Metricool and Zoho Social both occupy an interesting middle ground in the social media management space. Neither is the cheapest nor the most expensive, and both offer free plans that let you get started without a credit card. But they approach the problem from fundamentally different angles. Metricool is built for marketers who live and breathe analytics — it wants to be your single source of truth for organic performance, ad campaigns, and competitor intelligence across 13 platforms. Zoho Social, on the other hand, is designed to slot into the broader Zoho business suite, connecting your social media efforts directly to your CRM pipeline and customer support tickets.
If you are weighing these two tools, the deciding factor often comes down to ecosystem. If you already run your business on Zoho CRM, Zoho Desk, and Zoho Analytics, then Zoho Social is a natural extension. If you are platform-agnostic and want the widest analytics coverage possible, Metricool has a strong case. Jump to the pricing comparison or feature comparison to see where each tool leads. You can also browse our full list of social media management alternatives for more options.
Metricool vs Zoho Social at a Glance
| Feature | Metricool | Zoho Social |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | Free (1 brand, 50 posts/mo) | Free (1 brand, 1 member) |
| Paid Plans From | $22/mo | $15/mo |
| Platforms Supported | 13 | 9 |
| AI Caption Generation | Yes (all plans) | Basic |
| AI Image Generation | No | No |
| Competitor Tracking | Yes | No |
| Ad Campaign Management | Yes (Google + Meta) | No |
| Link-in-Bio | SmartLinks | No |
| CRM Integration | No | Yes (Zoho CRM) |
| Helpdesk Integration | No | Yes (Zoho Desk) |
| Hashtag Tracking | Yes | No |
| Report Builder | Yes + Looker Studio | Basic reports |
| Browser Extension | No | zShare |
| Smart Scheduling | Best time suggestions | SmartQ |
| G2 Rating | 4.5/5 (363 reviews) | 4.6/5 (2,870 reviews) |
Metricool Overview
Metricool started as an analytics tool and has steadily expanded into a full scheduling and management platform. What sets it apart is the sheer breadth of data it pulls in. Beyond the standard social metrics, Metricool tracks your ad campaigns across Google and Meta, monitors competitor accounts, analyzes hashtag performance, and generates presentation-ready reports. The Looker Studio integration is a standout for agencies that need to build custom dashboards for clients. With 13 supported platforms — the widest coverage in this comparison — it handles everything from Instagram and TikTok to Twitch and Google Business Profile.
The scheduling side is solid if not spectacular. You get a visual calendar, best-time recommendations, and an AI assistant for generating captions. The SmartLinks feature provides a basic link-in-bio page. Where Metricool truly shines is in giving you a unified view of your marketing performance across paid and organic channels. For a deeper look, read our Metricool reviews roundup.
Zoho Social Overview
Zoho Social is one piece of the massive Zoho ecosystem, which spans CRM, helpdesk, email marketing, project management, and more. If your organization already uses Zoho products, Social plugs in seamlessly. A lead who engages with your social post can be automatically added to your CRM pipeline. A customer complaint on Twitter can become a Zoho Desk ticket without leaving the interface. This kind of integration is genuinely difficult to replicate with standalone tools.
On its own merits, Zoho Social is a competent scheduling and publishing tool with support for 9 platforms. The SmartQ feature analyzes your audience activity to suggest optimal posting times, and the zShare browser extension lets you share content you discover while browsing. The analytics are functional but not as deep as dedicated analytics tools. AI capabilities are present but basic — you get caption suggestions, but nothing approaching advanced generation or image creation. For more details, check out our Zoho Social reviews roundup.
Pricing Comparison
Metricool Pricing
Metricool offers a generous free plan and scales reasonably for agencies. See our full Metricool pricing breakdown for more details.
| Plan | Monthly Price | Brands | Posts/Month | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | 1 | 50 | Basic analytics, scheduling |
| Starter | $22/mo | 5 | Unlimited | AI assistant, competitor tracking |
| Advanced | $54/mo | 15 | Unlimited | Full reporting, Looker Studio |
| Enterprise | Custom | Custom | Unlimited | Custom onboarding, SLA |
For a small business managing one brand, the free plan covers the basics. A freelancer handling 5 clients would pay $22/mo for the Starter plan with unlimited posts. An agency with 15 clients would pay $54/mo for the Advanced plan — one of the more competitive prices at that scale.
Zoho Social Pricing
Zoho Social prices per brand rather than bundling multiple brands into a single plan. See our full Zoho Social pricing breakdown for details.
| Plan | Monthly Price | Brands | Members | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | 1 | 1 | Basic publishing |
| Standard | $15/mo | 1 | 1 | SmartQ, zShare, content calendar |
| Professional | $40/mo | 1 | 1 | Bulk scheduling, CRM integration |
| Premium | $65/mo | 1 | 3 | Ads management, team workflows |
The per-brand pricing model means costs add up quickly for agencies. Managing 5 brands on the Professional plan would cost $200/mo, compared to Metricool's $22/mo Starter plan. For a single brand with CRM needs, however, Zoho Social's $15-$40/mo range is very reasonable.
