Top 7 Tools for Cross-Platform Post Scheduling

Managing multiple social media platforms can be overwhelming, but scheduling tools can simplify your workflow and boost engagement. These tools let you plan, create, and publish posts across platforms like Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and newer ones like Bluesky and Threads - all from one dashboard. Here's a quick breakdown of the top options:

• TheBlue.social: Best for emerging platforms like Bluesky and Mastodon. Free plan available, Pro at $20/month.
• SocialBee: Offers content categorization and AI tools. Plans start at $19/month.
• Planable: Focuses on team collaboration with visual workspaces. Starts at $33 per workspace.
• Hootsuite: Supports 20+ platforms with advanced analytics. Pricing starts at $99/month.
• Buffer: Budget-friendly at $6 per channel, great for small teams.
• CoSchedule: Combines social scheduling with project management. Starts at $39/month.
• Agorapulse: Ideal for agencies with detailed reports and team workflows. Starts at $69/month.

Quick Comparison:

Tool	Platforms Supported	Key Features	Starting Price
TheBlue.social	X, Threads, Instagram, Pinterest, Bluesky	Bluesky analytics, alt text generator	Free ($20 Pro)
SocialBee	Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn	AI copilot, content categories	$19/month
Planable	Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, X	Visual calendar, team feedback tools	$33/workspace
Hootsuite	Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, Pinterest	Bulk scheduling, advanced analytics	$99/month
Buffer	Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, LinkedIn	Queue management, role permissions	$6/channel
CoSchedule	Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn	Marketing calendar, evergreen content	$39/month
Agorapulse	Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube	Approval workflows, detailed reports	$69/month

Choose a tool based on your platform needs, team size, and budget. Most offer free trials, so test a few to find the best fit for your workflow.

Best Social Media Management Tools 2025? Metricool vs Buffer vs Hootsuite vs Typefully 🫣

1. TheBlue.social

TheBlue.social is designed to support a mix of established and newer social platforms, including Bluesky, Mastodon, X (Twitter), Threads, Instagram, and Pinterest. This versatility makes it a valuable tool for creators and brands aiming to connect with varied audiences. Its features are seamlessly integrated to streamline recurring social media updates across multiple networks.

Cross-platform support

Managing multiple social platforms can be a headache, but TheBlue.social simplifies the process by offering compatibility with six major networks: X, Threads (from Meta), Instagram, Pinterest, Bluesky, and Mastodon. This approach bridges the gap between widely used platforms and newer, emerging networks, helping users stay ahead in the evolving social media landscape. The platform also allows you to customize posts for each network, ensuring that formatting, hashtags, and media align with the specific requirements of your audience on each platform.

Content calendar and scheduling features

TheBlue.social brings everything together with a unified content calendar. From this single dashboard, users can schedule posts - including images and videos - across all six supported networks. This eliminates the hassle of juggling multiple tools or individual platform schedulers. The free plan supports one account, while the Pro plan, priced at $20 per month, expands access to five accounts and includes credits for bulk alt text generation.

Analytics and reporting

TheBlue.social goes beyond scheduling by offering analytics tools to fine-tune your social media strategy. Its analytics features are particularly strong for Bluesky, delivering personalized posting recommendations that can significantly boost engagement. For Bluesky users, the platform provides weekly growth reports via email, summarizing follower trends, engagement metrics, and activity patterns. Data retention varies by plan: free users can access 7 days of analytics, while Pro users benefit from 30- or 90-day historical data for deeper insights.

Several free analytics tools are also included. For instance, the Bluesky Analytics feature monitors engagement and follower growth, while tools like "My Top 3 Emojis" help uncover content trends that can shape future strategies.

In addition to scheduling and analytics, TheBlue.social offers a suite of free tools to enhance social media management. These include AI-powered image alt text generation, OCR text extraction, profile picture editing, and Open Graph link previews. The platform also provides username availability checkers for multiple networks and network status monitors, making it an all-in-one solution for managing your social presence.

