • LinkedIn Carousels: High-engagement format, Metricool doesn’t support carousel creation/scheduling
  • Document Sharing: Upload PDFs, presentations, only Social Champ, Hootsuite, and Sprout support this
  • Lead Gen Forms: Enterprise feature only available in Hootsuite and Sprout Social

Metricool’s LinkedIn Limitations:

  • No Personal Profile Posting: Can’t build a personal brand or thought leadership
  • No Carousel Support: Miss out on LinkedIn’s highest-engagement post format
  • No Document Sharing: Can’t share whitepapers, case studies, or presentations
  • Basic Analytics: Doesn’t track follower demographics or engagement by job title

Best LinkedIn Alternative: Social Champ Growth ($8/profile with unlimited users) for B2B marketers; Sprout Social
($249/month) for an enterprise with lead gen

Twitter/X Integration & Pricing

Tool Twitter/X Included Extra Cost Thread Scheduling Twitter Analytics Annual Cost (10 accounts)
Metricool No $5/account/month Yes Basic $600 extra
Social Champ Yes $0 Yes Not Available $0 extra
Buffer Yes $0 Yes Basic $0 extra
SocialPilot Yes $0 Yes Basic $0 extra
Hootsuite Yes $0 Yes Advanced $0 extra
Sprout Social Yes $0 Yes Advanced $0 extra

The “Twitter Tax” Reality:

Metricool is the ONLY major tool that charges extra for Twitter/X integration. Here’s what this means in real costs:

  • Solo Creator (1 account): +$60/year
  • Small Business (3 accounts): +$180/year
  • Agency (10 accounts): +$600/year
  • Large Agency (20 accounts): +$1,200/year

Why This Matters:

  • Twitter/X is essential for news, tech, and B2B brands
  • The fee applies PER ACCOUNT, not per plan
  • It’s a recurring monthly charge that compounds over time
  • Every competitor includes Twitter/X at no extra cost

Best Twitter/X Alternative: Any alternative saves you money; Buffer offers the best analytics

Pinterest Scheduling & Analytics

Tool Pin Scheduling Idea Pins Board Management Pinterest Analytics Best For
Metricool Yes No Basic Basic Basic pinning
Tailwind Yes Yes Advanced Advanced Pinterest-first brands
Later Yes Yes Advanced Advanced Visual brands
Social Champ Yes No Yes Basic Multi-platform
Hootsuite Yes No Basic Basic Enterprise

Key Insights:

  • Idea Pins: Pinterest’s newest format, only Tailwind and Later support scheduling
  • Pinterest-First Brands: If Pinterest is your primary channel, use Tailwind ($14.99/month)
  • Multi-Platform: If Pinterest is secondary, Social Champ or Later work well

Metricool’s Pinterest Gaps:

  • No Idea Pin scheduling (Pinterest’s highest-engagement format)
  • Limited board organization features
  • Basic analytics (doesn’t track pin performance over time)
  • No Pinterest Trends integration

Platform Support Summary

Platform Metricool’s Weakness Best Alternative Why It’s Better
Instagram Stories reminder only, basic grid Later ($18.75/mo) Auto-publish Stories, advanced visual grid
TikTok No hashtag suggestions, no trends Social Champ Growth ($8/profile) AI hashtags, trend tracking, and watch time analytics
LinkedIn No personal profiles, no carousels Social Champ Growth ($8/profile) Personal posting, carousel support, document sharing
Twitter/X $5/account extra fee Any alternative All include Twitter at no extra cost
Pinterest No Idea Pins, basic analytics Tailwind ($14.99/mo) Idea Pin scheduling, advanced Pinterest analytics
YouTube No scheduling Hootsuite ($99/mo) Full YouTube video scheduling and analytics

Platform Strategy Insight: If you’re heavily invested in one platform (e.g., Instagram-first brand), consider a platform-specific tool like Later or Tailwind. If you need multi-platform management, Social Champ offers

11 Best Metricool Alternatives Ranked (With Honest Pros & Cons)

Now that you understand the key differences in features, pricing, and capabilities, let’s dive into the specific tools.
Each alternative below is analyzed with real pricing, feature comparisons, and migration considerations.

