Hootsuite
Social media marketing and management in one platform
Head to head, verified 2026-09-03
Hootsuite vs Zoho Social
Price, free plans, the 16 networks we track, API and MCP support, and pros and cons, side by side. All numbers come from the vendors' own pages.
The short version
Generated from the data, not from opinion. Each line is a fact you can check on the profile pages.
- Zoho Social is the cheaper entry point at $10 per month, against $99 for Hootsuite.
- Zoho Social has a free plan. Hootsuite does not.
- Hootsuite supports 10 of the 16 networks tracked here. Zoho Social supports 11.
- Only Zoho Social supports Mastodon.
- Both offer a documented public API.
- Both target agencies and teams.
- Hootsuite also leans toward enterprise.
- Zoho Social also leans toward small business.
Side by side
| Hootsuite | Zoho Social | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $99/mo | $10/mo |
| Free plan | No | Yes |
| Free trial | 14 days | 15 days |
| Networks | 10 of 16 | 11 of 16 |
| Public API | Yes | Yes |
| MCP server | Not documented | Not documented |
| Open source | No | No |
| Self hosted | No | No |
| Best for | Agencies, Enterprise, Teams | Agencies, Small business, Teams |
| G2 rating | 4.2 (5937) | Not listed |
| Founded | 2008 | 2016 |
| Headquarters | Vancouver, Canada | Chennai, India |
Network support
| Network | Hootsuite | Zoho Social |
|---|---|---|
| X (Twitter) | Yes | Yes |
| Yes | Yes | |
| Yes | Yes | |
| Yes | Yes | |
| Threads | Yes | Yes |
| Bluesky | Yes | Yes |
| Mastodon | No | Yes |
| TikTok | Yes | Yes |
| YouTube | Yes | Yes |
| Yes | Yes | |
| Google Business Profile | Yes | Yes |
| No | No | |
| Telegram | No | No |
| Discord | No | No |
| Snapchat | No | No |
| Tumblr | No | No |
Features
| Feature | Hootsuite | Zoho Social |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduling | Yes | Yes |
| Visual calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Analytics | Yes | Yes |
| Unified inbox | Yes | Yes |
| AI writing | Yes | Yes |
| Approval workflow | Yes | Yes |
| Bulk upload | Yes | Yes |
| RSS automation | Not advertised | Yes |
| Link in bio | Yes | Not advertised |
| Mobile app | Yes | Yes |
| White label | Not advertised | Yes |
| Team collaboration | Yes | Yes |
Plans
Hootsuite
| Standard | $99/mo | Up to 10 social accounts; scheduling, analytics, inbox, and AI writing |
| Professional | $199/mo | Unlimited social accounts and advanced reporting |
| Advanced | $399/mo | Approval workflows, collaboration, and advanced inbox |
Zoho Social
| Standard | $10/mo | 1 brand and 1 team member |
| Professional | $30/mo | Advanced features |
| Premium | $40/mo | 1 brand and 3 team members |
Strengths and limits
Hootsuite strengths
- Broad management suite
- Strong listening and inbox
- Large integration ecosystem
Hootsuite limits
- Expensive per user
- Advanced workflows require higher tiers
Zoho Social strengths
- Zoho CRM ecosystem integration
- Affordable entry tier
- Analytics and reporting
Zoho Social limits
- Free plan is limited
- Interface may feel complex
- Some mobile functionality differs from desktop
Hootsuite vs Zoho Social questions
Is Hootsuite cheaper than Zoho Social?
Hootsuite has no free plan. Paid plans start at $99 per month. Zoho Social has a free plan. Paid plans start at $10 per month.
Which supports more social networks, Hootsuite or Zoho Social?
Hootsuite supports X, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, Bluesky, TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest and Google Business. Zoho Social supports X, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, Bluesky, Mastodon, TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest and Google Business.
Does Hootsuite or Zoho Social have an API?
Both publish API documentation. Hootsuite: https://developer.hootsuite.com/. Zoho Social: https://www.zoho.com/social/api/.
Can an AI agent use Hootsuite or Zoho Social?
Neither documents an MCP server. Hey Tasky is built for agent-operated scheduling with a human review step, and is in early access.
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