Hootsuite pricing starts at $99 per user per month on the Standard plan (billed annually, up to 10 social accounts). Professional costs $199 and Advanced, the first plan with approval workflows, costs $399 per user per month, while Enterprise is custom-priced. There is no free plan, only a 14-day free trial with no credit card required.
Hootsuite is one of the most established social media management platforms, helping brands, agencies, and enterprises schedule posts, engage with audiences, and analyze performance across multiple channels. It offers post scheduling, a social inbox, basic listening, analytics, and team collaboration features.
Below, we break down the full Hootsuite pricing structure, what each plan includes, and what a team actually pays, so you can decide whether it's worth the price or whether a cheaper tool fits better.
Hootsuite Pricing at a Glance (2026)
| Plan | Price | Social Accounts |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | $99/user/month | 10 accounts |
| Professional (Most popular) | $199/user/month | Unlimited |
| Advanced | $399/user/month | Unlimited |
| Enterprise | Custom pricing | Unlimited |
All prices are per user per month, billed annually, and exclude applicable taxes. Hootsuite does not publish its month-to-month rates, stating only that annual billing gives a lower per-user monthly rate. Source: hootsuite.com/plans
What changed: Hootsuite moved to per-seat pricing in August 2026, replacing the old Standard/Advanced/Business lineup with four tiers and adding a Professional plan in the middle. Entry pricing dropped sharply, from $249 to $99 per user, but approval workflows moved to Advanced at $399 per user. The same figures appear as €99, €199 and €399 on the EUR page, so the numerals are identical rather than converted.
How Much Does Hootsuite Actually Cost? (Cost Calculator)
Hootsuite's per-user pricing means your total cost scales with team size. Here's what you'll actually pay:
| Team Size | Standard | Professional | Advanced |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 user | $99/mo ($1,188/yr) | $199/mo ($2,388/yr) | $399/mo ($4,788/yr) |
| 2 users | $198/mo ($2,376/yr) | $398/mo ($4,776/yr) | $798/mo ($9,576/yr) |
| 3 users | $297/mo ($3,564/yr) | $597/mo ($7,164/yr) | $1,197/mo ($14,364/yr) |
| 5 users | $495/mo ($5,940/yr) | $995/mo ($11,940/yr) | $1,995/mo ($23,940/yr) |
| 10 users | $990/mo ($11,880/yr) | $1,990/mo ($23,880/yr) | $3,990/mo ($47,880/yr) |
All figures are annual-billing rates, shown as the monthly cost with the yearly total in brackets. Month-to-month costs more, but Hootsuite does not publish those rates.
The key detail most people miss: Hootsuite charges per user, not per social account. The Standard plan includes 10 social accounts for $99/mo, but if a second team member needs access, it's another $99/mo. A 3-person marketing team on Standard pays $297/month for the same 10 social accounts that cost $99 for a solo user.
Hootsuite Feature Comparison by Plan
| Feature | Standard ($99/user/mo) | Professional ($199/user/mo) | Advanced ($399/user/mo) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Social accounts | 10 | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Scheduled posts | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Users | 1 (add more at $99/each) | 1 (add more at $199/each) | 1 (add more at $399/each) |
| Social inbox | Yes | Yes + automated replies | Yes + assign and auto-route |
| AI assistant (Wisdom) | Yes (caption + image) | Yes | Yes |
| Analytics | Basic | Custom performance reports | Team performance reporting |
| Trend forecasting | No | Yes (90 days ahead) | Yes |
| Approval workflows | No | No | Yes |
| Customer care coordination | No | No | Yes |
| Advanced listening | No | No | Enterprise / add-on |
| SSO | No | No | Enterprise |
| Custom compliance | No | No | Enterprise |
Key limitation: content approval workflows are only on the Advanced plan at $399/user/month. On Standard or Professional there is no way to route a post for review before it publishes, which is the single most common reason agencies outgrow the cheaper tiers.
Hootsuite Social Media Scheduling Pricing Plans
Here's a detailed breakdown to help you understand Hootsuite's pricing and choose the best fit for your workflow.
Each Hootsuite plan includes core social media management features like:
- Post scheduling and a social media calendar
- One inbox for your social accounts
- Analytics and reporting (capabilities depend on the plan)
- Brand and competitor monitoring with different lookback windows
- DM assignment and teamwork tools on supported plans
- Customer support and onboarding options
The main differences between plans come down to the number of social accounts, user seats, analytics depth, automation features, and how much listening and reporting you get.
1. Standard Plan
The Standard plan starts at $99 per user/mo* (billed annually).
