Sprout Social and Planable both serve teams and agencies, but they approach social media management from opposite directions. One is a CRM-grade analytics suite; the other is a content collaboration powerhouse.
Both tools serve teams and agencies, but from different angles. Sprout Social is a CRM-grade social suite with listening, inbox, and sentiment tools. Planable specializes in content collaboration with unlimited users and visual approval chains. We compare their approaches to team workflows, analytics, and what each costs as your team scales. Comparing the full market? Browse all social media scheduling alternatives.
Sprout Social vs Planable at a Glance
Here's a quick side-by-side overview before we dive deeper:
| Category | Sprout Social | Planable |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $199/mo per seat | $39/workspace/mo |
| Free Plan | No (30-day trial) | Yes (50 lifetime posts) |
| Platforms Supported | 10+ | 9 |
| Unlimited Scheduling | Yes (all plans) | No (60-150 posts/mo on paid plans) |
| AI Tools | AI Assist (captions, replies) | AI writer, AI hashtag generator |
| AI Image Generation | No | No |
| Canva Integration | Yes | Yes (native) |
| Team Collaboration | All plans (limited seats) | All plans (unlimited users) |
| Approval Workflows | Professional+ ($299/mo/seat) | Basic+ (multi-level on Enterprise) |
| Social Inbox | Smart Inbox (all plans) | Paid add-on ($9/workspace/mo) |
| Social Listening | Yes (Advanced+) | No |
| Analytics | All plans (advanced reporting) | Paid add-on ($14/workspace/mo) |
| CRM | Yes (built-in) | No |
| G2 Rating | 4.4/5 (3,827 reviews) | 4.6/5 (937 reviews) |
| Trustpilot Rating | 1.2/5 (71 reviews) | 4.5/5 (69 reviews) |
| Best For | Large teams needing CRM + analytics | Teams needing content approvals |
Sprout Social Overview
Sprout Social is an enterprise social media management platform that combines publishing, engagement, analytics, and CRM into a unified suite. Founded in 2010, it has become one of the most comprehensive social media tools available.
Sprout Social supports 10+ platforms: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, X/Twitter, TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest, Threads, Google Business, and WhatsApp.
Key features:
- Smart Inbox for unified message management across all platforms
- Social listening and sentiment analysis
- Built-in CRM with contact profiles and conversation history
- Advanced analytics with custom and scheduled reports
- Competitor analysis and benchmarking
- Team approval workflows and task assignment
- Employee advocacy tools
- Chatbot builder for automated responses
Sprout Social is built for mid-to-large teams that need deep analytics, CRM integration, and enterprise-grade social listening alongside their publishing workflows. Read real user reviews of Sprout Social from G2 and Trustpilot.
Planable Overview
Planable is a content collaboration platform designed around visual previews, structured approvals, and team communication. Its defining characteristic is unlimited users on every plan, including the free tier.
Planable supports 9 platforms: Facebook, Instagram, X/Twitter (paid plans only), LinkedIn, TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest, Google Business, and Threads.
Key features:
- Feed, Calendar, Grid, and List content views
- Drag-and-drop content calendar
- Approval workflows (2-3 types, multi-level on Enterprise)
- Real-time commenting and version history
- Client review via shareable link (no login needed)
- Native Canva integration
- AI writer/caption generator and AI hashtag generator
- Mockup previews showing how content renders on each platform
- Universal Content for blogs and newsletters
- Unlimited media storage and mobile app
Planable focuses entirely on making the content creation-to-approval pipeline faster and more transparent. Read real user reviews of Planable from G2 and Trustpilot.
Pricing Comparison
Both tools use premium pricing, but with very different structures — per-seat vs per-workspace — that create dramatically different total costs depending on team size.
Sprout Social Pricing
Sprout Social uses per-seat pricing with some of the highest base costs in the category. See the full Sprout Social pricing breakdown for details.
| Plan | Price | Profiles | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | $199/mo per seat | 5 | Smart Inbox, scheduling, basic analytics, review management |
| Professional | $299/mo per seat | Unlimited | Approval workflows, competitor reports, tagging, trend analysis |
| Advanced | $399/mo per seat | Unlimited | Social listening, sentiment analysis, chatbots, link tracking |
Example costs:
- 1 user on Standard = $199/month
- 3 users on Professional = $897/month
- 5 users on Advanced = $1,995/month
- 10 users on Professional = $2,990/month
Planable Pricing
Planable charges per workspace with unlimited users on every tier. See the full Planable pricing breakdown for details.
| Plan | Price | Posts | Social Pages | Users | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | 50 lifetime | 4 | Unlimited | Basic features, no X/Twitter publishing |
| Basic | $39/workspace/mo | 60/mo | 4 | Unlimited | Approval workflows, all platforms |
| Pro | $59/workspace/mo | 150/mo | 10 | Unlimited | More posts, expanded pages |
| Enterprise | Custom | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Multi-level approvals, custom features |
Add-ons: Analytics $14/workspace/mo, Engagement inbox $9/workspace/mo
Example costs:
- 1 workspace on Pro with both add-ons = $82/month
- 2 workspaces on Pro with analytics = $146/month
- 5 workspaces on Pro with both add-ons = $410/month
Price Verdict
Planable is dramatically cheaper for teams. A 5-person team on Sprout Social Standard costs $995/month. The same team on Planable Pro costs $59/month for one workspace — since users are unlimited. Even with analytics ($14/mo) and engagement inbox ($9/mo) add-ons, Planable's $82/month is a fraction of Sprout's cost. However, Sprout Social includes comprehensive analytics, CRM, smart inbox, and social listening that Planable cannot match — features you may need separately.
