Hey there! If you’re juggling between Hootsuite and Publer, wondering which social media management tool will be your game-changer, you’re not alone. In this deep dive, we’ll untangle the features, perks, and quirks of both, helping you make an informed decision. Whether you’re a small business owner, a bustling agency, or just a social media enthusiast, this comparison is for you. Let’s jump right in!
| Hootsuite | Publer |
|---|---|
 |  |
| G2 Score – 4.2 out of 5 stars | G2 Score – 4.8 out of 5 stars |
| TrustRadius Score – 8.2 out 10 stars | TrustRadius Score – 9.6 out of 10 stars |
Ease of Use and User Interface
Hootsuite’s User Experience
Hootsuite has been a familiar name in the social media management world for a while. It’s like that old friend who’s always been around. The interface is pretty straightforward, albeit a bit on the traditional side. When you log in, you’re greeted with a dashboard that feels like mission control. You’ve got streams, menus, and tabs all vying for your attention.
For newbies, this might seem a bit overwhelming at first. There’s a learning curve, sure, but once you get the hang of it, it’s smooth sailing. The dashboard is highly customizable, allowing you to keep an eye on different social networks, schedule posts, and monitor your mentions and messages.
The magic of Hootsuite lies in its Streams. You can set up different streams for mentions, messages, post timelines, or even specific hashtags. This is particularly handy for keeping an eye on everything happening around your brand or industry. Plus, the ability to schedule posts across various platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and even YouTube, is a big win.
Publer’s Approach to User Interface
Enter Publer, the newer kid on the block. It’s like that trendy, modern café that just opened and everyone wants to check out. Publer’s interface is sleek, intuitive, and a breath of fresh air, especially if you’re coming from a more traditional tool like Hootsuite.
The moment you log in, you notice how clean and uncluttered the dashboard is. It’s user-friendly, making it a hit among those who might not be too tech-savvy or those who appreciate minimalism. You can easily create, view, and schedule your posts without feeling lost in a maze of features.
Publer takes a more streamlined approach to social media management. You won’t find an array of streams here, but what you do get is a clear, concise view of your scheduled and past posts. It’s pretty straightforward to schedule content across different platforms, including the big names like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
One of the coolest features of Publer is its visual calendar. It gives you a bird’s eye view of your content strategy, making it super easy to plan out your posts and see where there might be gaps. Plus, for those who love to keep things organized, Publer allows you to color-code your posts by social network, which is a nice touch.
So, Which is More User-Friendly?
Choosing between Hootsuite and Publer in terms of ease of use really boils down to personal preference. If you love having a plethora of features at your fingertips and don’t mind a busier interface, Hootsuite is your go-to. But if you prefer a cleaner, more straightforward approach, Publer might just win your heart.
Both tools offer great functionality, but in different styles. Hootsuite gives you a comprehensive, almost granular level of control over your social media interactions, while Publer offers a more streamlined, focused experience.
Scheduling and Content Management
The Scheduling Power of Hootsuite
When it comes to scheduling posts, Hootsuite is like a seasoned chef in a well-equipped kitchen. It gives you all the tools you need to prepare your social media feast in advance. With its bulk scheduling feature, you can upload a CSV file with all your posts and have them scheduled in one go. This is a huge time-saver, especially if you’re managing multiple accounts or planning a content-heavy campaign.
Hootsuite also offers an AutoSchedule feature, which chooses the optimal times to post based on when your audience is most active. This is great if you’re not sure when to post or if you’re managing accounts across different time zones. Plus, the ability to see your scheduled content in a list or calendar view helps keep everything organized and easy to track.
Another nifty feature is the content curation and RSS feed integration. You can discover and share content directly through the platform, keeping your feeds fresh and engaging without having to leave Hootsuite.
Publer’s Approach to Scheduling
Publer, on the other hand, approaches scheduling like a tech-savvy organizer who loves efficiency. Its scheduling capabilities are robust and intuitive. Like Hootsuite, Publer allows you to bulk schedule posts, but it takes things a step further with its ability to automatically recycle evergreen content. This means your top-performing posts can be automatically rescheduled to maximize their reach and engagement.
The calendar view in Publer is not just about aesthetics; it’s highly functional. You can drag and drop posts to reschedule them, which is incredibly handy if you need to make quick adjustments. Additionally, Publer offers a unique feature called ‘Signature,’ which allows you to create a default set of hashtags or text that can be automatically added to your posts. This is a real time-saver for brands that consistently use certain hashtags or marketing messages.
Head-to-Head: Scheduling Features
Hootsuite’s strength lies in its comprehensive scheduling options and the ability to handle a high volume of posts across multiple networks. Its AutoSchedule feature and content curation tools are particularly useful for businesses that need to maintain a constant online presence.
