Hootsuite and Tailwind occupy very different corners of the social media management market. Both offer scheduling and analytics, but their target users, platform support, and feature sets barely overlap. This comparison breaks down pricing, features, and real user feedback so you can decide which one fits your needs.
Hootsuite is a full-suite enterprise platform with social listening, a unified inbox, and team workflows across 8+ platforms — starting at a steep EUR 149/month per user. Tailwind is a niche tool built for Pinterest and Instagram creators with design templates and e-commerce integrations — starting free. We examine whether Hootsuite's breadth or Tailwind's Pinterest depth makes more sense for your strategy. Comparing the full market? Browse all social media scheduling alternatives.
Hootsuite vs Tailwind at a Glance
| Category | Hootsuite | Tailwind |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | EUR 149/mo per user | Free (5 posts/mo, 3 accounts) |
| Free Plan | No (30-day trial) | Yes (very limited) |
| Platforms Supported | 8+ | 3 (Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook) |
| Unlimited Scheduling | Standard+ | Max plan ($99.99/mo) |
| AI Tools | OwlyWriter AI | Ghostwriter AI, Tailwind Create |
| AI Image Generation | No | No |
| Design Tools | No | Tailwind Create (templates) |
| Team Collaboration | All plans (per-user pricing) | Max plan (up to 5 users) |
| Approval Workflows | All plans | No |
| Social Inbox | Full unified inbox | No |
| Social Listening | Advanced+ | No |
| Analytics | All plans | Basic (paid plans) |
| G2 Rating | 4.3/5 (6,615 reviews) | 4.3/5 (141 reviews) |
| Trustpilot Rating | 1.8/5 (511 reviews) | 3.5/5 (302 reviews) |
| Best For | Enterprises and large agencies | Pinterest-focused creators and e-commerce sellers |
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. The Standard plan at EUR 149/month per user includes 10 social accounts, while the Advanced plan at EUR 399/month per user expands to 50 accounts and adds social listening. Enterprise pricing is custom with annual contracts.
However, Hootsuite's per-user pricing 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.
Tailwind Overview
Tailwind is a social media scheduling and design platform purpose-built for Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook. It does not attempt to be a general-purpose tool — instead, it goes deep on visual content creation and optimization for discovery-driven platforms.
Key features include SmartSchedule for optimal posting times, Ghostwriter AI for captions and descriptions, Tailwind Create (a design tool with customizable templates), Tailwind Communities for collaborative content sharing, Smart.bio (link-in-bio), SmartPin, SmartLoop for evergreen content resharing, Canva integration on paid plans, bulk uploads, and e-commerce integrations with Shopify, WooCommerce, Squarespace, and WordPress. Browser extensions and a mobile app are included.
Tailwind's pricing is tiered with post limits. The Free plan allows 5 posts per month. Pro costs $29.99/month (introductory rate $24.99) for 150 posts, 3 accounts, and 1 user. Advanced is $54.99/month for 300 posts, 6 accounts, and 2 users. Max is $99.99/month for unlimited posts, 9 accounts, and 5 users.
Tailwind is best suited for Pinterest-focused creators, e-commerce sellers on Pinterest, and visual content marketers. Read real user reviews of Tailwind from G2 and Trustpilot.
Pricing Comparison
Hootsuite Pricing
See the full Hootsuite pricing breakdown for details.
| Plan | Price | Accounts | Users |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | EUR 149/mo per user | 10 | 1 |
| Advanced | EUR 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 EUR 745/month. Even a small 3-person team runs EUR 447/month.
Tailwind Pricing
See the full Tailwind pricing breakdown for details.
| Plan | Price | Posts/Month | Accounts | Users |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0/mo | 5 | 3 (1 per platform) | 1 |
| Pro | $29.99/mo | 150 | 3 | 1 |
| Advanced | $54.99/mo | 300 | 6 | 2 |
| Max | $99.99/mo | Unlimited | 9 | 5 |
Tailwind offers introductory pricing ($24.99, $49.99, $94.99) that renews at the standard rates above. Post limits apply on all plans except Max. The free plan is extremely restricted at just 5 posts per month.
Price Verdict
Tailwind is dramatically cheaper by the numbers. Hootsuite's entry-level Standard plan at EUR 149/month costs more than Tailwind's Max plan at $99.99/month. However, these tools are not interchangeable — Hootsuite covers 8+ platforms with a social inbox, social listening, and enterprise collaboration, while Tailwind covers 3 platforms with design tools and Pinterest optimization. The price comparison only matters if both tools can actually serve your needs.
Feature Comparison
We compared both platforms across five key categories to determine where each delivers the most value.
