Free Social Media Competitor Analysis Tool

Perform social media competitor analysis using our free tool, get social media insights on the best posts of your competitors on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, TikTok, Youtube and LinkedIn.

Social Media Competitor Analysis Tool

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Social media is a battleground. If you’re not keeping an eye on your competitors, you’re handing them an advantage. I’ve seen brands spend months tweaking content, only to realize their competitors were running data-backed strategies that outperformed them from day one.

Understanding your competitors’ moves isn’t about copying them—it’s about learning what’s working, spotting gaps, and building a smarter strategy. Let’s break down what social media competitor analysis is, why it matters, and how you can leverage it to gain an edge.

What is a Social Media Competitor Analysis?

Social media competitor analysis is more than just checking who has the most followers. That’s surface-level thinking. A real analysis looks at how competitors engage their audience, what content resonates, and where they’re winning (or failing).

This process involves:

  • Tracking engagement metrics—likes, shares, comments, and audience sentiment
  • Analyzing content performance—what formats, topics, and messaging work best
  • Identifying audience growth patterns—organic vs. paid strategies
  • Monitoring ad campaigns—how they’re targeting and what CTAs they’re using
  • Spotting content gaps—where your competitors aren’t capitalizing

Why does this matter? Because every winning strategy leaves clues. If a competitor is crushing it on Instagram but struggling on LinkedIn, that’s insight you can use. If they’re doubling down on video content, maybe it’s time to rethink your static image strategy.

The goal isn’t to copy—it’s to stay informed and adapt faster than they do. That’s how you gain a real competitive edge.

The Benefits of a Social Media Competitive Analysis

Social media isn’t just about posting great content. It’s about posting the right content at the right time—before your competitors do. If you don’t know what’s working for them, you’re making decisions in the dark. That’s where social media competitive analysis gives you an edge.

By tracking competitors’ successes, failures, and audience engagement patterns, you skip the trial-and-error phase and go straight to what works. Whether you’re building a social media presence from scratch or fine-tuning an existing strategy, competitive analysis turns insights into action.

Let’s break down the biggest benefits.

 

1. Develop a Data-Driven Social Media Strategy

A good social media strategy isn’t built on gut feelings—it’s built on real data. Competitive analysis shows you exactly what’s working in your industry so you can fine-tune your approach instead of throwing content at the wall and hoping something sticks.

  • What type of content is generating the most engagement? Are your competitors succeeding with videos, carousel posts, memes, or user-generated content?
  • How often are they posting? If they’re publishing daily and gaining traction, but you’re only posting twice a week, you might be missing out.
  • What hashtags and keywords are driving reach? If they’ve cracked the code on Instagram Reels or LinkedIn trends, you can integrate that knowledge into your own strategy.

With real competitor insights, you’re not just reacting—you’re leading.

 

2. Stay Ahead of Social Media Trends Before They Peak

If you wait until a trend is everywhere, you’re already too late. The most successful brands spot shifts in engagement patterns early and adjust their content before the competition catches on.

Competitive analysis lets you:

  • Identify trends before they explode by watching what competitors are testing (and doubling down on).
  • Track content formats that are gaining momentum—whether it’s TikTok tutorials, AI-generated images, or long-form Twitter threads.
  • Pivot quickly instead of playing catch-up when engagement starts shifting.

You don’t want to be the brand that jumps on a trend six months too late—you want to be the one leading it.

 

3. Find Market Gaps and Untapped Opportunities

Competitive analysis isn’t just about copying what works—it’s about spotting what’s missing. Every competitor leaves gaps in their strategy. Your job is to find them.

  • Is their content missing a key perspective? Maybe they focus on broad topics but ignore niche insights that your audience craves.
  • Are they neglecting a specific platform? If competitors dominate Instagram but ignore LinkedIn, that’s your opening.
  • What questions are left unanswered? If customers repeatedly ask questions in their comments, but competitors aren’t addressing them, you can create content that fills that gap.

The brands that win don’t just follow the pack. They exploit gaps the competition hasn’t even noticed.

 

4. Set Realistic, Industry-Backed Benchmarks

Without competitive analysis, how do you know what “good” looks like? If you assume a 5% engagement rate is bad, but your competitors average 3%, you might actually be overperforming.