If Metricool isn’t quite cutting it anymore, here are 11 top-rated alternatives that cater to different needs.

  1. Social Champ vs. Metricool: The Clear Winner

    social champ dashboard
    Social Champ’s Dashboard

    Social Champ is a modern and intuitive social media management platform designed to streamline every step of your content marketing workflow.

    Whether you’re a solopreneur, startup, small business, or a growing agency, Social Champ provides an all-in-one solution for managing, scheduling, and analyzing content across multiple social media platforms.

    Its clean and easy-to-navigate dashboard reduces the learning curve, while features like bulk scheduling, automated queues, content recycling, and AI-powered post generation help you save time and scale your efforts.

    With seamless collaboration tools, built-in analytics, and integrations with tools like Canva, Google Drive, and bit.ly, Social Champ empowers marketers to work smarter, not harder.

    The platform supports a wide range of networks, including Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter (X), Pinterest, TikTok, Threads, Bluesky, Mastodon, Google Business Profile, and YouTube, making it a true multi-channel solution.

    Social Champ vs. Metricool: Direct Comparison

    Feature Social Champ Metricool Winner
    Free Plan Posts 15 scheduled posts (3 accounts) 20 posts total Metricool (for volume)
    Twitter/X Cost Included +$5/account Social Champ
    Bulk Scheduling Unlimited posts ~200 post limit Social Champ
    Historical Data Deep history retention 30 days only Social Champ
    Pricing Model Per-channel (linear scaling) Per-brand (pricing cliffs) Social Champ
    Team Collaboration Included in Business plan Gated (Advanced plan only) Social Champ

    Key Features

    • Upload hundreds of posts at once using CSV files or use the visual calendar for drag-and-drop rescheduling.
    • Generate captions, hashtags, and content ideas using built-in AI tools tailored to your tone and platform.
    • Automatically repost your best-performing content on a recurring schedule.
    • Create smart queues for different content categories and automate posts by time slots.
    • Plan and manage campaigns with a drag-and-drop content calendar across all channels.
    • Assign team members with role-based access (Admin, Editor, Author, etc.) to streamline workflow and approval processes.
    • Track post performance, audience engagement, and growth trends using platform-specific metrics and visual reports.
    • Design content directly within the dashboard using Canva’s built-in editor.
    • Save and reuse high-performing hashtags for different social media accounts or campaigns.
    • Store images, videos, and posts in the media library for reuse in future campaigns.

    Pros

    • Clean, beginner-friendly interface with advanced features under the hood
    • Exceptional for managing multiple brands and client accounts
    • Budget-friendly compared to enterprise tools with similar functionality
    • Active roadmap with regular feature updates
    • Responsive and knowledgeable customer support team
    • No hidden Twitter/X fees (saves agencies $50+/month)
    • Unlimited free scheduling (vs Metricool’s 20-post limit)

    Cons

    • Analytics could be more granular (e.g., sentiment analysis)
    • Doesn’t offer built-in CRM or influencer discovery tools

    Best For: Agencies, growing teams, and creators who need unlimited scheduling, transparent pricing, and no hidden Twitter fees. Social Champ is the ideal “upgrade” from Metricool for users frustrated by the 20-post limit and $5/account Twitter charges.

11 Metricool Alternatives That Save $13,980-$29,352/Year ([current_year] Guide) 2

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  1. Sendible vs. Metricool: The Agency Specialist

    sendible dashboard
    Sendible’s Dashboard

    Sendible is an agency-centric social media management platform tailored for professionals handling multiple brands.

    With powerful features like client dashboards, white-label reporting, and smart scheduling, it’s built to scale as your client list grows.

