Zoho Social and Vista Social sit at very different points on the social media management spectrum. Zoho Social is a mid-market tool designed for businesses that already operate within the Zoho ecosystem — it connects social media to CRM pipelines, support tickets, and business analytics. Vista Social is an enterprise-grade platform built for large agencies and multi-location businesses, offering DM automations, review management, social listening, and support for 12+ social platforms plus review sites. The overlap between these tools is narrower than you might expect.
This comparison will help you understand which tool fits your scale and workflow. Jump to pricing comparison to see the cost differences, or go to the feature comparison for a capability-by-capability breakdown. If you're evaluating a wider range of options, our social media management alternatives guide covers the full landscape.
Zoho Social vs Vista Social at a Glance
| Feature | Zoho Social | Vista Social |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $0/mo (Free plan) | $79/mo (Professional) |
| Platforms Supported | 9 | 12+ social + 5 review sites |
| Scheduling | Unlimited (paid plans) | Unlimited |
| AI Caption Generation | Yes (Zia AI) | Yes (AI credits system) |
| AI Image Generation | No | No (Canva's Magic Media only) |
| DM Automations | No | Yes (AI-powered) |
| Review Management | No | Yes (5 review sites) |
| Social Listening | No | Yes ($75/mo addon) |
| CRM Integration | Native Zoho CRM | No native CRM |
| Employee Advocacy | No | Yes ($199/mo addon) |
| Link-in-Bio | No | Yes (Vista Page) |
| Approval Workflows | Basic | Multi-step |
| G2 Rating | 4.6/5 (2,870 reviews) | 4.8/5 (1,071 reviews) |
| Best For | SMBs in Zoho ecosystem | Large agencies & enterprises |
Zoho Social Overview
Zoho Social is a social media scheduling and engagement tool that becomes significantly more powerful when paired with Zoho CRM, Zoho Desk, and the broader Zoho business suite. It covers 9 social platforms with features like SmartQ scheduling (AI-recommended posting times), a zShare browser extension for quick content sharing, and Zia AI for basic caption generation and predictions.
The tool's real value proposition is business workflow integration. When a potential customer comments on your social post, you can create a CRM lead directly from that interaction. When a customer raises a complaint, it can be routed to Zoho Desk. This CRM-connected social media experience is something most standalone social tools simply don't offer. Pricing starts with a free plan and scales from $15 to $65/mo per brand, making it accessible for small to mid-size businesses. Read our detailed Zoho Social reviews analysis for more user perspectives.
Vista Social Overview
Vista Social is designed for agencies and enterprises that need to manage social media at scale — and by scale, we mean dozens of client accounts across every major platform. It supports 12+ social platforms (including Reddit, Snapchat, Tumblr, and Bluesky) plus 5 review sites (Google Business, Yelp, TripAdvisor, OpenTable, and Trustpilot). The platform goes well beyond scheduling with AI-powered DM automations for Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok, a full review management system, social listening ($75/mo addon), and employee advocacy tools ($199/mo addon).
Vista Social's approach to AI is credit-based — 500 credits on Professional, 1,000 on Advanced, unlimited on Scale. The multi-step approval workflows, CSV bulk scheduling, and Vista Page (link-in-bio) round out a feature set built for teams managing complex, multi-client operations. Note that X (Twitter) integration is a paid addon, which is worth factoring into your cost calculations. For a deeper look at user sentiment, see our Vista Social reviews breakdown.
Pricing Comparison
Zoho Social Pricing
Zoho Social uses a simple per-brand pricing model. Each plan covers one brand, and you multiply the cost by the number of brands you manage. See our Zoho Social pricing guide for the full 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: An agency managing 5 brands with team collaboration would pay $325/mo (5 x $65 Premium). Managing 10 brands pushes that to $650/mo.
