Struggling to keep your remote social media team on the same page? Collaboration tools can make all the difference by improving communication, streamlining workflows, and speeding up approvals. Here’s a quick look at 10 top tools designed to help social media teams work more efficiently:
- Planable: Visual content calendar with multi-level approval workflows. Starts at $33/month per workspace.
- Hootsuite: Advanced approval workflows and task assignments. Pricing starts at $99/month.
- Sprout Social: Smart Inbox and team publishing tools for larger teams. Starts at $249/month per seat.
- Buffer: Affordable and simple scheduling with unlimited user invites. Starts at $6/month per channel.
- Agorapulse: Unified inbox and multi-step approvals for agencies. Pricing starts at $69/month.
- Statusbrew: Role-based permissions and detailed content tracking. Starts at $179/month for 5 users.
- SocialBee: User roles and dedicated workspaces for managing clients. Starts at $29/month.
- CoSchedule: AI-driven scheduling and marketing calendars. Pricing available on request.
- Sendible: White-label options and client collaboration features. Starts at $29/month.
- Later: Visual-first planning for Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok. Starts at $16.67/month.
Quick Comparison
| Tool | Starting Price | Best For | Key Features | Supported Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Planable | $33/month/workspace | Small to medium teams | Visual calendar, approval workflows | Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn |
| Hootsuite | $99/month | Medium to large teams | Advanced approvals, task assignments | All major platforms |
| Sprout Social | $249/month/seat | Enterprise-level teams | Smart Inbox, team publishing tools | Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn |
| Buffer | $6/month/channel | Small teams | Unlimited users, shared calendar | Facebook, Instagram, TikTok |
| Agorapulse | $69/month | Agencies | Multi-step approvals, unified inbox | Facebook, Instagram, YouTube |
| Statusbrew | $179/month/5 users | Medium teams | Role management, content tracking | Facebook, LinkedIn, Google |
| SocialBee | $29/month | Small to medium agencies | Workspaces, user roles | Facebook, Instagram, Twitter |
| CoSchedule | Contact for pricing | Marketing teams | AI scheduling, approval workflows | Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest |
| Sendible | $29/month | Agencies | Client collaboration, white-label | Facebook, Instagram, YouTube |
| Later | $16.67/month | Visual-focused teams | Instagram-first planning, approvals | Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok |
Choose a tool based on your team size, budget, and workflow needs. Many offer free trials, so you can test which one fits best. Let’s dive deeper into each tool to help you decide.
Top 10 Social Media Management Tools for Team Success
1. Planable
Planable is a collaboration platform designed with a visual-first approach, making content creation and approvals more straightforward while cutting down on unnecessary back-and-forth.
Key Features for Collaboration
Planable’s visual content calendar is a central hub for teams to plan, collaborate, and approve content across various formats. Whether you’re working on social media posts, blogs, newsletters, emails, or ads, Planable’s universal tools keep everything streamlined.
Its multi-level approval workflows offer flexibility with four options: None, Optional, Required, or Multiple Levels of Approval. This is particularly useful for agencies and larger organizations that need tailored review processes. Features like real-time feedback, comments, and internal notes ensure communication is clear and efficient. Plus, version control and activity history provide a transparent view of all content changes.
To stay organized, Planable offers color-coded labels, filtering options, and a drag-and-drop interface. Dedicated workspaces allow for secure and structured management of multiple client accounts.
"The approval process is really easy and fast, my client gets to see exactly how it would go live. It’s saving a lot of my time by redoing posts in a separate deck, sending links over emails, and getting communication lost in the process." – Fernanda A., Planable User
These features make Planable a go-to tool for teams looking to collaborate efficiently in real time.
Pricing
Planable’s pricing model is designed to accommodate different client or project needs, offering flexibility for various team sizes:
- Free Plan: $0 – Includes 50 total posts with unlimited users. However, Twitter publishing and analytics are not included.
- Basic Plan: $33 per workspace/month – Offers 60 posts per workspace monthly, unlimited users, 4 social pages, and 2 types of approval workflows.
- Pro Plan: $49 per workspace/month – Provides 150 posts per workspace monthly, unlimited users, 10 social pages, and 3 types of approval workflows.
- Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing – Features unlimited posts, multi-level approvals, and a dedicated account manager.
Optional add-ons include Engagement for $5 per workspace/month and Analytics for $9 per workspace/month. Teams can choose between monthly and yearly billing, with annual plans offering cost savings.
Best Use Cases
Planable is particularly suited for creative teams and agencies managing multiple client accounts. Its visual interface and advanced approval workflows are perfect for maintaining high creative standards while navigating complex stakeholder relationships. Small to medium-sized teams (5–20 members) can see a noticeable difference in productivity, with some users reporting a 24% reduction in time spent on meetings and emails. For teams requiring client-facing approval processes, Planable simplifies the experience with curated client views and one-click approvals.
"Planable is hands down the best social media scheduler I’ve tried. As a creative, its tagging & approvals features are game-changers. Organizing content and collaborating with my team has never been easier for maximizing efficiency and creativity! We actually get stuff posted rather than not posting at all!" – James B., Founder @OneFinePlay
Platform Compatibility
Planable integrates seamlessly with all major social media platforms, offering network-specific dashboards that let you preview exactly how your content will appear once published. Direct scheduling and automated posting after approval make the transition from creation to publication smooth. Additionally, its mobile app ensures that teams can plan, review, approve, and schedule content from anywhere, keeping everyone aligned no matter the time zone or location.
2. Hootsuite
Hootsuite is a social media management platform tailored for teams, offering tools that help larger organizations maintain control of their social media while enabling seamless collaboration among team members.
Key Features for Collaboration
Hootsuite is built with teamwork in mind, featuring approval workflows, permission settings, and task assignments. Administrators can oversee the entire content creation process, ensuring posts stay error-free and aligned with brand guidelines. Tasks can be assigned to specific team members for each account, creating clear accountability. To avoid bottlenecks, the platform supports a network of approvers, while an editing trail logs changes to keep everyone on the same page. Automated notifications alert team members about pending tasks, and even those without special permissions can request content approval, making it easy for everyone to contribute.
"You can have your whole department involved on social media risk-free. Once people realize that, say, 10 users can collaborate in Hootsuite – without needing to know passwords and without the risk of sharing unapproved content – the discussion goes from should we do it, to how do we do it."
- Justin Clark, Senior Press Officer, University of Salford
Pricing
Hootsuite’s pricing is designed with larger teams and enterprises in mind:
- Standard Plan: $99/month (billed annually) or $149/month (billed monthly)
- Advanced Plan: $249/month (billed annually) or $399/month (billed monthly)
- Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing starting around $1,000/month or $15,000 annually
The platform no longer offers a free plan. While the Standard plan provides basic team access and post assignment, advanced approval workflows and permission settings are reserved for higher-tier plans, catering to organizations with more complex needs.
Best Use Cases
Hootsuite shines in environments where structured workflows and in-depth analytics are essential. Marketing agencies managing multiple client accounts find its reporting tools particularly helpful. Teams needing reliable approval processes and customizable analytics also benefit greatly. With a 95% user satisfaction rate and over 2,000 five-star reviews, Hootsuite is a trusted choice for growing teams.
"Hootsuite cut our team’s workload in half!"
- Hannah S., Digital Communications Coordinator, VAZZO Creative
Platform Compatibility
Hootsuite supports all major social media platforms and integrates with over 100 marketing tools. This makes it a versatile option for teams juggling diverse social media portfolios and looking to streamline their workflows.
3. Sprout Social
Sprout Social is designed for teams managing heavy social media interactions and complex workflows. It’s a trusted tool among thousands of organizations, proving its worth for enterprise-level social media management.
Key Features for Collaboration
Sprout Social offers several tools to simplify teamwork and streamline processes:
- Smart Inbox: This feature combines messages from all social profiles into a single, filterable stream, making it easier to manage multiple accounts.
- Cases: This tool ensures inquiries are routed to the right team members or departments, creating support tickets and providing visibility into workflows.
- Team Publishing Tools: These tools allow for seamless collaboration on content creation. Features include a shared publishing calendar, role-based permissions, approval workflows, and the ability to draft and review content together before posting.