Publer, however, brings simplicity and innovation to the table. Its evergreen content recycling and Signature feature are unique, offering a more automated approach to content management. The visual appeal and user-friendliness of its calendar view also make scheduling less of a chore and more of an enjoyable part of social media management.
In essence, if you’re looking for a tool that offers deep functionality and a wide range of features for scheduling, Hootsuite might be your best bet. But if you prefer a more streamlined, efficient approach with some innovative features, Publer could be the ideal choice.
Engagement and Analytics
Hootsuite’s Engagement Tools and Analytics
Now, let’s talk about keeping the conversation going and measuring success. Hootsuite excels in offering a suite of tools for engagement. With its ability to monitor mentions, comments, and messages across platforms, you can easily engage with your audience without missing a beat. Its team collaboration features are also top-notch, allowing you to assign posts, comments, or messages to team members, which is a godsend for larger teams or agencies.
Hootsuite’s analytics are comprehensive. You can dive deep into data, tracking everything from basic metrics like likes and shares to more advanced analytics like click-through rates, audience demographics, and sentiment analysis. The custom report builder allows you to tailor reports to your specific needs, which is great for presenting to clients or stakeholders.
Publer’s Engagement and Analytical Approach
Publer, while not as robust as Hootsuite in terms of engagement tools, still holds its own. It allows you to respond to comments and messages, but the functionality is more basic compared to Hootsuite. However, for small businesses or individuals who don’t require complex engagement tools, Publer’s simplicity can actually be a benefit.
Where Publer really shines is in its clean and easy-to-understand analytics. You get all the essential insights like engagement rates, best-performing posts, and audience demographics. While it might not offer the depth of Hootsuite’s analytics, it provides enough data to effectively gauge your social media performance and make informed decisions.
Choosing the Right Tool for Engagement and Analytics
If your primary focus is on detailed analytics and extensive engagement capabilities, particularly if you’re part of a larger team or agency, Hootsuite is the way to go. Its range of features and depth of analysis are hard to beat.
On the other hand, if you prefer a more streamlined, user-friendly approach to analytics and engagement, and if you’re managing a smaller scale operation, Publer’s straightforward and efficient tools might be more suitable for your needs.
Pricing and Plans
| Hootsuite | Free Plan: Hootsuite offers a limited free plan that allows for 2 social profiles and 5 scheduled messages. Professional Plan: Starting at $49 per month, this plan allows for 1 user, 10 social profiles, and unlimited scheduling. Team Plan: Starting at $129 per month, offering 3 users, 20 social profiles, and unlimited scheduling, plus additional team collaboration features. Business Plan: Starting at $599 per month for up to 5 users and 35 social profiles, with advanced features for larger teams. Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing for organizations with large-scale requirements, offering unlimited users, social profiles, and advanced features. |
| Publer | Free Plan: Limited to a certain number of posts and social accounts. Professional Plan: Starting at $10 per month (when billed annually), for more social accounts and posts. Business Plan: Starting at $20 per month (when billed annually), adding team members and more advanced features. |
Hootsuite’s Pricing Structure
When it comes to pricing, Hootsuite offers a range of plans to suit different needs and budgets. There’s a free version available, which is great for individuals or small businesses just starting out. However, it comes with limitations, such as the number of posts you can schedule and the number of social profiles you can manage.
As you move up the tiers to the Professional, Team, Business, and Enterprise plans, the features and capabilities expand significantly. These plans offer more social profiles, additional scheduling options, advanced analytics, and team collaboration tools. The pricing for these plans varies, and they can get quite pricey, especially for the Business and Enterprise plans. However, for large businesses and agencies that need the comprehensive toolset that Hootsuite provides, the investment can be worth it.
Publer’s Pricing Options
Publer, in contrast, has a somewhat simpler and more affordable pricing model. Like Hootsuite, it offers a free version with basic features, which is ideal for individuals or small businesses. The paid plans include the Silver and Gold options, which are more budget-friendly compared to Hootsuite’s higher-tier plans.
The Silver plan provides more scheduling flexibility and additional social accounts, while the Gold plan adds valuable features like analytics, team collaboration, and the ability to recycle evergreen posts. Publer’s pricing is generally more accessible, especially for small to medium-sized businesses or freelance social media managers.
Making the Right Choice for Your Budget
When deciding between Hootsuite and Publer based on pricing, consider your specific needs and budget. If you’re a large organization or agency that requires a comprehensive suite of tools and can afford a higher budget, Hootsuite’s advanced plans might be the right choice. The range of features and scalability it offers can justify the cost.
However, if you’re a small business owner, individual, or freelancer looking for a cost-effective yet efficient tool, Publer’s pricing and feature set could be more appealing. Its straightforward pricing and the value it offers at each tier make it an attractive option for those who need to balance functionality with affordability.
