Best Free Social Media Scheduler in 2026: What Each Free Plan Allows
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Updated November 6, 2026. Limits and prices are from each tool's own pricing page on that date.
What is the best free social media scheduler? Two well-known schedulers have a free plan today: Buffer (3 channels, 10 scheduled posts per channel) and Metricool (1 brand, 20 scheduled posts a month, no LinkedIn or X). Blaze is not free: it is a paid scheduler that starts at $79 a month and has a 7-day free trial.
Free social media scheduler plans compared
| Tool | Free plan | Channels | Scheduling limit | What is locked | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buffer | Yes | Up to 3 | 10 scheduled posts per channel at a time; a slot opens when a post publishes | Analytics limited to 30 days of history, no reports; 1 user; no approval workflows; AI replies capped at 5 a week | Nov 6, 2026 |
| Metricool | Yes | 1 brand; all networks except LinkedIn and X | 20 scheduled posts a month | 30 days of analytics storage; no team or client management; no post approval; no LinkedIn connection; 5 AI credits a month | Nov 6, 2026 |
| Later, Hootsuite, Sprout Social, SocialBee | No | - | Free trial only: Later 14 days, Hootsuite 14 days, Sprout Social 30 days, SocialBee 14 days | Everything stops when the trial ends | Nov 6, 2026 |
Paid plans for comparison: Buffer starts at $5 a month for 1 channel, Metricool at $20 a month, Later at $18.75 a month billed yearly, SocialBee at $29 a month, Sprout Social at $79 per seat a month billed yearly and Hootsuite at $99 per user a month billed yearly.
When free stops being enough
- You post to more than 3 networks. Buffer's free plan stops at 3 channels. Metricool's free plan covers 1 brand.
- You plan more than a week or two ahead. At 10 scheduled posts per channel, Buffer's free plan holds about 10 posts for each channel at a time. Metricool's 20 posts a month is under one post a day.
- You post to LinkedIn or X. Metricool's free plan does not connect LinkedIn or X.
- You want to see results over time. Both free plans keep 30 days of analytics.
- Someone else approves posts. Neither free plan has approvals.
Where Blaze fits
Blaze has no free plan. It has a 7-day free trial with no credit card, then Starter is $79 a month for 3 posting accounts, 600 credits a month and 1 user. Blaze writes and designs the posts, then schedules them to Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, X, TikTok, YouTube Shorts and Google Business Profile from one calendar. If you make your own posts and post to 3 channels or fewer, a free plan above may be enough. If you want the posts made for you, see how Blaze schedules your posts or the full scheduler comparison. By network: Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok.
Questions people ask
Is there a free social media scheduler?
Yes. Buffer's free plan covers 3 channels and Metricool's covers 1 brand with 20 scheduled posts a month.
Does Blaze have a free plan?
No. Blaze has a 7-day free trial with no credit card, then plans start at $79 a month.
Do Later, Hootsuite and Sprout Social have a free plan?
No. Each offers a free trial only.