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Hootsuite vs Sprout Social
Hootsuite and Sprout Social are both Social Media & Content Platforms tools. Here is how they compare on pricing, free plans, AI integrations and platforms, and when each is the better fit.
Side by side
| Feature | Hootsuite | Sprout Social |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Social Media & Content Platforms | Social Media & Content Platforms |
| Pricing | $99–399 per user/mo | $79–399 per seat/mo |
| Free option | Not listed | Not listed |
| AI integrations | MCP server, Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, Microsoft Copilot | ChatGPT |
| Platforms | Android, Drupal, iOS | — |
| Links | Hootsuite listingVisit website (opens in a new tab) | Sprout Social listingVisit website (opens in a new tab) |
Which to choose
Choose Hootsuite if
- want official Model Context Protocol connectors for Claude, Gemini, and Microsoft Copilot
- need to manage up to 10 social accounts on an entry-level plan
- want the Wisdom AI agent to summarise analytics data and detect trends
- need confirmed support for Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, X, YouTube, and Pinterest
Choose Sprout Social if
- want a lower starting price at $79 per seat per month
- need built-in tools to discover influencers and manage creator campaigns
- want a 30-day free trial without entering a credit card
- need integrations with CRMs like Salesforce and helpdesk systems
Verdict
Hootsuite and Sprout Social are both social media management platforms built for marketing teams, agencies, and enterprise organisations. Both offer content scheduling, unified inboxes, social listening, employee advocacy, and native AI assistants on a per-seat pricing model. Hootsuite suits teams that want wider external AI connections, offering Model Context Protocol integrations for ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot, and Gemini, plus a higher entry-level cap of 10 social accounts.
Sprout Social suits organisations focused on customer care, CRM connections, and creator partnerships. It starts at a slightly lower price of $79 per seat per month and includes influencer campaign management alongside Salesforce and helpdesk integrations. The main trade-off is between Hootsuite's higher entry-level account allowance and external AI connectors versus Sprout Social's influencer tools, CRM integrations, and 30-day credit-card-free trial.
FAQ
- How does pricing compare between Hootsuite and Sprout Social?
Both platforms charge per user or seat per month and top out at $399 per month. Sprout Social has a slightly lower starting price at $79 per seat per month, while Hootsuite starts at $99 per user per month. Both tools require higher-tier plans or add-ons for certain advanced features.
- How many social accounts can you connect on the entry-level plans?
Hootsuite limits its entry-level plan to 10 social accounts. Sprout Social caps profile connections at five social accounts on its entry-level plans.
- Do Hootsuite and Sprout Social offer free plans or trials?
Neither listing includes a permanent free plan. However, Sprout Social offers a 30-day free trial that does not require a credit card.
- How do the AI integrations differ between the two platforms?
Both platforms include built-in AI assistants for drafting content and analysing sentiment. For external AI tools, Hootsuite offers Model Context Protocol connectors for ChatGPT, Claude, Microsoft Copilot, and Gemini, whereas Sprout Social lists a ChatGPT connection.