Hootsuite
Social media management platform for scheduling, analytics, and team collaborati...
Sprout Social
Enterprise social media management with powerful analytics and CRM features....
Hootsuite vs Sprout Social: Which Is Better in 2026?
Comprehensive comparison of Hootsuite and Sprout Social covering features, pricing, pros & cons, and our expert verdict to help you make the right choice for your business.
Quick Overview
Hootsuite
- Best for: Agencies, Enterprise
- Starting price: $99/mo
- Category: social media
- Founded: 2008
Sprout Social
- Best for: Enterprise, Agencies
- Starting price: $249/mo
- Category: social media
- Founded: 2010
Feature Comparison
Side-by-side feature comparison to help you understand the key differences between Hootsuite and Sprout Social.
| Feature | H Hootsuite | S Sprout Social |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduling | ||
| Analytics | ||
| Content Calendar | ||
| Team Collaboration | ||
| Social Listening | ||
| Engagement Tools | ||
| Mobile App | ||
| Ads Management |
Our Verdict
After extensive testing and analysis, Sprout Social edges out as the winner in this comparison. While both tools excel in their respective areas, Sprout Social offers better overall user satisfaction. Hootsuite remains a strong alternative, especially for users who prioritize agencies.
Pros & Cons
Hootsuite Pros & Cons
Pros
- Comprehensive platform
- Strong analytics
- Many integrations
- Good for teams
- Reliable
Cons
- Expensive
- Removed free tier
- UI can be complex
- Extra costs for features
Sprout Social Pros & Cons
Pros
- Powerful analytics
- Great reporting
- Excellent support
- Smart inbox
- Social CRM
Cons
- Very expensive
- Complex for small teams
- Limited profiles on lower tiers
- Add-on costs
Pricing Comparison
Compare the pricing plans and see which tool offers better value for your budget.
Hootsuite
subscription- 10 social accounts
- 1 user
- Unlimited posts
- 20 social accounts
- 3 users
- Team assignments
- 50+ social accounts
- Unlimited users
- Social ads
Sprout Social
subscription- 5 social profiles
- All-in-one inbox
- Review management
- Unlimited profiles
- Competitive reports
- Custom workflows
- Message spike alerts
- Digital asset library
- Chatbots
- Premium consulting
- Priority support
- Custom solutions
Which Tool Is Best For You?
Choose Hootsuite if you need:
- Agencies
- Enterprise
- Large teams
- Multi-brand management
- Comprehensive platform
- Strong analytics
Choose Sprout Social if you need:
- Enterprise
- Agencies
- Data-driven teams
- Customer service teams
- Powerful analytics
- Great reporting
Hootsuite vs Sprout Social FAQ
What are the main differences between Hootsuite and Sprout Social?
Hootsuite focuses on agencies with comprehensive platform, while Sprout Social excels at enterprise with powerful analytics. Key differences include pricing structure, feature depth, and target user base.
Is Hootsuite or Sprout Social better for small businesses?
Both tools have paid plans. For small businesses with limited budgets, consider starting with the tool that offers Hootsuite's lower starting price of $99/month.
What is the pricing difference between Hootsuite and Sprout Social?
Hootsuite starts at $99/month, while Sprout Social starts at $249/month. Both offer multiple pricing tiers with different feature sets.
Can Hootsuite integrate with Sprout Social?
While direct integration may vary, both Hootsuite and Sprout Social support third-party integrations through platforms like Zapier. Hootsuite integrates with All major social networks, Canva, Dropbox, while Sprout Social works with All major social networks, Salesforce, HubSpot.
Which tool is easier to use, Hootsuite or Sprout Social?
Based on user reviews, Sprout Social generally receives higher marks for ease of use with a 4.4 rating. However, ease of use can depend on your specific needs and technical background. Hootsuite is known for strong analytics.
Does Hootsuite or Sprout Social offer better customer support?
Both Hootsuite and Sprout Social provide customer support, with options varying by plan tier. Hootsuite offers support through standard support channels. Check each tool's specific plan for support details.
What are the pros of Hootsuite compared to Sprout Social?
Hootsuite's main advantages include: Comprehensive platform, Strong analytics, Many integrations. Compared to Sprout Social, it's particularly strong for agencies.
What are the cons of Hootsuite compared to Sprout Social?
Hootsuite's potential drawbacks include: Expensive, Removed free tier. Sprout Social may be a better choice if these limitations affect your use case.
Should I switch from Hootsuite to Sprout Social or vice versa?
Consider switching if your current tool doesn't meet your needs. Key factors include: current pain points, migration complexity, team training, and total cost of ownership. Use our ROI calculator to estimate the potential impact of switching.
Which tool is best for social media in 2026?
In 2026, Sprout Social leads in this comparison with a 4.4 rating. However, the best choice depends on your specific requirements. Hootsuite excels for agencies, while Sprout Social is ideal for enterprise.