Feature Comparison
Scheduling & Publishing
| Feature | Sprout Social | Planable |
|---|---|---|
| Unlimited scheduling | Yes (all plans) | No (60-150 posts/mo) |
| Content calendar | Yes | Yes (drag-and-drop) |
| Multiple views | Calendar, List | Feed, Calendar, Grid, List |
| Bulk scheduling | Yes (CSV import) | No |
| Optimal send times | Yes | No |
| Mockup previews | Basic | Yes (detailed platform mockups) |
| Queue management | Yes (ViralPost) | No |
Winner: Sprout Social for publishing volume with unlimited scheduling, bulk import, and optimal send time suggestions. Planable wins for visual content planning with four view types and mockup previews.
AI Tools
| Feature | Sprout Social | Planable |
|---|---|---|
| AI caption generation | Yes (AI Assist) | Yes (AI writer) |
| AI reply suggestions | Yes | No |
| AI image generation | No | No |
| AI hashtag generation | No | Yes |
| AI sentiment analysis | Yes (Advanced) | No |
Winner: Sprout Social for broader AI capabilities including reply suggestions and sentiment analysis. Planable's AI hashtag generator is a useful addition for content creators, but Sprout's AI covers more use cases.
Analytics & Reporting
| Feature | Sprout Social | Planable |
|---|---|---|
| Basic analytics | All plans | Paid add-on ($14/workspace/mo) |
| Custom reports | Professional+ | No |
| Scheduled reports | Yes | No |
| Competitor analysis | Professional+ | No |
| Sentiment tracking | Advanced | No |
| Export reports | All plans | Add-on only |
Winner: Sprout Social. Analytics is one of Sprout Social's core strengths with detailed reporting, competitor analysis, and sentiment tracking included in plans. Planable charges $14/workspace/month for basic analytics with no custom reporting, competitor tracking, or sentiment analysis.
Team Collaboration
| Feature | Sprout Social | Planable |
|---|---|---|
| Unlimited users | No (per-seat pricing) | All plans (including free) |
| Approval workflows | Professional+ ($299/seat) | Basic+ ($39/workspace) |
| Multi-level approvals | No | Enterprise only |
| Real-time commenting | No | Yes |
| Client review links | No | Yes (no login needed) |
| Version history | No | Yes |
| Task assignment | Yes | No |
| CRM contact profiles | Yes | No |
Winner: Planable. Unlimited users on every plan, approval workflows at $39/month vs $299/seat, client review links without login, real-time commenting, and version history make Planable the stronger content collaboration tool. Sprout Social's task assignment and CRM are valuable but serve different use cases.
Social Inbox & Engagement
| Feature | Sprout Social | Planable |
|---|---|---|
| Unified inbox | Smart Inbox (all plans) | Paid add-on ($9/workspace/mo) |
| Social listening | Yes (Advanced) | No |
| Sentiment analysis | Yes (Advanced) | No |
| CRM integration | Built-in | No |
| Chatbot builder | Yes (Advanced) | No |
| Review management | Yes (Standard+) | No |
Winner: Sprout Social. The Smart Inbox, social listening, CRM, and chatbot builder are major differentiators. Planable's engagement inbox is a basic paid add-on that cannot compete with Sprout's comprehensive engagement suite.
What Real Users Say
Sprout Social Reviews
G2: 4.4/5 (3,827 reviews) — Users value the Smart Inbox, detailed analytics, and publishing tools. Common complaints include high per-seat pricing, features locked behind expensive tiers, and a learning curve for new users.
Trustpilot: 1.2/5 (71 reviews) — Very low rating with complaints about aggressive billing, difficult cancellation, lack of refunds, and customer support issues. Multiple users report being charged after cancellation attempts.
Planable Reviews
G2: 4.6/5 (937 reviews) — Users praise the visual content previews, collaboration features, and intuitive approval workflows. Common concerns include post limits on lower tiers and analytics requiring a paid add-on.
Trustpilot: 4.5/5 (69 reviews) — Strong positive rating with users highlighting collaboration capabilities and responsive support. Some mention per-workspace pricing scales expensively for agencies with many clients.
Review Verdict
Planable has stronger reviews across both platforms — 4.6/5 vs 4.4/5 on G2, and 4.5/5 vs 1.2/5 on Trustpilot. The Trustpilot disparity is the most striking comparison in any tool matchup: Planable's 4.5 vs Sprout Social's 1.2 points to serious billing and cancellation issues at Sprout Social.
