The Best Social Media Scheduler for 2025: Metricool vs Later
If you’re a social media manager, freelancer, or business owner drowning in content planning, you’ve probably heard of Metricool and Later. Both promise to make scheduling easier, but which one actually delivers what you need?
We’re cutting through the noise to give you a straight-up comparison so you can pick the right tool for your workflow without wasting time on the wrong one.
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.
Quick Comparison: Metricool vs Later
| Feature | Metricool | Later |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms Supported | Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, Pinterest | Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, TikTok, LinkedIn, Twitter |
| Auto-Posting Reels | Yes | Yes |
| Analytics & Reporting | Advanced insights, competitor tracking, custom reports | Basic post-performance insights |
| Social Media Ads | Tracks Facebook & Google Ads | No ads tracking |
| Best for | Freelancers, agencies, and businesses needing data-driven strategies | Content creators and brands focusing on Instagram & Pinterest |
| Free Plan Available? | Yes | Yes |
What is the Best Social Media Scheduler for 2025?
What is Metricool?
Metricool is an all-in-one social media scheduling and analytics tool designed for freelancers, agencies, and businesses. It lets you plan, automate, and track content performance across multiple platforms in one dashboard.
Why Social Media Managers Love Metricool:
- Multi-platform scheduling – Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Pinterest
- Auto-post Instagram Reels & Stories
- Analytics & competitor tracking
- Customizable client reports
- Ad tracking for Facebook & Google Ads
- Best time-to-post recommendations
What is Later?
Later is a social media scheduling tool that focuses heavily on Instagram and Pinterest. It’s best for visual-first content creators who want to plan their feeds with a drag-and-drop calendar.
Why Creators Love Later:
- Drag-and-drop content calendar for Instagram planning
- Auto-post Instagram Reels & Stories
- Basic post analytics
- Hashtag & link-in-bio tools
- User-generated content tools
Check out our in-depth guide on social media scheduling and analytics.
How Does Metricool Compare to Later?
1. Scheduling & Automation
If you’re managing multiple platforms and need a one-dashboard solution, Metricool is the winner. It supports scheduling for seven platforms, while Later is focused primarily on Instagram and Pinterest.
2. Analytics & Performance Tracking
Metricool offers deep-dive analytics, competitor tracking, and fully customizable reports. Later only provides basic post-performance stats, which may not be enough for social media managers handling multiple clients.
3. Social Media Ads Management
Later doesn’t support ad tracking, while Metricool allows you to monitor Facebook and Google Ads performance in the dashboard. If ads are part of your strategy, Metricool is the better choice.
4. Content Planning & Visual Workflow
Later is great for a drag-and-drop content calendar and Instagram aesthetic planning. Metricool is a more strategic and data-driven tool for those focused on performance rather than visuals. However, you can drag and drop in a calendar view within Metricool, and there is a grid preview for Instagram planning too.
5. Pricing & Free Plans
Both tools offer free plans, but Metricool’s free plan includes analytics, competitor tracking, and scheduling across multiple platforms, while Later’s is more limited to Instagram scheduling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Metricool auto-post Instagram Reels?
Yes, Metricool supports automatic scheduling for Instagram Reels and Stories, and sends a notification for manual publication if needed.
Is Later good for freelancers?
Later is great for freelancers who focus primarily on Instagram and Pinterest, but if you manage multiple platforms and need analytics, Metricool is a better choice in our opinion.
What’s the difference between Metricool and Later?
Metricool is a full social media management platform that includes scheduling, analytics, competitor tracking, and ad monitoring. Later is focused more on visual content planning for Instagram and Pinterest.
Final Verdict: Which Social Media Scheduler Should You Choose?
Choose Metricool if:
- You manage multiple clients or brands and need strong analytics
- You want an all-in-one tool for scheduling, analytics, reporting, and ad tracking
- You post on multiple platforms, not just Instagram and Pinterest
Choose Later if:
- You’re a content creator or influencer focused on Instagram and Pinterest
- You want a visual-first scheduling tool to plan your grid aesthetics
- You don’t need advanced analytics or competitor tracking
Ready to Try Metricool?
If you’re looking for a social media tool that goes beyond just scheduling and actually helps you grow with analytics and reporting, Metricool is the better choice.
Try it for free and see how it fits into your workflow.
