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Social platforms keep evolving. Algorithms shift, new formats pop up, and customer expectations change. That’s why it’s important to regularly reassess your stack. Some tools that felt essential in January may no longer be keeping up. Others have quietly become must-haves.
This isn’t just a refreshed list — it’s a reflection of what’s actually working for marketers, creators, and teams right now.
Before we jump in, let’s take a moment to say goodbye to a few tools we loved — but don’t necessarily recommend anymore:
Here’s what we recommend right now — a mix of long-standing leaders and new contenders.
Best for: Cross-platform scheduling + enterprise-level teams
Still worth it? Yes — with some caveats.
Hootsuite remains a staple for managing multiple accounts, scheduling posts, and tracking real-time brand mentions. It’s still one of the most comprehensive dashboards out there — but it’s not cheap. If budget isn’t a concern and you need enterprise-level support, Hootsuite is still one of the most capable platforms around.
🆕 2025 tip: Hootsuite’s integration with TikTok and YouTube Shorts has improved significantly this year, making it a better fit for video-heavy strategies.
Best for: Solopreneurs and small teams who love simplicity. Buffer hasn’t changed much — and that’s part of its charm. Its clean UI, reliable scheduling, and basic engagement tools continue to make it a top pick for creators who want to keep things efficient and distraction-free.
🆕 2025 update: Buffer now allows AI-assisted caption suggestions, a time-saver for small teams who post often but don’t have dedicated copywriters.
Best for: Visual brands, ecommerce, and influencer marketing. Later started with Instagram but has grown into a versatile tool with support for TikTok, Pinterest, LinkedIn, and Facebook. The drag-and-drop calendar makes it easy to visualize your content flow, while tools like “best time to post” and link-in-bio functionality are great for performance tracking.
🆕 2025 update: Their AI content repurposing tool helps turn a single video into multiple posts across different formats — surprisingly good results.
Best for: Data-driven marketers who love analytics
Sprout Social is still one of the most powerful tools for reporting and audience insights. If you’re running campaigns tied to revenue or conversions, its analytics dashboard will help you prove ROI. Its CRM and help desk integrations also make it ideal for companies that blend social media and customer support.
🆕 2025 update: Their unified inbox now supports WhatsApp and Threads — helpful if your audience is moving beyond the traditional big five platforms.
Best for: Teams focused on customer engagement
Agorapulse has quietly become one of the best options for managing social conversations. The “inbox zero” approach, smart labeling, and internal notes make it perfect for brands that need to handle large volumes of messages and mentions. Its built-in CRM tools help build long-term customer relationships.
🆕 2025 tip: Their new competitor benchmarking feature lets you compare your performance to others in your niche — without leaving the app.
Best for: Design + scheduling in one
If your team is already using Canva for design, it’s a no-brainer to use their post-scheduling tool. Create visuals, maintain your brand kit, and schedule directly to Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and X — all from the same interface.
🆕 2025 note: Canva’s Magic Studio is now integrated into the Teams plan — giving you AI tools to write captions, remove image backgrounds, and auto-resize posts in one click.
Best for: Creators, coaches, and content marketers
This one’s newer to our list — and worth your attention. Metricool does it all: scheduling, analytics, bio link pages, ad tracking, and even blog performance reports. The UI is intuitive, and pricing is competitive.
🆕 2025 highlight: Metricool’s Reels and Shorts scheduling has been the most reliable we’ve tested — especially helpful if you batch-create video content.
Best for: Planning your content calendar with context
While not a traditional social media management tool, Notion has become the go-to for content planning thanks to its flexibility. When paired with tools like Zapier or Typefully, you can plan, assign, and even automate parts of your publishing process.
🆕 2025 trend: More social teams are using Notion + AI plugins to ideate post topics, build calendars, and send reminders — all in one place.
Best for: Automated posting across content categories
SocialBee remains one of the most automation-friendly tools. You can assign posts to categories like “Tips,” “Promotions,” or “Throwbacks” and let the platform rotate them intelligently. For lean teams or freelancers managing multiple clients, this saves serious time.
🆕 2025 update: New AI category suggestions now help you optimize your mix of content types (education, engagement, promotion) with minimal effort.
Best for: Budget-conscious marketers who want powerful features
Pallyy is gaining traction as a lean alternative to tools like Buffer and Later. It includes scheduling, analytics, hashtag research, and a visual grid — all at a lower price point. If you’re just getting started or need to scale on a budget, Pallyy is worth a look.
🆕 2025 highlight: Great for agencies — offers client-specific logins and approval workflows even on the lowest tier.
Best for: Perfecting your profile’s visual presence
Your content is only part of the equation — how your profile photo, cover image, and thumbnails appear across platforms is just as important. SocialPreviewing lets you preview how your profile looks on LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and X — in real time.
Avoid awkward crops, stretched images, or branding mishaps. Upload once, preview everywhere.
Managing social media in 2025 isn’t about using the flashiest tool — it’s about finding what works for your team, your budget, and your workflow.
And remember — social media success is built on consistency, creativity, and optimization. The right tools just make that easier.
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