When it comes to social media management for teams, Hootsuite or Sendible are frequently on the shortlist. Both offer scheduling, analytics, social inboxes, and collaboration tools — but their pricing models and target audiences differ significantly. This 2026 comparison examines both platforms in detail so you can determine which one aligns with your needs and budget.
Both Hootsuite and Sendible promise team collaboration, social inboxes, and analytics — but at drastically different price points. Hootsuite starts at €149/month per user. Sendible starts at $29/month. We compare what each includes at each tier to find where the value actually lies. Comparing the full market? Browse all social media scheduling alternatives.
Hootsuite vs Sendible at a Glance
| Category | Hootsuite | Sendible |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | €149/mo per user | $29/mo (Creator) |
| Free Plan | No (30-day trial) | No (14-day free trial) |
| Platforms Supported | 8+ | 10 |
| Unlimited Scheduling | Standard+ | All plans |
| AI Tools | OwlyWriter AI | AI Assist (OpenAI-powered) |
| AI Image Generation | No | No |
| Bulk Scheduling | 350 posts (Advanced) | CSV bulk scheduling |
| Team Collaboration | All plans (per-user pricing) | Traction+ ($89/mo) |
| Approval Workflows | All plans | Traction+ ($89/mo) |
| Analytics | All plans | All plans (250+ modules) |
| G2 Rating | 4.3/5 (6,615 reviews) | 4.5/5 (899 reviews) |
| Trustpilot Rating | 1.8/5 (511 reviews) | 2.3/5 (8 reviews) |
| Best For | Enterprises and large agencies | Mid-size agencies and teams |
Hootsuite Overview
Hootsuite is one of the most established names in social media management, serving enterprises and large agencies worldwide. It supports 8+ platforms including Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, X/Twitter, TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest, and Threads.
Key features include OwlyWriter AI for content generation, a unified social inbox, social listening on Advanced plans and above, competitor benchmarking, employee advocacy through Amplify, DM assignment for team inbox management, bulk scheduling of up to 350 posts on Advanced, and custom report building. Hootsuite's strength is its breadth — it covers nearly every aspect of social media management for large organizations.
Hootsuite offers a 30-day free trial, giving teams time to evaluate its feature set before committing. The Standard plan at €149/month per user includes 10 social accounts, while the Advanced plan at €399/month per user expands to 50 accounts and adds social listening. Enterprise pricing is custom and typically involves annual contracts.
However, Hootsuite's per-user pricing starting at €149/month makes it one of the most expensive options in the market. For a comprehensive look, visit our Hootsuite review and alternatives. Read real user reviews of Hootsuite from G2 and Trustpilot.
Sendible Overview
Sendible is a social media management platform designed for agencies and marketing teams. It supports 10 platforms: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X/Twitter, LinkedIn, Google Business, YouTube, WordPress, Threads, and Bluesky. Pinterest is notably absent from its platform list.
Key features include unlimited scheduling on all plans, AI Assist powered by OpenAI, a Priority Inbox with sentiment analysis, approval workflows starting at the Traction tier, white-label dashboards available as an add-on on Advanced plans ($240/mo), integrations with Canva, Google Drive, Pexels, and Giphy, CSV bulk scheduling, Smart Queues, RSS auto-posting, 250+ report modules, and client dashboards on Traction and above. Daily sending limits are enforced across all plans.
Sendible offers a 14-day free trial on all plans. The pricing scales from Creator at $29/month for solo users up to Enterprise at $750/month for large agencies managing 400 profiles with 80 users. This tiered approach means teams can grow into higher plans without per-user surcharges.
Sendible targets mid-size agencies and teams that need client management without enterprise-level pricing. If you are evaluating tools for your agency, our guide to social media management for agencies covers what to look for. For more details, see our Sendible review and alternatives. Read real user reviews of Sendible from G2 and Trustpilot.
Pricing Comparison
Hootsuite Pricing
See the full Hootsuite pricing breakdown for details.
| Plan | Price | Accounts | Users |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | €149/mo per user | 10 | 1 |
| Advanced | €399/mo per user | 50 | 1 |
| Enterprise | Custom | Custom | Custom |
Hootsuite charges per user, which means adding team members multiplies the cost directly. A 5-person team on the Standard plan costs €745/month. Even a small 3-person team runs €447/month, which already exceeds Sendible's Scale plan that supports 7 users.
Sendible Pricing
See the full Sendible pricing breakdown for details.
| Plan | Price | Profiles | Users |
|---|---|---|---|
| Creator | $29/mo | 6 | 1 |
| Traction | $89/mo | 24 | 4 |
| Scale | $199/mo | 49 | 7 |
| Advanced | $299/mo | 100 | 20 |
| Enterprise | $750/mo | 400 | 80 |
Sendible bundles users into each tier, so scaling your team does not require per-user multiplication until you exceed the tier's user cap.
