Zoho Social and Iconosquare approach social media management from fundamentally different angles. Zoho Social is a scheduling and engagement tool designed to plug into the broader Zoho ecosystem — CRM, Desk, Analytics, and more. If your business already runs on Zoho products, it becomes a natural extension of your customer data and support workflows. Iconosquare, on the other hand, is purpose-built for brands and agencies that want to measure social media performance in granular detail. With 100+ analytics metrics, competitor tracking, and industry benchmarks, it treats data as the product rather than a feature.
This comparison breaks down where each tool excels. Jump to the pricing comparison to see how costs stack up, or head to the feature comparison for a detailed look at scheduling, analytics, AI tools, and platform support. If you're still exploring the broader landscape, check out our full list of social media management alternatives.
Zoho Social vs Iconosquare at a Glance
| Feature | Zoho Social | Iconosquare |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $0/mo (Free plan) | $39/mo (Launch) |
| Platforms Supported | 9 | 6 |
| Scheduling | Unlimited (paid plans) | 100 posts/mo (Launch) |
| AI Caption Generation | Yes (Zia AI) | No |
| AI Image Generation | No | No |
| Analytics Metrics | Standard | 100+ metrics |
| Competitor Tracking | No | Up to 5 competitors |
| Industry Benchmarks | No | Yes |
| CRM Integration | Native Zoho CRM | No |
| Team Members | 1 (Free–Professional), 3 (Premium) | 1 (Launch), 3 (Scale), 6 (Excel) |
| Instagram Grid Preview | No | Yes |
| Browser Extension | Yes (zShare) | No |
| Custom Dashboards | No | Yes |
| Scheduled PDF Reports | Limited | Yes |
| G2 Rating | 4.6/5 (2,870 reviews) | 4.5/5 (135 reviews) |
Zoho Social Overview
Zoho Social is a social media management tool that handles scheduling, monitoring, and basic analytics across 9 platforms. Its standout strength is how tightly it integrates with Zoho's ecosystem of business tools. If your sales team uses Zoho CRM, your support team uses Zoho Desk, and your marketing team needs social media management, Zoho Social connects all three. You can generate leads from social interactions, route support requests, and see customer data alongside social conversations.
The tool includes SmartQ scheduling (which recommends optimal posting times), a zShare browser extension for quick content sharing, and Zia AI predictions for basic caption assistance. Pricing is straightforward and per-brand, starting with a genuinely useful free plan. For a deeper look at what users think, read our Zoho Social reviews breakdown.
Iconosquare Overview
Iconosquare started as an Instagram analytics tool and has evolved into a multi-platform analytics and scheduling solution — but analytics remains its core identity. The platform offers over 100 metrics across Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok, and Pinterest, along with competitor tracking for up to 5 competitors and industry benchmarks that let you see how your performance stacks up against others in your vertical.
Where Iconosquare really differentiates is in its reporting capabilities. Custom dashboards, scheduled PDF reports, and granular data retention (1 year on Launch, 2 years on Scale and Excel) make it a strong choice for agencies and brands that need to present performance data to stakeholders regularly. The Instagram grid preview is a nice touch for visually-oriented brands. That said, it covers fewer platforms than most competitors and the Launch plan caps you at 100 posts per month. For a full review, see our Iconosquare reviews analysis.
Pricing Comparison
Zoho Social Pricing
Zoho Social offers four tiers, all priced per brand on a monthly basis. For the latest details, see our Zoho Social pricing breakdown.
| Plan | Price/mo | Brands | Members | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | 1 | 1 | Basic scheduling, 9 platforms |
| Standard | $15 | 1 | 1 | SmartQ, zShare, content calendar |
| Professional | $40 | 1 | 1 | Monitoring dashboard, Zia AI |
| Premium | $65 | 1 | 3 | Advanced analytics, team features |
Example cost: A small business managing 1 brand with 3 team members would pay $65/mo on the Premium plan. Managing 3 brands with the same team would cost $195/mo (3 x $65).
Iconosquare Pricing
Iconosquare prices by plan tier with 5 social profiles included. Additional profiles cost $4–6 each depending on the plan. For full pricing details, see our Iconosquare pricing breakdown.
| Plan | Price/mo | Profiles | Users | Posts | Data Retention |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launch | $39 | 5 | 1 | 100/mo | 1 year |
| Scale | $83 | 5 | 3 | Unlimited | 2 years |
| Excel | $139 | 5 | 6 | Unlimited | 2 years |
Example cost: A small agency managing 10 social profiles with 3 team members would pay $83/mo (Scale) plus roughly $25–30 for 5 additional profiles, totaling around $108–113/mo.
Price Verdict
Zoho Social is significantly more accessible at the entry level — you get a functional free plan and the Standard plan at $15/mo covers unlimited scheduling for one brand. Iconosquare's Launch plan at $39/mo includes a 100-post limit, which can feel restrictive for active brands. However, Iconosquare's analytics depth at that price point is genuinely superior. The right choice depends on whether you need business workflow integration (Zoho Social) or detailed performance analytics (Iconosquare).