Scheduling & Publishing
| Feature | Hootsuite | Tailwind |
|---|---|---|
| Unlimited Scheduling | Standard+ | Max plan only ($99.99/mo) |
| Bulk Scheduling | 350 posts (Advanced) | Bulk uploads |
| Content Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Smart Scheduling | Best time to post | SmartSchedule (optimal times) |
| Post Recycling | No | SmartLoop (evergreen resharing) |
| First Comment | Yes | No |
Winner: Hootsuite for volume and breadth. Unlimited scheduling on all plans across 8+ platforms gives Hootsuite clear publishing superiority. Tailwind's SmartSchedule and SmartLoop are powerful for Pinterest, but post limits on lower plans and 3-platform support restrict its usefulness.
AI Tools
| Feature | Hootsuite | Tailwind |
|---|---|---|
| AI Caption Generation | OwlyWriter AI | Ghostwriter AI |
| AI Content Ideas | Yes | No |
| AI Design Tool | No | Tailwind Create (templates) |
| AI Image Generation | No | No |
| AI Hashtag Suggestions | Yes | No |
Winner: Tie. Hootsuite's OwlyWriter AI offers content ideas and hashtag suggestions. Tailwind counters with Ghostwriter AI plus Tailwind Create for visual design generation. Neither offers AI image generation. The winner depends on whether you need content ideation (Hootsuite) or design creation (Tailwind).
Analytics & Reporting
| Feature | Hootsuite | Tailwind |
|---|---|---|
| Post Analytics | All plans | Paid plans |
| Report Builder | Custom reports | No |
| Competitor Benchmarking | Yes | No |
| Social Listening | Advanced+ | No |
| Export Options | PDF, CSV, PPT | No |
Winner: Hootsuite. Analytics is one of Hootsuite's core strengths with custom report building, competitor benchmarking, and social listening data. Tailwind offers basic analytics limited to its 3 supported platforms with no custom reporting or export options.
Team Collaboration
| Feature | Hootsuite | Tailwind |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-User Access | All plans (per-user) | Advanced+ (2-5 users) |
| Approval Workflows | All plans | No |
| Content Assignment | Yes | No |
| Employee Advocacy | Amplify add-on | No |
| Content Communities | No | Tailwind Communities |
| Unified Inbox | Yes | No |
Winner: Hootsuite. Approval workflows, a unified inbox, content assignment, and employee advocacy tools make Hootsuite the clear choice for team collaboration. Tailwind's Communities feature enables collaborative content sharing but is not a team management tool. Tailwind caps users at 5 on the Max plan.
Platform Support
| Platform | Hootsuite | Tailwind |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | Yes | |
| Yes | Yes | |
| Yes | Yes | |
| X/Twitter | Yes | No |
| Yes | No | |
| TikTok | Yes | No |
| YouTube | Yes | No |
| Threads | Yes | No |
Winner: Hootsuite. Hootsuite supports 8+ platforms versus Tailwind's 3. If your social strategy includes X/Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok, YouTube, or Threads, Tailwind is not an option. This is the most fundamental difference between the two tools.
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 but frequently criticize its pricing, interface complexity, and the 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.
Tailwind Reviews
G2: 4.3/5 (141 reviews) — Users appreciate Tailwind's Pinterest-specific features, SmartSchedule, and design tools. Some reviewers note the limited platform support and post limits on lower plans.
Trustpilot: 3.5/5 (302 reviews) — A moderate rating with users praising Pinterest scheduling capabilities. Some complaints center on scheduling reliability and renewal pricing being higher than introductory rates.
Review Verdict
Both tools share a 4.3/5 G2 rating, but Hootsuite's score comes from a far larger sample (6,615 vs 141 reviews). On Trustpilot, Tailwind scores significantly higher at 3.5/5 versus Hootsuite's 1.8/5. Hootsuite's low Trustpilot score with 511 reviews is a red flag, particularly around billing and pricing complaints. Tailwind users generally report satisfaction with Pinterest features but note the narrow platform support.
The pattern across reviews is consistent: Hootsuite users acknowledge powerful features but express frustration with rising costs and features being gated behind higher tiers. Tailwind users appreciate the Pinterest-specific optimization but sometimes wish for broader platform coverage. These are fundamentally different tools serving different needs, and the reviews reflect that divergence.
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, and Sendible.
- 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
- Agencies managing clients across X/Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok, and YouTube
- Businesses that need a unified social inbox with DM assignment
Who Should Use Tailwind?
If you are considering Tailwind, also explore our Tailwind alternatives page and see how Tailwind compares to Buffer, Later, Metricool, and Sprout Social.