What's included:
- Up to 10 social accounts
- Unlimited post scheduling
- Generate posts and images with AI
- Respond to messages from one inbox
- Monitor your brand and competitors
- Best time to post recommendations
- Canva templates and content library
Best for: solo users managing up to 10 accounts who do not need a second seat or an approval step.
2. Professional Plan
The Professional plan (marked "Most popular") starts at $199 per user/mo* (billed annually).
Everything in Standard, plus:
- Manage unlimited social accounts
- Automate inbox replies and workflows
- Forecast social trends up to 90 days ahead
- Build custom performance reports
Best for: single operators who have outgrown 10 accounts and want reporting they can shape themselves. Still no approval workflow at this tier.
3. Advanced Plan
The Advanced plan starts at $399 per user/mo* (billed annually).
Everything in Professional, plus:
- Review and approve content with your team
- Assign and auto-route messages to the right team members
- Coordinate content and customer care
- Measure team performance and efficiency
Best for: teams that need a real review step before publishing, and the first tier where Hootsuite works as a collaborative tool rather than a single-seat one.
4. Enterprise Plan
The Enterprise plan is Custom priced and requires talking to sales.
Everything in Advanced, plus:
- A fully customized plan to maximize your investment
- Add as many users as you need
- Exclusive access to Hootsuite's most powerful tools
- Enterprise customer support
- Single sign-on (SSO)
Maximize performance with add-ons like:
- Employee Advocacy (Amplify)
- Listening powered by Talkwalker
- Advanced Analytics
- Advanced Inbox
- Generative AI Chatbot
- Review Management
- Premier Services
- Social Selling
- Salesforce integration
- Compliance integration (Proofpoint)
Best for: large brands and enterprises that need advanced governance, integrations, and dedicated support.
Is Hootsuite Pricing Worth It?
If you review Hootsuite's pricing plans, you'll see options designed for standard teams, advanced setups, and large enterprises. On paper, the feature list is impressive and covers most social media management needs.
However, when you look at Hootsuite reviews and user feedback online, a few themes show up consistently.
Many users mention that Hootsuite is expensive, especially for individuals and small teams. The entry price is high, and moving from Standard to Advanced adds a significant monthly cost per user. Enterprise pricing is fully custom, which can be overkill if you don't need deep listening or large-scale governance.
Others point out that, while Hootsuite is powerful, the platform can feel heavy and complex compared to newer, simpler tools. The interface and workflows are designed for large organizations, not necessarily for lean creator teams or small agencies that want to move fast.
In other words, while Hootsuite is a capable and feature-rich platform, there are social media scheduling tools that offer a cleaner experience, more predictable pricing, and a better fit for small teams and agencies, often at a lower cost.
Hootsuite Pricing: What to Watch Out For
Before committing to Hootsuite, be aware of these common pricing pitfalls:
- Per-user pricing compounds fast for teams: A 5-person marketing team on the Standard plan pays $495/month before any add-ons. On Advanced, the first tier with approval workflows, that same team pays $1,995/month. Most small-to-mid agencies find the per-seat model expensive next to tools that bill per brand or per workspace.
- Critical features are locked behind the Advanced plan: Approval workflows, message auto-routing and team performance reporting all require the Advanced plan at $399/user/mo. On Standard or Professional you can publish and report, but there is no way to route a post for review before it goes live.
- Listening and advocacy are add-ons on top of already-high prices: Advanced listening (powered by Talkwalker), employee advocacy, and review management are separate paid add-ons, even on Enterprise. The base plans include basic monitoring, but deep listening costs extra on top of your existing subscription.
- No free plan exists: Unlike Buffer, Later, or Metricool, Hootsuite has no permanent free tier. You get a 14-day trial with no credit card required, then it's $99/mo minimum. Trial accounts are also capped at 10 to 20 posts per day and cannot bulk schedule.
- The Standard plan only includes 10 social accounts: For agencies managing multiple clients, 10 accounts may not be enough. Unlimited accounts start on Professional ($199/user/mo), which doubles the per-seat cost purely for additional connections.
Compare Hootsuite Pricing with Competitors
See how Hootsuite's pricing compares in detailed head-to-head breakdowns: Buffer vs Hootsuite, Hootsuite vs Sprout Social, Hootsuite vs Later, Hootsuite vs Metricool, and Hootsuite vs Publer. Browse all comparisons on our comparison hub.