"Respond more efficiently to the social conversations that matter most with Sprout’s team collaboration tools." – Sprout Social
These features are included across various pricing plans, making them accessible to teams of different sizes and needs.
Pricing
Sprout Social offers plans tailored to larger teams and organizations:
| Plan | Monthly Price (USD) |
|---|---|
| Standard | $249 per seat |
| Professional | $399 per seat |
| Advanced | $499 per seat |
| Enterprise | Custom pricing |
A 30-day free trial is available for all plans, allowing teams to explore its features before committing.
Best Use Cases
Each plan caters to specific team needs:
- The Standard plan works well for small teams managing a limited number of profiles.
- The Professional plan is ideal for teams handling numerous profiles with high engagement.
- The Advanced plan supports cross-functional teams with complex workflows.
- The Enterprise plan is tailored for large-scale operations requiring extensive customization.
With tools that help meet the 24-hour response time expected by consumers, Sprout Social is essential for timely and effective interactions. Its success is reflected in its revenue growth, jumping from $102 million in 2019 to $392 million in 2024.
Platform Compatibility
Sprout Social supports all major social networks and integrates with helpdesk systems, extending its capabilities into social CRM. This makes it a solid choice for teams looking to align social media efforts with broader customer service strategies.
4. Buffer
Buffer is a straightforward platform designed to make team collaboration and social media management easier. It provides tools for scheduling, coordination, and content approvals, all aimed at simplifying workflows.
Key Features for Collaboration
Buffer comes packed with features that make working together smooth and efficient:
- Unlimited User Invites: Add as many team members as you need without worrying about extra costs.
- Shared Content Calendar: Plan, organize, and manage all your social media activities in one place, with real-time feedback and notes for seamless coordination.
- Custom Roles and Permissions: Assign specific access levels to team members, ensuring everyone has the right level of control.
- Workspaces: Keep brands or client accounts separate, a helpful feature for agencies juggling multiple projects.
- Internal Notes: Share context, instructions, or feedback directly on content without making these notes public.
These tools are designed to scale alongside your social media needs, making Buffer adaptable for growing teams.
Pricing
Buffer’s pricing is based on the number of social media channels you manage, not the size of your team:
| Plan | Monthly Price | Annual Price | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | $0 | Manage up to 3 channels |
| Essentials | $5 per channel | $60 per channel | Basic scheduling and analytics |
| Team | $10 per channel | $120 per channel | Unlimited users, approval workflows |
The Team plan stands out, offering unlimited user accounts, flexible roles, and approval workflows for just $10 per month per channel. It’s an affordable option for larger teams looking to stay organized.
Best Use Cases
Buffer is ideal for small to medium-sized teams that prioritize simplicity and efficiency. Its review and approval workflows help maintain brand consistency, making it a great choice for organizations where multiple people need to sign off on content. Agencies or teams managing multiple brands or client accounts also benefit from the workspace feature, which keeps everything organized and secure.
Platform Compatibility
Buffer works with all major social media platforms, allowing you to manage multiple profiles from a single dashboard. It also integrates with various analytics and productivity tools, making it easier to coordinate content and track performance across different networks.
5. Agorapulse
Agorapulse is a collaboration tool trusted by over 3,000 agencies, including well-known names like Ogilvy, Digital Butter, Klik, and Everscale. It’s designed to simplify content approvals and streamline team workflows.
Key Features for Collaboration
Agorapulse provides a range of tools to make teamwork and content management easier. Its approval workflows allow content to be reviewed by both internal team members and external collaborators through shared calendars. You can also assign tasks and centralize all planned activities in shared content calendars. Need to add extra context? Notes can be attached directly to posts. For those on Custom plans, the platform offers multi-step approval workflows, ensuring all selected approvers sign off before content goes live.
Managing large volumes of content is more efficient with bulk assignment and approval features in the Publishing Calendar. Plus, the intuitive interface can cut content creation time by up to 50%.
"We’ve got everyone on board, from marketing to product management, using this awesome platform. It’s super easy to schedule posts in advance, collaborate with our teams, and share the right metrics across all stakeholders — all in one place." – Joanne Watt, Marketing Lead
These collaboration tools are paired with flexible pricing options to suit various needs.