Price Verdict
Metricool is significantly more cost-effective for anyone managing multiple brands. Zoho Social's per-brand pricing makes it expensive at scale, but for a single brand with Zoho ecosystem needs, it remains competitive. The value calculation shifts entirely if you factor in the cost of a separate CRM — Zoho's bundled pricing across its full suite can actually save money overall.
Feature Comparison
Scheduling & Publishing
| Capability | Metricool | Zoho Social |
|---|---|---|
| Visual Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Bulk Scheduling | Yes | Yes (Professional+) |
| Best Time Suggestions | Yes | SmartQ |
| Auto-Publishing | Yes | Yes |
| Content Categories | No | No |
| RSS Feeds | No | No |
| Browser Extension | No | zShare |
| Post Recycling | No | No |
Winner: Tie. Both handle scheduling well. SmartQ and Metricool's best-time suggestions accomplish the same goal through different approaches. The zShare extension gives Zoho a slight edge for content curation.
AI Tools
| Capability | Metricool | Zoho Social |
|---|---|---|
| AI Caption Generation | Yes (all plans) | Basic |
| AI Image Generation | No | No |
| AI Hashtag Suggestions | Yes | No |
| AI Content Ideas | Limited | No |
Winner: Metricool. The AI assistant is available on all plans including free, and it extends to hashtag suggestions. Zoho Social's AI capabilities are more basic and feel like an afterthought.
Analytics & Reporting
| Capability | Metricool | Zoho Social |
|---|---|---|
| Post-Level Analytics | Yes | Yes |
| Competitor Tracking | Yes | No |
| Hashtag Analytics | Yes | No |
| Ad Campaign Analytics | Yes (Google + Meta) | Limited (Premium) |
| Custom Reports | Yes | Basic |
| Looker Studio Integration | Yes | No |
| Zoho Analytics Integration | No | Yes |
| Export Options | PDF, custom reports | PDF, Zoho Analytics |
Winner: Metricool. This is Metricool's core strength. Competitor tracking, hashtag analytics, ad campaign reporting, and the Looker Studio integration give it a commanding lead in analytics depth and flexibility.
Team Collaboration
| Capability | Metricool | Zoho Social |
|---|---|---|
| Team Members | Varies by plan | 1-3 by plan |
| Approval Workflows | Limited | Yes (Premium) |
| Client Reporting | Yes | Limited |
| Roles & Permissions | Basic | Yes |
| CRM Integration | No | Zoho CRM |
| Helpdesk Integration | No | Zoho Desk |
Winner: Zoho Social. The CRM and Desk integrations make Zoho Social a better team tool for organizations that need social media connected to sales and support workflows. Approval workflows on the Premium plan add structure for larger teams.
Platform Support
| Platform | Metricool | Zoho Social |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | Yes | |
| Yes | Yes | |
| X (Twitter) | Yes | Yes |
| Yes | Yes | |
| Yes | Yes | |
| TikTok | Yes | Yes |
| YouTube | Yes | Yes |
| Google Business | Yes | Yes |
| Twitch | Yes | No |
| Threads | Yes | Yes |
| Bluesky | Yes | No |
| Snapchat | Yes | No |
| Yes | No |
Winner: Metricool. With 13 platforms versus 9, Metricool covers more ground. The gap matters most if you manage Twitch, Snapchat, or WhatsApp presence — platforms Zoho Social simply does not support.
What Real Users Say
Metricool Reviews
Metricool holds a 4.5/5 on G2 from 363 reviews. Users consistently praise the analytics depth and the clean interface for viewing cross-platform data. The competitor tracking feature is frequently cited as a differentiator. Common criticisms include occasional lag in data syncing and the 50-post limit on the free plan feeling restrictive for active accounts.
On Trustpilot, Metricool scores 1.8/5 from 28 reviews. The low score appears driven by a small number of frustrated users reporting billing issues and difficulty canceling subscriptions. The small sample size makes this less statistically reliable than the G2 data.
Zoho Social Reviews
Zoho Social earns a 4.6/5 on G2 from an impressive 2,870 reviews — one of the largest review pools in the category. Users love the CRM integration and the value it provides within the Zoho ecosystem. The most common complaints involve the learning curve for new users and occasional publishing delays.
Trustpilot shows 4.0/5 from approximately 5,778 reviews for Zoho as a whole (not Social specifically). The broader Zoho brand benefits from strong customer sentiment across its product suite, though individual product experiences can vary.
Review Verdict
Zoho Social has a clear advantage in both review volume and overall sentiment. The 2,870 G2 reviews provide much stronger statistical confidence than Metricool's 363. Both tools are well-regarded by their respective user bases, but Zoho Social's reputation is better established and more consistently positive.
Who Should Use Metricool?
If you are exploring alternatives, see our Metricool alternatives page or compare Metricool vs Iconosquare and Metricool vs Vista Social.