Feature Comparison
Scheduling & Publishing
| Capability | Zoho Social | Iconosquare |
|---|---|---|
| Post Scheduling | Unlimited (paid) | 100/mo (Launch), Unlimited (Scale+) |
| Optimal Time Suggestions | SmartQ | Yes |
| Content Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Instagram Grid Preview | No | Yes |
| Browser Extension | zShare | No |
| Bulk Scheduling | Limited | No |
| Draft Posts | Yes | Yes |
| RSS Feed Publishing | Yes | No |
Winner: Zoho Social. Unlimited scheduling on all paid plans, SmartQ recommendations, the zShare browser extension, and RSS feed publishing give Zoho Social more flexibility for content workflows. Iconosquare's Instagram grid preview is a unique strength, but the 100-post limit on Launch is a notable constraint.
AI Tools
| Capability | Zoho Social | Iconosquare |
|---|---|---|
| AI Caption Generation | Yes (Zia AI) | No |
| AI Image Generation | No | No |
| AI Posting Predictions | Zia predictions | No |
| AI Hashtag Suggestions | Basic | No |
Winner: Zoho Social. This one isn't close. Zoho Social offers basic AI features through Zia for caption generation and posting predictions. Iconosquare has no AI tools at all — it relies entirely on manual content creation. Neither tool offers AI image generation.
Analytics & Reporting
| Capability | Zoho Social | Iconosquare |
|---|---|---|
| Analytics Metrics | Standard set | 100+ metrics |
| Competitor Tracking | No | Up to 5 competitors |
| Industry Benchmarks | No | Yes |
| Custom Dashboards | No | Yes |
| Scheduled PDF Reports | Limited | Yes (automated) |
| Data Retention | Standard | 1–2 years |
| Audience Demographics | Basic | Detailed |
| Best Time to Post | SmartQ | Yes (data-driven) |
Winner: Iconosquare. This is where Iconosquare justifies its existence. Over 100 analytics metrics, competitor tracking, industry benchmarks, custom dashboards, and automated PDF reports make it the clear winner for anyone who needs to deeply understand social media performance. Zoho Social's analytics are adequate for basic reporting but can't match this level of depth.
Team Collaboration
| Capability | Zoho Social | Iconosquare |
|---|---|---|
| Max Team Members | 3 (Premium) | 6 (Excel) |
| Approval Workflows | Basic | Basic |
| Role Permissions | Yes | Yes |
| Content Calendar Sharing | Yes | Yes |
| CRM Integration | Native Zoho CRM | No |
| Customer Data in Social | Yes (Zoho Desk) | No |
Winner: Zoho Social. While Iconosquare supports more team members on its top plan, Zoho Social's CRM and Desk integrations create a fundamentally different collaboration experience. Being able to see customer history alongside social interactions and route leads directly to your sales team is a workflow advantage that Iconosquare simply cannot replicate.
Platform Support
| Platform | Zoho Social | Iconosquare |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | Yes | |
| Yes | Yes | |
| X (Twitter) | Yes | Yes |
| Yes | Yes | |
| TikTok | Yes | Yes |
| Yes | Yes | |
| YouTube | Yes | No |
| Google Business | Yes | No |
| Threads | Yes | No |
Winner: Zoho Social. Nine platforms versus six. Zoho Social covers YouTube, Google Business Profile, and Threads — all absent from Iconosquare. If you need to manage content across a wider range of channels, Zoho Social provides meaningfully broader coverage.
What Real Users Say
Zoho Social Reviews
G2: 4.6/5 from 2,870 reviews — a substantial sample size that gives confidence in the rating. Users consistently praise the Zoho ecosystem integration and the value-for-money proposition. Common complaints include the learning curve for non-Zoho users and occasional lag in the publishing interface.
Trustpilot: 4.0/5 from approximately 5,778 reviews (for Zoho as a company). Reviews here reflect the broader Zoho experience, with social media being one component. Support quality is a frequent topic — some users praise responsiveness, others report slow resolution times.
Iconosquare Reviews
G2: 4.5/5 from 135 reviews — a smaller sample but still a solid rating. Users highlight the analytics depth and reporting features as standout strengths. Criticisms often mention the limited platform support and the lack of AI features that competitors now offer.
Trustpilot: 2.5/5 from just 5 reviews — this sample is too small to draw any meaningful conclusions. We mention it for completeness, but this rating should not influence your decision.
Review Verdict
Zoho Social has a significant advantage in review volume and maintains a strong 4.6/5 on G2 with nearly 2,900 reviews. Iconosquare's 4.5/5 on G2 is respectable but comes from a much smaller sample. Both tools earn praise in their respective strengths — ecosystem integration for Zoho Social and analytics depth for Iconosquare.
Who Should Use Zoho Social?
If Zoho Social sounds like the right direction, you may also want to explore Zoho Social alternatives or see how it compares in our Zoho Social vs Vista Social breakdown.