All Sendible plans include unlimited scheduling and full AI Assist access, which means even the Creator plan at $29/month offers core features without artificial caps.
Price Verdict
Sendible is dramatically cheaper at every comparable level. Hootsuite's Standard plan for a single user (€149/mo) costs more than Sendible's Traction plan that includes 4 users and 24 profiles ($89/mo). For agencies and teams, Sendible delivers significantly more value per dollar. Hootsuite's pricing is only justifiable if you specifically need its social listening, employee advocacy, or deep enterprise integrations.
Feature Comparison
We compared both platforms across five key categories to determine where each tool delivers the most value.
Scheduling & Publishing
| Feature | Hootsuite | Sendible |
|---|---|---|
| Unlimited Scheduling | Standard+ | All plans |
| Bulk Scheduling | 350 posts (Advanced) | CSV bulk scheduling |
| Content Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Smart Queues | No | Yes |
| RSS Auto-Posting | No | Yes |
| First Comment | Yes | Yes |
| Best Time to Post | Yes | Yes |
Winner: Sendible. Unlimited scheduling on all plans, Smart Queues, and RSS auto-posting give Sendible more flexibility. Hootsuite caps bulk scheduling at 350 posts on the Advanced plan only. For more on optimizing your posting schedule, see our guide on how to schedule social media posts.
AI Tools
| Feature | Hootsuite | Sendible |
|---|---|---|
| AI Caption Generation | OwlyWriter AI | AI Assist (OpenAI-powered) |
| AI Image Generation | No | No |
| AI Content Ideas | Yes | No |
| AI Hashtag Suggestions | Yes | No |
| Included On | All plans | All plans |
Winner: Hootsuite. OwlyWriter AI offers content ideas and hashtag suggestions alongside caption generation, giving it a slight edge in AI breadth. Both include AI tools on all plans. That said, Sendible's OpenAI-powered backend may produce higher-quality outputs for complex caption requests. Explore more options in our roundup of AI social media tools.
Analytics & Reporting
| Feature | Hootsuite | Sendible |
|---|---|---|
| Post Analytics | All plans | All plans |
| Report Modules | Custom builder | 250+ modules |
| Competitor Benchmarking | Yes | No |
| Social Listening | Advanced+ | No |
| Client Dashboards | No | Traction+ |
| Export Options | PDF, CSV, PPT | PDF, CSV |
Winner: Tie. Hootsuite offers social listening and competitor benchmarking that Sendible lacks. Sendible offers 250+ report modules and client dashboards that Hootsuite does not include. If your goal is monitoring brand mentions, Hootsuite wins. If your goal is generating polished client reports, Sendible delivers more. For a broader look at reporting options, check out our guide to social media reporting.
Team Collaboration
| Feature | Hootsuite | Sendible |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-User Access | All plans (per-user) | Traction+ (bundled) |
| Approval Workflows | All plans | Traction+ |
| Content Assignment | Yes | Yes |
| Employee Advocacy | Amplify add-on | No |
| White-Label | No | Advanced+ ($240/mo add-on) |
| Unified Inbox | Yes | Priority Inbox |
Winner: Sendible for agencies, Hootsuite for enterprises. Sendible's white-label option and client management tools are agency essentials. Hootsuite's employee advocacy (Amplify) and enterprise-grade permissions suit large organizations better. Learn more about streamlining team reviews in our social media approval workflow guide.
Platform Support
| Platform | Hootsuite | Sendible |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | Yes | |
| Yes | Yes | |
| X/Twitter | Yes | Yes |
| Yes | Yes | |
| TikTok | Yes | Yes |
| YouTube | Yes | Yes |
| Yes | No | |
| Threads | Yes | Yes |
| Bluesky | No | Yes |
| Google Business | No | Yes |
| WordPress | No | Yes |
Winner: Tie. Hootsuite supports Pinterest but misses Bluesky, Google Business, and WordPress. Sendible supports those three but lacks Pinterest. The winner depends on which platforms matter most to your strategy.
What Real Users Say
We examined ratings on G2 (used by business professionals) and Trustpilot (used by general consumers) to understand how real users feel about each platform.
Hootsuite Reviews
G2: 4.3/5 (6,615 reviews) — Hootsuite has the largest G2 review base among social media management tools. Users praise its comprehensive feature set and platform coverage, but frequently criticize its pricing, interface complexity, and the ongoing removal of features from lower tiers.