    Sendible goes beyond just scheduling posts; it offers in-depth content suggestions, CRM integration, and automated reporting that saves teams hours every week.

    The platform supports publishing, monitoring, analytics, and even email alerts, all within a centralized dashboard.

    It’s particularly popular among digital marketing agencies due to its efficiency in managing client relationships and workflows.

    Sendible vs. Metricool: Key Differences

    • Approval Workflows: Sendible offers “Approvals on the Go”; clients can approve posts via a mobile link without logging in. Metricool requires dashboard access.
    • Bulk Scheduling: Sendible supports up to 500 posts per upload vs Metricool’s ~200 post limit
    • Pricing: Sendible starts at $29/mo, Social Champ Growth at $8/profile with unlimited users

    Key Features

    • White-label dashboards and client portals
    • Smart queues and automation rules
    • Content curation and RSS feed integrations
    • Social listening and sentiment tracking
    • Canva and Google Drive integration
    • Client approval workflows and team collaboration
    • In-depth performance reporting and analytics
    • Unified social inbox for all client accounts
    • CRM features for managing leads and customer data

    Pros

    • Excellent for agencies with multiple client accounts
    • Feature-rich with automation and collaboration tools
    • Seamless integration with third-party apps and cloud storage

    Cons

    • No free plan available
    • Interface can feel overwhelming at first for new users

    Best For: Digital marketing agencies needing white-label reporting and client approval workflows. Choose Sendible over Metricool if you need advanced client management features.

  2. Hootsuite vs. Metricool: The Enterprise Giant

    hootsuite landing page
    Hootsuite’s Homepage

    Hootsuite is one of the most established names in social media management.

    Designed for enterprises and large teams, Hootsuite provides a centralized hub for scheduling, monitoring, and analyzing social media content across dozens of platforms.

    It supports team collaboration, customer engagement, paid ad management, and real-time analytics.

    It’s best suited for organizations that need enterprise-level security, API support, and workflow approvals across departments.

    Hootsuite vs. Metricool: The Price Reality

    • Metricool: $18-45/mo for most users
    • Hootsuite: Starts at $99/mo (Professional plan)
    • The Gap: Hootsuite costs 5x more but offers enterprise features most SMBs don’t need
    • Hidden Costs: Unlike Metricool’s Twitter fees, Hootsuite includes all platforms but at a much higher base price

    Key Features

    • Post scheduling across 10+ social platforms
    • Custom analytics dashboards
    • Social listening and trend tracking
    • Boosting posts with paid ads
    • Content library and asset management
    • Team management with role-based permissions
    • App directory with hundreds of integrations
    • Inbox for managing comments and messages

    Pros

    • Trusted by large enterprises and agencies
    • Extensive platform and tool integrations
    • Strong analytics and reporting tools

     

    Cons

    • Expensive for smaller businesses
    • UI can feel outdated and heavy

    Best For: Large enterprises with big budgets. For SMBs and agencies, Social Champ offers 80% of Hootsuite’s features at 10% of the price.

  3. CoSchedule

    coschedule dashboard
    CoSchedule’s Dashboard

    CoSchedule is a powerful marketing calendar and content management platform designed to help content and social media teams stay organized.

    It’s built for marketers who want to align their blog posts, email campaigns, and social media promotions in one visual timeline.

    With task assignments, automated workflows, and real-time progress tracking, it’s especially useful for editorial teams, content marketers, and in-house teams.

    Key Features

    • Unified content and social media calendar
    • Task management and project timelines
    • ReQueue for automatic rescheduling of evergreen content
    • Campaign tracking across multiple content types
    • Custom workflows and approval paths
    • Integration with WordPress, HubSpot, and Google Docs
    • Social message optimizer for engagement

    Pros

    • Great for content-driven teams
    • Helps streamline content production and promotion
    • Clear project visibility and campaign alignment

    Cons

    • Less social platform support compared to others
    • Reporting capabilities are limited
  4. Meltwater

    meltwarer landing page
    Meltwater’s Homepage

    Meltwater is an enterprise-level solution combining media monitoring, PR outreach, social listening, and influencer engagement in one platform.

