Buffer â—†
Buffer is a social media scheduling and management tool with a free plan and paid plans from $6/mo.
Free·Free · from $6/mo
About Sprout Social
What is Sprout Social?
Sprout Social is a full-suite social media management tool that helps marketing teams schedule posts, monitor conversations, and analyze performance across major networks like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and TikTok. It solves the problem of managing multiple social profiles without a unified view, using AI-powered insights to surface real-time signals and guide action.
Who is it for?
Best for marketing agencies managing multiple client accounts, in-house social media teams needing robust analytics, and brands monitoring brand mentions and sentiment. It is less suited for solo entrepreneurs or very small businesses on a tight budget who may only need basic scheduling.
Real use cases
Teams use Sprout Social's publishing calendar to plan content with optimal send times, the engagement inbox to manage all messages from one place, and custom reporting dashboards to prove ROI. Social listening across 20+ languages helps track keywords and competitor activity.
Key features
- Publishing calendar — Drag-and-drop scheduling with optimal timing suggestions.
- Social listening — Track keywords, hashtags, and brand mentions in real time.
- Engagement inbox — Manage all messages and comments from one place.
- Reporting — Customizable dashboards with exportable PDFs.
- Competitor analysis — Compare performance against up to 5 competitors.
- AI-powered insights — Trellis AI agent turns conversation into clear action.
- Review management — Monitor and respond to reviews across platforms.
Sprout Social Pricing
Sprout Social pricing: from $79/seat/mo. Billing model: Subscription.
Essentials — $79/seat/month ($99 billed monthly)
Connect up to 5 social profiles, includes optimal send times, profile and post-level reporting, mobile app, publishing and engagement tools. Start free for 30 days.
Standard — $199/seat/month
5 social profiles, consolidated inbox, keyword and location monitoring, unlimited AI-generated alt text, review management.
Professional — $299/seat/month
Unlimited social profiles, message tagging, competitor and paid insights, Enhance Post by AI Assist.
Advanced — $399/seat/month
Enhance Reply by AI Assist, sentiment in Smart Inbox and Reviews, Sprout API and Helpdesk integrations, team productivity reports, Message Spike Alerts.
Enterprise — Custom pricing
White-glove onboarding, dedicated support, tailored plan for large-scale operations.
All plans offer a 30-day free trial with no credit card required.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Sprout Social cost?
Sprout Social pricing starts at $79/seat/month (Essentials) and goes up to $399/seat/month for Advanced. Enterprise plans are custom. All paid plans offer a 30-day free trial.
Is Sprout Social free?
Sprout Social is not free, but offers a 30-day free trial with no credit card required. No permanent free plan is available.
What is Sprout Social used for?
Sprout Social is a social media management platform used for scheduling posts, monitoring conversations, analyzing performance, and listening to brand mentions across networks like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and TikTok.
Who is Sprout Social best for?
It is best for marketing agencies, in-house social media teams, and brands needing robust analytics and multi-profile management. It is less ideal for solo entrepreneurs on a tight budget.
What are the top alternatives to Sprout Social?
Alternatives include Hootsuite, Buffer, Later, and Zoho Social, which offer lower starting prices but may lack Sprout's advanced analytics and listening features.
Does Sprout Social have a free trial?
Yes, Sprout Social offers a 30-day free trial for all plans with no credit card required. You can explore features before committing.
