Later vs. Hootsuite vs. Buffer: Instagram Scheduling Comparison

Published on July 28th, 2025

Instagram has evolved from a simple photo-sharing platform into a dynamic marketing channel that businesses and creators can’t ignore. But with this evolution comes a challenge: How do you consistently publish fresh, engaging content without being glued to your phone all day?

Enter Instagram scheduling tools—specifically Later, Hootsuite, and Buffer—three of the most popular platforms for planning and automating your posts. While each promises to simplify your social media workflow, they differ in pricing, features, and ease of use.

If you’ve ever wondered which tool is best for your brand or business, this detailed comparison will help you decide confidently.

Why Use an Instagram Scheduling Tool?

Before diving into the head-to-head comparison, it’s worth understanding why scheduling tools are essential:

Time Savings: You can batch-create content for the week or month ahead, freeing up hours each day.
Consistency: Regular posting improves your visibility and engagement.
Analytics: Many tools offer insights into what content resonates with your audience.
Team Collaboration: For agencies and brands, scheduling platforms help coordinate approvals and manage multiple accounts.
Cross-Platform Publishing: Some tools let you schedule to Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn from one dashboard.

With these benefits in mind, let’s look at how Later, Hootsuite, and Buffer stack up.

Later: Visual Scheduling Simplified

What is Later?

Later began as an Instagram-first scheduler focused heavily on visual planning. Today, it supports multiple platforms, but Instagram scheduling remains its strength.

Key Features:

Drag-and-Drop Visual Planner: Easily arrange your feed layout to create a cohesive aesthetic.
Media Library: Upload photos and videos in bulk, then reuse them across posts.
Hashtag Suggestions: Discover and save hashtags to increase reach.
Instagram Stories Scheduling: Schedule reminders to post Stories manually.
Best Time to Post: AI-powered recommendations for optimal engagement.

Ease of Use:
Later is praised for its intuitive, beginner-friendly interface. The drag-and-drop calendar makes planning your grid simple, and the media library ensures you never lose track of content.

Pricing:
Later offers a free plan with 10 posts per profile per month, which is ideal for individuals testing the waters. Paid plans start affordably, scaling up with features like analytics and additional posts.

Best For:

Creators who care about how their feed looks.
Small businesses focused primarily on Instagram.
Visual brands in fashion, food, and design.

Hootsuite: The Enterprise Powerhouse

What is Hootsuite?

Hootsuite is one of the oldest and most robust social media management platforms. It caters to businesses of all sizes but shines in enterprise environments with complex needs.

Key Features:

All-in-One Dashboard: Manage Instagram alongside Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and YouTube.
Advanced Analytics: Deep performance reports with customizable metrics.
Team Collaboration: Assign roles, manage approvals, and maintain workflows.
Social Listening: Monitor brand mentions and trends.
Bulk Scheduling: Upload spreadsheets to schedule hundreds of posts at once.

Ease of Use:
Hootsuite has a steeper learning curve compared to Later or Buffer. The dashboard is powerful but can feel overwhelming for new users.

Pricing:
Hootsuite does not offer a robust free plan. Paid plans start at higher price points and can get expensive as you add users and features.

Best For:

Medium to large businesses with multiple team members.
Agencies managing many clients.
Brands that need extensive reporting and social listening.

Buffer: Simplicity Meets Flexibility

What is Buffer?

Buffer focuses on helping brands and individuals plan, publish, and analyze content without unnecessary complexity.

Key Features:

Queue-Based Scheduling: Add posts to a queue that automatically publishes at preset times.
Content Calendar: Visualize upcoming posts in a simple calendar.
Instagram Direct Publishing: Post directly without extra notifications.
Engagement Tools: Respond to comments and messages from one inbox.
Link Shortening: Track click-throughs with integrated analytics.

Ease of Use:
Buffer is exceptionally user-friendly. Even if you’ve never used a scheduler, you’ll find it straightforward to set up and start posting.

Pricing:
Buffer offers a free plan that allows scheduling up to 10 posts per channel. Paid plans are affordable and scale as you grow.

Best For:

Solo entrepreneurs and freelancers.
Small teams needing a clean, clutter-free interface.
Users who want an affordable, no-fuss scheduler.

Feature Comparison at a Glance

Here’s a quick table to help you see how Later, Hootsuite, and Buffer compare:

Feature	Later	Hootsuite	Buffer
Visual Instagram Planner	✅ Yes	❌ No	❌ No
Multi-Platform Support	✅ Limited (4 platforms)	✅ Extensive (6+ platforms)	✅ Limited (4 platforms)
Advanced Analytics	✅ Moderate	✅ Advanced	✅ Moderate
Team Collaboration	✅ Basic	✅ Advanced	✅ Basic
Social Listening	❌ No	✅ Yes	❌ No
Pricing	💲 Affordable	💲💲💲 Higher	💲 Affordable
Ease of Use	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐

Choosing the Best Instagram Scheduler for You

With so many features to consider, how do you choose? Here are a few tips to guide your decision:

Define Your Goals:
If your priority is visual planning and feed aesthetics, Later is hard to beat. For a powerful all-in-one social media hub, Hootsuite is the clear winner. If you want simplicity and affordability, Buffer stands out.
Consider Your Team Size:
Solo creators and small teams will likely prefer Later or Buffer. Larger organizations that require approvals, workflows, and in-depth analytics will benefit from Hootsuite.
Think About Budget:
Later and Buffer are generally more cost-effective, especially if you only need core scheduling. Hootsuite requires a larger investment but delivers enterprise-level capabilities.
Evaluate Ease of Use:
Don’t underestimate the learning curve. If you or your team are new to social scheduling, test drive the tools first to see which interface feels natural.

Conclusion: Which Instagram Scheduler Reigns Supreme?

Ultimately, there’s no universal answer to which scheduler is “best.” Each tool shines in specific scenarios:

Later is perfect if your focus is visual storytelling and feed curation.
Hootsuite is unbeatable for large teams who need powerful analytics and collaboration tools.
Buffer is ideal if you want simple, effective scheduling without unnecessary complexity.

Before you commit, take advantage of free trials and explore each platform firsthand. Your perfect Instagram scheduling solution is the one that aligns with your workflow, budget, and goals.

Ready to take your Instagram strategy to the next level? Start exploring these platforms today and discover how much easier consistent posting can be.

Looking for more social media marketing tips and platform reviews? Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the curve