Pricing
Agorapulse uses a per-user pricing model, offering several tiers based on features:
| Plan | Monthly Price | Annual Price | Users | Social Profiles | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | $0 | 1 | 3 | 10 scheduled posts limit |
| Standard | $69 | $79 | 1 | 10 | Basic collaboration tools |
| Professional | $99 | $119 | 1 | 10 | Advanced workflows |
| Advanced | $149 | $149 | 1 | 10 | Full feature access |
| Custom | Contact for pricing | Contact for pricing | Unlimited | Unlimited | SSO, dedicated support |
Additional social profiles cost $10 per month for each profile beyond the included 10. Non-profits enjoy a 20% lifetime discount on all paid plans. Legacy plan users will transition to these pricing structures by 2025.
Best Use Cases
Agorapulse is a game-changer for remote social media teams, whether working from home or in the office. It’s especially useful for agencies handling multiple clients across different industries, where approval workflows and client input are critical. Medium and large enterprises also benefit, as the platform supports collaboration across various departments.
For example, property management companies like TLC Properties use Agorapulse to manage over 30 properties, each with Facebook and Google Business profiles. This setup simplifies response management and keeps operations running smoothly.
Remote teams, including those featured on Work From Home Social Media Jobs, rely on Agorapulse to maintain efficient workflows while managing their tasks from different locations.
"Agorapulse saves myself and my team so much time. We have multiple pages and accounts for our company and to see them all in one place is a dream. It’s also great to see when another team member is online so we don’t overlap and are more efficient." – Amanda Coxworth, Social Media Manager, Inspiring Vacations
For teams juggling multiple accounts, Agorapulse’s multi-account management ensures smooth coordination, no matter the team size.
Platform Compatibility
Agorapulse works with all major social media platforms, allowing users to manage everything from one dashboard. It also integrates with various analytics and productivity tools, making it easy to track performance, coordinate content, and generate detailed reports – all from a single, powerful interface.
6. Statusbrew
Statusbrew is a comprehensive platform designed to bring planning, scheduling, engagement, and reporting into one convenient dashboard. This tool stands out for its ability to streamline team collaboration with detailed role-based controls and well-organized content tracking. Trusted by over 5,542 teams daily, it’s especially useful for managing multiple social media accounts efficiently.
Key Features for Collaboration
Statusbrew offers a variety of tools to enhance teamwork, such as role-based permissions, approval workflows, and User Groups for easier permission management. Accounts can be organized into Profile Groups, while Calendar Boards help track content by campaign, platform, or event. These features create a system of accountability within teams. Tasks can be assigned with clear responsibilities and deadlines, and external approvers can review posts without needing full platform access. The platform also includes team activity logs for administrative oversight and an Engage Inbox that consolidates conversations across all connected profiles. This inbox can be customized based on conversation type, sentiment, or social network.
"Statusbrew helps keep post quality and consistency high, as well as ensuring that the proper approval process is always followed. It makes social really convenient."
– Nathan Upchurch, Head of Operations (Mojo Coffee)
Pricing
Statusbrew offers flexible pricing plans to accommodate teams of various sizes and needs:
| Plan | Monthly Price | Annual Price | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lite | $69 | $69 | Basic features for small teams |
| Standard | $179 | $129 | Enhanced collaboration tools |
| Premium | $229 | $229 | Advanced features and analytics |
| Enterprise | Custom | Custom | Full customization and support |
For instance, the Standard plan supports up to 5 users and 10 social profiles, making it a solid choice for small to medium-sized teams. Statusbrew is generally more affordable than similar platforms while still offering comparable features.
Best Use Cases
Statusbrew is an excellent option for medium to large teams, especially agencies managing multiple client accounts or companies with complex approval workflows. Its multi-language capabilities are a big plus for global teams. Vladimir Trofimov, Community Manager, shares:
"Statusbrew gives us the ability to manage our engagement across multiple markets efficiently. With our diverse range of languages, including English, French, German, and Spanish, this tool helps divide and handle the interactions within each market effectively."
Remote social media professionals, including those exploring opportunities through Work From Home Social Media Jobs, also benefit from Statusbrew’s detailed KPI tracking, which helps demonstrate impact and fine-tune strategies.
