Our recommended social media tools
We test dozens of tools every year so you don’t have to. This page features the platforms we actually use and recommend to clients—tools that deliver real value without the complexity or bloat. We update this list as we discover better options or when platforms make significant changes.
Why we curate this list
You’re already managing enough. The last thing you need is to waste time testing tools that promise the world but underdeliver. We’ve spent years finding what actually works for busy social media managers, and these recommendations come from real-world use across dozens of client accounts.
We don’t accept sponsorships or affiliate payments for these recommendations. If a tool is here, it’s because we trust it enough to use it ourselves.
Content creation and design
Your visual content sets the tone for how people perceive your brand. The right tools don’t just make creation faster they elevate quality while keeping your team’s workflow sustainable. We’ve tested everything from basic editors to professional suites to find what actually delivers results.
Adobe Creative Suite
Why we choose it: When quality can’t be compromised, Creative Suite remains the industry standard. Photoshop, Illustrator and Premiere Pro give you complete creative control that simplified tools simply can’t match. For brands with sophisticated visual needs, nothing else comes close.
What sets it apart: Limitless creative capability. While other tools work within templates and constraints, Creative Suite lets you build exactly what you envision. The integration across apps means your workflow stays seamless from concept to final delivery.
Best for: Teams with design expertise or dedicated creative professionals. Brands creating premium content that needs to stand out in crowded markets.
Pricing: Starts at $60 per month for individual apps, $90 per month for All Apps plan
CapCut
Why we choose it: This is the video editor that finally makes sense for social content. While tools like Premiere Pro offer more power, CapCut understands that social videos need speed and platform-specific optimization. Auto-captions alone save hours every week.
What sets it apart: Built for social formats first. The export settings are optimized for each platform’s specs, so you’re not guessing about aspect ratios or compression. The mobile and desktop versions sync seamlessly.
Best for: Anyone creating short-form video for Instagram Reels, TikTok or YouTube Shorts. Teams that need to move fast without sacrificing quality.
Pricing: Free for basic features, Pro starts at $10 per month
Scheduling and publishing
Consistency matters more than perfection, but posting manually across platforms burns time you don’t have. The scheduling tools we recommend balance automation with platform-specific optimization, so your content performs well without constant manual posting.
Sprout Social
Why we choose it: After testing Hootsuite, Later, Buffer and a dozen others, Sprout Social wins on depth of insight and team collaboration features. The unified inbox alone transforms how teams manage cross-platform engagement, and the analytics go beyond surface metrics to actual strategic intelligence.
What sets it apart: The reporting capabilities are unmatched. Most schedulers give you basic metrics. Sprout Social connects performance data to business outcomes, making it easier to prove ROI and refine strategy based on what actually drives results.
Best for: Growing teams that need robust analytics and collaboration tools. Agencies managing multiple clients who require professional reporting and workflow management.
Pricing: Starts at $249 per month (billed annually)
Meta Business Suite
Why we choose it: It’s free and it’s native. For Facebook and Instagram specifically, you get better performance using Meta’s own tools. The integration is seamless because it’s built by the same company running the platforms.
What sets it apart: Real-time performance data and the most accurate insights for these two platforms. Third-party tools always lag slightly on metrics—Meta Business Suite shows you what’s happening now.
Best for: Businesses focused primarily on Facebook and Instagram. Anyone who wants reliable native scheduling without monthly fees.
Pricing: Free
Analytics and reporting
Data without context is just noise. The analytics platforms we use transform metrics into actionable insights that actually inform strategy. Whether you’re tracking performance internally or reporting to clients, these tools make the numbers meaningful.
Metricool
Why we choose it: Most analytics platforms either overwhelm you with data or oversimplify to the point of uselessness. Metricool finds the middle ground. You get comprehensive insights across platforms without needing a data science degree to interpret them.
What sets it apart: Competitor analysis built in. While other tools focus only on your performance, Metricool lets you track how you stack up against competitors, which transforms strategy conversations.
Best for: Agencies managing multiple client accounts. In-house teams that need cross-platform reporting without the enterprise price tag.
Pricing: Free plan available, paid plans start at $18 per month
DataBox
Why we choose it: When clients need to see their social performance alongside broader business metrics, DataBox transforms scattered data into cohesive dashboards. We use this to build custom analytics views that connect social media efforts to actual business outcomes.
What sets it apart: The integration depth is exceptional. DataBox pulls data from 70-plus sources, so you can show how social performance relates to website traffic, sales and other key metrics. Dashboards update in real-time and are genuinely client-friendly.
Best for: Agencies that need professional client reporting. Businesses connecting social media metrics to broader marketing and sales performance.
Pricing: Free plan available, Professional starts at $72 per month
Content planning & Social listening
Great content requires coordination, and you need to know what conversations are happening around your brand. When multiple people are creating, reviewing and publishing, you need systems that keep everyone aligned. At the same time, effective monitoring catches brand mentions and emerging issues before they become problems. These tools handle both sides of the equation.
Notion
Why we choose it: We tested Asana, Monday, Airtable and traditional spreadsheets. Notion wins because it adapts to how your team actually works instead of forcing a rigid structure. Your content calendar can be as simple or detailed as you need.
What sets it apart: Database views that transform how you see your content. Switch from calendar to table to gallery view instantly. Your workflow grows with you instead of becoming something you outgrow in six months.
Best for: Teams that need flexibility. Anyone managing content across multiple formats, platforms and team members.
Pricing: Free for individuals, Team plan starts at $10 per user per month
Brand24
Why we choose it: Mention and Brandwatch cost significantly more for features most teams never use. Brand24 catches the mentions that matter without the enterprise complexity or price tag. We tried the “free” Google Alerts approach—it misses too much and creates noise.
What sets it apart: Sentiment analysis that actually works. Many tools claim AI-powered sentiment tracking but can’t tell sarcasm from praise. Brand24’s accuracy saves you from reputation management false alarms.
Best for: Brands that need to stay on top of conversations without constant manual searching. Companies serious about reputation management but not ready for enterprise-level investment.
Pricing: Starts at $99 per month
How we keep this updated
We review this list quarterly and test new platforms as they emerge. When a tool makes a significant change (pricing, features or reliability), we update our recommendation immediately.
See a tool you think we should test? Reach out and let us know. We’re always looking for better solutions to recommend.
Last updated: Oct. 2025
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