Later and Zoho Social approach social media management from fundamentally different directions. Later started as a visual planning tool for Instagram creators and has expanded into a broader scheduling platform, but its DNA is still rooted in aesthetics — grid previews, Linkin.bio pages, and media libraries designed for visual content. Zoho Social, on the other hand, is one piece of the massive Zoho ecosystem, purpose-built for businesses that want their social media tied directly to CRM records, support tickets, and sales pipelines.
This comparison matters if you are choosing between a creator-first workflow and a business-operations-first workflow. We will walk through pricing, features, and real user reviews to help you decide. If neither tool fits, check out our full list of social media management alternatives.
Later vs Zoho Social at a Glance
| Category | Later | Zoho Social |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $25/mo (Starter) | $0/mo (Free) |
| Free Plan | No | Yes (1 brand, 1 member) |
| Social Profiles | 1 Social Set (Starter) | 1 brand per plan |
| Post Limits | 30 posts/profile (Starter) | Unlimited on paid plans |
| Platforms Supported | 8 | 9 |
| AI Features | Caption & hashtag suggestions (credit-based) | Basic caption generation |
| AI Image Generation | No | No |
| Instagram Grid Preview | Yes | No |
| Link-in-Bio | Linkin.bio (built-in) | No |
| CRM Integration | No | Native Zoho CRM integration |
| Analytics | Growth plan and above | All paid plans |
| Team Members | 1 (Starter), 3 (Growth), 6 (Scale) | 1 (Standard), 1 (Professional), 3 (Premium) |
| Best Time to Post | Growth plan and above | SmartQ on all paid plans |
| G2 Rating | 4.5/5 (347 reviews) | 4.6/5 (2,870 reviews) |
| Trustpilot Rating | 1.3/5 (329 reviews) | 4.0/5 (~5,778 reviews) |
Later Overview
Later has carved out a strong niche as the go-to scheduling tool for Instagram-focused creators and small brands. Its visual content calendar lets you drag and drop posts to see exactly how your feed will look before publishing. The media library doubles as a UGC collection hub, letting you gather user-generated content and repurpose it. Linkin.bio gives you a customizable landing page that turns your Instagram feed into a clickable storefront or portfolio. For creators who care deeply about visual cohesion, Later delivers a workflow that no CRM-integrated tool can match.
That said, Later has some notable constraints. The Starter plan caps you at 30 posts per profile, which is roughly one post per day. AI credits are limited on the entry tier. And if you need features beyond content scheduling — like customer relationship tracking, helpdesk integration, or advanced team permissions — Later simply does not offer them. Read more in our Later reviews breakdown.
Zoho Social Overview
Zoho Social is the social media arm of the Zoho suite, and its greatest strength is how seamlessly it connects to everything else Zoho offers. If a lead comments on your Facebook ad, you can create a CRM contact directly from the Zoho Social dashboard. If a customer complains on Twitter, you can escalate it to Zoho Desk without leaving the interface. SmartQ analyzes your audience activity and suggests optimal posting times on every paid plan, not just premium tiers. The scheduling itself is unlimited on paid plans — no per-profile post caps.
Where Zoho Social falls short is in the creator-focused features. There is no Instagram grid preview, no link-in-bio builder, and no visual media library designed for curating aesthetics. The AI capabilities are basic compared to dedicated AI writing tools. Zoho Social is a strong business tool, but it was never designed for the influencer or creator workflow. See our full Zoho Social reviews analysis.
Pricing Comparison
Later Pricing
Later offers three paid plans with no free tier. For full details, visit our Later pricing breakdown.
| Plan | Monthly Price | Social Sets | Posts per Profile | AI Credits | Team Members |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | $25/mo | 1 | 30 | 5 | 1 |
| Growth | $50/mo | 2 | 180 | Unlimited | 3 |
| Scale | $110/mo | 6 | Unlimited | Unlimited | 6 |
Example cost for a small brand (3 social profiles): You would need the Growth plan at $50/mo to get 2 Social Sets and enough post volume (180 posts/profile). A single Social Set typically covers one profile per platform.
Zoho Social Pricing
Zoho Social has a genuine free plan and three paid tiers. Visit our Zoho Social pricing breakdown for more detail.
| Plan | Monthly Price | Brands | Members | Key Extras |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0/mo | 1 | 1 | Basic scheduling |
| Standard | $15/mo | 1 | 1 | SmartQ, zShare |
| Professional | $40/mo | 1 | 1 | CRM integration, lead ads |
| Premium | $65/mo | 1 | 3 | Analytics reports, team workflows |
Example cost for a small brand (1 brand, 3 members): The Premium plan at $65/mo covers 3 team members with full CRM integration, analytics, and unlimited scheduling.
