Hootsuite vs Sprout Social for 2025: which social media manager wins?

Curious about which social media management platform suits your team in 2025? Discover the detailed comparison between Hootsuite and Sprout Social to make an informed decision for your business — read on for a full breakdown.

Choosing the right social media management tool has never been more crucial as platforms evolve and competition intensifies in 2025. Hootsuite and Sprout Social are two of the most reputable solutions, each offering unique strengths for teams of all sizes. But with so many overlapping features — from scheduling and analytics to collaboration and integrations — finding the perfect fit for your budget and workflow isn’t always straightforward. This blog post dives deep into a hands-on comparison of Hootsuite and Sprout Social, analyzing the most essential features and use cases to help you pick the best tool for your business needs.

We’ll explore everything from content calendars and approval workflows to advanced analytics, pricing structures, integrations, and real-world usability. Whether you’re part of a small marketing team, a growing agency, or a large enterprise, understanding the subtle (and not-so-subtle) differences between Hootsuite and Sprout Social can save your team time, enhance collaboration, and ultimately supercharge your social media strategy. Read on for a clear breakdown, practical tips, and recommendations — plus an alternative option if neither fully suits your requirements.

How do both platforms compare on content calendar?
Do they make collaboration easy for social teams?
Are approval workflows better in either solution?
How powerful is the analytics for social managers?
Which platform offers the most user-friendly experience?
Do both platforms integrate smoothly with popular tools?
How does the pricing compare for each platform today?
What is a strong alternative to these two platforms?
Can you confidently choose the best tool for 2025 now?

How do both platforms compare on content calendar?

When comparing the content calendar features of Hootsuite and Sprout Social, both platforms offer flexible weekly, monthly, and list views to help you manage social media posts across multiple networks. Hootsuite stands out with content suggestions for key dates and an AI-powered post generator, while Sprout Social excels with advanced filtering and campaign tracking options. Both platforms enable bulk scheduling, but specific features like LinkedIn document scheduling are limited or unavailable in lower-tier plans. Ultimately, your choice depends on whether you prioritize creative content support (Hootsuite) or streamlined campaign organization (Sprout Social) within your social media strategy.

Do they make collaboration easy for social teams?

Both Hootsuite and Sprout Social offer collaboration features designed for social media teams, but there are key differences. Hootsuite lets you assign tasks and manage permissions, but lacks the ability to comment directly on posts or discuss drafts in-platform. On the other hand, Sprout Social excels in collaboration by allowing team members to leave comments on drafts, engage in internal discussions, and organize teams with Groups functionality. For larger teams that prioritize feedback and smooth workflows, Sprout Social’s features provide a more streamlined collaborative experience.

Are approval workflows better in either solution?

When comparing approval workflows in Hootsuite and Sprout Social, Sprout Social stands out for its highly customizable multi-step approvals and real-time collaboration tools. While Hootsuite offers strong workflow options, its most advanced features are limited to the Enterprise plan, making it less accessible for smaller teams. Sprout Social allows teams to comment, assign approvers, and even bring in external stakeholders, making the approval process more flexible and transparent. Overall, Sprout Social provides a more robust and collaborative experience for social media content approvals.

How powerful is the analytics for social managers?

When it comes to analytics, both Hootsuite and Sprout Social empower social media managers with robust performance insights. Hootsuite delivers custom reports, real-time tracking, and engagement metrics across multiple networks, making it ideal for quick overviews. Sprout Social takes analytics a step further, offering advanced competitor analysis, audience sentiment reports, and deep dives into engagement trends. In 2025, the winner for analytics will depend on whether your team needs basic dashboards or industry-leading, in-depth reporting.

Which platform offers the most user-friendly experience?

When it comes to user-friendly experiences in social media management, both Hootsuite and Sprout Social make strong cases with their distinct approaches. Hootsuite is known for its intuitive dashboard and straightforward post-scheduling process, which makes onboarding and daily usage a breeze for most marketing professionals. While some users note that Hootsuite’s interface can feel cluttered due to its wide feature set, the platform’s clear navigation and helpful tutorials help ease new users into the workflow. Drag-and-drop calendar views and clear action buttons empower teams to quickly publish or schedule content across multiple platforms.

Sprout Social, on the other hand, earns high marks for its sleek, modern interface and logical layout. The minimalistic approach ensures that key features like reporting, content planning, and team collaboration remain easy to find, even for new users. Sprout Social’s step-by-step onboarding, contextual help features, and in-platform collaboration tools make it ideal for teams seeking efficiency and transparency. Ultimately, while Hootsuite offers excellent ease of use for routine tasks, Sprout Social stands out for its refined user experience and collaborative features, making it especially appealing for large teams and agencies.