Trustpilot: 1.8/5 (511 reviews) — Hootsuite's Trustpilot score is notably low with a substantial 511-review sample. Common complaints include billing issues, price increases, and declining customer support quality.
Sendible Reviews
G2: 4.5/5 (899 reviews) — Sendible scores higher than Hootsuite on G2, with users highlighting its agency-friendly features, Priority Inbox, and reporting capabilities. Some reviewers note occasional platform connection issues.
Trustpilot: 2.3/5 (8 reviews) — With only 8 reviews on Trustpilot, this score carries very little statistical weight. The tiny sample size makes it impossible to draw reliable conclusions from this rating.
Review Verdict
Sendible edges out Hootsuite on G2 (4.5 vs 4.3) with a smaller but still substantial review base. Hootsuite's Trustpilot score of 1.8 with 511 reviews is a significant red flag, particularly around billing and pricing complaints. Sendible's 8 Trustpilot reviews are too few to be meaningful.
The pattern across review platforms is consistent: Hootsuite users frequently acknowledge the tool's capabilities but express frustration with rising costs and features being locked behind higher tiers. Sendible users tend to emphasize value for money. Overall, user satisfaction appears higher with Sendible, especially considering its lower price point. Review counts and ratings are as of February 2026 and are updated periodically.
Who Should Use Hootsuite?
If you are considering Hootsuite, also explore our Hootsuite alternatives page and see how Hootsuite compares to Buffer, Sprout Social, Later, Metricool, Agorapulse, and CoSchedule. For enterprise social media management in 2026, Hootsuite remains a top-tier option if your team needs advanced listening and compliance features. Our guide to social media management tools can help you evaluate the broader landscape.
- Large enterprises with dedicated social media teams and budget
- Organizations that need social listening and competitor benchmarking
- Companies requiring employee advocacy tools (Amplify)
- Teams already embedded in the Hootsuite ecosystem
- Businesses that prioritize Pinterest as a key platform
- Agencies that need enterprise-grade compliance and security features
Who Should Use Sendible?
If you are considering Sendible, also explore our Sendible alternatives page and see how Sendible compares to Buffer, Sprout Social, Agorapulse, SocialPilot, and Later. As an agency-focused social media management tool, Sendible delivers strong value for teams that need client dashboards and white-label reporting without per-user pricing. For small business teams, our social media management for small business guide also covers budget-friendly options.
- Mid-size agencies managing multiple client accounts
- Teams that need approval workflows without enterprise pricing
- Agencies requiring white-label reports and client dashboards
- Businesses that want unlimited scheduling on every plan
- Users who need WordPress publishing alongside social platforms
- Teams seeking a Priority Inbox with sentiment analysis
Final Verdict
Hootsuite is the better choice if you are a large enterprise or organization that needs social listening, competitor benchmarking, employee advocacy, and enterprise-grade compliance tools — and has the budget to support per-user pricing starting at €149/month.
Sendible is the better choice if you are a mid-size agency or growing team that needs client dashboards, white-label reports, approval workflows, and unlimited scheduling at a fraction of Hootsuite's per-user cost.
For most agencies and small to mid-size teams, Sendible offers significantly better value than Hootsuite, with comparable core features at a lower price point. If neither tool fully meets your needs, PostPlanify offers AI-powered scheduling with image generation, team workflows, and no per-user fees starting at $19/month flat — see how it compares.
Enterprise Features, Startup-Friendly Pricing
Hootsuite and Sendible both charge premium prices for the features teams actually need — collaboration, approvals, and analytics. PostPlanify delivers unlimited scheduling, AI tools, and team workflows at a fraction of the cost, without per-user pricing that scales against you.
| Feature | Hootsuite | Sendible | PostPlanify |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | €149/mo per user | $29/mo | $19/mo |
| Unlimited Scheduling | Standard+ | All plans | All paid plans |
| AI Caption Generation | OwlyWriter AI | AI Assist (OpenAI) | Yes (unlimited) |
| AI Image Generation | No | No | Yes |
| Canva Integration | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Google Drive Import | No | Yes | Yes |
| Approval Workflows | All plans (per-user) | $89/mo (Traction) | $99/mo (Premium) |
| Analytics | All plans (per-user) | All plans | $99/mo (Premium) |
| Platforms Supported | 8+ | 10 | 9 |
PostPlanify's $19/month Starter plan includes unlimited scheduling, AI captions, AI image generation, and Canva integration — features that cost €149/month or more on Hootsuite. The $99/month Premium plan adds unlimited accounts, unlimited team members, approval workflows, and analytics. No per-user fees, no surprises.