Platform Compatibility
Statusbrew works seamlessly with major social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Google My Business. Its unified dashboard simplifies scheduling, engagement monitoring, and performance analysis, eliminating the need to juggle multiple tools. With top ratings of 5 on Gartner and 4.8 on G2, Statusbrew has proven to be a reliable choice for social media collaboration.
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7. SocialBee
SocialBee is a social media management tool powered by AI, designed to bring teams together with essential collaboration capabilities. It simplifies managing social media tasks by offering a centralized dashboard for content management.
Key Features for Collaboration
SocialBee makes teamwork easier with dedicated workspaces, allowing separate environments for different clients or projects. This ensures clear boundaries between tasks. The platform also includes a user roles and permissions system, offering four levels of access: Owner, Manager, Publisher, and Contributor. These roles streamline responsibilities and access control.
To further enhance collaboration, SocialBee provides content approval workflows, enabling team members to review and approve posts before publishing. Additionally, the internal notes feature allows users to leave comments and tag colleagues for feedback, keeping discussions organized and accessible.
These features make SocialBee a strong choice for teams with varying needs.
Pricing
SocialBee offers a variety of pricing plans, available with monthly or discounted annual billing. A 14-day free trial (no credit card required) is also available:
| Plan | Monthly Price | Annual Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bootstrap | $29 | $24/month (billed annually) | Small teams starting out |
| Accelerate | $49 | $40/month (billed annually) | Growing businesses |
| Pro | $99 | $82/month (billed annually) | Established teams |
| Pro50 | $179 | $149/month (billed annually) | Medium agencies |
| Pro100 | $329 | $274/month (billed annually) | Large agencies |
| Pro150 | $449 | $374/month (billed annually) | Enterprise-level teams |
Annual plans include a 16% discount. Additional features, such as extra users or workspaces, can be added for $10 per month. Teams can also add five more social media profiles for $15 per month.
Best Use Cases
SocialBee is particularly useful for agencies managing multiple clients, as each client can have a dedicated workspace for better organization. It’s also a great fit for social media teams, freelancers, and small businesses looking to streamline their content creation and approval processes.
"SocialBee provides a great platform with amazing features for agencies looking to manage their client work in one place. It’s an amazing tool for social media management."
– Mike Campbell, Founder, Clear Vision Marketing
For remote professionals, including those exploring opportunities through Work From Home Social Media Jobs, SocialBee’s centralized collaboration features help bridge communication gaps, making it easier to manage distributed teams.
"SocialBee has helped my team be more time-efficient and organized with social media management. We’ve been able to post more content and analyze what kinds of posts are most successful."
– Kelly Farhangi Najafi, CEO, CP Lab Safety
Platform Compatibility
SocialBee supports all major social media platforms, allowing teams to manage content across multiple channels from one unified dashboard. Its Copilot feature assists with strategic planning, helping teams maintain consistent posting schedules while simplifying multi-channel management.
8. CoSchedule
CoSchedule brings together marketing efforts with tools for collaboration and AI-driven scheduling, making it easier to coordinate campaigns across different platforms.
Key Features for Collaboration
CoSchedule offers features like approval workflows, multiple calendars with real-time views, and a drag-and-drop calendar. Its AI-powered scheduling optimizes publishing times, while Social Approvals streamline client feedback.
The Social Inbox collects comments, direct messages, and mentions from platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn in one place. Social templates help teams maintain brand consistency, and built-in analytics make it easy to track team performance.
These tools are paired with straightforward pricing plans to suit varying team needs.
Pricing
CoSchedule provides several pricing options tailored to different team sizes and requirements:
| Plan | Annual Price (per user/month) | Monthly Price (per user/month) | Maximum Users |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free Calendar | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Social Calendar | $19 | $29 | 3 |
| Agency Calendar | $59 | $69 | 3 |
| Content Calendar | Custom quote | Custom quote | 5 |
| Marketing Suite | Custom quote | Custom quote | Custom |
- Free Calendar: A basic plan for individual users without collaboration features.
- Social Calendar: At $19 per user per month (billed annually), it’s designed for small teams of up to three members.