Price Verdict
Zoho Social is significantly less expensive at every comparable tier. The free plan gives solo operators a genuine starting point, and the Standard plan at $15/mo undercuts Later's Starter by $10/mo while offering unlimited scheduling. However, price alone is not the deciding factor — Later's visual tools and Linkin.bio have no equivalent in Zoho Social. If you need those features, the premium is justified. If you need CRM integration and team workflows, Zoho Social delivers more per dollar.
Feature Comparison
Scheduling & Publishing
| Feature | Later | Zoho Social |
|---|---|---|
| Visual Content Calendar | Yes (drag-and-drop) | Yes (standard calendar) |
| Auto-Publishing | Yes | Yes |
| Post Limits | Capped on Starter/Growth | Unlimited on paid plans |
| Instagram Grid Preview | Yes | No |
| Best Time to Post | Growth+ only | SmartQ on all paid plans |
| Bulk Scheduling | Yes | Yes |
| RSS Feeds | No | Yes |
Winner: Depends on your workflow. Later wins for visual planning and Instagram-specific features. Zoho Social wins for volume (unlimited posts) and SmartQ availability on every paid plan.
AI Tools
| Feature | Later | Zoho Social |
|---|---|---|
| AI Caption Generation | Yes (credit-based on Starter) | Basic |
| AI Hashtag Suggestions | Yes | No |
| AI Image Generation | No | No |
| Content Recommendations | Limited | No |
Winner: Later. The AI caption and hashtag tools are more developed, though the credit limits on Starter are restrictive.
Analytics & Reporting
| Feature | Later | Zoho Social |
|---|---|---|
| Post Performance | Growth+ | All paid plans |
| Audience Demographics | Growth+ | Premium |
| Custom Reports | Scale only | Premium |
| CRM-Linked Analytics | No | Yes (with Zoho CRM) |
| Export Options | CSV | PDF, CSV |
Winner: Zoho Social. Analytics are available on more plans, and the CRM linkage gives business users a fuller picture of social ROI.
Team Collaboration
| Feature | Later | Zoho Social |
|---|---|---|
| Team Members | 1-6 depending on plan | 1-3 depending on plan |
| Approval Workflows | Scale only | Premium |
| Roles & Permissions | Basic | Granular |
| Helpdesk Integration | No | Zoho Desk |
| Client Management | No | No (agency features limited) |
Winner: Zoho Social for business teams that need role-based permissions and helpdesk integration. Later has more raw seats on higher plans but fewer workflow controls.
Platform Support
| Platform | Later | Zoho Social |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | Yes | |
| Yes | Yes | |
| X (Twitter) | Yes | Yes |
| Yes | Yes | |
| Yes | Yes | |
| TikTok | Yes | Yes |
| YouTube | Yes | Yes |
| Threads | Yes | Yes |
| Google Business Profile | No | Yes |
Winner: Zoho Social with 9 platforms including Google Business Profile, which Later does not support.
What Real Users Say
Later Reviews
G2: 4.5/5 (347 reviews) — Users consistently praise the visual calendar and Instagram grid preview as the standout features. Content creators highlight how easy it is to plan a cohesive feed. Common complaints include the post limits on lower plans and the price increases over the past two years.
Trustpilot: 1.3/5 (329 reviews) — The Trustpilot score is notably low. Recurring themes in negative reviews include billing issues, difficulty cancelling subscriptions, and customer support response times. This is a significant gap between the G2 and Trustpilot sentiment.
Zoho Social Reviews
G2: 4.6/5 (2,870 reviews) — With nearly 3,000 reviews, Zoho Social has a large and generally positive user base on G2. Users value the ecosystem integration with Zoho CRM and Desk, the SmartQ feature, and the reasonable pricing. Complaints tend to focus on the learning curve for users new to the Zoho ecosystem and occasional UI sluggishness.
Trustpilot: 4.0/5 (~5,778 reviews) — The Zoho Trustpilot score reflects the broader Zoho brand, but the sentiment is consistently positive. Users appreciate the value for money and the breadth of integrations. Negative reviews often mention support ticket response times during peak periods.
Review Verdict
Zoho Social has a stronger and more consistent review profile across both platforms. Later's G2 score is solid, but the 1.3 Trustpilot rating is a red flag worth investigating before committing. The volume of Zoho reviews (2,870 on G2) also gives more statistical confidence than Later's 347.
Who Should Use Later?
If you are weighing your options, also check out Later alternatives and our Later vs Iconosquare comparison.