Customer Support and Community
Hootsuite’s Customer Support System
A crucial aspect of any service, especially in the digital realm, is the quality of customer support. Hootsuite understands this and offers a range of support options. For users on the free plan, support is primarily via their help center and online resources, which are quite comprehensive.
As you move to the higher-tier plans, the level of support escalates. Professional and Team plans get priority support, which means faster response times, while Business and Enterprise customers enjoy 24/7 support, including a dedicated account representative. This level of support can be invaluable for businesses that rely heavily on their social media presence and need immediate assistance with any issues.
Hootsuite also has a strong community presence, with active user forums and social media groups where users can share tips, ask questions, and get advice from fellow users and Hootsuite experts. This community aspect can be a great resource for learning and networking.
Publer’s Approach to Customer Support
Publer, while smaller in scale compared to Hootsuite, does not lag behind in offering quality customer support. All users, including those on the free plan, have access to email support, and the response times are generally commendable.
For more immediate assistance, Publer offers live chat support on its paid plans, which is a big plus for users who prefer quicker, more interactive help. While they may not have the same level of 24/7 support as Hootsuite’s higher-tier plans, Publer’s support team is known for being responsive and helpful.
In terms of community, Publer is building its presence. They have an active blog, a growing user community on social media platforms, and they are increasingly engaging with their users through webinars and tutorials. This emerging community is a good sign of a company that values user engagement and feedback.
Choosing Based on Support and Community
When it comes to customer support and community, your choice between Hootsuite and Publer may depend on the level of support you anticipate needing. If you’re a larger organization or require extensive, round-the-clock support, Hootsuite’s structured and tiered support system might be more reassuring.
For smaller teams or individual users who may not need as intensive support but value quick and effective responses, Publer’s more personal and agile support system could be a better fit. Additionally, the growing community around Publer can be a vibrant space for insights and networking, especially for those who enjoy being part of a growing user base.
Integration and Compatibility
Hootsuite’s Integration Capabilities
In today’s digital world, the ability to integrate with other tools and platforms can significantly enhance the utility of a social media management tool. Hootsuite excels in this area with a wide array of integrations available. It supports a vast number of social media platforms, from the major players like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn to less common ones like Pinterest and YouTube.
Beyond social platforms, Hootsuite integrates with a variety of third-party apps and services through its App Directory. This includes CRM tools, content creation apps, customer service software, and more. For example, you can integrate Hootsuite with tools like Salesforce, Adobe, Canva, and Google Analytics, allowing for a more seamless workflow and better data synchronization across your marketing tools.
This level of integration is particularly beneficial for businesses that rely on a diverse set of tools for their marketing and customer engagement efforts. It allows for more streamlined operations and the ability to leverage data across different platforms effectively.
Publer’s Integration Features
Publer, while not as extensive as Hootsuite in terms of integration options, still offers a solid range of compatibility with major social media platforms. It supports key networks like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Google My Business, covering the needs of most social media managers.
In terms of third-party app integrations, Publer is somewhat more limited compared to Hootsuite. However, it does offer integrations with essential tools that enhance its functionality. This includes Canva for graphic design, Google Drive and Dropbox for file storage, and link shorteners like Bitly.
For users whose primary need is managing social media content across the main platforms and who use a few key tools for content creation and storage, Publer’s range of integrations will likely suffice.
Deciding Based on Integration Needs
Choosing between Hootsuite and Publer in terms of integration and compatibility largely depends on the complexity of your digital marketing ecosystem. If your organization utilizes a wide array of tools and platforms and you need a social media management tool that can seamlessly integrate with all these elements, Hootsuite’s extensive integration capabilities make it a clear winner.
On the other hand, if your needs are more straightforward, focusing mainly on core social media platforms and a handful of additional tools, Publer’s simpler integration landscape could be more than adequate. It provides a streamlined experience without the overhead of numerous integrations that you may not need.
Conclusion
Choosing between Hootsuite and Publer for your social media management comes down to understanding your specific needs, resources, and goals.
Hootsuite stands out as a comprehensive, feature-rich platform with robust scheduling capabilities, extensive integration options, and in-depth analytics. It’s particularly well-suited for larger businesses or agencies that require a wide array of features and can benefit from its advanced engagement tools and customer support. The range of integrations and support for numerous social media platforms makes it a versatile choice for a complex digital marketing strategy.
Publer, on the other hand, shines with its user-friendly interface, efficient scheduling features, and budget-friendly pricing. It’s an excellent choice for small to medium-sized businesses, freelancers, or individuals who need an effective, straightforward tool for managing their social media presence. While it may not offer the same level of integrations and analytics as Hootsuite, its simplicity, innovative features like automatic recycling of evergreen content, and efficient customer support make it a strong contender.