Pros and Cons of Hootsuite
Pros of Hootsuite:
-
All-in-one social media management:
Hootsuite combines scheduling, inbox, analytics, listening, and collaboration features into one platform, especially on the higher plans. -
Advanced analytics and benchmarking (higher tiers):
Professional adds custom performance reports, Advanced adds team performance reporting, and Enterprise adds advanced analytics for deeper insights. -
Team workflows and approvals:
Saved replies, auto-routing, tagging, DM assignment, and team approval workflows make it easier for larger teams to coordinate. -
Enterprise-ready features:
SSO, custom access permissions, employee advocacy, Salesforce and compliance integrations make Hootsuite appealing to larger organizations. -
Listening and sentiment analysis:
Plans include brand and competitor monitoring, with longer lookback windows and more benchmarking options on higher tiers.
Cons of Hootsuite:
-
High pricing for smaller teams:
With Standard starting at $99 per user/mo* and Advanced at $399 per user/mo*, Hootsuite gets expensive as soon as more than one person needs access. -
Key features locked behind higher plans:
Approval workflows and message auto-routing start on Advanced at $399/user/mo, while advanced analytics and advanced listening are Enterprise features or paid add-ons. -
Complexity and learning curve:
Because it's built with enterprise use cases in mind, the platform can feel heavy for users who only need straightforward scheduling and reporting. -
Not ideal for lean creators and small agencies:
Creators and small agencies often find that they pay for features they don't fully use, while still wishing for a simpler, more focused workflow. -
Custom pricing at the top end:
Enterprise plans require talking to sales and negotiating custom pricing, which may not be appealing to smaller, fast-moving teams.
The Better Hootsuite Alternative for Social Media Scheduling
Hootsuite prices per user. For an agency running social media for local business clients, that is the wrong unit: the work grows when you sign a new restaurant or dental practice, not when a coordinator joins your team.
PostPlanify is built for agencies serving local businesses. Each client gets their own workspace, and you pay per workspace rather than per seat.
Pricing starts at $39/month for your first client workspace, or $31/month billed yearly, and the per-workspace rate drops as you add clients. Every plan includes unlimited team members, so clients and approvers never appear on your bill.
| Client workspaces | Growth | Premium | Scale |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $39/mo | $99/mo | $199/mo |
| 3 | $97/mo | $99/mo | $199/mo |
| 5 | $155/mo | $177/mo | $199/mo |
| 10 | $250/mo | $322/mo | $394/mo |
| Social accounts per workspace | 4 | 6 | 8 |
Here is what each plan includes:
- Growth (from $39/mo per workspace): 4 social accounts per workspace, unlimited team members, unlimited posts, vision-powered AI assistant, full analytics across all 10 platforms, social inbox, approval workflows, bulk scheduling, link in bio, Canva & Google Drive
- Premium (from $99/mo per workspace), Most Popular: 6 accounts per workspace, team comments and @mentions, advanced analytics, scheduled client reports, AI brand voice, API + MCP access
- Scale (from $199/mo per workspace): 8 accounts per workspace, full white labeling of the dashboard, client emails and reports, priority human support, dedicated onboarding and migration
Hootsuite vs PostPlanify: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Hootsuite (Standard) | PostPlanify (Growth) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $99/user/mo (billed annually) | $39/mo per client workspace |
| Social accounts | 10 | 4 per workspace |
| Workspaces | Not a concept | One per client, up to 100 |
| Team members | 1 (extra: $99/user) | Unlimited on every plan |
| Platforms supported | 10+ | 10 |
| Analytics | Basic analytics and reporting | Full, all 10 platforms |
| Social inbox | ✅ | ✅ (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Google Business, YouTube) |
| AI assistant | Wisdom | Vision-powered AI assistant |
| Approval workflows | Advanced plan ($399/user) | Included from Growth |
| White-label reports | Not listed on any plan | Scale (from $199/mo) |
| Canva integration | ✅ | ✅ |
| Best time to post | ✅ | ✅ |
| Bulk scheduling | ✅ | ✅ |
| Link in bio | ❌ | ✅ |
| Mobile app | ✅ | Coming soon |
All plans include a 7-day free trial backed by a 14-day money-back guarantee. The gap shows up fastest on approvals: a three-person agency on Hootsuite Standard pays $297/mo and still cannot route a post for client review, because approvals start on the Advanced plan at $399/user, or $1,197/mo for those same three people. On PostPlanify approvals are included from $39/mo, and the third team member costs nothing.
Related Guides
- Best Hootsuite Alternatives for Social Media Management
- Hootsuite Reviews: What Users Actually Say
- Hootsuite vs PostPlanify: Which Scheduler Is Best?
- Best Social Media Management Platform in 2026
- Best Social Media Management Tools for Teams
- Best Social Media Management Tools for Agencies
- Best Free Social Media Management Tools
- Social Media Scheduling Tools Compared
- Social Media Analytics and Reporting: What to Track
- Best Social Media Tools with Approval Workflows
- Social Media Tools With No Per-Seat Fees
FAQ on Hootsuite Pricing
Is Hootsuite free?
