Comparison · Social media management tools

Later vs Metricool: which is better in 2026?

Later ranks higher in our list of social media management tools (#5 against #6, score 88.5 against 87.5), but the gap is small and the better choice depends on what you need.

How we rank Share

  • 88.5
    Editorial score
    87.5
  • 3
    Platforms
    1
  • No
    Free to use
    Yes
  • No
    Open source
    No

Which should you choose?

Choose Later if you want

Brands and social managers planning visual feeds.

Visual planning, scheduling, analytics and an inbox in one product, with approvals and competitor benchmarking. Creator and influencer tools are separate products, so pick the scheduler plan for brand work.

Choose Metricool if you want

Solo users who want analytics without paying.

The best free plan here for analytics, with one brand and 20 scheduled posts a month, and a post approval system on the Advanced plan. The free plan does not manage LinkedIn or X, and paid plans are priced by brand.

The main differences

  • Only Later runs on iOS.
  • Only Later runs on Android.
  • Metricool can be used for free; Later requires payment.

Side by side

LaterMetricool
Score88.587.5
Rank in list#5 of 10#6 of 10
PriceSubscription14-day free trial; paid plans for social media managersFree plan, paid upgradesFree plan for one brand; paid plans from 16 euros a month
Free to useNoYes
Open sourceNoNo
PlatformsWebiOSAndroidWeb, iOS, AndroidWebWeb
Made byNot statedNot stated
HostingVendor cloudVendor cloud
Approval stepsApprovals and collaborationPost approval system on Advanced
AI assistantAI captions and content toolsAI social media assistant
Best forBrands and social managers planning visual feedsSolo users who want analytics without paying
Strengths
  • Scheduling, analytics and inbox in one product
  • Approvals and competitor benchmarking included
  • Creator and influencer tools from the same brand
  • Free plan with analytics for one brand
  • Competitor tracking and reports included
  • Post approval system on the Advanced plan
Limits
  • Several separate products share one brand
  • Influencer features are outside the scheduler
  • Free plan caps scheduled posts at 20 a month
  • Free plan does not manage LinkedIn or X
LinksVisit site Visit site

Questions about Later vs Metricool

Is Later better than Metricool?
Later ranks higher in our list of social media management tools (#5 against #6, score 88.5 against 87.5), but the gap is small and the better choice depends on what you need. Later is best for: brands and social managers planning visual feeds. Metricool is best for: solo users who want analytics without paying.
Which is cheaper, Later or Metricool?
Later: 14-day free trial; paid plans for social media managers. Metricool: Free plan for one brand; paid plans from 16 euros a month.
Do Later and Metricool run on the same platforms?
Later supports Web, iOS, Android. Metricool supports Web.