2. SocialBee

Managing multiple social media platforms can be a juggling act, but SocialBee simplifies the process with its all-in-one scheduling tool. Designed to streamline scheduling, organization, and team collaboration, it supports platforms like Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok. These features make SocialBee a standout choice for organizing content and enhancing teamwork.

Cross-Platform Support

SocialBee covers all the major platforms businesses depend on. It ensures that content - whether it's formatting, hashtags, or media - meets the unique requirements of each channel. This tailored approach saves social media managers valuable time.

Content Calendar and Scheduling Features

One of SocialBee's key strengths is its content categorization system. It allows users to group posts into categories such as promotional, curated, or RSS content, each with its own scheduling rules. This setup ensures a balanced posting schedule without constant manual adjustments. The platform's AI copilot offers social media strategies and post ideas, while features like post variants and hashtag collections help boost engagement. To make content creation even easier, SocialBee integrates with tools like Canva for custom graphics, Unsplash for stock images, and GIPHY for animated content[1].

Analytics and Reporting

SocialBee includes basic analytics to track the performance of posts, follower growth, and engagement. While its analytics are not as detailed as those offered by specialized tools, they provide enough insight to help refine your social media strategy[1].

Collaboration Tools

For teams and agencies, SocialBee offers collaboration features that streamline the workflow. These include content approval processes, team roles, and the ability to leave feedback on posts before they go live. This ensures a smooth, coordinated effort for all team members[1].

Pricing

Plans start at $19 per month, with discounts for annual subscriptions and a 14-day free trial available[1].

3. Planable

Planable stands out in the crowded world of social media management tools by taking a visual-first approach to simplify content workflows. Designed with collaboration in mind, it supports content creation and management across nine major platforms, as well as blogs and newsletters [2]. While many tools focus on general scheduling, Planable’s strength lies in its visually-driven and team-friendly features. Its workspace-based structure helps teams manage multiple brands while keeping processes efficient.

Cross-Platform Support

Planable’s unique workspace-based design makes it easy to manage content for different brands without losing sight of their individual identities. Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, it creates dedicated visual workspaces for each brand, making it simpler to plan and execute posting strategies across major platforms.

Content Calendar and Scheduling Features

At the heart of Planable is its visual calendar, designed for ease of use. The drag-and-drop functionality allows users to effortlessly move posts around, organize campaigns, and make adjustments. Features like "Grouped Posts" let users create multiple posts at once, while "Sync Content" ensures universal edits with the flexibility to customize for each platform. It also supports recurring posts and makes reusing successful content just a click away. To make things even easier, AI tools can generate posts from prompts, create captions based on uploaded media, or rewrite content to match different tones.

Collaboration Tools

For agencies and larger teams, Planable’s workspace model is especially useful. Each brand or client gets a dedicated workspace with customizable permissions to control access. Feedback is streamlined with tools like annotations and comments directly on posts, while custom views help team members zero in on what’s relevant to their roles. Features like approval workflows and version history tracking ensure that edits are transparent, showing exactly who made changes and when.

Pricing

Planable uses a per-workspace pricing model, starting at $33 per workspace per month [2]. A free plan is available for beginners, though paid plans come with post scheduling limits. Unlimited scheduling is reserved for the Enterprise plan, making it ideal for larger teams or organizations with high-volume needs.

4. Hootsuite

Since its launch in 2008, Hootsuite has become a go-to tool for social media management, boasting over 18 million users worldwide[2]. Its longevity and extensive user base highlight its reliability and adaptability across platforms.

Cross-Platform Support

Hootsuite connects with more than 20 social networks, including popular platforms like Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), LinkedIn, Pinterest, and YouTube[5]. This wide range allows users to oversee their entire social media presence from one dashboard. However, some networks, like Instagram, come with API limitations that may restrict certain features, such as direct posting.

Content Calendar and Scheduling Features

The platform’s visual calendar makes it easy to view and organize scheduled posts. Features like drag-and-drop scheduling and bulk-scheduling are especially helpful for managing large amounts of content. Additionally, Hootsuite’s audience analysis tool suggests the best times to post, helping users maximize engagement.

