Hootsuite vs Sprout Social
Social Media Management pricing comparison · 2026 · Updated March 2026
Hootsuite pricing ranges from $99–$249/month, while Sprout Social ranges from $0–$399/month. Hootsuite is typically 13% more affordable, though your actual cost depends on tier and team size.
Sources & confidence
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Plans at a glance
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What users say
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Hootsuite and Sprout Social are the two dominant enterprise social media management platforms, and they're priced similarly at entry level — both start at $199/month — but diverge dramatically at scale: Sprout Social charges per user ($199–$399/user/month), while Hootsuite's plans are per account with user seats included. A 5-person social media team would pay $995/month on Sprout Social's Standard plan versus $199/month on Hootsuite Standard, which includes up to 5 users.
Hootsuite has historically been the more affordable choice at scale due to its per-account (not per-user) pricing model. The Standard plan at $199/month includes 1 user and up to 10 social accounts, with additional users available as add-ons. Sprout Social's per-user model means costs escalate quickly for larger teams, though the platform is widely regarded as offering deeper analytics, better CRM-like social listening, and a more polished UX.
Both platforms serve enterprise needs with inbox management, scheduling, analytics, and team workflows. Sprout Social differentiates with its Smart Inbox (unified social inbox), advanced listening tools, and Salesforce/HubSpot integrations that are native rather than third-party. Hootsuite counters with a larger app directory (200+ integrations), bulk scheduling, and a longer track record in regulated industries. Enterprise pricing for both is custom and typically negotiated.
Plan-by-Plan Pricing
| Plan | Hootsuite | Sprout Social |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | $99 /user/month | Free /month |
| Advanced | $249 /user/month | $199 /seat/month |
| Enterprise | Custom | $299 /seat/month |
| Advanced | — | $399 /seat/month |
| Enterprise | — | Custom |
Market Intelligence
Hootsuite
- Median annual cost
- $12,405
- Average negotiated discount
- 15%
- Based on
- 96 deals
Sprout Social
- Median annual cost
- $1,044
- Based on
- 66 deals
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Our Verdict
Choose Hootsuite if: you're managing a large team and want to contain per-user costs, need bulk scheduling across many social accounts, or operate in a regulated industry where Hootsuite's compliance features matter. Its per-account pricing model is a significant cost advantage for teams of 3+ people.
Choose Sprout Social if: social customer service and CRM integration are priorities, you need deep social listening and competitive benchmarking, or your team values UX quality over cost efficiency. Sprout Social's analytics and reporting tools are consistently rated superior to Hootsuite's, and its native Salesforce/HubSpot integrations are cleaner.
Bottom line: For a solo manager or 2-person team, both cost roughly the same. At 5+ team members, Hootsuite is materially cheaper. For enterprises prioritizing analytics depth and social CRM capabilities over cost, Sprout Social justifies its premium. Request demos from both and negotiate — both have significant enterprise discount room off list price.
Frequently Asked Questions
01 How much does Hootsuite cost in 2026?
Hootsuite pricing: Standard $199/month (1 user, 10 social accounts), Advanced $399/month (unlimited users, up to 20 social accounts), Enterprise with custom pricing. A free plan is no longer offered; a 30-day free trial is available.
02 How much does Sprout Social cost in 2026?
Sprout Social is priced per user: Standard $199/user/month, Professional $299/user/month, Advanced $399/user/month, Enterprise custom. A 30-day free trial is available. A 5-person team on Standard would pay $995/month.
03 Is Hootsuite or Sprout Social better for large teams?
Hootsuite is significantly cheaper for large teams because it prices per account (not per user). A 10-person team on Hootsuite Advanced pays $399/month total, while the same team on Sprout Social Standard would pay $1,990/month. For teams of 3 or more, Hootsuite offers a major cost advantage.
04 Which has better analytics — Hootsuite or Sprout Social?
Sprout Social is consistently rated higher for analytics quality, offering deeper custom reporting, competitive benchmarking, and social listening tools on paid plans. Hootsuite's analytics are functional but less flexible. If reporting is a core use case, Sprout Social's analytics justify the higher per-user cost.
05 Do Hootsuite and Sprout Social offer nonprofit discounts?
Hootsuite offers a 50% nonprofit discount for qualifying organizations. Sprout Social offers nonprofit pricing on request — contact their sales team directly. Both require verification of 501(c)(3) or equivalent status.