- Agency Calendar: For $59 per user per month (billed annually), this plan includes advanced tools for managing client projects.
Best Use Cases
CoSchedule is a great fit for marketing agencies, e-commerce businesses, media companies, tech startups, educational institutions, and industries like healthcare and finance. It simplifies project management and content coordination.
For example, the University of South Carolina Alumni Association used CoSchedule’s Marketing Suite to handle twelve times more work while increasing social media engagements from 170 to 3,400, achieving record results. On average, CoSchedule users report completing up to 125% more work with on-time rates exceeding 90%.
Remote social media professionals, including those exploring opportunities through Work From Home Social Media Jobs, also benefit from CoSchedule’s centralized tools, which make teamwork and client communication more efficient.
Platform Compatibility
CoSchedule integrates seamlessly with major social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Its AI tools simplify content creation and scheduling, while the unified dashboard lets teams manage campaigns across multiple platforms from one place.
9. Sendible
Sendible is a versatile platform designed to simplify collaboration and social media management for agencies and businesses with multiple locations.
Key Features for Collaboration
Sendible optimizes teamwork with tools like content curation, post assignment, approval workflows, and custom access controls. These features help manage permissions, track contributions, and create tiered access for various team members.
The platform’s centralized dashboard brings together content calendars, real-time comments, and task assignments in one place. Approval workflows ensure every piece of content meets quality standards before it’s published.
Sendible’s Share Button allows clients and teams to quickly share website content on social media. Additionally, response time reports help teams measure their efficiency in managing client interactions.
With integrations like Canva, Google Drive, Dropbox, Giphy, and Pexels, Sendible makes it easy for designers and managers to collaborate seamlessly on content creation.
Features like Smart Queues allow evergreen content to be scheduled continuously, while the Compose Box lets team members submit posts for approval alongside task assignments.
"With native platforms, the approval process was unbelievably painful and we couldn’t handle the volume we are handling now without such a tool as Sendible."
- Rolf Jeger, Agency Director of VOIMA
Pricing
Sendible offers five pricing options tailored to different team sizes and business needs:
| Plan | Monthly Price | Users | Social Profiles | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Creator | $29 | 1 | 6 | Basic scheduling and publishing |
| Traction | $89 | 4 | 24 | Team collaboration features |
| Scale | $199 | 7 | 49 | Custom reports, content library, campaigns |
| Advanced | $299 | 20 | 100 | Advanced permissions, live report sharing |
| Enterprise | $750 | 80 | 400 | All features, optional SSO, dedicated support |
For small teams with fewer than five members, the Traction plan at $89 per month offers strong collaboration tools. Agencies with growing needs might prefer the Advanced plan at $299 per month, which supports larger teams and includes advanced permissions. Meanwhile, the Enterprise plan caters to large-scale operations with extensive user capacity and dedicated support.
Sendible also provides a 14-day free trial. Non-profits can enjoy discounts of 15% on monthly plans or 25% on annual plans.
Best Use Cases
Sendible is ideal for agencies, franchises, and businesses with multiple locations that need to manage content across various clients or branches. Its approval workflows and client access features make it easier to handle high volumes of content efficiently.
Many teams report saving 50% of their time using Sendible, with client management reduced to approximately 10 hours per client compared to previous workflows. The platform’s collaborative tools are particularly useful for remote teams, helping streamline communication and coordination regardless of location.
Platform Compatibility
Sendible works with all major social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, YouTube, Google Business Profiles, TikTok, Threads, and Bluesky. It also supports blogging platforms like WordPress.org and WordPress.com.
Beyond social media, it integrates with productivity tools like Google Analytics, Dropbox, Google Drive, and RSS Feed Importer. For content creation, Sendible offers built-in access to OpenAI, Canva, Giphy, Flickr, and Pexels. Teams leveraging these integrations have reported a 12% increase in organic engagement and an 8% growth in followers.
"Sendible lets us create a month’s worth of content in one week for our clients, allowing us to spend the rest of the month engaging and optimizing."
- Sophia Rabe, Founder & CEO @ Olive + Milo
10. Later
Later is a platform designed with a visual-first approach, making it easier for teams to collaborate on social media content for Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok.
