Sprout Social vs Hootsuite
By Itai Varochik | Updated 2026
Quick Verdict
Overall Winner: Sprout Social (4.5/5)
We tested Sprout Social and Hootsuite side-by-side. Sprout Social comes out ahead overall, but Hootsuite may be better for specific use cases.
Score Breakdown
| Criteria | Sprout Social | Hootsuite |
|---|---|---|
| Features | 9.5/10 | 8.5/10 |
| Ease of Use | 8.5/10 | 7/10 |
| Value for Money | 6.5/10 | 6.5/10 |
| Customer Support | 9/10 | 7.5/10 |
| Overall | 8.5/10 | 7.5/10 |
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Sprout Social | Hootsuite |
|---|---|---|
| Publishing | Yes | No |
| Analytics | Yes | Yes |
| Social CRM | Yes | No |
| Listening | Yes | No |
| Advocacy | Yes | No |
| Scheduling | No | Yes |
| Social Listening | No | Yes |
| Inbox | No | Yes |
| AI Writer | No | Yes |
Pricing Comparison
Sprout Social: From $249/mo
Hootsuite: From $99/mo
Sprout Social Pros & Cons
Pros
- Best social CRM features
- Advanced social listening
- Beautiful reporting and analytics
Cons
- Most expensive option
- Overkill for small teams
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
Key Specifications
| Spec | Sprout Social | Hootsuite |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5/5 | 4/5 |
| Pricing | From $249/mo | From $99/mo |
| Year Founded | 2010 | 2008 |
| Headquarters | Chicago, IL | Vancouver, Canada |
| Employees | 1,400+ | 1,000+ |
| Best For | Enterprise social media | Enterprise teams |
| Free Plan | No | No |
Our Verdict
Sprout Social wins overall. Choose Sprout Social if you value Mid-to-large marketing teams. Choose Hootsuite if you prioritize Enterprise social media teams.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sprout Social better than Hootsuite?
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 Sprout Social and Hootsuite?
Sprout Social is known for: Premium social media management with CRM, listening, and advanced analytics.. Hootsuite is known for: Veteran social media management platform with scheduling, analytics, social listening, and team collaboration across 5+ platforms..
Which is cheaper, Sprout Social or Hootsuite?
Sprout Social pricing: From $249/mo. Hootsuite pricing: From $99/mo.
Can I use Sprout Social and Hootsuite 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 Sprout Social?
Best social CRM features. Advanced social listening. Beautiful reporting and analytics
What are the pros of Hootsuite?
Comprehensive multi-platform scheduling. Unified social inbox saves time. Presentation-ready analytics and reports
Which social media tools should I choose?
Choose Sprout Social if you value Mid-to-large marketing teams. Choose Hootsuite if you prioritize Enterprise social media teams.