- Multi-platform marketers who need analytics across 13 platforms in one dashboard
- Agency owners managing multiple brands who want competitive pricing at scale
- Ad managers who want organic and paid campaign data in a single tool
- Data-driven marketers who need competitor tracking and hashtag analytics
- Teams using Looker Studio who want social data flowing into custom dashboards
- Freelancers who want a capable free plan to get started
Who Should Use Zoho Social?
If you are exploring alternatives, see our Zoho Social alternatives page for more options.
- Zoho ecosystem users who want social media connected to CRM and helpdesk
- Sales-driven teams where social engagement needs to feed into lead pipelines
- Support teams that handle customer issues through social channels
- Single-brand businesses that want a well-integrated tool at a reasonable price
- Organizations standardizing on Zoho who want to minimize the number of vendors
- Teams that value proven reliability backed by nearly 3,000 G2 reviews
A Simpler Way to Manage Social Media
Both Metricool and Zoho Social are capable tools, but each has tradeoffs — Metricool lacks CRM integration, and Zoho Social's per-brand pricing gets expensive fast. If you want unlimited scheduling, built-in AI image generation, and straightforward pricing that does not punish you for growing, PostPlanify is worth a look.
| Feature | Metricool (Starter) | Zoho Social (Professional) | PostPlanify (Growth) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price | $22/mo | $40/mo | $39/mo |
| Social Accounts | 5 brands | 1 brand | 6 accounts |
| Scheduled Posts | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| AI Captions | Yes | Basic | Unlimited |
| AI Image Generation | No | No | Yes (7 models) |
| Canva Integration | No | No | Yes |
| Google Drive | No | No | Yes |
| Link-in-Bio | SmartLinks | No | Yes |
PostPlanify gives you unlimited AI caption generation and AI image generation across 7 models on every plan — capabilities neither Metricool nor Zoho Social offer. The Growth plan at $39/mo covers 6 social accounts with no post limits, and the Premium plan at $99/mo unlocks unlimited accounts, unlimited team members, approval workflows, and full analytics. No per-brand surcharges, no feature gating on AI tools. See all plans or start your free trial.
FAQ
Is Metricool better than Zoho Social for analytics?
Yes. Metricool was built as an analytics-first platform and it shows. You get competitor tracking, hashtag analytics, ad campaign reporting across Google and Meta, and a Looker Studio integration for custom dashboards. Zoho Social provides solid basic analytics — post performance, audience growth, best times — but it does not go as deep. If analytics is your primary concern, Metricool is the stronger choice.
Can Zoho Social replace a CRM?
No, but it integrates deeply with Zoho CRM. Social interactions can automatically create or update leads in your CRM pipeline, and you can view CRM data alongside social conversations. This integration is Zoho Social's biggest differentiator. If you already use Zoho CRM, adding Social creates a workflow that standalone social tools cannot match without third-party connectors.
Which tool is better for agencies managing multiple clients?
Metricool, by a significant margin. Its Starter plan covers 5 brands for $22/mo, while Zoho Social's per-brand pricing means 5 brands on the Professional plan would cost $200/mo. Metricool also offers client-facing reports and the Looker Studio integration, which agencies commonly use for client dashboards.
Do Metricool and Zoho Social support TikTok?
Yes, both platforms support TikTok publishing and analytics. Metricool's TikTok analytics tend to be more detailed, including competitor tracking for TikTok accounts. Zoho Social covers the basics — scheduling, publishing, and standard performance metrics.
Which tool has better customer support?
Zoho Social benefits from the broader Zoho support infrastructure, which includes phone, email, chat, and an extensive knowledge base. Metricool offers email support and a help center but does not provide phone support on lower-tier plans. Based on user reviews, both have generally responsive support teams, though Zoho's enterprise-grade support organization gives it an edge for businesses that need guaranteed response times.
Can I use either tool for free long-term?
Yes. Metricool's free plan includes 1 brand with 50 posts per month and basic analytics — enough for a personal brand or very small business. Zoho Social's free plan covers 1 brand with 1 team member and basic publishing capabilities. Neither free plan includes advanced features like competitor tracking (Metricool) or CRM integration (Zoho Social), but both are functional for basic scheduling and analytics.
Do either of these tools offer AI image generation?
No. Neither Metricool nor Zoho Social offers AI image generation. Metricool provides AI-powered caption writing on all plans, and Zoho Social has basic AI caption suggestions. If AI image generation is important to your workflow, you would need to use a separate tool or consider alternatives like PostPlanify, which includes AI image generation across 7 models on every plan.
How do Metricool and Zoho Social handle Instagram Reels and Stories?
Both platforms support scheduling Instagram Reels and Stories, though with some limitations. Metricool allows direct publishing of Reels and provides analytics on Reels performance, including competitor Reels data. Zoho Social supports Reels scheduling with auto-publishing. For Stories, both platforms send push notifications for manual posting on certain content types, which is a platform-wide limitation imposed by Instagram's API rather than a shortcoming of either tool.