Competitive benchmarks help you:

  • Set achievable goals instead of aiming too high or low.
  • Compare engagement metrics (likes, shares, comments, click-through rates) to industry leaders.
  • Understand ad spend vs. ROI—if competitors are pouring money into paid social, but you’re outpacing them organically, you may not need to match their budget.

The best benchmarks don’t come from general marketing blogs—they come from your actual industry competitors.

 

5. Learn From Competitors’ Mistakes Without Wasting Your Budget

Not every competitor move is a smart one. Your biggest advantage? Learning from their failures before making the same mistakes.

  • Did they launch a campaign that flopped? Avoid replicating the same messaging or ad approach.
  • Are they struggling to engage with a certain type of content? If they’ve tested it multiple times and it’s not working, don’t waste your budget doing the same thing.
  • Did a rebrand or new strategy backfire? Watch the audience response before making similar moves.

Competitive analysis isn’t just about what’s working—it’s about what’s failing, too.

 

6. Strengthen Audience Engagement and Brand Positioning

Your audience doesn’t just follow you—they follow your competitors. The question is, why?

  • What content gets them talking? Competitor engagement patterns tell you what sparks conversation, what gets ignored, and what converts passive viewers into active followers.
  • What messaging resonates? If your competitors’ audience responds well to humor, educational content, or direct CTAs, you can fine-tune your tone accordingly.
  • What community-building tactics are working? Are they using polls, AMAs, or contests to engage followers? If it works for them, it can work for you—with your own spin.

If you know what’s already keeping your audience engaged, you can build a stronger connection without second-guessing your approach.

 

Competitive Analysis: The Difference Between Guessing and Winning

At the end of the day, guessing is expensive—in time, money, and missed opportunities. A well-executed social media competitive analysis puts you in control.

  • You stop reacting to trends and start anticipating them.
  • You eliminate wasted effort and focus on proven tactics.
  • You gain an edge by leveraging competitor data—not just your own.

The brands that win on social media aren’t just posting more—they’re posting smarter. Competitive analysis is how you stay ahead, adapt faster, and dominate your market.

Social Media Competitive Analysis: How to perform one using our free social media analysis tool

Social Media Competitor Analysis Tool

Conducting a social media competitive analysis can be streamlined and efficient with the use of Competitors App that helps you track social media pages easily. . Here’s how to do it:

competitors app identify competitors

Step 1: Identify Your Competitors

The first step is to identify who your direct and indirect competitors are. These are the businesses that are vying for the same audience as you.

competitors app add competitor

Step 2: Add Your Competitors

Once you have a list of your competitors, add them to Competitors App. This is a straightforward process that allows you to begin tracking their activities.

competitors app activity dashboard

Step 3: Visit the Social Activity Timeline

In the app, navigate to the activity timeline. This feature provides a chronological view of your competitors’ social media posts along with their engagement, follower growth for each post.

analyze competitors posts

Step 4: Analyze Competitors’ Posts

Examine the content of these posts. Competitors App provides detailed metrics like engagement, likes, shares, and comments, which are crucial for understanding what types of posts are successful or not.

competitors target audience analysis

Step 5: Use the Dashboard for Advanced Social Insights

The dashboard in Competitors App offers a comprehensive view of when your competitors are receiving high levels of engagement. You can see which weeks or months they are most active and successful, giving you insights into their posting strategy.

competitors app dashboard most popular posts

Step 6: Identify their best social media posts per channel

Through this analysis, you'll gain an understanding of which posts resonate with the audience and which don’t. This helps in shaping your content strategy.

competitors app optimal time for engagement

Step 7: Identify the best time and dates for posting

By observing the times when your competitors receive the most engagement, you can better plan when to release your own posts for maximum impact.

By following these steps with Competitors App, you will conduct a thorough analysis of your competitors’ social media strategies. This process not only provides insights into what works for them but also helps you refine your own approach to achieve better engagement and results.

What to Look for When Conducting Competitor Analysis per Channel?

Facebook Competitor Analysis

For effective Facebook competitor analysis, focus on:

  1. Engagement: Assess likes, comments, and shares to gauge content resonance with the target audience.

  2. Content Strategy: Identify top-performing content types, whether videos, images, or text.

  3. Posting Schedule: Note posting frequency and timing for optimal engagement.

  4. Audience Growth: Monitor follower growth to evaluate strategy effectiveness.

  5. Promotions: Analyze the success of campaigns and promotions.

These insights can refine your Facebook strategy to boost social media performance and maintain a competitive edge.