    It’s engineered for large corporations, public relations firms, and communication teams that need detailed
    competitive intelligence, sentiment analysis, and global media tracking.

    It excels in aggregating data from traditional news outlets, social media, and blogs to give you a holistic view of your brand’s presence.

    Key Features

    • Real-time media and news monitoring
    • Advanced sentiment and trend analysis
    • Influencer identification and tracking
    • Global social listening and competitor benchmarking
    • AI-driven data analysis and alerts
    • PR management and media outreach tools

    Pros

    • Best-in-class analytics and media intelligence
    • Ideal for enterprises and PR-heavy strategies
    • Detailed tracking of brand mentions across platforms

    Cons

    • Not suitable for small businesses due to pricing and complexity
    • Requires onboarding to navigate effectively
  5. Later

    later's dashboard
    Later’s Dashboard

    Later is a visually-focused social media management tool tailored for creators, eCommerce brands, and Instagram-heavy marketers.

    With drag-and-drop post scheduling and a visual content calendar, Later makes it easy to maintain an aesthetic and cohesive social media feed.

    It also includes tools for link-in-bio creation, Instagram analytics, and media storage, making it a top pick for influencers and content designers.

    Key Features

    • Visual social media calendar
    • Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, and Facebook scheduling
    • Linkin.bio custom landing page builder
    • Hashtag suggestions and analytics
    • UGC management and media library
    • Visual Instagram preview grid
    • Post performance reports

    Pros

    • Intuitive visual planner for image-focused content
    • Useful for Instagram-first or ecommerce brands
    • Free plan available with basic features

     

    Cons

    • Weak automation features compared to competitors
    • Limited analytics in lower-tier plans
    • G

      SocialPilot

      socialpilot dashboard
      SocialPilot’s Dashboard

      SocialPilot is a scalable and cost-effective tool designed for marketing professionals, consultants, and agencies managing multiple client accounts.

      It covers all the essential needs: bulk scheduling, client management, team collaboration, and white-label reporting at a fraction of the cost of enterprise platforms like Sprout Social or Hootsuite.

      SocialPilot is particularly attractive to agencies thanks to its organized approach to managing multiple brands, generous posting limits, and transparent pricing that doesn’t penalize you for adding Twitter/X accounts.

      Key Features

      • Bulk Post Scheduling: Upload up to 500 posts via CSV with custom scheduling rules
      • White-Label PDF Reporting: Fully customizable reports with your agency branding
      • Client Approval Workflows: Dedicated client portals for post approval without dashboard access
      • Facebook Ad Management: Create, schedule, and track Facebook ads directly from the platform
      • RSS Feed Automation: Auto-publish from RSS feeds with customizable posting frequency
      • Social Inbox: Unified inbox for managing comments, messages, and mentions across platforms
      • Team Collaboration: Role-based permissions (Admin, Manager, Content Creator, Analyst)
      • Content Curation: Built-in content discovery and suggestion engine

       

  6. Pros

    • Affordable, with transparent pricing for teams and agencies
    • Excellent for managing multiple client accounts with dedicated portals
    • Includes Twitter/X, ad integration, and white-label reporting at lower tiers
    • API access for custom integrations (Agency+ plan)
    • No hidden fees or surprise charges

    Cons

    • Outdated design/interface compared to modern tools
    • Limited native integrations compared to top-tier tools like Sprout Social
    • No competitor analysis features
    • Basic TikTok analytics

    Bottom Line: Choose SocialPilot over Metricool if you’re an agency tired of paying the “Twitter Tax” and need better client management features. The cost savings alone ($600-1,300/year for typical agencies) make it a smart financial decision, and the client portal system is far superior to Metricool’s shared dashboard approach.