No. Hootsuite has no free plan, and the cheapest paid plan, Standard, starts at $99 per user per month on annual billing. You can try Standard, Professional, or Advanced free for 14 days without a credit card before you pay.
What is the cheapest Hootsuite plan?
Standard is the cheapest Hootsuite plan at $99 per user per month, billed annually. It covers up to 10 social accounts, unlimited scheduled posts, the Wisdom AI assistant, one inbox for messages, and brand and competitor monitoring, but no approval workflows. Unlimited accounts start on Professional at $199 per user, and approvals start on Advanced at $399 per user.
Is Hootsuite billed monthly or annually?
Both. Standard, Professional, and Advanced can be billed monthly or annually, but Hootsuite only publishes the annual rates ($99, $199, and $399 per user per month) and says annual billing gives a lower per-user monthly rate. Prices exclude tax, and Enterprise annual plans can be paid by invoice.
Does Hootsuite offer a free trial?
Yes. Hootsuite offers a 14-day free trial on all plans, with no credit card required. Trial accounts are capped at 10 to 20 posts per day and cannot bulk schedule.
Is Hootsuite good?
Yes, Hootsuite is powerful and widely used, especially by larger teams that need advanced analytics, listening, and collaboration. However, many smaller teams and creators find it expensive and more complex than they need.
What is Hootsuite used for?
Hootsuite is used to schedule and publish social media posts, monitor brand and competitor mentions, manage conversations in a unified inbox, collaborate across teams, and analyze performance across multiple platforms. Enterprise users also use Hootsuite for advanced listening, advocacy, and integrations with tools like Salesforce and compliance platforms.
How much does Hootsuite cost per year?
On annual billing, Hootsuite costs $1,188 per user per year on Standard ($99/user/month), $2,388 on Professional ($199/user/month), and $4,788 on Advanced ($399/user/month). A 3-person team pays $3,564 a year on Standard, or $14,364 a year on Advanced, the first plan with approval workflows. Monthly billing is available but costs more, and Hootsuite does not publish those rates.
Is Hootsuite worth it for small businesses?
For most small businesses, Hootsuite is priced for a different buyer. The Standard plan at $99/user/mo includes strong scheduling and basic analytics, but no approval workflow, and every extra person is another $99. Alternatives like PostPlanify include approvals from the entry plan and charge per brand rather than per seat. Hootsuite makes more sense for mid-size to enterprise teams that need advanced listening, compliance and deep integrations.
Is Hootsuite cheaper than Sprout Social?
Not at entry. Hootsuite Standard is $99/user/month on annual billing, while Sprout Social's Essentials is $99/seat monthly or $79/seat billed annually, so Sprout is the same price or slightly cheaper for a basic seat. Higher up they match closely: Hootsuite Professional ($199/user/mo) sits level with Sprout Standard ($199/seat), and Hootsuite Advanced ($399/user/mo) with Sprout Advanced ($399/seat/mo). For enterprise features, both require custom pricing. See our Hootsuite vs Sprout Social comparison for the full breakdown.
Does Hootsuite have a free plan?
No. Hootsuite discontinued its free plan in 2023. The only way to use Hootsuite without paying is through the 14-day free trial available on all plans. After the trial ends, you must subscribe to continue using the platform. For free alternatives, see our guide on best free social media management tools.
Why is Hootsuite so expensive?
Hootsuite positions itself as an enterprise social media management platform. Its pricing reflects features designed for large organizations: social listening, competitor benchmarking, compliance integrations, employee advocacy, and Salesforce connectivity. If you don't need these enterprise features, and most creators, small businesses, and agencies don't, you're paying for capabilities you'll never use. That's why many teams switch to tools with simpler pricing that focus on scheduling, analytics, and collaboration.
How many users does Hootsuite allow?
Every self-serve plan is priced per user, with each additional person adding $99/mo (Standard), $199/mo (Professional) or $399/mo (Advanced) to your bill. There's no hard limit on users, but the cost scales linearly. The Enterprise plan offers custom user counts at negotiated rates. By contrast, tools like PostPlanify include unlimited team members on every plan and bill per client workspace instead.
What happens when I cancel Hootsuite?
When you cancel Hootsuite, you retain access until the end of your current billing period. After that, your account is downgraded and you lose access to scheduling, analytics, inbox, and all paid features. Your connected social accounts are disconnected. Hootsuite does not offer prorated refunds for mid-cycle cancellations. Download any reports or analytics data you need before your subscription ends.
