Struggling to keep up with social media? Let’s fix that.
If you’re manually posting content every day, scrambling to track results, and constantly second-guessing your strategy, we’ve got news for you: it doesn’t have to be this hard.
Social media management should feel strategic, not chaotic. And the secret to making it all run smoothly? A solid scheduling and analytics tool.
That’s where Metricool comes in.
Metricool is an all-in-one social media scheduling, analytics, and reporting platform that helps you stay consistent, track performance, and save hours every week. If you’re a social media manager, freelancer, or business owner, it’s the tool that lets you spend less time posting and more time focusing on growth.
This guide covers everything you need to know about scheduling and tracking your social media performance, including:
- The best social media scheduling and analytics tools in 2025
- How Metricool compares to other tools like Buffer and Hootsuite
- A step-by-step breakdown of how to schedule and analyse your content
- How to create social media reports in minutes
Quick heads-up: This post contains affiliate links. That means if you sign up for Metricool through our link, we earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you. We only recommend tools we actually use and love, so you’re in good hands.
Why Social Media Scheduling and Analytics Matter
Trying to work as a social media manager in real-time is a recipe for burnout. A proper scheduling tool lets you plan content in advance, maintain a consistent presence for all your clients, and free up time for the things that actually move the needle—like engagement and strategy.
But scheduling is only half of the equation. The other half is analytics. If you’re not tracking performance, you’re just guessing what’s working. A solid analytics tool helps you:
- Understand which content is actually driving engagement
- Identify the best times to post for maximum reach
- Track growth and spot trends across multiple platforms
- Create client reports that prove the value of your work
That’s why a tool like Metricool, which combines scheduling and analytics in one dashboard, is a game-changer.
Best Social Media Scheduling Tools (2025)
1. Metricool – The All-in-One Social Media Management Tool
⭐ Best for: Freelancers, agencies, and social media managers who need scheduling, analytics, and reporting in one place.
Key Features:
✔️ Schedule content across multiple platforms (Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, YouTube & more)
✔️ Social media analytics & reporting to track engagement & ROI
✔️ Competitor analysis to benchmark your performance
✔️ Ad tracking for Facebook & Google ads
✔️ Free & paid plans available
🔹 Try Metricool for Free Today
2. Buffer – A Simple Scheduling Tool
⭐ Best for: Small businesses & solopreneurs who just need basic post-scheduling.
Key Features:
✔️ Easy post scheduling for Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn & Twitter
✔️ Basic analytics & engagement reports
✔️ Simple, beginner-friendly interface
3. Hootsuite – For Larger Social Media Teams
⭐ Best for: Businesses managing multiple team members.
Key Features:
✔️ Schedule & monitor posts across multiple platforms
✔️ In-depth analytics & reports
✔️ Social listening tools
❌ Expensive for freelancers & small businesses
Want the best mix of features? Metricool is your best bet, and it's our favourite of the three.
Wondering how Metricool compares to other scheduling tools? Check out our full breakdown of Metricool vs Later 👉 Metricool vs Later: Which One Should You Use?
Step-by-Step: How to Schedule Posts with Metricool
🔹 Step 1: Connect your social media accounts.
🔹 Step 2: Upload your content & choose posting times.
🔹 Step 3: Use the calendar view to plan ahead and the grid view to see preview your Instagram profile.
🔹 Step 4: Analyse engagement & tweak your strategy.
Social Media Analytics: How to Track & Improve Performance
Scheduling content is just one part of the equation. To get real results, you need to track performance and adjust your strategy based on data.
What Metrics Should You Track?
📊 Engagement Rate – Are people interacting with your content?
📈 Follower Growth – Are you attracting the right audience?
🎯 Best Posting Times – When is your audience most active?
📑 Post Performance – Which content types perform best?
How to Create Social Media Reports in Minutes
Manually collecting data from multiple platforms is a nightmare but savvy social media managers use Metricool’s automated reporting feature to generate client-ready reports in a few clicks.
