Introduction
When it comes to social media management, two popular tools that often come up are Sprout Social and Later. Both platforms cater to the needs of businesses and marketers looking to enhance their social media presence, but they serve different purposes.
Main Purposes:
- Sprout Social is designed for comprehensive social media management, focusing on analytics, engagement, and customer relationship management. It enables businesses to monitor social interactions and track performance metrics.
- Later primarily centers on visual content planning and scheduling, making it ideal for brands with a strong emphasis on aesthetics, particularly on platforms like Instagram.
Common User Considerations: Users commonly consider these tools for their unique strengths in managing social content, analyzing performance, and scheduling posts efficiently.
Primary Comparison Aspects:
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Features:
- Sprout Social offers robust analytics, engagement tools, and CRM capabilities.
- Later focuses on visual content calendar features, post scheduling, and media library organization.
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Pricing:
- Sprout Social typically has a higher price point with tiered plans based on features and user numbers.
- Later provides more budget-friendly options, allowing users to choose plans based on their needs without sacrificing core functionalities.
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Ease of Use:
- Sprout Social’s interface is designed for power users, offering a myriad of options which might be overwhelming for beginners.
- Later is user-friendly, featuring a drag-and-drop interface that simplifies content scheduling and planning.
Understanding these key aspects assists users in deciding which tool better aligns with their social media objectives and operational needs.
Sprout Social VS Later: Which tool is the most popular?
| Tool | Number of Reviews | Average Rating | Positive Reviews | Neutral Reviews | Negative Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sprout Social | 27 | 2.19 | 8 | 0 | 19 |
| Later | 20 | 2.98 | 10 | 0 | 10 |
Sprout Social is the most reviewed tool with 27 reviews, but it has the lowest average rating of 2.19, indicating a significant number of negative experiences. In contrast, Later has fewer reviews at 20 but a higher average rating of 2.98, suggesting a relatively better reception despite the mixed feedback.
Sprout Social and Later: Quick Comparison Overview
| Feature/Aspect | Ahrefs | SEMrush |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Features | – Site Explorer – Keyword Explorer – Backlink Checker – Content Explorer – Rank Tracker |
– Keyword Research – Site Audit – Position Tracking – Content Analyzer – Marketing Insights |
| Target Audience | – SEO professionals – Digital marketers – Agencies focusing on content marketing and backlink analysis |
– Digital marketers – SEO experts – Content marketers – Social media marketers and PPC specialists |
| Main Advantages | – Robust backlink analysis – Comprehensive keyword data – Intuitive user interface – Constantly updated index |
– All-in-one digital marketing tool – Extensive competitor analysis – Wide array of tools for SEO and PPC – Integrated social media management |
| Core Value Proposition | Focused on providing in-depth SEO insights, particularly strengths in backlink profiles and organic keyword rankings. Ideal for users prioritizing content strategy and link-building efforts. | Offers a holistic view of digital marketing, making it easier to manage all aspects of online presence through an extensive range of tools for SEO, PPC, and social media marketing. |
| Ideal Use Cases | – Conducting comprehensive link audits – Developing effective content strategies – Tracking backlinks and organic rankings – Keyword planning for SEO campaigns |
– Managing and optimizing PPC campaigns – Conducting competitive analysis for market positioning – Comprehensive content analytics and SEO tracking – Social media metrics and management |
Most liked vs most disliked features of Sprout Social and Later
| Feature | Sprout Social | Later |
|---|---|---|
| Most Liked Features | – Responsive and helpful customer service | – User-friendly and intuitive interface |
| – User-friendly interface | – Ability to schedule posts across multiple platforms | |
| – Effective social media management tools | – Robust analytics options for performance tracking | |
| – Reliability and consistency in service | – Direct posting to Instagram without push notifications | |
| – Satisfaction in meeting user needs | – Media and content storage to manage resources effectively | |
| Most Disliked Features | – Perception of negative reviews affecting user sentiment | – Higher pricing for beginners or tight budgets |
| – Confusion regarding brand communication (green logo) | – Collaboration challenges with placeholder images | |
| – Concerns about system crashes and operational issues | – Focus on Instagram, lacking features for Facebook and Twitter | |
| – General dissatisfaction not specifically detailed | – Need for better bulk upload and larger file size management | |
| – Influence of negative feedback on potential new customers | – Desire for balanced functionality across all platforms |
Key Features of Sprout Social vs Later
Certainly! Here’s an overview of the key features of Sprout Social and Later, focusing on how each feature benefits users and any unique aspects that each brand offers.