- Businesses already using Zoho CRM or Zoho Desk — the native integration is the single biggest reason to choose Zoho Social
- Small businesses that want a free starting point — the free plan is genuinely functional for solo operators
- Teams that need CRM-connected social media — seeing customer data alongside social interactions is powerful
- Brands managing content across 7+ platforms — the 9-platform coverage is broader than most competitors
- Budget-conscious teams — $15/mo for unlimited scheduling is hard to beat at that tier
- Solo marketers who want AI caption help — Zia provides basic but useful assistance
Who Should Use Iconosquare?
If Iconosquare fits your needs, also check out Iconosquare alternatives or our Iconosquare vs Vista Social comparison.
- Brands that live and die by social media metrics — 100+ analytics metrics are unmatched in this price range
- Agencies that deliver performance reports to clients — custom dashboards and scheduled PDF reports are built for this
- Competitive brands that want to benchmark performance — tracking up to 5 competitors with industry benchmarks is unique
- Instagram-heavy brands — the grid preview and Instagram-focused analytics reflect Iconosquare's roots
- Teams that need long-term data retention — 2 years of data on Scale and Excel plans
- Businesses focused on 6 or fewer platforms — if you only use Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok, and Pinterest, the platform limitation won't matter
A Simpler Way to Manage Social Media Without Compromise
Both Zoho Social and Iconosquare make you choose — business integration or analytics depth. PostPlanify takes a different approach: give teams the scheduling, AI, and collaboration tools they need without artificial limits or complex pricing tiers.
| Feature | Zoho Social (Premium) | Iconosquare (Scale) | PostPlanify (Growth) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price | $65 | $83 | $39 |
| Social Accounts | 1 brand | 5 profiles | 6 accounts |
| Team Members | 3 | 3 | Unlimited |
| Post Scheduling | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| AI Captions | Basic (Zia) | None | Unlimited |
| AI Image Generation | No | No | Yes (7 models) |
| Platforms | 9 | 6 | 9 |
| Canva Integration | No | No | Yes |
| Link-in-Bio | No | No | Yes |
PostPlanify includes unlimited AI caption generation and AI image generation across 7 models on every plan — something neither Zoho Social nor Iconosquare offer. The Growth plan at $39/mo supports 6 social accounts with unlimited scheduling and unlimited team members. You also get Canva integration, Google Drive integration, visual bulk scheduling for up to 20 posts at once, and a built-in link-in-bio builder. See PostPlanify pricing or start your free trial today.
FAQ
Is Zoho Social better than Iconosquare for scheduling?
Yes, for most use cases. Zoho Social offers unlimited scheduling on all paid plans (starting at $15/mo), SmartQ optimal timing, and a browser extension for quick sharing. Iconosquare's Launch plan caps you at 100 posts per month, which can be limiting for active brands. You need the Scale plan ($83/mo) for unlimited scheduling with Iconosquare.
Does Iconosquare have AI features?
No. As of 2026, Iconosquare does not offer AI caption generation, AI image generation, or any AI-powered content creation tools. This is a notable gap compared to most modern social media management tools, including Zoho Social (which offers basic Zia AI) and PostPlanify (which includes unlimited AI captions and image generation).
Can Zoho Social match Iconosquare's analytics?
Not in depth. Zoho Social provides standard analytics that cover the basics — post performance, audience growth, and engagement metrics. Iconosquare offers over 100 analytics metrics, competitor tracking for up to 5 competitors, industry benchmarks, custom dashboards, and automated PDF reports. If analytics depth is your primary need, Iconosquare is the stronger choice.
How does Zoho CRM integration work with Zoho Social?
Zoho Social can push social media leads directly into Zoho CRM, attach social interactions to existing CRM contacts, and surface customer data within the social media interface. When someone engages with your brand on social, you can see their CRM history, purchase data, and support tickets from Zoho Desk. This integration is automatic for businesses already using Zoho products and is a key differentiator.
Which tool supports more social platforms?
Zoho Social supports 9 platforms (Instagram, Facebook, X/Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok, Pinterest, YouTube, Google Business, and Threads). Iconosquare supports 6 (Instagram, Facebook, X/Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok, and Pinterest). If you need YouTube, Google Business, or Threads support, Zoho Social is the only option between these two.
Is Iconosquare worth it just for analytics?
It depends on how central analytics is to your workflow. If you're an agency delivering monthly performance reports, a brand running competitive benchmarking, or a marketing team that needs to justify social media ROI with detailed data, Iconosquare's analytics depth is genuinely valuable and hard to replicate with other tools. If you just need basic post performance metrics, most scheduling tools (including Zoho Social and PostPlanify) include adequate analytics at a lower price.
Can I use Zoho Social without other Zoho products?
Yes, Zoho Social works as a standalone tool. However, much of its competitive advantage comes from the ecosystem integration. As a standalone social media scheduler, it's competent but not exceptional — you're paying for the Zoho integration potential even if you don't use it. If you don't plan to use Zoho CRM or Desk, other tools may offer better standalone value.
Which tool is better for agencies?
Neither is ideal for traditional agency workflows. Zoho Social's per-brand pricing gets expensive quickly when managing multiple clients. Iconosquare offers better multi-brand analytics but limited scheduling on lower plans. For agencies managing many client accounts, consider tools built specifically for that use case — see our social media management alternatives for options designed with agencies in mind.