Analytics and Reporting

Hootsuite tracks over 200 metrics from various platforms, offering a deep dive into performance data[2]. Users can create customizable reports to analyze engagement, audience demographics, post performance, and ROI. These insights help teams identify what content resonates most and refine their strategies accordingly.

Collaboration Tools

Hootsuite is designed with teams in mind, offering tools that make collaboration easier. Features like role-based permissions and content approval workflows ensure posts are reviewed and aligned with brand guidelines before going live. Internal messaging and shared libraries further simplify teamwork, while integrations with Canva, Google Drive, and Dropbox streamline content creation and management. According to Hootsuite, these tools can cut social media management time by 30%[2].

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5. Buffer

Buffer is a straightforward social media management tool designed to make scheduling and analytics simple, especially for small businesses and individuals. Here's a closer look at what it offers:

Cross-Platform Support

Buffer works seamlessly with major social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), LinkedIn, Pinterest, and TikTok [2][3]. With a single dashboard, you can manage multiple accounts across these networks, keeping everything centralized and easy to handle.

Content Calendar and Scheduling Features

The platform's visual content calendar is a game-changer for planning and organizing posts. You can schedule and queue content ahead of time, with the queue system automatically spacing posts based on customized schedules for each account. If plans change, you can pause or edit scheduled posts right up until they go live, giving you the flexibility to adapt your strategy as needed.

Analytics and Reporting

Buffer's analytics tools help you track essential metrics like engagement, reach, clicks, and follower growth [3]. The platform also generates insights to pinpoint which content resonates most with your audience. You can create custom reports, filter data by date, platform, or content type, and even export reports for deeper analysis or client presentations. These features make it easier to fine-tune your social media strategy across all your channels.

Collaboration Tools

Buffer isn't just about performance tracking; it also simplifies teamwork. With multi-user access and role-based permissions, teams can collaborate efficiently. Members can draft posts, leave comments, and manage approvals. Plus, integrations with tools like Canva and browser extensions make scheduling content while browsing the web a breeze.

With an average rating of 4.5/5 from thousands of users [3], Buffer has earned its reputation as a trusted tool. It offers a free plan for those with basic needs, while paid plans start at just $6 per month per channel, making it a budget-friendly option for businesses of all sizes.

6. CoSchedule

CoSchedule is a marketing management platform trusted by over 30,000 marketers globally. It combines social media scheduling with project management tools, making it a great fit for teams managing multiple campaigns simultaneously[6]. Beyond automating posts, CoSchedule focuses on optimizing timing and reusing content to boost engagement.

Cross-Platform Support

CoSchedule works seamlessly with major platforms like Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, and Instagram[3]. What sets it apart is its ability to integrate social media scheduling with broader marketing efforts. From blog posts to email campaigns, everything can be managed through one unified dashboard.

Content Calendar and Scheduling Features

The platform’s visual content calendar is a standout feature. You can easily drag and drop posts and schedule them weeks or months in advance[3]. Plus, the calendar syncs with task management tools, enabling you to assign tasks, set deadlines, and monitor progress alongside your scheduled content.

CoSchedule’s ReQueue feature automatically fills scheduling gaps with high-performing evergreen content[6]. Meanwhile, its Best Time Scheduling ensures posts go live during peak engagement hours, potentially saving teams up to 30% of their planning time[6]. These tools integrate smoothly with the platform’s analytics for a data-backed approach to scheduling.

Analytics and Reporting

The analytics dashboard tracks key metrics like engagement, reach, clicks, and follower growth. It also offers customizable reports, making it easier to evaluate performance and measure ROI[3]. These insights, combined with CoSchedule’s collaborative tools, help ensure campaigns run efficiently.

Collaboration Tools

CoSchedule simplifies team coordination with features like shared calendars, task assignments, approval workflows, and real-time commenting. These tools help keep everyone on the same page while maintaining a consistent brand voice[3].

