Choosing the right social media management tool is crucial for a successful Instagram marketing strategy. Later and Sprout Social are two of the most popular tools, but which one is better? In this blog, we’ll compare their features, pricing, and benefits to help you make the best choice for your brand.
1. Later vs. Sprout Social: An Overview
Later: A Visual Content Planner
Later is an intuitive visual scheduling tool designed for brands and influencers focused on Instagram. It offers drag-and-drop scheduling, hashtag suggestions, and content planning to optimize engagement.
Sprout Social: A Full-Suite Management Tool
Sprout Social is a comprehensive social media management platform that goes beyond scheduling. It provides advanced analytics, social listening, and a unified inbox, making it ideal for larger teams and businesses.
2. Feature Comparison
| Feature | Later | Sprout Social |
|---|---|---|
| Visual Content Calendar | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Automated Posting | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Hashtag Suggestions | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Detailed Analytics | ❌ Limited | ✅ Yes |
| Team Collaboration | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Social Inbox | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Pricing | Starts at $18/mo | Starts at $249/mo |
3. Pros and Cons
Later: Pros & Cons
✅ User-friendly visual planner
✅ Affordable for small businesses
✅ Hashtag and best-time-to-post suggestions
❌ Limited analytics and reporting
❌ Lacks social listening and team collaboration
Sprout Social: Pros & Cons
✅ Detailed analytics and reporting
✅ All-in-one social media management
✅ Social listening and engagement tracking
❌ Expensive for small businesses
❌ No hashtag suggestions for Instagram
4. Which One Should You Choose?
👉 Choose Later if:
- You want an easy drag-and-drop planner for Instagram.
- You’re looking for an affordable scheduling tool.
- You rely on hashtag strategies for engagement.
👉 Choose Sprout Social if:
- You need detailed analytics and team collaboration.
- You manage multiple platforms beyond Instagram.
- You want social listening and engagement tracking.
5. Final Verdict
Both Later and Sprout Social serve different purposes. If you’re an individual creator or a small business focused on Instagram scheduling, Later is the better option. However, if you need full-suite social media management with advanced analytics, Sprout Social is worth the investment.
Boost Your Instagram Strategy with Social Media Max
Want to maximize your Instagram marketing results? At Social Media Max, we offer expert social media strategy, content creation, and growth management.
📞 Call us at 0161 399 3517
📧 Email us at Syed_66@hotmail.com
🌍 Visit: Social Media Max