# Hootsuite vs Sprout Social

Source: https://nachonacho.com/software-comparisons/hootsuite-vs-sprout-social
Last updated: 2026-11-01

Choose Hootsuite if you need a unified inbox and up to 10 social accounts on an entry plan; choose Sprout Social if you need a lower-priced publishing entry plan or review management in its Standard plan. Both are available social media management platforms with scheduling, analytics and higher-tier collaboration tools. The key is to compare the features you need at the plan level where each vendor includes them.

## At a glance

| | Hootsuite | Sprout Social |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Entry price | Standard starts at $99 per user/month | Essentials: $79 per seat/month, billed annually |
| Entry-plan inbox | Included in Standard | Included from Standard at $199 per seat/month |
| Entry-plan account limit | 10 social accounts on Standard | 5 social profiles on Essentials |
| Unlimited accounts or profiles | From Professional | From Professional |
| Review management | Review monitoring in Enterprise listening | Included from Standard |
| Social listening | Basic listening in Standard; advanced listening in Enterprise | Listening sold as an add-on |
| Content approvals | Advanced plan | Professional plan |
| Connected social networks | Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Threads, X, TikTok, Bluesky, YouTube, Pinterest | Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Threads, X, TikTok, Bluesky, YouTube, Pinterest |
| Business-tool integrations | Canva, Adobe Express, Slack; Salesforce on Enterprise | Canva, Slack; helpdesk integrations on Advanced |
| Free trial | 14 days; no credit card required | 30 days; no credit card required |
| Mobile apps | iPhone, iPad and Android | iOS and Android |
| Enterprise support | Expert-led onboarding and ongoing support | White-glove onboarding and priority support |

## Which to choose

### Choose Hootsuite if

- Teams needing an inbox on the entry plan
- Buyers managing six to 10 social accounts
- Teams wanting basic listening within a self-serve plan
- Organizations wanting approval workflows on Hootsuite Advanced

### Choose Sprout Social if

- Buyers starting with up to five profiles and publishing
- Teams managing customer reviews alongside social messages
- Teams needing unlimited profiles on Sprout Social Professional
- Customer-care teams evaluating Advanced-plan helpdesk integrations

## Verdict

Hootsuite is the better fit when your starting requirement is managing more than five accounts alongside messages in one inbox: its Standard plan includes 10 accounts and an inbox. Sprout Social is the better fit when five profiles and publishing are enough to start, or when review management and its customer-care integrations matter: Essentials starts at $79 per seat per month with annual billing, while Standard adds an inbox and reviews. Check higher-tier costs separately if you need unlimited profiles, approvals or advanced listening.

## Questions

### Is Hootsuite or Sprout Social cheaper to start?

Sprout Social lists Essentials at $79 per seat per month with annual billing, compared with Hootsuite Standard starting at $99 per user per month. Essentials covers five profiles and publishing; Hootsuite Standard covers 10 accounts and includes an inbox, so the entry plans serve different needs.

### Which entry plan includes a social inbox?

Hootsuite includes a unified inbox in Standard. Sprout Social adds a consolidated inbox in Standard, listed at $199 per seat per month with annual billing; its lower-priced Essentials plan focuses on publishing.

### How many accounts can each platform manage?

Hootsuite Standard includes up to 10 social accounts, with unlimited accounts from Professional. Sprout Social Essentials and Standard include five social profiles, with unlimited profiles from Professional.

### Is social listening included?

Hootsuite includes basic listening in Standard and lists advanced listening under Enterprise. Sprout Social sells its dedicated Listening product as an add-on rather than including it by default in Standard, Professional or Advanced.

### Which supports content approval workflows?

Hootsuite lists team content approvals in Advanced. Sprout Social lists custom approval workflows in Professional.

### Can either platform connect to Salesforce?

Yes. Hootsuite publishes a Salesforce integration for Enterprise customers. Sprout Social lists its Salesforce helpdesk integration under Advanced.

### Do both platforms support TikTok, Threads and Bluesky?

Yes. Hootsuite and Sprout Social both list TikTok, Threads and Bluesky among their supported social networks. Available publishing, inbox and analytics functions vary by network.

### How long can I try each product?

Hootsuite offers a 14-day trial, while Sprout Social offers a 30-day trial. Both say a credit card is not required to start.

## Product pages

- Hootsuite: https://nachonacho.com/product/hootsuite
- Sprout Social: https://nachonacho.com/product/SPROUT_SOCIAL INC

## Related comparisons

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- Hootsuite vs Buffer: https://nachonacho.com/software-comparisons/hootsuite-vs-buffer
- Hootsuite vs Sprinklr: https://nachonacho.com/software-comparisons/hootsuite-vs-sprinklr
- Hootsuite vs Vista Social: https://nachonacho.com/software-comparisons/hootsuite-vs-vista-social
- Hootsuite vs Later: https://nachonacho.com/software-comparisons/later-vs-hootsuite
- Hootsuite vs Social Champ: https://nachonacho.com/software-comparisons/social-champ-vs-hootsuite
- Hootsuite vs SocialPilot: https://nachonacho.com/software-comparisons/socialpilot-vs-hootsuite

### More Sprout Social comparisons

- Sprout Social vs NapoleonCat: https://nachonacho.com/software-comparisons/napoleoncat-vs-sprout-social