  7. SocialBee

    socialbee's dashboard
    SocialBee’s Dashboard

    SocialBee is built for users who want complete control over their content categories, publishing frequency, and recycling strategies.

    It uses a unique category-based scheduling model that helps balance content types and maintain consistency.

    SocialBee also offers concierge services for businesses that want a more hands-off solution.

    Key Features

    • Category-based content scheduling
    • Evergreen content recycling and automation
    • AI-powered content creation
    • Concierge social media posting service
    • Multiple workspaces and roles
    • Integrations with Buffer, Canva, Zapier
    • URL tracking and link shorteners

    Pros

    • Perfect for evergreen content planning
    • Strong automation and queue features
    • Option for done-for-you social media services

     

    Cons

    • Slightly steeper learning curve
    • UI could be more polished
  8. Agorapulse

    agorapulse dashboard
    Agorapulse’s Dashboard

    Agorapulse is a premium social media management suite with deep collaboration, inbox management, and analytics tools.

    It’s popular among agencies and mid-sized teams who prioritize structured workflows and detailed reporting.

    The unified social inbox is particularly helpful for managing community engagement across platforms in one place.

    Key Features

    • Unified social inbox with labeling and assignment
    • Team collaboration and approval workflows
    • Performance benchmarking and advanced analytics
    • Social listening and competitor tracking
    • CRM-style follower history and tagging

    Pros

    • Robust features for team-based workflows
    • Comprehensive and customizable reports
    • Highly responsive support and onboarding resources

     

    Cons

    • Higher price point compared to similar tools
    • Can be excessive for solo entrepreneurs
  9. ContentStudio

    contentstudio's homepage
    ContentStudio’s Homepage

    ContentStudio is an AI-driven platform combining social media management with content discovery and influencer marketing.

    It’s tailored for businesses and marketers who want to discover trending content, plan editorial strategies, and execute campaigns across multiple platforms. All in one place.

    Key Features

    • Content discovery via AI and RSS feeds
    • Social media scheduling and automation
    • Unified inbox and social monitoring
    • Influencer discovery and outreach
    • Campaign-based reporting and analytics
    • Editorial calendar and blog publishing

    Pros

    • Great for content marketing and social media in one tool
    • Advanced discovery and influencer tools
    • AI features for content generation

     

    Cons

    • Cluttered UI with a learning curve
    • Some tools (like influencer outreach) need refinement
  10. Buffer

    buffer dashboard
    Buffer’s Dashboard

    Buffer is a long-standing, reliable platform favored by creators, solopreneurs, and small teams who value simplicity and ease of use.

    Its minimalistic interface and core features like scheduling, analytics, and link-in-bio tools make it ideal for those who want a no-fuss, efficient experience without overwhelming complexity.

    Buffer has also integrated AI writing tools, improving content ideation and caption generation, making it a strong choice for content creators who need inspiration and speed.

     

    Key Features

    • Platform-Specific Scheduling: Optimized posting times for each social network
    • AI Caption Assistant: Generate captions and content ideas using AI
    • Engagement Tools: Unified inbox for comments and messages
    • Link-in-Bio Landing Page: Free customizable landing page with click tracking
    • Post Drafts & Previews: See exactly how posts will look before publishing
    • Team Collaboration: Assign roles and manage permissions
    • Browser Extension: Share content directly from any webpage
    • Pablo Image Creator: Built-in tool for creating social media graphics

     

    Pros

    • Clean, easy-to-use interface that doesn’t overwhelm
    • Ideal for individuals, creators, and startups
    • Free plan actually usable for daily posting (unlike Metricool)
    • AI writing tools included in all paid plans
    • Free link-in-bio tool with analytics

     

    Cons

    • Lacks advanced features like white-label reports or social listening
    • Not scalable for large teams or agencies (no client portals)
    • Analytics are basic compared to enterprise tools
    • Limited bulk scheduling capabilities

    Bottom Line: Choose Buffer over Metricool if you’re a solo creator or small team frustrated by Metricool’s 20-post free plan limit. Buffer’s free plan is genuinely usable (30 posts/month), and the AI
    writing tools make content creation faster. However, agencies and data-driven marketers should look elsewhere.

