To calculate price-per-user, divide the sticker price by the number of users allowed on that plan.
To calculate price-per-profile, divide the sticker price by the number of social profile connections allowed on that plan.
For example, Loomly’s Base plan might look a tad more expensive than comparable tool’s starter plans. But when you calculate price-per-user and price-per-profile, you’ll find that Loomly has one of the most generous user and social profile allowances across the board.
Next, decide on your deal-breaker features. Every tool will offer the same baseline scheduling features and integrate with major social media platforms, so focus on the features that will make a real difference in your day-to-day workflow. (The things you won’t notice when they’re there, but will cause a daily headache when they aren’t.)
Is it collaboration tools? Workflow integrations? Robust analytics? A clean and simple interface?
How many users are allowed on a plan?
Are there approval workflows?
Are there custom roles and permissions?
Are there internal review features, like comments and notes?
Are there workflow integrations, like Slack or Google Drive?
Finally, there are a few non-obvious considerations that you’ll want to factor into your decision:
Room to grow: Single-user plans are usually affordable, but if you’re starting a new business, entering a growth stage, or building an agency, you might need more seats faster than you think. Plan ahead and see how the tool will grow with you. Some platforms offer steady price-per-user increases, while others jump to enterprise-level pricing for more users.
Frequent updates: Social media platforms constantly add new features and change their back-end, and many social media scheduling tools are slow to implement these changes on their platforms. Check if your tool supports the newest features, like a Threads integration.
Cross-posting tools: Look for tools that allow easy cross-platform customization, like adapting the format, character limits, or media dimensions (e.g., from Instagram to LinkedIn). A good tool should streamline this process rather than making you start from scratch for each platform.
Even after all this, choosing the right tool can be tough. Luckily, each of the five top platforms we’ve listed offer a free trial. If you’re interested, start right here with Loomly’s free 15-day trial.