Instagram Competitor Analysis

When analyzing competitors on Instagram, focus on:

  • Visual Aesthetics: Study their feed’s curation, color schemes, and themes.
  • Hashtag Usage: Note frequently used hashtags and their impact on visibility and engagement.
  • Stories & Reels: Evaluate their use of Stories and Reels for promotions, behind-the-scenes content, or engagement.
  • Influencer Collaborations: Assess partnerships and their effect on engagement and follower growth.
  • User-Generated Content: Observe how they engage with or share followers’ content to build community.

Twitter Competitor Analysis

When analyzing competitors on Twitter, focus on:

  • Tweet Types: Examine their mix of original tweets, retweets, and conversations, balancing promotional, informative, and engaging content.
  • Hashtag Strategy: Note frequent hashtags, including trending and brand-specific ones, and their impact on reach.
  • Engagement Patterns: Analyze likes, retweets, and replies, focusing on tweets with above-average engagement.
  • Follower Growth: Track changes in follower count to identify successful strategies.
  • Twitter Threads: Evaluate their use of threads for storytelling, detailed content, or related posts.

Free social media competitive analysis template by Competitors.app

social media competitive analysis template

Get ahead in your social media game with Competitors.app’s free analysis template. This streamlined tool equips you with essential elements for a thorough competitor analysis, including profile information, audience demographics, content strategy, engagement metrics, and more. Efficiently assess your rivals’ social media tactics, identify key opportunities, and craft a winning strategy. Download now and transform your social media approach!

The Best Social Media Competitor Analysis Tools in 2025

I’ve been working in social media for many years now, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that your competitors are your best roadmap

The most successful brands don’t guess. They analyze, adapt, and outperform.

Right now, social media is more competitive than ever. Your competitors are running ads, growing their audiences, and figuring out exactly what works—often at your expense. But with the right competitor analysis tools, you don’t have to play catch-up. You can see their moves before they even hit your feed.

I’ve tested a ton of these tools, and here’s a breakdown of the best ones to use in 2025 and beyond, what they’re great at, and when you should use them.

competitors app social media competitive analysis

Competitors App

If you’re serious about tracking every aspect of your competitors’ strategies, Competitors App is the tool you need. It doesn’t just monitor social media—it tracks blog posts, emails, ads, website updates, SEO changes, and even competitor reviews.

This means you don’t just see what your competitors post—you see how their entire marketing machine operates.

Key Features:

  • Real-time competitor monitoring across social media, blogs, and websites
  • Ad tracking for Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Google Ads
  • SEO & keyword tracking to spot ranking changes
  • Email marketing insights to monitor how competitors nurture leads
  • Review monitoring to analyze customer feedback

When to Use It:

If you want a dedicated competitor tracking tool that covers social media AND everything else, this is it. Perfect for brands that need a full view of competitor strategies, not just a snapshot.

Pricing:

Starts at $19.99/month, making it one of the most affordable full-suite competitor tracking tools.

sprout social dashboard

Sprout Social

Sprout Social is more than a social media scheduler. It’s a powerful competitor benchmarking tool that provides detailed analytics across platforms. If you need to break down engagement trends, track audience growth, and compare strategies side by side, this is a top pick.

Key Features:

  • Cross-platform competitor analytics (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn)
  • Engagement tracking to compare likes, shares, and comments
  • Customizable reports to spot trends over time

When to Use It:

If you need detailed social media reports and want to see how your competitors are performing in real-time, Sprout Social delivers.

Pricing:

Starts at $32.99/month—a great investment for businesses that rely on data-driven decisions.

buzzsumo dashboard

BuzzSumo

If you want to reverse-engineer what’s going viral, BuzzSumo is the tool to use. This isn’t just about social media posts—it’s about understanding which content drives engagement and why.

Key Features:

  • Top-performing content analysis by industry and topic
  • Competitor content tracking to see what’s resonating
  • Influencer identification to find out who’s amplifying competitor content

When to Use It:

If you want to dominate content marketing and social engagement, this tool will show you exactly what’s working for your competitors.