Vista Social Pricing
Vista Social prices by tier with social profiles and AI credits included. Addons for social listening ($75/mo) and employee advocacy ($199/mo) add to the base cost. X (Twitter) is also a paid addon. For complete details, check our Vista Social pricing guide.
| Plan | Price/mo | Profiles | Users | AI Credits | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Professional | $79 | 15 | 3 | 500 | Scheduling, inbox, analytics |
| Advanced | $149 | 30 | 6 | 1,000 | + DM automations, review mgmt |
| Scale | $379 | 70 | 10 | Unlimited | + Social listening, employee advocacy |
Example cost: An agency managing 15 profiles with review management and DM automations would pay $149/mo (Advanced). Adding social listening pushes that to $224/mo. Adding X (Twitter) support for all profiles would increase costs further.
Price Verdict
These tools serve fundamentally different markets, and the pricing reflects that. Zoho Social starts free and maxes out at $65/mo per brand — perfectly suited for SMBs managing a handful of brands. Vista Social starts at $79/mo but includes 15 profiles out of the box, which is more cost-efficient if you're managing multiple brands or client accounts. The break-even point is roughly around 2 brands: managing 2 brands on Zoho Social Premium costs $130/mo, while Vista Social Professional covers 15 profiles for $79/mo. But Vista Social's addons (listening, advocacy, X/Twitter) can push real-world costs well above the base price.
Feature Comparison
Scheduling & Publishing
| Capability | Zoho Social | Vista Social |
|---|---|---|
| Post Scheduling | Unlimited (paid) | Unlimited |
| Optimal Time Suggestions | SmartQ | Yes |
| Content Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Bulk Scheduling | Limited | CSV bulk scheduling |
| Draft Posts | Yes | Yes |
| RSS Feed Publishing | Yes | No |
| Link-in-Bio | No | Vista Page |
| Post Previews | Basic | Yes |
Winner: Vista Social. Both offer unlimited scheduling, but Vista Social adds CSV bulk scheduling for high-volume operations and Vista Page for link-in-bio — features that matter for agencies managing content at scale. Zoho Social's RSS feed publishing is a nice touch for content curation, but it's a niche advantage.
AI Tools
| Capability | Zoho Social | Vista Social |
|---|---|---|
| AI Caption Generation | Yes (Zia AI) | Yes (credit-based) |
| AI Image Generation | No | No (Canva Magic Media only) |
| AI DM Automations | No | Yes (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok) |
| AI Posting Predictions | Zia predictions | Yes |
| AI Credits System | No (included) | 500–Unlimited by plan |
Winner: Vista Social. While both tools offer AI caption generation, Vista Social's AI-powered DM automations are a genuinely unique capability. Automating responses on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok DMs can save agencies significant time. The credit-based system can feel limiting on lower plans, but the functionality is broader. Neither tool offers true AI image generation.
Analytics & Reporting
| Capability | Zoho Social | Vista Social |
|---|---|---|
| Post Analytics | Yes | Yes |
| Audience Analytics | Yes | Yes |
| Competitor Analysis | No | Basic |
| Custom Reports | Limited | Yes |
| White-Label Reports | No | Yes (Advanced+) |
| Review Analytics | No | Yes |
| Cross-Platform Dashboard | Yes | Yes |
| Data Export | Basic | CSV, PDF |
Winner: Vista Social. Vista Social offers broader reporting capabilities including white-label reports for agencies, review analytics, and more flexible data export options. Zoho Social's analytics are serviceable for single-brand management but lack the depth and presentation options that agencies need for client reporting.
Team Collaboration
| Capability | Zoho Social | Vista Social |
|---|---|---|
| Max Team Members | 3 (Premium) | 10 (Scale) |
| Approval Workflows | Basic (single-step) | Multi-step |
| Role Permissions | Yes | Yes (granular) |
| Client Collaboration | Limited | Built-in |
| CRM Integration | Native Zoho CRM | No |
| Employee Advocacy | No | Yes ($199/mo addon) |
Winner: Depends on your workflow. Zoho Social wins on CRM integration — no contest. If your collaboration needs center on connecting social media to sales and support, Zoho Social is the answer. Vista Social wins on agency collaboration — multi-step approval workflows, more team members, and built-in client collaboration features are designed for agency operations. Choose based on whether your collaboration is internal-business or agency-client.