Sprout Social
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Social Media Publishing:
- Benefit: Allows users to plan, schedule, and publish posts across multiple social media platforms from a single dashboard.
- Unique Aspect: Advanced scheduling options, including the ability to optimize post times based on audience engagement analytics.
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Engagement Tools:
- Benefit: Helps users manage interactions with followers, respond to messages quickly, and track audience engagement.
- Unique Aspect: Unified inbox feature that consolidates messages from various platforms for seamless interaction.
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Analytics and Reporting:
- Benefit: Offers in-depth analytics to track performance metrics, audience engagement, and content effectiveness, helping brands understand their social media impact.
- Unique Aspect: Customizable reporting options that allow users to generate reports tailored to specific business needs or stakeholders.
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Social Listening:
- Benefit: Enables brands to monitor mentions of their brand, keywords, and competitors across social platforms to gain insights into customer sentiment and trends.
- Unique Aspect: In-depth sentiment analysis tools that provide valuable context to the data collected.
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Collaboration Tools:
- Benefit: Facilitates teamwork through role-based permissions, project management tools, and feedback loops for content approval.
- Unique Aspect: Built-in task management features that enhance team productivity and workflow efficiency.
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Customer Relationship Management (CRM):
- Benefit: Helps brands build and maintain relationships with their audience by storing user interactions and social profiles.
- Unique Aspect: Comprehensive CRM capabilities that integrate directly with social engagement, leading to more personalized communication.
Later
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Visual Content Calendar:
- Benefit: Provides a user-friendly calendar view that allows users to drag and drop images for scheduled posting, making it easy to visualize their social strategy.
- Unique Aspect: Strong emphasis on visual content, which is particularly beneficial for Instagram-focused strategies.
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Linkin.bio:
- Benefit: A feature that allows users to create a clickable landing page linked to their Instagram profiles, enabling better traffic management and conversions from social media posts.
- Unique Aspect: Allows users to turn Instagram posts into shoppable links, enhancing e-commerce opportunities directly from social channels.
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Media Library:
- Benefit: Centralizes all visual content in one place, allowing users to easily manage and access images and videos for their social media needs.
- Unique Aspect: Automated image organization and tagging features to streamline content management.
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Scheduling and Auto-Publishing:
- Benefit: Offers the ability to schedule posts in advance, with options for auto-publishing to various platforms, including Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.
- Unique Aspect: Smart scheduling that selects the best times for posting based on historical engagement data.
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Instagram First:
- Benefit: While Later supports multiple platforms, it was designed with a primary focus on Instagram, offering tools specifically for visual storytelling on this platform.
- Unique Aspect: Features like an Instagram preview that allow users to see how their grid will look before posting.
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Analytics:
- Benefit: Provides insights into post performance, engagement rates, and audience interaction, assisting users in refining their strategies.
- Unique Aspect: Simplified analytics focused heavily on Instagram performance metrics, catering to users whose primary platform is Instagram.
Summary
Both Sprout Social and Later provide valuable social media management tools tailored to different user needs. Sprout Social is comprehensive, focusing on engagement, analytics, and team collaboration across multiple platforms, making it ideal for businesses looking for a robust management tool. In contrast, Later takes a more visually-driven approach, with a strong focus on Instagram and e-commerce functionalities, making it suitable for brands primarily targeting visual content and conversion through social media.