Pricing:

Starts at $199/month, making it a premium option for brands that live and breathe content marketing.

brandwatch dashboard

Brandwatch

Brandwatch takes social media competitor analysis to another level by using AI to analyze public sentiment, trends, and brand perception.

Key Features:

  • AI-powered sentiment analysis to track competitor reputation
  • Trend detection before topics go mainstream
  • Comprehensive social listening across platforms

When to Use It:

If you want real-time alerts on public perception and trend forecasting, Brandwatch is a game-changer.

Pricing:

Custom pricing based on business needs.

semrush social analytics dashboard

SEMrush

Most people know SEMrush for SEO, but it’s also one of the best tools for integrating social media competitor analysis with digital marketing insights.

Key Features:

  • Social media tracking alongside SEO and PPC insights
  • Competitor ad tracking across Google Ads and social media
  • Social + search integration to spot cross-platform trends

When to Use It:

If your social strategy is closely tied to SEO and paid search, SEMrush will help you connect the dots.

Pricing:

Starts at $129.90/month—best for businesses that need a full marketing intelligence suite.

hootsuite dashboard

Hootsuite

Hootsuite is best known as a scheduling tool, but it also has built-in competitor tracking features.

Key Features:

  • Post scheduling + monitoring across all major platforms
  • Engagement tracking to compare competitor performance
  • Basic competitor analysis for content trends

When to Use It:

If you need a scheduling tool with basic competitor tracking, Hootsuite is a solid choice.

Pricing:

Starts at $99.90/month—a good option for brands that need both content management and competitive insights.

Not all businesses need the same type of insights. Here’s how to pick the best tool based on your goals.

If You Need…

Full marketing intelligenceCompetitors App
Deep analytics & engagement trackingSprout Social
Content & influencer analysisBuzzSumo
AI-powered trend detectionBrandwatch
SEO + social media insightsSEMrush
Scheduling with basic trackingHootsuite

How to Evaluate Social Media Competitive Analysis Tools

Choosing the right social media competitive analysis tool is crucial for gaining accurate and actionable insights. To ensure you select the best tool for your business needs, consider the following criteria:

  1. Features and Functionality: Determine what features are most important for your strategy. Do you need in-depth analytics, real-time monitoring, sentiment analysis, or a combination of these? Make sure the tool you choose excels in these areas.

  2. Data Accuracy: Learn how frequently the tools track your competitors social media and how frequently they add insights like follower growth or post engagement.

  3. Integration Capabilities: Consider how well the tool integrates with other platforms and tools you use. Seamless integration can significantly enhance efficiency and data accuracy.

  4. Scalability: As your business grows, your needs will change. Choose a tool that can scale with your business, offering more advanced features and capabilities as your requirements evolve.

  5. Customer Support: Good customer support is crucial. Ensure that the tool you select has a responsive support team to assist you with any issues or queries.

3 Can't-Miss Tips for an Effective Social Media Marketing Strategy

tips for social media competitive analysis

I’ve seen brands throw everything at social media—daily posts, influencer collaborations, endless ad campaigns—only to get zero traction. The problem? They’re flying blind.

Meanwhile, competitors with half the budget are dominating engagement, growing their audience, and driving real revenue. Why? Because they’re paying attention.

If you’re not analyzing what’s working for competitors (and what’s failing), you’re guessing. And in social media marketing, guessing is expensive.

Here’s how to track your competition the right way and use their strategies to your advantage.

Tip 1: Track Competitor Performance Weekly—Not When You Remember

The biggest mistake I see? Brands checking in on competitors once in a while and thinking that’s enough. Social media changes fast. What worked last month might be dead today.

Set up a weekly routine to track:

  • Follower growth – Are they gaining or losing momentum?
  • Engagement trends – Are people actually interacting with their content?
  • Content frequency – Are they posting more or pulling back?
  • Ad activity – Are they ramping up paid promotions?

Doing this manually is a waste of time. Use a tool like Competitors App to automate the tracking and get real-time updates when they make big moves.

🚨 Red flag: If a competitor is posting more but engagement is dropping, they’re losing audience interest. That’s your chance to step in with better content.