Do both platforms integrate smoothly with popular tools?

Both Hootsuite and Sprout Social offer robust integration capabilities with popular tools, making them versatile choices for modern social media managers. Hootsuite stands out with access to over 150 integrations, covering apps like Google Drive, Canva, Slack, and MailChimp. Sprout Social also covers essential platforms such as Google Analytics, HubSpot, Canva, Salesforce, and more, though its app directory is slightly smaller. Whether you need to streamline workflows or centralize team communication, both platforms ensure smooth integration with key marketing tools in 2025.

How does the pricing compare for each platform today?

When it comes to pricing for Hootsuite and Sprout Social in 2025, there is a significant difference. Hootsuite is more affordable, starting at $99 per month for the Professional plan, while Sprout Social’s entry-level plan starts at $249 per user per month. Both platforms offer advanced features in higher tiers, but Sprout Social’s pricing is suited for larger teams and agencies with bigger budgets. For small to medium businesses looking for value, Hootsuite generally provides a better balance of features and cost.

What is a strong alternative to these two platforms?

If you're looking for a strong alternative to Hootsuite and Sprout Social, Planable is an excellent choice for 2025. Planable offers powerful scheduling, real-time collaboration, and multi-level approval workflows ideal for both agencies and in-house teams. Its intuitive social media calendar supports major platforms like Instagram, Threads, and LinkedIn, plus a media library and analytics to streamline your strategy. For social media managers who value ease of use, collaboration, and precise post previewing, Planable stands out as a leading solution.

Can you confidently choose the best tool for 2025 now?

Can you confidently choose the best tool for 2025 now?

After diving deep into the head-to-head comparison between Hootsuite and Sprout Social, you’ve now got a thorough understanding of what each social media management tool brings to the table. Both platforms shine in their own ways: Hootsuite stands out for its affordability and a robust set of features perfect for small to mid-sized teams, while Sprout Social impresses with its advanced collaboration, analytics, and customer support capabilities tailored for larger companies and agencies. The best choice really depends on your company size, automation needs, and collaboration preferences. Remember to review your team’s workflow and long-term goals before settling on a platform — the right fit will save you time, headache, and budget in the long run.

If neither feels quite perfect, don’t forget there are strong alternatives like Planable for those prioritizing streamlined approvals and collaboration. Take advantage of free trials where possible, so your team can experience the workflow firsthand before making a commitment. Whichever platform you choose — whether Hootsuite, Sprout Social, or an alternative — you’re already one step closer to mastering social media management in 2025!

SOCIAL MEDIA SCHEDULER

Plan and publish...

Plan and publish your content for Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn from one simple dashboard.

LEARN MORE

EDITOR

Ellie Macklin

Community & Content Manager, RADAAR

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Which tool wins: Hootsuite or Sprout?

Curious about Hootsuite vs Sprout Social for 2025? Find answers to your top questions in this handy FAQ section.

Which is better for small businesses: Hootsuite or Sprout Social?

Hootsuite is usually the preferred choice for small to mid-sized businesses thanks to its more affordable pricing and robust publishing tools. Sprout Social, while feature-rich, is generally better suited for larger teams with more advanced analytics and collaboration needs.

How do the pricing plans compare between Hootsuite and Sprout Social?

Hootsuite's pricing starts at $99/month, while Sprout Social's plans begin at $249/month per user. Hootsuite delivers basic collaboration at higher tiers and is more budget-friendly, whereas Sprout Social offers premium features but comes at a steeper cost.

Are there notable alternatives to Hootsuite and Sprout Social?

Yes! Planable, Buffer, and Loomly are great alternatives that offer user-friendly interfaces, strong content planning, and collaboration features—often at a more accessible price point.

What key features does Sprout Social offer over Hootsuite?

Sprout Social excels in detailed analytics, team collaboration, and customizable approval workflows. It also supports advanced reporting, extensive integrations with customer support platforms, and internal commenting on drafts, making it ideal for agencies and enterprises.

Which tool offers better analytics and reporting?

Sprout Social stands out with its in-depth, cross-network analytics, competitor analysis, and white-label reporting. While Hootsuite offers solid, customizable reports, Sprout Social provides a broader set of reporting features for data-driven teams.

Who should choose Hootsuite or Sprout Social in 2025?

Hootsuite is ideal for solo social media managers or smaller teams managing several platforms on a budget. Sprout Social is best for larger organizations or agencies needing advanced automation, detailed analytics, and streamlined client collaboration.