Platform Support
| Platform | Zoho Social | Vista Social |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | Yes | |
| Yes | Yes | |
| X (Twitter) | Yes | Paid addon |
| Yes | Yes | |
| TikTok | Yes | Yes |
| Yes | Yes | |
| YouTube | Yes | Yes |
| Google Business | Yes | Yes (review site) |
| Threads | Yes | Yes |
| No | Yes | |
| Snapchat | No | Yes |
| Tumblr | No | Yes |
| Bluesky | No | Yes |
| Review Sites | No | 5 sites (Yelp, TripAdvisor, etc.) |
Winner: Vista Social. With 12+ social platforms and 5 review sites, Vista Social's coverage is significantly broader. The inclusion of Reddit, Snapchat, Tumblr, and Bluesky opens up channels that Zoho Social simply doesn't reach. However, it's worth noting that X (Twitter) — arguably one of the most important platforms — requires a paid addon on Vista Social, while it's included in all Zoho Social plans.
What Real Users Say
Zoho Social Reviews
G2: 4.6/5 from 2,870 reviews. The large review volume provides reliable signal. Users frequently praise the value-for-money ratio and the Zoho ecosystem integration. The most common complaints relate to the interface feeling dated compared to newer tools and the analytics being too basic for serious reporting needs.
Trustpilot: 4.0/5 from approximately 5,778 reviews (across Zoho products). This score reflects the broader Zoho experience. Social-specific feedback tends to be more positive than the aggregate, with users appreciating the CRM connection but occasionally noting limitations in platform-specific features.
Vista Social Reviews
G2: 4.8/5 from 1,071 reviews — the highest G2 rating in this comparison and one of the highest in the social media management category. Users consistently highlight the breadth of features and platform support. The most common criticism is the learning curve — with so many features, onboarding takes time.
Trustpilot: 4.1/5 from 62 reviews. A smaller sample but still positive. Users praise the feature set and responsive support. Some note that pricing can escalate quickly once addons are factored in, and the credit-based AI system feels restrictive on lower plans.
Review Verdict
Vista Social earns the highest G2 rating (4.8/5) and users clearly value its comprehensive feature set. Zoho Social's larger review volume (2,870 vs 1,071) and strong 4.6/5 rating show consistent satisfaction, particularly among Zoho ecosystem users. Both tools are well-regarded — Vista Social for breadth of capability, Zoho Social for ecosystem value.
Who Should Use Zoho Social?
If Zoho Social is on your shortlist, explore Zoho Social alternatives and our Zoho Social vs Iconosquare comparison for additional context.
- Businesses running Zoho CRM and Zoho Desk — the native integration creates a unified customer view across social, sales, and support
- Small to mid-size businesses managing 1–3 brands — the per-brand pricing is straightforward and competitive at this scale
- Teams that want social media connected to their sales pipeline — lead generation from social interactions is a genuine differentiator
- Solo marketers or small teams — the free plan and $15/mo Standard plan are accessible entry points
- Businesses that don't need DM automation or review management — if these features aren't on your radar, you won't miss them
- Companies that prioritize data staying within one ecosystem — Zoho's single-vendor approach appeals to organizations with data governance concerns
Who Should Use Vista Social?
If Vista Social interests you, also check Vista Social alternatives and our Iconosquare vs Vista Social comparison.
- Agencies managing 10+ client accounts — the profile-based pricing and multi-step approvals are built for this
- Businesses that need review management — monitoring and responding to reviews on Google Business, Yelp, TripAdvisor, OpenTable, and Trustpilot from one dashboard
- Teams that want DM automation — AI-powered DM responses on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok can handle high message volumes
- Brands active on niche platforms — Reddit, Snapchat, Tumblr, and Bluesky support is rare among competitors
- Enterprises that need social listening — the $75/mo addon provides brand mention tracking and sentiment analysis
- Organizations with complex approval needs — multi-step approval workflows support enterprise governance requirements
Full-Featured Social Media Management Without the Enterprise Price Tag
Zoho Social ties you to an ecosystem. Vista Social's addons push costs higher than the base price suggests. PostPlanify delivers the core features most teams actually need — scheduling, AI content creation, and team collaboration — with transparent pricing and no per-feature addons.