- Instagram creators who need grid preview to plan a visually cohesive feed
- Influencers and content creators who rely on Linkin.bio for driving traffic from their bio link
- Visual-first brands that prioritize aesthetic planning over business workflows
- Solo creators or small teams who post primarily to Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest
- UGC-focused marketers who want a built-in media library for collecting and repurposing user content
Who Should Use Zoho Social?
Check out Zoho Social alternatives and our broader alternatives guide for more options.
- Businesses already in the Zoho ecosystem that want social media connected to CRM and Desk
- Sales teams that want to turn social interactions into CRM contacts automatically
- Customer support teams that need to escalate social complaints to a helpdesk
- Budget-conscious small businesses that want unlimited scheduling without per-post caps
- Teams that need SmartQ for data-driven posting times on every paid plan
- Companies managing Google Business Profile alongside traditional social platforms
Get More Features Without the Tradeoffs
Both Later and Zoho Social force you to choose between creator features and business workflows. PostPlanify combines visual content planning, unlimited AI tools, and team collaboration in a single platform — without post caps or credit limits.
| Feature | Later (Growth, $50/mo) | Zoho Social (Premium, $65/mo) | PostPlanify (Growth, $39/mo) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Social Accounts | 2 Social Sets | 1 brand | 6 accounts |
| Post Limits | 180/profile | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| AI Captions | Unlimited credits | Basic | Unlimited |
| AI Image Generation | No | No | Yes (7 models) |
| Link-in-Bio | Linkin.bio | No | Yes |
| Canva Integration | No | No | Yes |
| Google Drive Integration | No | No | Yes |
| Platforms | 8 | 9 | 9 (incl. X/Twitter) |
PostPlanify gives you unlimited scheduling, unlimited AI caption generation, and AI image generation across 7 models on every plan — starting at $19/mo. The Growth plan at $39/mo covers 6 social accounts with full Canva and Google Drive integration. Need approval workflows, analytics, and unlimited team members? The Premium plan at $99/mo has you covered. See all plans or start your free trial.
FAQ
Is Later or Zoho Social better for Instagram?
Later is the stronger choice for Instagram specifically. The grid preview feature lets you visually plan your feed layout before posting, and Linkin.bio creates a shoppable landing page linked from your Instagram bio. Zoho Social supports Instagram posting but lacks these Instagram-specific tools.
Does Zoho Social have a free plan?
Yes. Zoho Social offers a free plan that includes 1 brand, 1 team member, and basic scheduling capabilities. It is one of the few social media management tools that offers a genuine free tier, not just a time-limited trial.
Can I use Later without Instagram?
Yes, Later supports 8 platforms including Facebook, X (Twitter), LinkedIn, Pinterest, TikTok, YouTube, and Threads. However, many of Later's differentiating features — grid preview, Linkin.bio, UGC collection — are Instagram-centric. If Instagram is not your primary platform, you may be paying for features you will not use.
Does Zoho Social integrate with non-Zoho tools?
Zoho Social integrates with the broader Zoho suite (CRM, Desk, Analytics) natively. For non-Zoho tools, integration options are more limited compared to tools with open APIs or Zapier-native connections. If your tech stack is not Zoho-based, the CRM integration advantage largely disappears.
Why is Later's Trustpilot score so much lower than its G2 score?
The 1.3/5 Trustpilot rating versus the 4.5/5 G2 rating is a significant discrepancy. Trustpilot tends to attract users who have had negative experiences, particularly around billing and cancellation. G2 reviews skew toward active, satisfied users who are prompted to leave reviews. The truth likely sits between the two, but the billing complaints on Trustpilot are worth reading before subscribing.
Which tool is better for a team of 5 people?
Neither tool is ideal for a 5-person team at entry-level pricing. Later's Scale plan ($110/mo) supports 6 team members. Zoho Social's Premium plan ($65/mo) supports only 3 members, so you would need additional seats. For comparison, PostPlanify's Premium plan at $99/mo supports unlimited team members with approval workflows.
Can I manage multiple brands with Later or Zoho Social?
Later's Scale plan ($110/mo) supports up to 6 Social Sets, which can be organized across multiple brands. Zoho Social's paid plans each cover 1 brand — managing multiple brands requires separate subscriptions or their agency pricing. If multi-brand management is a core need, compare both tools against our alternatives list.
Do either Later or Zoho Social offer AI image generation?
No. Neither Later nor Zoho Social offers AI image generation. Later provides AI-powered caption and hashtag suggestions, while Zoho Social has basic AI caption assistance. If AI image generation is important to your workflow, consider PostPlanify, which includes AI image generation with 7 different models on every plan.