Tip 2: Run a SWOT Analysis Every Quarter—Then Adjust

A SWOT analysis sounds basic, but it’s one of the most underrated tactics in social media. If you’re not doing this regularly, you’re missing massive opportunities.

Here’s how to break it down:

Strengths – What are they doing exceptionally well? Do their engagement rates crush yours? Is their content strategy on point?
Weaknesses – Where are they struggling? Are their posts generic? Are they losing followers?
🚀 Opportunities – What gaps can you fill? Are they ignoring a certain content format (like video or LinkedIn)?
Threats – What’s happening that could impact your success? Are they spending more on ads while you’re relying on organic reach?

Do this every quarter. If you’re reacting after your competitors have already taken over a platform or trend, you’re too late.

🚨 Red flag: If a competitor’s engagement is dropping, don’t just ignore it—figure out why. They might be making a mistake you can avoid.

Tip 3: Copy our Social Media Analysis example to track competition

competitors app dashboard most popular posts

Social Media example for Zendesk

Let’s look at this in action with real data from Competitors App.

Social Media Competitor Analysis: Zendesk vs. Drift vs. Intercom

🔹 Zendesk is posting 40+ times a month, but engagement is tanking. This screams content overload. Their audience is burned out, or their content isn’t landing.

🔹 Intercom posts far less but is still gaining followers. This suggests high-quality content that actually resonates. They’re proving that posting less but smarter beats posting more for the sake of it.

🔹 Drift is posting even less and losing engagement, but their follower count keeps rising. This tells me their off-platform strategy is working—maybe influencer marketing, paid campaigns, or strong brand positioning.

Key Takeaways:

📌 Fix Content Overload: If posting more = lower engagement, quality is the problem. Cut the fluff and focus on what actually drives interaction.

📌 Engagement Over Quantity: If a competitor is posting less but growing faster, they’ve nailed audience connection. Study their content—what makes it better?

📌 Look Beyond Social: If engagement is low but followers are up, they’re likely winning with ads, partnerships, or PR. Don’t just track posts—track the bigger picture.

1. What is the Best Social Media Competitive Analysis Tool for My Business?

The best tool depends on your specific needs, budget, and the scale of your operations. If you require comprehensive analytics and can invest in a premium solution, tools like Sprout Social or SEMrush are excellent choices. Competitors App is also a great option for its focused competitor tracking features.

2. What is the Best Free Social Media Competitor Analysis Tool?

For businesses looking for a free tool, both Hootsuite and Compettiors offer limited free trials that can be useful for basic analysis. Google Alerts, while not a dedicated social media tool, is also helpful for monitoring online mentions of your competitors.

3. What is the Best Competitor's Social Media Analytics App?

Competitors App stands out for its dedicated focus on monitoring competitors' social media activities. It provides detailed insights into competitors' strategies, making it an ideal choice for businesses prioritizing competitor analysis.

4. How Do You Benefit from Social Media Competitor Analysis Tools?

These tools help you understand your competitors' strategies, identify industry trends, uncover gaps in their approach, and set realistic benchmarks for your own social media performance. This can lead to more informed strategic decisions and improved social media engagement.

5. Are Social Media Competitor Analysis Tools Expensive?

The cost varies widely based on the tool's features and capabilities. Some offer free plans or trials, while premium solutions can be quite expensive. It's important to choose a tool that offers the best value for your specific needs and budget.

6. How Often Should I Conduct a Social Media Competitor Analysis?

Regular analysis is recommended. Monthly reviews can keep you updated on competitor strategies and market trends. However, the frequency can be adjusted based on the dynamics of your industry and the pace of changes in social media trends.

7. Can Competitor Social Media Analysis Benefit Small Businesses?

Absolutely. Even for small businesses, understanding what competitors are doing on social media can inform more effective strategies and help avoid common pitfalls.

8. How Can I Differentiate My Strategy Based on Social Media Competitor Analysis?

Use the insights gained to highlight your unique selling points (USPs) and fill gaps left by competitors. Tailor your content, engagement strategies, and campaigns to address areas where competitors are weak or absent.

9. Is Social Media Competitor Analysis a One-Time Task or an Ongoing Process?

It should be an ongoing process. The social media landscape and competitor tactics are constantly evolving, so regular analysis is necessary to stay competitive and relevant.