| Feature | Zoho Social (Premium) | Vista Social (Professional) | PostPlanify (Growth) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price | $65 | $79 | $39 |
| Social Accounts | 1 brand | 15 profiles | 6 accounts |
| Team Members | 3 | 3 | Unlimited |
| Post Scheduling | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| AI Captions | Basic (Zia) | 500 credits | Unlimited |
| AI Image Generation | No | No | Yes (7 models) |
| Platforms | 9 | 12+ | 9 |
| Canva Integration | No | Yes | Yes |
| Link-in-Bio | No | Vista Page | Yes |
| Approval Workflows | Basic | Multi-step | Yes (Premium) |
PostPlanify gives every plan unlimited scheduling and unlimited AI caption generation — no credit limits, no ecosystem lock-in. The Growth plan at $39/mo supports 6 social accounts with unlimited team members, AI image generation across 7 models, Canva integration, Google Drive integration, and a link-in-bio builder. Need approval workflows and advanced analytics? The Premium plan at $99/mo adds those with unlimited accounts and unlimited users. Check PostPlanify pricing or sign up for free.
FAQ
Is Zoho Social good enough without Zoho CRM?
Zoho Social works as a standalone scheduler, but its strongest differentiator — CRM integration — disappears without the broader Zoho ecosystem. As a standalone tool, you get solid scheduling across 9 platforms with basic AI, but you'll miss the sales pipeline integration and customer data enrichment that make Zoho Social unique. If you're not using Zoho CRM, other tools may offer better standalone value for the price.
How much does Vista Social actually cost with addons?
The base prices can be misleading. Vista Social Professional starts at $79/mo, but adding X (Twitter) support, social listening ($75/mo), and employee advocacy ($199/mo) can push the real cost to $350+/mo. Advanced at $149/mo with listening comes to $224/mo. Always calculate your total cost including the specific addons you need before committing.
Can Zoho Social handle agency workflows?
It can, but it's not optimized for them. The per-brand pricing model means an agency managing 10 clients on Premium would pay $650/mo. There are no white-label reports, limited client collaboration features, and approval workflows are basic. Zoho Social is designed for businesses managing their own brand, not agencies managing others.
Does Vista Social include X (Twitter) support?
X (Twitter) is available on Vista Social but as a paid addon — it's not included in the base price of any plan. This is an important cost consideration since most businesses consider X a core social platform. Zoho Social and PostPlanify both include X support on all plans at no additional cost.
Which tool has better AI features?
Vista Social offers more AI functionality overall — caption generation (credit-based), DM automations, and smart suggestions. Zoho Social's Zia AI provides basic caption help and posting predictions but lacks DM automation or deep AI capabilities. However, neither tool offers AI image generation. PostPlanify includes unlimited AI captions and AI image generation across 7 models on every plan.
Can Vista Social replace a CRM?
No. Vista Social is a social media management platform, not a CRM. While it manages customer interactions through social DMs and reviews, it doesn't offer sales pipeline management, contact databases, or deal tracking. If you need CRM-connected social media, Zoho Social with Zoho CRM is the better path. If you need social management plus a separate CRM, Vista Social can integrate with third-party CRMs through Zapier or similar tools.
Which tool is better for multi-location businesses?
Vista Social is the stronger choice for multi-location businesses. Its review management across Google Business, Yelp, TripAdvisor, OpenTable, and Trustpilot is essential for businesses with physical locations. The higher profile limits (15–70 depending on plan) accommodate the volume of accounts that multi-location businesses typically manage. Zoho Social's per-brand pricing would become expensive in this scenario.
Is it worth paying more for Vista Social's broader platform support?
That depends on where your audience is. If your business is active on Reddit, Snapchat, Bluesky, or Tumblr, Vista Social is one of the few tools that covers these platforms. If your social presence is focused on the major 6–9 platforms (Instagram, Facebook, X, LinkedIn, TikTok, Pinterest, YouTube), Zoho Social or PostPlanify cover those at a lower price point. Don't pay for platform coverage you won't use.