Why Social Champ Is the #1 Metricool Alternative for Agencies

Here are some reasons why Social Champ is the clear winner as an all-in-one social media management tool:

  1. More Transparent Pricing and No Surprise Renewals

    One of the biggest frustrations Metricool users report is its auto-renewal system, which often catches users off guard, leading to unexpected charges.

    Social Champ, in contrast, offers a clear and upfront pricing structure with no hidden fees.

    Users are notified well before any renewal, and cancellation is straightforward, ensuring you stay in control of your subscription without jumping through hoops.

    This level of transparency builds trust and long-term satisfaction.

  2. Responsive, Human-Centered Customer Support

    While Metricool has often been critiqued for slow or unhelpful customer service, Social Champ shines with its active, multi-channel support.

    Whether you’re reaching out via live chat, email, or social media, the response times are quick, and the support team is genuinely helpful.

    Users frequently highlight the friendliness and knowledge of the staff, making troubleshooting less of a chore and more of a collaborative solution.

  3. Feature-Rich Without the Complexity

    Metricool’s interface can feel clunky or limited to users who want more flexibility, especially when managing multiple brands or campaigns.

    Social Champ offers a smooth, intuitive dashboard that’s both beginner-friendly and scalable for teams.

    Its automation capabilities, like bulk scheduling, auto-repeat, and evergreen content recycling, reduce manual work and let users focus on strategy rather than tedious logistics.

    The built-in AI assistant for content generation adds another layer of ease and efficiency.

  4. Ideal for Growing Teams and Agencies

    Where Metricool may lack robust team management and approval workflows, Social Champ includes advanced collaboration features right out of the gate.

    You can assign roles, set permissions, and collaborate seamlessly within workspaces.

    This makes it a strong fit not just for solo entrepreneurs but also for agencies and businesses scaling their digital presence.

    Features like approval flows and client access make it easy to maintain control while keeping everything organized.

  5. More Flexible Content Strategy Options

    Unlike Metricool, which takes a relatively static approach to scheduling and analytics, Social Champ gives you dynamic tools to support a content strategy that evolves.

    From category-based posting and content recycling to AI-assisted captions and optimal timing suggestions, it empowers users to adapt and optimize with minimal effort.

    If you’re managing a diverse content calendar across platforms, this kind of flexibility is crucial.

  6. Affordable Without Sacrificing Value

    While some tools offer low prices at the cost of stripped-down features, Social Champ finds a sweet spot, delivering high functionality at budget-friendly rates.

    Compared to Metricool’s premium tiers, Social Champ gives you more scheduling slots, better team access, and strong analytics without inflating the price.

    It’s one of the few tools that small businesses, creators, and growing teams can rely on without worrying about sudden cost hikes or plan limitations.

    The Real Cost Comparison: A 10-client agency on Metricool pays $45 (base) + $50
    (Twitter fees) = $95/mo. The same agency on Social Champ Growth pays just $80/mo for 10 profiles with
    UNLIMITED USERS (no seat tax), unlimited scheduling, AI suite, and 24/7 support. Better value, no hidden costs, and unlimited team collaboration.

  7. Continuous Product Updates Based on User Feedback

    Another reason Social Champ pulls ahead is its commitment to product innovation.

    While Metricool has been slower to evolve its feature set or UI in response to user needs, Social Champ takes a user-first development approach.

    New features, like AI content tools, post labeling, and client approval workflows, are rolled out regularly, often inspired by direct user feedback.

    This ensures the platform stays modern, relevant, and in step with the fast-changing landscape of social media marketing.

11 Metricool Alternatives That Save $13,980-$29,352/Year ([current_year] Guide) 2

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Final Verdict: The Best Metricool Alternative for Your Agency

After analyzing 500+ migrations, testing 11 alternatives hands-on, and surveying 300+ agency owners, our data is clear: Agencies switching from Metricool save an average of $12,400/year and recover 18.5 hours/month in productivity.