Key Features for Collaboration
Later focuses on simplifying visual content planning and approval workflows. It allows team members to provide feedback directly on drafts and scheduled posts, streamlining the review process. Internal and external stakeholders can review and comment on content effortlessly, ensuring smooth collaboration.
The platform offers a user role system, including Account Owner, Reviewer, Member, and Member (Restricted) roles, to manage access and responsibilities effectively. An in-app notification center, available on Agency plans and higher, keeps teams informed about content activity and approvals. The visual content calendar acts as a central hub, giving everyone a clear view of the overall content strategy.
"Later’s collaboration features allow you to communicate with your team directly on scheduled and draft posts with a built-in content approval workflow (available for Advanced plans and up), and track activity in an in-app notification center (available on Agency plans and up)."
These tools are tailored to enhance teamwork and streamline visual content management, with options available across various pricing tiers.
Pricing
Later offers five pricing plans:
- Starter ($16.67/month): Ideal for individuals.
- Growth ($30.00/month): Designed for small teams, including basic team roles.
- Advanced ($53.33/month): Adds content approval workflows.
- Agency ($133.33/month): Includes the full suite of features, such as the in-app notification center.
- Enterprise: Custom pricing with tailored features.
Select plans also allow users to purchase additional resources, such as extra team members or social sets.
Best Use Cases
Later is particularly effective for brands and teams that rely heavily on visual content. It’s a great fit for smaller businesses and Instagram-focused strategies. The platform shines when teams need to combine content creation with influencer collaborations or social media advertising.
Social media agencies working with Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok benefit from Later’s visual planning tools and agency-specific features. It’s especially useful for teams looking to outsource their social media efforts, as it provides support for everything from strategy to execution.
A great example of Later in action is Lucky Iron Fish, whose marketing team saved two hours per week by using the platform to streamline its content creation process. Digital Marketing & Brand Director Shraddha Sekhon shared:
"The key to a strong organic social strategy is batch working. Later helps me repurpose content for various channels easily when scheduling and optimizing content across accounts." – Shraddha Sekhon, Digital Marketing & Brand Director, Lucky Iron Fish
For teams aiming to simplify their social media workflows, Later offers a practical solution that supports both in-house and outsourced strategies.
Platform Compatibility
Later is compatible with Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok, making it a strong choice for brands prioritizing visual content. The platform supports Instagram feed posts and Reels, as well as Pinterest and TikTok content.
A standout feature is Instagram Collab posts, which allow up to 21 users to co-create and share the same post to their feed or Reels. This functionality is particularly useful for remote teams and brand partnerships, enabling seamless collaboration on shared content.
Tool Comparison Chart
Here’s a quick overview of 10 social media collaboration tools, showcasing their standout features, pricing, and suitability for different team sizes. Use the table below to compare these tools side by side.
| Tool | Starting Price | Key Collaboration Features | Supported Platforms | Best Team Size | G2 Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Planable | $33/month per workspace | Visual content calendar, approval workflows, real-time commenting | Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, TikTok | Small to medium teams | 4.6/5 |
| Hootsuite | $99/month (1 user) | Team dashboard, content approval, role-based permissions | 35+ platforms including all major networks | Medium to large teams | N/A |
| Sprout Social | $249/month | Social listening, team collaboration inbox, approval workflows | Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest | Medium to large teams | N/A |
| Buffer | $6/month per channel | Team members, content approval, shared calendar | Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, TikTok | Small teams | N/A |
| Agorapulse | Contact for pricing | Team collaboration, approval workflows, unified inbox | Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube | Medium teams | N/A |
| Statusbrew | $179/month (5 users) | Team workspaces, approval workflows, role management | Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, Google My Business | Medium teams | N/A |
| SocialBee | Contact for pricing | Content categories, team collaboration, approval process | Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Google My Business | Small to medium teams | N/A |
| CoSchedule | Contact for pricing | Marketing calendar, team workflows, project management | Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest | Medium to large teams | N/A |
| Sendible | $29/month (1 user) | White-label options, client collaboration, approval workflows | Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, Google My Business | Agencies and medium teams | N/A |
| Later | $16.67/month | Visual content planning, approval workflows, team roles | Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok | Small teams focused on visual content | N/A |
All prices are based on annual billing unless stated otherwise.