Sprout Social vs Later Pricing Comparison
Pricing Comparison: Sprout Social vs. Later
| Feature/Plan | Sprout Social | Later |
|---|---|---|
| Free Trial | 30-day free trial available for all plans | 14-day free trial available for all plans |
| Basic Plan | $249/month (billed annually) | $12.50/month (billed annually) |
| Core Features | – 5 social profiles – 10 reports – Social publishing – Inbox (social messages) |
– 1 social set (1 profile per platform) – 30 posts per profile – Linkin.bio (limited features) – Basic analytics |
| Professional Plan | $349/month (billed annually) | $20/month (billed annually) |
| Core Features | – 10 social profiles – 20 reports – All Basic features + scheduling, engagement, and collaboration tools |
– 1 social set – 60 posts per profile – Linkin.bio (advanced features) – Basic analytics |
| Advanced Plan | $499/month (billed annually) | $33.33/month (billed annually) |
| Core Features | – 20 social profiles – 30 reports – All Professional features + advanced tools and reporting |
– 1 social set – Unlimited posts per profile – Linkin.bio (advanced features) – Advanced analytics |
| Business Plan | Custom pricing based on needs, includes advanced features and support | $42.50/month (billed annually) |
| Core Features | – Custom social profiles – Advanced reporting – Team management – API access |
|
| Payment Options | Monthly and annual subscriptions available with a discount for annual payments (16% off) | Monthly and annual subscriptions available with savings on annual payments (save 17%) |
| Discounts | 16% discount for annual billing | 17% discount for annual billing |
Summary of Key Differences:
- Pricing Structure: Sprout Social has higher starting prices and multiple tiers compared to Later, which offers lower-cost plans with fewer features in the entry-level tier.
- Social Profiles: Sprout Social allows more social profiles in its plans, especially at the higher tiers, while Later maintains a single social set across all pricing tiers.
- Post Limits: Later focuses on the number of posts per profile, especially at entry-level plans, while Sprout Social provides a more comprehensive feature set without strict post limits.
- Analytics & Reporting: Sprout Social features advanced reporting tools at all levels, while Later’s reporting is more basic until reaching higher tiers.
Support Options Comparison: Sprout Social vs Later
| Support Feature | Sprout Social | Later |
|---|---|---|
| Live Chat | Available during business hours. | Not available. |
| Phone Support | Not available. | Not available. |
| Documentation | Comprehensive help center with articles and FAQs. | Extensive knowledge base with FAQs and guides. |
| Additional Resources | Webinars and detailed tutorials available on their site. | Offers various tutorials and blog posts to enhance user knowledge. |
Unique Features of Sprout Social Vs Later
| Feature | Sprout Social | Later | Added Value | Deciding Factors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Social Listening | Advanced social listening with in-depth analytics to track brand sentiment, industry trends, and audience engagement. | Limited social listening capabilities primarily focused on content performance. | Facilitates real-time response to public sentiment and market trends. | Brands focused on reputation management and proactive engagement will find this invaluable. |
| Customer Relationship Management (CRM) | Built-in CRM tools for managing customer interactions and tracking engagements. | Lacks sophisticated CRM functions, focusing more on scheduling and visual content planning. | Enhances relationships with followers and customers through personalized interactions. | Brands looking to foster customer loyalty and engagement will benefit from integrated CRM capabilities. |
| Custom Reports | Ability to create detailed and customizable reports tailored to specific metrics and stakeholders. | Basic reporting functionality focused mainly on post performance and metrics. | Provides insights that drive strategic decisions and demonstrate ROI. | Organizations that rely on in-depth analytics for strategy will see this as crucial. |
| Content Suggestions | AI-driven content recommendations based on audience analysis and engagement trends. | Primarily user-generated content scheduling without substantial AI recommendations. | Helps users discover and leverage trending content to enhance engagement. | Brands aiming for optimized content strategies will value tailored suggestions to boost reach. |
| Collaborative Workflow | Advanced collaboration features including task assignments, team approvals, and role-based access. | Basic scheduling features with limited collaboration tools. | Streamlines teamwork and enhances productivity within social media teams. | Larger organizations or teams seeking efficient workflows will appreciate robust collaboration tools. |
