The best free social media schedulers: what can you actually do for free?
Plenty of social media schedulers say “free”. Fewer let you run a real account without paying. This guide shows exactly what each free plan allows, so you can pick one that fits how much you post.
Posttyy publishes this article. Posttyy has no free plan, so it isn't on the list. Limits were checked on each tool's own website on 25 September 2026. Free plans change often, so check before you rely on one.
The short answer
- Most posts for free: the schedulers built into Meta, X, LinkedIn and YouTube. They're free with no limit that matters, but each one only posts to its own network.
- Best free all-in-one: Buffer, for up to 3 accounts and 10 posts waiting in each.
- Free with analytics: Metricool, for 1 brand and 20 posts a month.
- Free for several accounts: Publer, for 3 accounts, but not X.
Every free plan, side by side
| Tool | What's free | The catch |
|---|---|---|
| Buffer | 3 channels, 10 scheduled posts per channel | Only 10 posts can wait in each channel's queue |
| Metricool | 1 brand, one profile per network, 20 published posts a month | Fewer than one post a day |
| Publer | 3 social accounts, not including X | No X |
| Zoho Social | 1 brand and 1 user, on 6 networks including X, LinkedIn and Google Business Profile | One brand only |
| Pallyy | 1 social set, 15 scheduled posts a month, images only | No video |
| Later | a limited plan for creators | Built for creators; limited posts each month |
| Meta Business Suite | Unlimited Facebook and Instagram posts | Meta's apps only |
| X, LinkedIn and YouTube | Their own built-in schedulers | One network each |
| Hootsuite | No free plan | 30 days trial |
| Sprout Social | No free plan | 30 days trial |
1. Buffer
Buffer's free plan is the most complete of the all-in-one tools. It's a good fit if you post a few times a week to a few networks.
- Free: 3 channels, 10 scheduled posts per channel. When a post goes out, its slot opens for the next one.
- Networks: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok, X, Threads, Bluesky, Pinterest, YouTube, Google Business Profile and Mastodon.
- The catch: you can only swap accounts so many times. The free plan allows 8 different channel connections, ever.
- When you'd pay: when 10 waiting posts per channel isn't enough. Paid plans are $6 per channel a month ($5 billed yearly).
2. Metricool
Metricool's free plan includes analytics and an inbox as well as scheduling, which is rare for free.
- Free: 1 brand, one profile per network, 20 published posts a month. Only published posts count, and the count resets on the 1st of each month.
- The catch: 20 posts a month. Post once a day and you run out before the month does.
- When you'd pay: when you post more often, or manage more than one brand.
3. Publer
- Free: 3 social accounts, not including X.
- The catch: if X is one of your main networks, this free plan won't cover it.
- When you'd pay: for X, or more accounts. Paid plans are $5 per account a month (Professional).
4. Zoho Social
- Free: 1 brand and 1 user, with a Facebook Page, Instagram business profile, LinkedIn profile and company page, X and Google Business Profile.
- The catch: one brand and no teammates.
- When you'd pay: when you want more channels or a second person helping.
5. Pallyy
- Free: 1 social set, 15 scheduled posts a month, images only. No card needed.
- The catch: no video, so no Reels, Shorts or TikToks.
- When you'd pay: for video, or more than 15 posts. Pro is $25 a month (Pro), then $10 per extra social set.
6. Later
- Free: a limited plan for creators, with a link-in-bio page and basic analytics.
- The catch: it's made for creators posting a few times a month.
- When you'd pay: to post more. Starter allows 30 posts per profile a month.
7. The networks' own free schedulers
Every big network lets you schedule its own posts for free. If you only use one or two networks, these may be all you need.
- Meta Business Suite: schedules Facebook Page and Instagram posts. See how to schedule Facebook posts.
- X: the post box on x.com has a schedule button, free for every account, but not in the phone apps. See how to schedule X posts.
- LinkedIn: the clock icon next to Post. See how to schedule LinkedIn posts.
- YouTube Studio: choose Schedule on the Visibility screen. See how to schedule YouTube videos.
The catch is juggling. Five networks means five apps, five calendars, and writing the same post five times.
What free plans usually leave out
- Volume. Most cap how many posts you can schedule, often below one a day.
- Some networks. X is often missing, because X charges apps for access to its API.
- Video. Some free plans are photos only.
- Teammates. Free plans are almost always one user.
- History. Analytics on free plans often only look back a short way.
When a free plan stops being enough
If you post every day, to more than two or three networks, you'll hit most free limits within a couple of weeks. At that point, compare the paid plans on what you'd actually pay for your number of accounts. Our comparison of the best social media scheduling tools does that for ten of them.
Common questions
Is there a completely free social media scheduler?
Yes. The networks' own schedulers are free, and Buffer, Metricool, Publer, Zoho Social, Pallyy and Later all have free plans. Each free plan limits how many accounts or posts you get.
Does Hootsuite have a free plan?
No. Hootsuite's paid plans start at $99 a month, with a 30 days free trial. See Hootsuite alternatives for small businesses.
Does Posttyy have a free plan?
No. Posttyy has a 7-day free trial, then costs from $19 a month, with unlimited posts.
Which free scheduler works with X?
Buffer's and Zoho Social's free plans include X, and so does X's own scheduler on x.com. Publer's free plan doesn't.