Hootsuite vs Sprout Social (March 2026)
| HHootsuite | SSprout Social | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $99/mo | $199/mo |
| Rating | 4.2/5 | 4.4/5 |
| Free Tier | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Best For | Agencies, Enterprise | Enterprise, Agencies |
Sprout Social takes the lead with a 4.4/5 rating compared to Hootsuite's 4.2/5, though both are solid choices depending on your priorities.
Quick Overview
Hootsuite
Social media management platform for scheduling, analytics, and team collaboration.
- Best for: Agencies, Enterprise
- Starting price: $99/mo
- Category: Social Media Management Tools
- Founded: 2008
- Pricing model: subscription
Sprout Social
Enterprise social media management with powerful analytics and CRM features.
- Best for: Enterprise, Agencies
- Starting price: $199/mo
- Category: Social Media Management Tools
- Founded: 2010
- Pricing model: subscription
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Hootsuite | Sprout Social |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduling | ✓ | ✓ |
| Analytics | ✓ | ✓ |
| Content Calendar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Team Collaboration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Social Listening | ✓ | ✓ |
| Engagement Tools | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mobile App | ✓ | ✓ |
| Ads Management | ✓ | ✓ |
Pricing Comparison
Prices last verified: March 16, 2026
Hootsuite
Sprout Social
Pros & Cons
Hootsuite
- Comprehensive platform
- Strong analytics
- Many integrations
- Good for teams
- Expensive
- Removed free tier
- UI can be complex
- Extra costs for features
Sprout Social
- Powerful analytics
- Great reporting
- Excellent support
- Smart inbox
- Very expensive
- Complex for small teams
- Limited profiles on lower tiers
- Add-on costs
Which Is Best for You?
Choose Hootsuite if:
- Agencies
- Enterprise
- Large teams
- Multi-brand management
- Budget is a priority ($99 vs $199)
Choose Sprout Social if:
- Enterprise
- Agencies
- Data-driven teams
- Customer service teams
- Higher user rating matters to you (4.4 vs 4.2)
Our Verdict
Choose Hootsuite if you're an agency managing multiple clients, need extensive third-party integrations, or require a more budget-friendly entry point into enterprise social media management. Its $99 starting price makes it accessible for growing teams, while its integration capabilities and multi-brand management features provide excellent scalability. Hootsuite is particularly suitable for teams comfortable with interface complexity in exchange for comprehensive functionality and customization options.
Choose Sprout Social if you're an enterprise team prioritizing data-driven decision making, superior customer service integration, or need best-in-class analytics and reporting. Despite the higher $249 starting price, the platform delivers exceptional value for organizations where social media directly impacts customer relationships or requires detailed performance attribution. The streamlined interface, Smart Inbox, and comprehensive reporting capabilities justify the premium pricing for teams focused on efficiency and measurable results rather than extensive customization.