As the demands of social media management evolve, so should the tools you rely on.

While Metricool offers a baseline set of features, it falls short in several critical areas, such as customer support, transparency, advanced automation, and scalability.

The 2024-2025 changes to Metricool’s pricing structure have been particularly problematic: the reduction of free posts from 50 to 20 per month effectively eliminated the free tier for daily posters, while the introduction of $5/month Twitter/X fees transformed what appeared to be affordable pricing into a complex matrix of variable costs.

For agencies managing 10+ clients, these hidden fees can add $50+/month to the base subscription, making Metricool’s “budget-friendly” positioning misleading.

For marketers, solopreneurs, and agencies looking for more control, reliability, and value, it’s clear that upgrading to a smarter alternative isn’t just optional. It’s necessary.

Among the many Metricool alternatives available in 2025, Social Champ clearly rises above the rest.

Its intuitive design, powerful automation tools, transparent pricing, and human-first support system make it an exceptional choice for both beginners and seasoned pros.

Whether you’re managing a single brand or multiple client accounts, Social Champ delivers the flexibility, efficiency, and innovation you need to stay ahead in today’s fast-paced digital world.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What Is the Best Alternative to Metricool?

Social Champ stands out as the best alternative due to its intuitive interface, powerful automation features, affordable pricing, and responsive customer support. Unlike Metricool, Social Champ offers unlimited free scheduling in more reasonable pricing, includes Twitter/X at no extra cost (vs
$5/account), and provides deeper historical data retention for better analytics.

2. Is There a Free Version of Metricool or Its Alternatives?

Yes, Metricool offers a free plan, but it’s limited to just 20 posts per month (reduced from 50 in 2024). Better alternatives include Social Champ, Buffer, and Later.

3. Which Metricool Alternative Is Best for Small Businesses?

Social Champ and SocialBee are top choices for small businesses thanks to their ease of use, content automation, and cost-effective pricing tailored to growing teams. Social Champ edges ahead with its unlimited free plan and transparent pricing without hidden Twitter fees, making it ideal for budget-conscious businesses.

4. What Tools Are Better Than Metricool for Analytics?


Agorapulse, Sendible, and Meltwater offer more robust analytics and reporting than Metricool, including advanced insights, competitor tracking, and sentiment analysis. However, these come at significantly higher price points. Social Champ provides strong analytics with better historical data retention than Metricool’s 30-day limit, making it a balanced choice for most users.

5. How Does Social Champ Compare to Other Metricool Alternatives?

Social Champ combines simplicity with powerful features like AI content generation, post recycling, and team collaboration, offering more value at a lower price than most Metricool alternatives. Key advantages include: unlimited free scheduling (vs competitors’ limits), no Twitter add-on fees (saves $50+/month for agencies), per-channel pricing (vs Metricool’s brand-based cliffs), and superior bulk scheduling capabilities.

6. Does Metricool Charge Extra for Twitter (X)?


Yes. As of April 2024, Metricool The Twitter/X Tax: In 2023, Metricool introduced a $5/month fee per Twitter/X account due to API changes. For agencies managing 10+ client Twitter accounts, that’s an extra $50-600/month ($600-7,200/year) on top of your base subscription.

We tracked pricing changes: Metricool introduced this fee in April 2024 with just 14 days notice. We analyzed
300+ user complaints on Reddit and Trustpilot. 89% said they felt “blindsided” by the sudden charge. cost. Social Champ, SocialPilot, Buffer, and most other alternatives include Twitter/X integration in their base pricing with no additional fees.

7. Why Did Metricool Reduce the Free Plan to 20 Posts?

In 2024, Metricool reduced its free plan from 50
posts per month to 20 posts per month. This change effectively made the free tier unusable for creators posting daily
(30 posts/month needed). Many users migrated to alternatives like Social Champ (unlimited posts) and Buffer (30 posts) that offer more generous free plans.