For teams that have outgrown Sendible's Creator tier but find Hootsuite's per-user pricing prohibitive, PostPlanify offers a middle path that scales without punishing growth. See all plans on the PostPlanify pricing page. Start your free trial today.
Try PostPlanify free for 7 days
FAQ
Is Hootsuite worth the price compared to Sendible?
For most small and mid-size teams, no. Sendible offers comparable scheduling, inbox, and reporting features at a fraction of Hootsuite's per-user cost. Hootsuite justifies its price only for organizations that specifically need social listening, employee advocacy, or enterprise compliance tools.
Does Hootsuite have a free plan?
No. Hootsuite discontinued its free plan in 2023 and now offers only a 30-day free trial that requires a credit card to start. After the trial ends, you must subscribe to the Standard plan at €149/month per user to continue using the platform. Sendible also has no free plan, offering a 14-day trial instead, though it does not require a credit card. Neither tool lets you start for free permanently, which is a drawback for freelancers and small businesses testing the waters.
Which tool is better for agencies?
Sendible is generally better for agencies due to its client dashboards, white-label option, and bundled user pricing. Hootsuite lacks white-label capabilities and charges per user, which makes it expensive for agencies with multiple team members managing various client accounts.
Can Sendible replace Hootsuite for social listening?
No. Sendible does not offer social listening capabilities. If social listening is a core requirement, Hootsuite's Advanced plan (€399/mo per user) or a dedicated social listening tool like Brandwatch or Mention would be necessary. Some teams pair Sendible with a standalone listening tool to get similar coverage at a lower combined cost.
Which platform has better customer support?
Based on user reviews, Sendible receives more favorable feedback for customer support, with users citing responsive chat support and helpful onboarding resources. Hootsuite's Trustpilot reviews frequently cite support quality as a pain point, particularly for lower-tier plans where response times can be slow and live chat is limited. Hootsuite's Enterprise plan includes dedicated support, but Standard and Advanced users often report frustration with automated responses and long resolution times. For teams where hands-on support matters, Sendible has a clear edge.
Does Sendible support Pinterest?
No. Sendible does not support Pinterest, which is a gap for brands that rely on visual discovery and product marketing. Hootsuite does support Pinterest on all plans. If Pinterest is essential to your content strategy, this is a significant point in Hootsuite's favor.
How do Hootsuite and Sendible compare on analytics?
Both offer solid analytics, but with different strengths. Hootsuite provides competitor benchmarking and social listening data. Sendible offers 250+ report modules and client-facing dashboards. Choose based on whether you need competitive intelligence or client reporting.
Can I migrate from Hootsuite to Sendible?
Yes. Both platforms support CSV export and import for scheduled content. You will need to reconnect social accounts and rebuild any custom streams or monitoring columns, but the core content migration is straightforward. Note that Hootsuite-specific features like saved streams or Amplify advocacy campaigns will not carry over.
Do both tools offer annual billing discounts?
Yes. Both Hootsuite and Sendible offer discounts for annual billing, typically saving 10-20% compared to monthly plans. If you are confident in your choice, annual billing can reduce the total cost significantly. However, starting with monthly billing during a trial period is advisable to ensure the tool meets your needs.
Is Sendible worth it in 2026?
Sendible remains one of the strongest options for mid-size agencies and marketing teams in 2026. Its bundled user pricing, 250+ report modules, client dashboards, and white-label capabilities make it a cost-effective choice compared to per-user platforms like Hootsuite or Sprout Social. The Creator plan at $29/month is competitive for solo users who need unlimited scheduling and AI tools. However, Sendible still lacks social listening and Pinterest support, so teams that depend on those features will need to look elsewhere. For most agency workflows, Sendible delivers solid value at its price point.
What is the best alternative to Hootsuite?
The best alternative depends on your specific needs and budget. For agencies that need client management and white-label features, Sendible and SocialPilot are strong choices. For solo users and small teams focused on simple scheduling, PostPlanify offers AI-powered scheduling and image generation starting at $19/month flat with no per-user fees. Buffer is a good option for individuals who want a clean, minimal interface. For enterprise teams that need social listening, Sprout Social is the closest competitor to Hootsuite. See our full list of best social media schedulers for a detailed comparison.
Does Sendible offer a free trial?
Yes. Sendible offers a 14-day free trial on all plans, including Creator, Traction, Scale, Advanced, and Enterprise. No credit card is required to start the trial, which gives you full access to the plan's features during the trial period. This is shorter than Hootsuite's 30-day trial but does not require payment information upfront, making it lower risk to test. If you need more time to evaluate, you can contact Sendible's sales team to request a trial extension for higher-tier plans.