Who Should Use Sprout Social?
If Sprout Social is on your list, check out our best alternatives to Sprout Social for a broader view. Also compare Sprout Social with Buffer, Hootsuite, Later, and Sendible.
Sprout Social is the better choice if you:
- Need a CRM-grade social media suite with contact profiles and conversation history
- Require social listening and sentiment analysis for brand monitoring
- Want a Smart Inbox that unifies messages, comments, and DMs across all platforms
- Need competitor benchmarking and detailed performance analytics
- Have the budget for $199-$399/month per seat
- Require chatbot builders, review management, or employee advocacy tools
Who Should Use Planable?
If Planable interests you, browse all social media scheduling alternatives to see the full market. Also see how Planable compares with Buffer, Hootsuite, Sendible, and Agorapulse.
Planable is the better choice if you:
- Run a team or agency where content approval is the primary bottleneck
- Want unlimited users without per-seat pricing eating your budget
- Need client review links that let stakeholders approve content without creating accounts
- Value visual mockup previews across platforms before publishing
- Prefer native Canva integration for designing content within the workflow
- Need a tool that is dramatically cheaper than Sprout Social for collaboration features
Collaborate and Publish Without Per-Seat Costs
Sprout Social's $199/seat pricing makes team scaling expensive. Planable's per-workspace model adds up with analytics add-ons. PostPlanify offers unlimited team members on the Premium plan at $99/month — with scheduling, AI tools, and analytics included.
| Feature | Sprout Social | Planable | PostPlanify |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $199/mo/seat | $39/workspace/mo | $19/mo flat |
| Unlimited Scheduling | Yes (all plans) | No (60-150 posts/mo) | All paid plans |
| AI Caption Generation | Yes (AI Assist) | Yes (AI writer) | Yes (unlimited) |
| AI Image Generation | No | No | Yes |
| Canva Integration | Yes | Yes (native) | Yes |
| Google Drive Import | No | No | Yes |
| Approval Workflows | $299/mo/seat | $39+/workspace/mo | $99/mo (Premium) |
| Analytics | Included (all plans) | Add-on ($14/workspace/mo) | $99/mo (Premium) |
| Unlimited Users | No (per-seat pricing) | All plans | $99/mo (Premium) |
| Platforms Supported | 10+ | 9 | 9 |
PostPlanify starts at $19/month with unlimited scheduling and AI tools. The Premium plan at $99/month includes unlimited accounts, unlimited team members, approval workflows, and analytics — features that cost $299+/seat on Sprout Social or $39-59+/workspace with add-ons on Planable. See all plans on the PostPlanify pricing page.
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FAQ
Is Sprout Social or Planable better for content approvals?
Planable is better for content approvals. It offers 2-3 approval workflow types starting on the Basic plan ($39/mo), multi-level approvals on Enterprise, client review links without login, real-time commenting, and version history. Sprout Social gates approval workflows behind the Professional plan at $299/month per seat.
Does Sprout Social have a free plan?
No. Sprout Social offers only a 30-day free trial. Its paid plans start at $199/month per seat. Planable offers a free plan with 50 lifetime posts, 4 social pages, and unlimited users, though X/Twitter publishing is excluded from the free tier.
Why is Sprout Social so expensive?
Sprout Social positions itself as an enterprise CRM-grade platform with social listening, sentiment analysis, a Smart Inbox, and advanced analytics built in. Its per-seat pricing model means costs multiply with each team member, making it one of the most expensive social media tools available.
Can Planable replace Sprout Social?
Planable can replace Sprout Social for content planning, collaboration, and publishing. However, it cannot replace Sprout Social's CRM, Smart Inbox, social listening, sentiment analysis, or competitor benchmarking. If your workflow centers on content approvals and team collaboration, Planable is a viable and much cheaper alternative.
Which has better analytics — Sprout Social or Planable?
Sprout Social has vastly superior analytics with custom reports, scheduled delivery, competitor analysis, and sentiment tracking included on paid plans. Planable offers only basic analytics as a paid add-on at $14/workspace/month with no custom reporting or competitive analysis capabilities.
Is Planable worth it for large teams?
Yes. Planable's unlimited users on every plan make it exceptionally cost-effective for large teams focused on content collaboration. A 20-person team costs the same as a 2-person team on Planable. The same team on Sprout Social would cost $3,980/month on the Standard plan alone.
Which tool has better user reviews?
Planable scores higher on both review platforms. On G2, Planable has 4.6/5 (937 reviews) vs Sprout Social's 4.4/5 (3,827 reviews). On Trustpilot, Planable has 4.5/5 (69 reviews) vs Sprout Social's 1.2/5 (71 reviews). Sprout Social's extremely low Trustpilot score suggests billing and cancellation problems.
Does Planable support social listening?
No. Planable does not offer social listening, brand monitoring, or sentiment analysis. These are available on Sprout Social's Advanced plan ($399/mo per seat). Teams needing both collaboration and listening should consider pairing a dedicated listening tool with an affordable scheduler like PostPlanify.