| Engagement Tools | Supports a full suite of engagement tools, including a unified inbox for managing all social interactions. | Focuses more on content planning with limited engagement functionalities. | Centralizes communication for better customer service and responsiveness. | Companies prioritizing customer engagement will find a unified inbox to be a critical feature. |
| Competitive Analysis | Comprehensive competitive analysis tools allow tracking of competitors’ performance and strategies. | Minimal tools for competitive insights, primarily focused on user content metrics. | Supports strategic planning through detailed benchmarking against competitors. | Businesses looking to gain a competitive edge will prioritize detailed analysis capabilities. |
The unique features of Sprout Social and Later cater to different needs within the social media management landscape. Sprout Social’s advanced functionalities provide a more comprehensive solution for businesses interested in deep analytical insights, customer engagement, and strategic planning. In contrast, Later focuses on visual content scheduling but lacks some in-depth engagement and analysis functionalities. Brands targeting specific outcomes, whether in customer engagement, strategic insights, or team collaboration, will find that these unique features play a significant role in their decision-making process.
Most frequently asked questions about Sprout Social vs Later
What are the key features of Later?
Later is known for its visual content calendar and drag-and-drop interface, making it easier for users to plan and schedule their posts visually. As one user noted, “The ability to see my feed before posting is a game changer, helping me maintain a cohesive aesthetic.”
What are the key features of Sprout Social?
Sprout Social excels in analytics and reporting, offering in-depth insights into audience engagement and social performance. A reviewer mentioned, “The analytics tools help me understand what posts are working and which aren’t, allowing for data-driven decisions.”
How do pricing structures compare between Later and Sprout Social?
Later offers more tiered pricing based on features and number of posts, which is appealing for smaller businesses. In contrast, Sprout Social is generally more expensive but provides a wider range of features. As one user remarked, “Later fits my budget better, but I see the value in Sprout’s comprehensive tools.”
Which platform is better for visual content marketing?
Later is often praised for its focus on visual platforms like Instagram, stating, “It’s perfect for visual planners and makes curating posts a breeze.” In contrast, Sprout Social provides tools for all platforms but isn’t as tailored for visuals.
How user-friendly are the dashboards of Later and Sprout Social?
Users commend Later for its intuitive layout, with one saying, “I picked it up immediately without tutorials.” Sprout Social, while feature-rich, can feel overwhelming, as a user expressed, “There’s so much data that it took me a while to figure out where to start.”
What kind of customer support is available?
Later offers extensive resources including tutorials and a responsive support team. A user commented, “Their help center is fantastic for troubleshooting.” Sprout Social also provides great support but has been noted for slower response times occasionally.
Is there a mobile app for both tools?
Both Later and Sprout Social have mobile apps, but user feedback highlights Later’s app as being very streamlined for scheduling on-the-go. One user noted, “Later’s app is super user-friendly, which makes posting from anywhere so easy!”
How do Later and Sprout Social handle post scheduling?
Later offers an easy visual scheduling tool that many find beneficial, as one user stated, “Dragging and dropping posts in the schedule is so simple and effective.” Meanwhile, Sprout Social allows for scheduling but focuses more on a strategic approach to timing.
Which platform integrates with more social networks?
Sprout Social supports a wider array of integrations, especially for professional use, with one user stating, “The integration with CRM tools is important for our marketing strategy.” Later is more limited but focuses strongly on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
What are the reporting capabilities like in both platforms?
Sprout Social offers advanced reporting features that can detail every aspect of engagement, as one reviewer stated, “I can track every little thing about how each post performs.” Later’s reporting is simpler but adequate for basic needs, with a user mentioning, “It gives me just enough insight to know how I’m doing on Instagram.”