With an average rating of 4.4/5 on G2 from over 1,000 reviews, CoSchedule is frequently praised for its user-friendly calendar and team collaboration capabilities[6]. Pricing starts at $29 per user per month (billed annually) for the Marketing Calendar plan, with more advanced options available in the Marketing Suite at custom rates[6].

7. Agorapulse

Agorapulse is a robust social media management platform that brings together scheduling and team collaboration in a single tool. With a 4.5/5 rating on G2 and Capterra, it’s a trusted choice for agencies worldwide[3]. What sets it apart is how it simplifies workflows with advanced automation and coordination tools.

Cross-Platform Support

Agorapulse works seamlessly across all major social media platforms, including Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube[2][3]. With the ability to manage up to 40 social profiles on higher-tier plans, it’s a go-to solution for agencies juggling multiple client accounts[3]. This extensive compatibility lays the foundation for its powerful scheduling features.

Content Calendar and Scheduling Features

At the core of Agorapulse’s scheduling system is its visual content calendar. This tool makes it easy to drag and drop posts for rescheduling, bulk upload content, and view everything in a clear weekly or monthly layout[2][3]. Queue categories allow for automated recurring posts, helping you maintain a steady publishing rhythm while planning weeks - or even months - ahead[3].

Another handy feature is the ability to preview posts exactly as they’ll appear on each platform, ensuring your content looks polished before it goes live[2][3]. You can also pause or adjust entire content queues as needed, giving you full control over your posting strategy.

Analytics and Reporting

Agorapulse’s analytics dashboard provides detailed insights into your social media performance. It tracks key metrics like engagement rates, reach, clicks, and follower growth, helping you measure the impact of your efforts[2][3]. Customizable reports make it easy to showcase ROI and demonstrate value to stakeholders[2][3].

In addition to performance metrics, the platform includes tools to track team contributions. Managers can see how individual team members are performing, offering a clear picture of how everyone is driving social media success[2][3]. These insights make it easier to refine strategies for even better results.

Collaboration Tools

Agorapulse shines when it comes to team collaboration, offering features tailored for agencies and larger marketing teams. It includes user roles, shared calendars, internal notes, and approval workflows to maintain content quality and brand consistency[2]. Team members can leave comments on posts, assign tasks, and manage approvals from draft to publication.

The approval workflow is especially useful, ensuring every piece of content goes through a thorough review process. Creators submit posts, managers approve or request changes, and the entire process is documented for transparency[2]. This system helps avoid mistakes and keeps all content aligned with brand standards.

Agorapulse’s pricing starts at $69 per month (billed annually) for the Standard plan, which includes 10 social profiles and 1 user. The Professional plan, at $99 per month, supports 20 profiles and 2 users, while the Advanced plan, at $149 per month, covers 40 profiles and 4 users[3]. A free trial is available for those who want to explore the platform, though it doesn’t offer a permanent free plan.

Feature Comparison Table

When it comes to managing your social media presence across multiple platforms, having a clear side-by-side comparison of tools can make the decision-making process much easier. Below is a detailed breakdown of the key features offered by some of the leading cross-platform scheduling tools.

Tool	Platform Support	Content Calendar	Analytics	Time Optimization	Collaboration	Starting Price
TheBlue.social	X, Threads, Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn, Bluesky, Mastodon	Visual calendar with drag-and-drop	Bluesky analytics (7–30 days), weekly growth reports	Best time recommendations	Basic team features	Free (Pro: $20/month)
SocialBee	Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, Pinterest	Content categories with AI copilot	Profile and post performance insights	Automated queue scheduling	Multi-user roles, approval workflows	$19/month
Planable	Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, LinkedIn, Pinterest, YouTube	Grouped posts, custom views, campaign labels	Post engagement and team activity	Recurring posts, flexible scheduling	Workspaces, annotations, direct feedback	$33/workspace
Hootsuite	Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, YouTube, Pinterest	Visual calendar with bulk upload	Comprehensive dashboard, audience insights	AI-powered optimal timing	Team management, shared calendars	$99/month
Buffer	Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, Pinterest, TikTok	Queue management, visual planning	Engagement tracking, performance reports	Data-driven time suggestions	Approval workflows, team roles	$6/channel
CoSchedule	Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, Pinterest	Marketing calendar integration	Campaign performance tracking	Historical engagement analysis	Task assignment, approval processes	$39/month
Agorapulse	Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube	Queue categories, bulk scheduling	Detailed metrics, customizable reports	Automated recurring posts	User roles, internal notes, approval workflows	$49/month

This table highlights the main differences in features and pricing among these tools. Let’s dive deeper into what sets them apart.

