Hootsuite vs Sprout Social
By Itai Varochik | Updated 2026
Quick Verdict
Overall Winner: Sprout Social (4.5/5)
We tested Hootsuite and Sprout Social side-by-side. Sprout Social comes out ahead overall, but Hootsuite may be better for specific use cases.
Score Breakdown
| Criteria | Hootsuite | Sprout Social |
|---|---|---|
| Features | 8.5/10 | 9.5/10 |
| Ease of Use | 7/10 | 8.5/10 |
| Value for Money | 6.5/10 | 6.5/10 |
| Customer Support | 7.5/10 | 9/10 |
| Overall | 7.5/10 | 8.5/10 |
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Hootsuite | Sprout Social |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduling | Yes | No |
| Social Listening | Yes | No |
| Analytics | Yes | Yes |
| Inbox | Yes | No |
| AI Writer | Yes | No |
| Publishing | No | Yes |
| Social CRM | No | Yes |
| Listening | No | Yes |
| Advocacy | No | Yes |
Pricing Comparison
Hootsuite: From $99/mo
Sprout Social: From $249/mo
Hootsuite Pros & Cons
Pros
- Comprehensive multi-platform scheduling
- Unified social inbox saves time
- Presentation-ready analytics and reports
- Best Time to Publish optimization
- 16 years of platform maturity
Cons
- $99/month minimum with no free plan
- Interface feels dated
- Limited TikTok analytics
- Expensive compared to Buffer and Later
- Feature bloat from years of additions
Sprout Social Pros & Cons
Pros
- Best social CRM features
- Advanced social listening
- Beautiful reporting and analytics
Cons
- Most expensive option
- Overkill for small teams
Key Specifications
| Spec | Hootsuite | Sprout Social |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Pricing | From $99/mo | From $249/mo |
| Year Founded | 2008 | 2010 |
| Headquarters | Vancouver, Canada | Chicago, IL |
| Employees | 1,000+ | 1,400+ |
| Best For | Enterprise teams | Enterprise social media |
| Free Plan | No | No |
Our Verdict
Sprout Social wins overall. Choose Hootsuite if you value Enterprise social media teams. Choose Sprout Social if you prioritize Mid-to-large marketing teams.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hootsuite better than Sprout Social?
Based on our testing, Sprout Social scores higher with a rating of 4.5/5 compared to Hootsuite's 4/5. However, the best choice depends on your specific needs.
What is the main difference between Hootsuite and Sprout Social?
Hootsuite is known for: Veteran social media management platform with scheduling, analytics, social listening, and team collaboration across 5+ platforms.. Sprout Social is known for: Premium social media management with CRM, listening, and advanced analytics..
Which is cheaper, Hootsuite or Sprout Social?
Hootsuite pricing: From $99/mo. Sprout Social pricing: From $249/mo.
Can I use Hootsuite and Sprout Social together?
While both tools serve similar purposes in the Social Media Tools category, some users do use complementary features from both platforms.
What are the pros of Hootsuite?
Comprehensive multi-platform scheduling. Unified social inbox saves time. Presentation-ready analytics and reports
What are the pros of Sprout Social?
Best social CRM features. Advanced social listening. Beautiful reporting and analytics
Which social media tools should I choose?
Choose Hootsuite if you value Enterprise social media teams. Choose Sprout Social if you prioritize Mid-to-large marketing teams.