Start scheduling smarter today! Try Metricool for free.
Metricool vs. Other Social Media Tools: Which One Is Right for You?
| Feature | Metricool | Buffer | Hootsuite |
|---|---|---|---|
| Post Scheduling | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Analytics & Reporting | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Competitor Tracking | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Best for Freelancers? | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Free Plan? | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Metricool or Later?
It depends on what you need. Later is great for visual content planning, especially for Instagram, with a strong focus on drag-and-drop scheduling. But if you want a more comprehensive tool that covers analytics, reporting, competitor tracking, and scheduling across multiple platforms, Metricool is the better choice.
Later is ideal for influencers and brands that focus heavily on Instagram and TikTok, while Metricool is better suited for social media managers, agencies, and freelancers who need deeper insights and automation across multiple platforms.
Read the full Metricool vs Later comparison to see which tool fits your needs.
Who uses Metricool?
Metricool is used by social media managers, freelancers, agencies, and business owners who need an all-in-one tool for scheduling, analytics, reporting, and competitor tracking. It’s popular with professionals who manage multiple clients and want to streamline their content strategy without jumping between platforms.
What is the best social media management tool?
The best social media management tool depends on your needs. If you're looking for a free, basic scheduler, Buffer might work. If you want strong visual planning, Later is a good option. But if you need a tool that combines scheduling, analytics, reporting, and competitor tracking, Metricool is one of the best choices for social media managers and freelancers.
What is the difference between Metricool and Loomly?
Loomly is a content calendar and brand management tool designed for teams that need approval workflows and brand consistency. It’s best for marketing teams working on campaigns. Metricool, on the other hand, is built for scheduling, analytics, and automation, making it a better choice for freelancers, agencies, and social media managers who need an all-in-one solution.
Why can't I schedule on Instagram?
Instagram does allow post scheduling through its app or Business Suite, but it has major limitations for social media managers. You can’t bulk schedule, plan across multiple platforms in one place, or access detailed analytics to see what’s actually working. You also miss out on features like competitor tracking, best-time-to-post recommendations, and advanced reporting—all things that help social media managers work smarter, not harder.
Plus, we all know how reliable Meta's apps are, right?
With a tool like Metricool, you can schedule, track performance, and manage multiple accounts in one dashboard instead of constantly switching between apps.
Why can't I schedule with Business Suite?
Business Suite is fine if you're only managing a couple of Facebook and Instagram accounts, but it’s not built for freelancers, agencies, or social media managers handling multiple clients or platforms.
It only works for Meta platforms (Instagram and Facebook), so if you're also posting on TikTok, LinkedIn, Twitter, Pinterest, or YouTube, you’ll still need a separate tool. Business Suite also lacks in-depth competitor tracking and custom client reporting, which are essential for proving the value of your work.
Using a tool like Metricool means you can schedule across all platforms, track engagement, and create professional reports in one place—without juggling multiple apps.
Can Metricool schedule Instagram stories and reels?
Yes, Metricool allows you to schedule Instagram stories and reels in advance. You can either set Reels to auto-post or receive a mobile notification to manually post them at the right time. With Stories you will need to manually post using the notification.
Does Metricool have a free plan?
Yes, Metricool offers a free plan with basic scheduling and analytics features. Paid plans give you access to more advanced tools, including in-depth reporting, competitor tracking, and automated posting for more accounts.
How do I track social media analytics with Metricool?
Once you connect your social media accounts to Metricool, you’ll get access to a dashboard that tracks engagement, reach, follower growth, and the best times to post. You can also generate reports in a few clicks, making it easy to measure performance and share insights with clients.
What platforms does Metricool support?
Metricool works with Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, YouTube, Google My Business, and Twitch. It also tracks ad performance for Facebook and Google ads and can display website traffic.
Can I use Metricool for client reporting?
Yes, Metricool has a built-in reporting feature that lets you create professional reports with engagement data, audience insights, and competitor analysis. You can even add your own branding to reports if you're managing accounts for clients.
