Hootsuite Killed Its Free Plan. Now It Costs More Than Your Netflix Bill

Hootsuite just priced out solo creators and small teams. The social media management veteran now starts at $199 per month.

That’s a sharp turn from the platform that once welcomed beginners with free accounts. But after 17 years in business, Hootsuite shifted focus entirely to professional teams and enterprises. So if you’re a freelancer or small business owner, you’ll need to look elsewhere or pay up.

Standard Plan Delivers Basic Tools for $199 Monthly

The entry-level Standard package lets you manage 10 social accounts. You get unlimited post scheduling, timing recommendations, and Canva integration. Plus, Hootsuite throws in a hashtag generator and basic analytics.

However, that $199 price tag feels steep compared to competitors. Buffer starts at $6 per month. Circleboom offers similar features for under $30. So Hootsuite clearly targets teams with bigger budgets.

The platform supports all major networks. Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn, YouTube, and X all connect smoothly. You can schedule content across platforms from one dashboard. But you’re limited to those 10 accounts, which fills up fast if you manage multiple brands.

OwlyGPT Writes Your Posts Using AI

Here’s where Hootsuite justifies some of that cost. The platform baked AI throughout with OwlyWriter and the newer OwlyGPT tools.

OwlyWriter generates social media captions in seconds. Just drop in a prompt or paste a URL. The tool summarizes articles into post-ready content automatically. Moreover, it analyzes your top-performing posts and suggests fresh angles for repurposing them.

OwlyGPT takes things further in 2025. It now creates original images to match your posts, currently in beta. Describe what you need and it generates graphics automatically. The tool also learns your brand voice by analyzing past content, ensuring consistency even when multiple team members create posts.

You get 300 AI tokens monthly that renew with paid plans. Each caption creation uses one token. That’s plenty for regular content without running out mid-month.

Advanced Plan Unlocks Unlimited Accounts for $399

Need more than 10 social accounts? The Advanced tier costs $399 per month and removes account limits entirely.

Plus, you gain custom reporting tools and approval workflows. These features matter for agencies managing multiple clients or brands with strict compliance requirements. Advanced also adds social listening analytics, employee advocacy tools, and review management.

The reporting capabilities shine at this tier. Hootsuite compiles visual data that proves social media ROI to bosses. You can track engagement over time and export polished reports for presentations. Yet the Standard plan offers basic analytics that won’t impress stakeholders.

Enterprise Plan Costs Even More But Adds Priority Support

Pricing for Enterprise requires contacting sales. However, you get 24/7 priority support and high-end customization options.

This tier makes sense for global organizations with complex needs. You can integrate over 150 apps into your workspace. Microsoft business apps connect seamlessly, along with Dropbox and Google Drive. So enterprise teams gain flexibility that smaller plans lack.

The interface handles multiple accounts without crashing. Plus, dedicated support helps staff when they get stuck, rather than waiting days for email responses.

Social Listening Features Raise Privacy Concerns

Hootsuite’s contracts with US Department of Homeland Security and ICE stirred controversy recently. The platform provides social listening features to these agencies, which track public social media activity.

This concerns users who value privacy. Some businesses dropped Hootsuite over these partnerships. So it’s worth knowing before committing to a long-term contract.

The social listening tools themselves work well. They monitor brand mentions, track sentiment, and identify potential PR problems before they explode. But the ethical implications give some organizations pause.

Interface Feels Dated Compared to Modern Competitors

Hootsuite’s dashboard works fine but lacks polish. The company improved the interface over years, yet it still feels clunky compared to newer platforms.

Setting up accounts is straightforward. You add social networks from a central dashboard, then manage everything from one place. However, the layout takes time to master. New users often feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of options and menus.

That said, the platform feels stable. We experienced zero crashes during testing. Plus, once you learn where everything lives, administration becomes quick and efficient.

Reporting Shines in Higher Tiers

The Advanced and Enterprise plans deliver impressive analytics. You can prove social media ROI with detailed reports that combine data from all connected accounts.

Hootsuite tracks engagement, reach, clicks, and conversions across platforms. Then it compiles this into visual reports perfect for presentations. Moreover, you can customize reports to highlight metrics that matter most to your business.

Yet the Standard plan offers basic stats that lack depth. You’ll struggle to justify that $199 monthly cost based solely on entry-level reporting. So budget-conscious teams should consider whether they truly need Hootsuite’s power.

Buffer and Circleboom Cost Way Less

Hootsuite faces stiff competition from cheaper alternatives. Buffer starts at $6 per month for individuals and $12 for teams. Circleboom charges under $30 monthly for similar scheduling features.

Sprout Social and Sendible offer mid-tier options between budget tools and Hootsuite’s enterprise focus. These platforms provide robust features without the hefty price tag. So unless you specifically need Hootsuite’s advanced capabilities, cheaper options exist.

The trade-off comes down to features versus cost. Hootsuite packs in everything from AI content creation to custom analytics and 150+ app integrations. But many businesses don’t need this Swiss army knife approach.

Is Hootsuite Worth $199 Per Month?

Hootsuite makes sense for professional teams managing multiple brands or clients. The AI tools save real time, and the reporting capabilities justify costs for agencies.

However, solo creators and small businesses will find better value elsewhere. The removal of free and budget-friendly plans means Hootsuite no longer serves entry-level users. That’s disappointing given its history as an accessible platform.

If you’re managing 10+ social accounts and need robust analytics, Hootsuite delivers. But if you’re just starting out or running a tight budget, Buffer or similar tools offer better value. The choice depends entirely on your team size, budget, and feature requirements.

Post Title: Hootsuite Costs $199/Month Now: Is It Worth the Price?

Meta Description: Hootsuite just priced out solo creators and small teams. The social media management veteran now starts at