- Pinterest-first marketers who need SmartSchedule and SmartLoop optimization
- E-commerce sellers using Shopify or WooCommerce with Pinterest storefronts
- Visual content creators who want built-in design generation (Tailwind Create)
- Small businesses that only post on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook
- Instagram creators who benefit from community-based content sharing
- Users who want a dedicated Pinterest tool at a fraction of Hootsuite's cost
Full-Suite Power at a Fraction of the Cost
Hootsuite delivers enterprise features but charges EUR 149+ per user. Tailwind has Pinterest depth but only covers 3 platforms. PostPlanify offers unlimited scheduling across 9 platforms, AI tools, and team collaboration starting at $19/month — enterprise-level capabilities without enterprise-level pricing.
| Feature | Hootsuite | Tailwind | PostPlanify |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | EUR 149/mo per user | Free (5 posts/mo) | $19/mo |
| Unlimited Scheduling | Standard+ | $99.99/mo (Max) | All paid plans |
| AI Caption Generation | OwlyWriter AI | Ghostwriter AI | Yes (unlimited) |
| AI Image Generation | No | No | Yes |
| Canva Integration | Yes | Yes (paid plans) | Yes |
| Google Drive Import | No | No | Yes |
| Approval Workflows | All plans (per-user) | No | $99/mo (Premium) |
| Analytics | All plans (per-user) | Paid plans | $99/mo (Premium) |
| Platforms Supported | 8+ | 3 | 9 |
PostPlanify's $19/month Starter plan includes unlimited scheduling, AI captions, AI image generation, and Canva integration — features that cost EUR 149+ per month on Hootsuite or require Tailwind's higher tiers. The $99/month Premium plan adds unlimited accounts, unlimited team members, approval workflows, and analytics across 9 platforms. No per-user fees, no 3-platform limitation.
Whether you need Hootsuite's team tools or Tailwind's visual focus, PostPlanify delivers both in a single platform. See all plans on the PostPlanify pricing page. Start your free trial today.
Try PostPlanify free for 7 days
FAQ
Is Hootsuite or Tailwind better for Pinterest?
Tailwind is significantly better for Pinterest. SmartSchedule, SmartLoop, SmartPin, and Tailwind Communities are purpose-built for Pinterest growth and optimization. Hootsuite supports Pinterest but offers no Pinterest-specific scheduling or optimization features.
Does Tailwind have a social inbox?
No. Tailwind does not offer a social inbox, social listening, or any engagement management tools. Hootsuite includes a unified inbox on all plans and social listening on the Advanced plan. If managing comments, DMs, and mentions is part of your workflow, Tailwind cannot help.
Which tool supports more social media platforms?
Hootsuite supports 8+ platforms including X/Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok, and YouTube. Tailwind supports only Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook. If your strategy spans more than 3 platforms, Hootsuite or an alternative like PostPlanify is necessary.
Can Tailwind replace Hootsuite?
Only if your entire social strategy centers on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook. Tailwind cannot replace Hootsuite's social listening, unified inbox, team collaboration, or multi-platform publishing. For Pinterest-specific workflows, Tailwind is the better tool. For everything else, Hootsuite or a broader alternative is needed.
Is Tailwind worth it if I only use Pinterest?
Yes. Tailwind's SmartSchedule, SmartLoop for evergreen content, and Tailwind Communities are specifically designed for Pinterest growth. The Pro plan at $29.99/month is a fraction of Hootsuite's cost and provides Pinterest optimization features that general-purpose tools lack.
Does Hootsuite have design tools like Tailwind Create?
No. Hootsuite does not include built-in design tools. Tailwind Create generates social media graphics from templates, giving Tailwind a unique advantage for users who create visual content. Hootsuite users typically rely on Canva or other external design tools.
Which has better team collaboration features?
Hootsuite wins for team collaboration with approval workflows, content assignment, a unified inbox, and employee advocacy on all plans. Tailwind has no approval workflows and caps users at 5 on the Max plan. For teams, Hootsuite is the clear choice despite its higher price.
How do the free plans compare?
Hootsuite does not have a free plan, only a 30-day trial. Tailwind's free plan allows just 5 posts per month, 3 accounts (1 per platform), and limited AI credits. Neither free option is viable for serious ongoing use. PostPlanify offers a 7-day free trial with full feature access.
Does Tailwind offer e-commerce integrations?
Yes. Tailwind integrates with Shopify, WooCommerce, Squarespace, and WordPress for e-commerce workflows centered on Pinterest product pins. Hootsuite does not offer direct e-commerce platform integrations but does support Salesforce for CRM. If you sell products through Pinterest, Tailwind's e-commerce integrations are a meaningful advantage.
Do both tools offer annual billing discounts?
Yes. Both Hootsuite and Tailwind offer discounts for annual billing. Tailwind also uses introductory pricing on monthly plans ($24.99, $49.99, $94.99) that renews at higher standard rates ($29.99, $54.99, $99.99). Make sure to account for renewal pricing when budgeting long-term.
