Top Free and Paid Social Media Tools You Should Try
Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur, content creator, or part of a marketing team, using the right tools can take your social media strategy from good to great. These tools help streamline your workflow, improve content quality, and save hours of manual work.
Here’s a roundup of the best free and paid social media tools you should try in 2025.
Best Free Social Media Tools
1. Canva
Use for: Designing graphics, stories, and videos
Templates for every platform
Drag-and-drop interface
Animation and branding options
2. Buffer (Free Plan)
Use for: Scheduling posts and tracking engagement
Plan up to 10 posts per account
Supports multiple platforms
Clean, intuitive dashboard
3. Meta Business Suite
Use for: Managing Facebook and Instagram from one place
Schedule posts and stories
Review insights and engagement metrics
Manage ads and messages
4. Twitter Analytics / Instagram Insights
Use for: Tracking platform-specific performance
Access data like impressions, reach, and follower growth
Identify your top-performing content
5. AnswerThePublic
Use for: Finding content ideas and trending questions
Visual keyword cloud
Great for creating social posts based on real user queries
Top Paid Social Media Tools
1. Hootsuite
Use for: Scheduling, monitoring, analytics, team collaboration
Manage multiple accounts
Advanced reporting and analytics
Social listening tools
2. Later
Use for: Instagram-focused scheduling and planning
Visual planner for Instagram grid
Best time to post suggestions
Hashtag and linkin.bio tools
3. Sprout Social
Use for: Full-suite social management for businesses
Smart inbox to manage engagement
Detailed analytics and CRM features
Collaboration tools for teams
4. Loomly
Use for: Content planning and collaboration
Automated post suggestions
Approval workflows
Live post previews
5. BuzzSumo
Use for: Content research and influencer discovery
Analyze what’s trending in your niche
Find top influencers
Great for content planning
How to Choose the Right Tool
Ask yourself:
What’s your budget?
What platforms do you use most?
Do you need collaboration features?
Do you want automation, analytics, or content creation?
Start with free tools and upgrade as your needs grow. Many paid platforms offer free trials—test them before committing.
Final Thoughts
The right social media tool can save time, improve consistency, and help you grow your brand faster. Whether you’re scheduling, analyzing, designing, or planning—there’s a tool to make it easier.
