Social9 vs Hootsuite
The Hootsuite alternative that writes your posts too
Short answer: Hootsuite starts at $99 per user per month (billed yearly) with no free plan, and is strongest for large teams that need listening and competitor benchmarking. Social9 has a free plan, paid plans from $12/mo, and AI Autopilot that plans, drafts, schedules and publishes posts on 11 networks.
Prices checked October 2026.
At a glance
Social9 vs Hootsuite: comparison
Social9Free; from $12/mo
HootsuiteFrom $99/user/mo| Social9 | Hootsuite | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free; Individual $12/mo ($120/yr); Team $39/mo ($390/yr); Agency $99/mo ($990/yr); Enterprise custom | Standard $99/user/mo (10 accounts); Professional $199; Advanced $399; Enterprise custom (all billed yearly) |
| Free plan | Yes: 1 brand, 3 accounts (LinkedIn, Instagram, Mastodon, Bluesky), 20 AI credits/mo, 10 queued posts per account | No; 14-day free trial |
| Networks | 11: Facebook, Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, X, TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest, Google Business Profile, Bluesky, Mastodon (Free: LinkedIn, Instagram, Mastodon, Bluesky; X from Individual, 50 to 300 X posts/mo by plan) | Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, TikTok, YouTube, Threads, WhatsApp, Pinterest |
| AI features | Autopilot plans, drafts, schedules and publishes posts; drafts only on Free, you approve first on Individual (AI credits/mo: 20 Free, 150 Individual, 500 Team, 1,500 Agency) | Wisdom AI on every plan: generates posts and images; smart replies and trend forecasting from Professional |
| Approvals | Approvals for teammates and clients from Team ($39/mo: 3 brands, 9 accounts, 5 members) | Approval workflows from Advanced ($399/user/mo) |
| Analytics | Stats history: 30 days Free, 90 days Individual, 1 year Team and Agency, 2 years Enterprise | Analytics and benchmarking against 5 competitors from Standard; custom scheduled reports from Professional |
Prices in USD, checked October 2026 on each vendor's own site: Hootsuite plans, Hootsuite FAQ and Social9 pricing. Plans change; check the vendor's page before you buy.
Quick verdict
Choose Hootsuite if… choose Social9 if…
Pick Hootsuite if
- You need social listening and competitor benchmarking in the same tool
- You manage WhatsApp alongside your social profiles
- You are a large team that wants unlimited accounts and enterprise reporting
Pick Social9 if
- You want AI Autopilot to plan, draft, schedule and publish posts, not just a calendar you fill by hand
- You want to start on a free plan before paying (1 brand, 3 accounts on LinkedIn, Instagram, Mastodon or Bluesky, 20 AI credits a month; Autopilot makes drafts on Free)
- You want approvals without per-user pricing: Social9 Team is $39/mo for 5 members, 3 brands and 9 accounts
- You post to Bluesky or Mastodon as well as the big networks
Cost
What you pay at 3, 10 and 25 social accounts
Monthly prices in USD. Social9 prices are flat per plan, with team members included and no per-seat fees.
| Social accounts | Social9 |
|---|---|
| 3 | $0 on Free (LinkedIn, Instagram, Mastodon or Bluesky), or $12/mo on Individual for any network |
| 10 | $99/mo on Agency (Team at $39/mo covers 9) |
| 25 | $99/mo on Agency |
Social9 counts accounts per brand: 3 per brand on Team, 5 per brand on Agency, and support can raise a limit on any plan. For Hootsuite, see its price row in the table above.
Switching
Switch from Hootsuite to Social9 in four steps
- 1
Check your networks
List the profiles you manage in Hootsuite. Social9 publishes to 11 networks: Facebook, Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, X, TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest, Google Business Profile, Bluesky, Mastodon.
- 2
Start free and connect
Create a free Social9 account (1 brand, 3 social accounts on LinkedIn, Instagram, Mastodon or Bluesky), or pick a paid plan for other networks, then connect your accounts.
- 3
Move your queue
Copy the posts already scheduled in Hootsuite into Social9, or let Autopilot plan and draft the next batch for you to review.
- 4
Switch over cleanly
Run both tools for a few days, then pause the Hootsuite queue so nothing posts twice. Add your team on Team or Agency to use approvals.
FAQ
Hootsuite alternatives: FAQ
What is the best free alternative to Hootsuite?
Hootsuite has no free plan, only a 14-day trial. Social9 has a free plan with 1 brand, 3 accounts (LinkedIn, Instagram, Mastodon or Bluesky) and 20 AI credits a month, and paid plans from $12/mo.
How much does Hootsuite cost in 2026?
Hootsuite lists Standard at $99, Professional at $199 and Advanced at $399 per user per month, billed yearly. Enterprise is custom.
Is Social9 cheaper than Hootsuite?
Yes for most small teams. Social9 Individual is $12/mo, and Team, with approvals for up to 5 members, is $39/mo. Hootsuite approvals start on Advanced at $399 per user per month.
Where is Hootsuite stronger than Social9?
Hootsuite includes social listening, competitor benchmarking and WhatsApp. If those matter most, Hootsuite is the better fit.
Keep comparing
Related comparisons and resources
Try Social9 as your Hootsuite alternative
Autopilot plans, drafts, schedules and publishes your posts on 11 networks. Start on the free plan.