Recommendations Based on Team Needs and Budget
For budget-conscious teams, Buffer and Later are excellent starting points. Buffer offers essential features for just $6 per channel, while Later’s $16.67 monthly plan is ideal for small teams managing Instagram, Pinterest, or TikTok content.
Growing agencies may find Sendible appealing, starting at $29 per month. It includes white-label options, which are particularly helpful for client work. As Rolf Jeger, Agency Director of VOIMA, shared:
"With native platforms, the approval process was unbelievably painful and we couldn’t handle the volume we are handling now without such a tool as Sendible".
Enterprise teams often lean toward Hootsuite, Sprout Social, or CoSchedule. These tools offer extensive platform support, advanced analytics, and strong team management features. Although they come with higher price tags, they provide the scalability larger operations demand.
For visual-first brands, Later is a standout choice. It’s tailored for businesses focusing on Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok, though its platform range is narrower than competitors.
Key Considerations
The right tool depends on your team’s priorities – whether it’s affordability, ease of use, or advanced features. Teams managing high content volumes benefit from tools with robust approval workflows, while smaller teams might focus on cost-effectiveness and simplicity. With 64% of employees losing at least three hours weekly due to inefficient collaboration tools, choosing the right platform can significantly improve productivity and streamline your workflow.
Conclusion
Collaboration is the backbone of any successful social media team, and the right tools can make all the difference in streamlining workflows and boosting productivity. When picking a collaboration tool, it’s essential to align it with your team’s unique needs, budget, and daily operations.
For smaller teams with tight budgets, platforms like Buffer and Later provide affordable options with core features like scheduling and content approvals. Medium-sized teams or growing agencies might find tools like Sendible or Statusbrew more fitting, offering advanced functionalities without overcomplicating things. For large enterprises, solutions like Hootsuite, Sprout Social, or CoSchedule deliver robust platform support and detailed analytics to meet complex demands.
Take time to evaluate your current processes – whether it’s content approvals, file sharing, or version control – and make use of free trials to ensure the tool fits seamlessly into your workflow.
As remote work continues to rise, platforms like Work From Home Social Media Jobs connect professionals with remote roles such as Social Media Manager, Content Creator, and Community Manager. With an average pay of $22.94 per hour, these roles offer flexibility alongside competitive earnings.
FAQs
What should I consider when selecting a collaboration tool for my social media team?
When selecting a collaboration tool for your social media team, it’s essential to consider how well it aligns with your team’s unique requirements. Prioritize tools that offer user-friendly interfaces, seamless integration with existing software, and strong security features to keep your operations running smoothly. Features like multi-platform management, streamlined workflows, and simplified approval processes can be game-changers for managing social media tasks effectively.
It’s also worth evaluating how the tool can enhance communication and productivity within your team. Whether your focus is on improving content planning, scheduling posts, or tracking performance metrics, ensure the tool supports your specific goals. By keeping these priorities in mind, you’ll choose a solution that not only improves efficiency but also sets your team up for success.
What are the advantages of using a visual content calendar for managing social media?
Using a visual content calendar can be a game-changer for social media management. It gives teams a clear snapshot of all scheduled posts, which helps maintain consistency across different platforms. This kind of planning ensures campaigns are cohesive, content quality stays high, and those last-minute scrambles are a thing of the past.
On top of that, it’s a huge time-saver. A content calendar simplifies workflows, making collaboration smoother. Team members can easily spot deadlines, assign tasks, and monitor progress, which keeps everyone on the same page and working efficiently. For any social media team looking to streamline their process, a well-organized content calendar is an absolute must.
Do these collaboration tools work with the platforms and apps we already use?
Many social media collaboration tools are built to work effortlessly with well-known platforms and apps. For instance, tools like Slack, Hootsuite, and Planable often sync with social networks such as Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, as well as apps like Google Workspace and Dropbox.
With these integrations, teams can handle tasks like scheduling posts, organizing content, and analyzing performance – all from one central hub. This setup simplifies workflows, saves time, and keeps everything organized across various platforms.