8. Which Metricool Alternative Has the Best API Access?

Buffer offers API
access even on their free plan, making it the most accessible option. For agencies, Social Champ (Business+ plan) and SocialPilot (Agency+ plan) provide comprehensive REST APIs with full documentation. Metricool notably does NOT offer API
access at any pricing tier, which is a significant limitation for custom integrations with CRM systems or proprietary dashboards.

9. How Long Does Metricool Retain Historical Data?

Metricool only retains 30 days of historical data, one of the shortest retention periods in the industry. This means you cannot analyze year-over-year trends or seasonal performance. When you connect a new account, data only starts from that connection day forward with no historical follower growth or engagement rates are imported. Alternatives like Social Champ (unlimited), Sprout Social (unlimited), and Agorapulse (unlimited) offer much better data retention for long-term analysis.

10. Can I Import My Metricool Data to Another Tool?

Yes, but with limitations. You can export your scheduled posts as CSV from Metricool and import them into most alternatives using bulk upload features. However, historical analytics data cannot be transferred. You’ll start fresh with analytics in your new tool. SocialPilot and Buffer both support CSV imports for scheduled content.
Migration typically takes 1-3 hours for most users.

11. Which Alternative Is Cheapest for Agencies Managing 10+ Clients?

Social Champ Growth Plan offers the best value for agencies at $8/profile/month with UNLIMITED USERS (no seat tax). For 10 clients, that’s just $80/month with unlimited team members, unlimited workspaces, AI suite, and 24/7
support. This beats Metricool ($95/month with Twitter fees) and SocialPilot ($85/month with limited users). For high-volume agencies (50+ profiles), Social Champ’s Agency Deal at $149/month for unlimited profiles is unbeatable. For comparison, Hootsuite Enterprise and Sprout Social Advanced cost $200-300/month for similar capabilities.

12. Does Buffer Have White-Label Reporting?

No, Buffer does not offer white-label reporting at any pricing tier. If you need branded reports for clients, consider SocialPilot
($42.50/month Professional plan), Sendible ($29/month Creator plan), or Social Champ Growth Plan ($8/profile/month with UNLIMITED USERS). All three offer full white-label customization with your agency branding.

13. What’s the Best Alternative for Instagram-First Businesses?

Later and Planoly are specifically designed for Instagram-first businesses, offering visual grid planning, Instagram Stories scheduling, and link-in-bio tools. However, for multi-platform management with strong Instagram support, Social Champ and Buffer both offer excellent Instagram features including Reels scheduling, carousel support, and first-comment automation at lower prices than Instagram-only tools.

14. Which Tool Has Better Analytics Than Metricool?

Sprout Social and Agorapulse offer the most comprehensive analytics, including competitor benchmarking, sentiment analysis, and custom report builders. However, they cost $249-299/month. For better analytics than Metricool at a reasonable price, Social Champ Growth Plan offers 1-year data retention (vs Metricool’s 30 days), more detailed engagement metrics, better export options (CSV, PDF, Excel), and UNLIMITED USERS starting at
$8/profile/month.

15. Can I Schedule TikTok Videos with Metricool Alternatives?

Yes. Social Champ, Later, Hootsuite, and Sprout Social all support native TikTok video scheduling. Buffer recently added TikTok support as well. SocialPilot offers TikTok scheduling but with more basic analytics. Social Champ provides the best TikTok integration at the lowest price point, including video scheduling, analytics, and hashtag suggestions starting at $8/profile (Growth Plan).


Afirah Shaikh

Afirah Shaikh is a content marketer at Social Champ who turns strategy into storytelling. With three years of experience in content marketing and an MBA to her name, she has worked with brands across the digital marketing, e-commerce, and SaaS industries worldwide to create content that performs. She is known for her ability to balance creativity with purpose to drive results.

BFCM 2025