For those seeking support for emerging platforms, TheBlue.social stands out by including Bluesky and Mastodon, alongside its free entry-level plan. On the other hand, Planable offers extensive platform coverage, including YouTube, and caters to teams with its workspace model and feedback tools. Pricing varies significantly - Buffer, for example, charges $6 per channel, which can add up quickly for businesses managing multiple accounts, while Hootsuite comes in at $99/month with a comprehensive dashboard and advanced audience insights.

Analytics capabilities also differ across the tools. TheBlue.social focuses on specialized reports, such as Bluesky analytics, while Hootsuite and Agorapulse provide more extensive dashboards and customizable metrics. Collaboration features range from basic multi-user roles in SocialBee to advanced approval workflows in Planable and Agorapulse, making the latter two great options for agencies and larger teams.

The content calendar experience is another key area of differentiation. CoSchedule integrates its calendar with broader marketing activities, making it ideal for those managing multi-channel campaigns. Meanwhile, Planable simplifies campaign management with grouped posts that allow universal edits with platform-specific adjustments. For automation, SocialBee uses content categories to streamline recurring posts.

Ultimately, the best tool for you depends on your specific needs - whether that’s platform compatibility, collaboration features, or budget considerations.

Conclusion

Cross-platform scheduling tools have become a game-changer for anyone managing social media seriously. On average, businesses using these tools save about 6 hours per week [4]. Even better, companies have reported up to 30% higher engagement rates compared to posting manually [3]. According to a Forrester Consulting study, users saw a 268% return on investment over three years, with potential benefits reaching $1.31 million for organizations [6].

Each tool brings something different to the table: TheBlue.social excels with emerging platforms, SocialBee shines in content categorization, Planable focuses on team collaboration, Hootsuite and Buffer offer broad platform support, CoSchedule integrates campaigns seamlessly, and Agorapulse is packed with features tailored for agencies. The right choice depends on your specific needs and priorities.

For instance, if platforms like Bluesky or Mastodon are part of your strategy, TheBlue.social might be the way to go. On the other hand, for more established platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn, any of these tools can work effectively. Think about factors like your team size, budget, and whether you need advanced features like approval workflows or detailed analytics. Most of these tools offer free trials, so take advantage of that to test a few options and see which one aligns best with your workflow. It’s worth noting that 68% of marketers have reported increased efficiency and productivity when using social media management tools [6].

FAQs

::: faq

What should I consider when choosing a cross-platform scheduling tool for social media?

When choosing a cross-platform scheduling tool, it's important to prioritize what works best for your unique needs. Consider the platforms you rely on the most, the scale of your content calendar, and whether features like analytics or community engagement tools are essential for your strategy.

TheBlue.social is a powerful option for scheduling posts across platforms like X (Twitter), Threads, Instagram, Bluesky, and Mastodon. It streamlines your workflow by bringing all your scheduling tasks into one place. Plus, it offers extra features like engagement tracking and tools to help you discover and connect with your audience more effectively. :::

::: faq

What are the advantages of using TheBlue.social to manage content on platforms like Bluesky and Mastodon?

TheBlue.social streamlines content management across platforms like X (Twitter), Threads, Instagram, Bluesky, and Mastodon with its cross-posting scheduler, allowing users to maintain a consistent presence across multiple networks effortlessly.

For Bluesky users, TheBlue.social provides a range of tools to elevate the experience. These include analytics to monitor engagement and follower growth and browsing starter packs designed to help users discover new communities. Additionally, it offers features to optimize following management, such as an option to automatically follow back those who follow you. :::

::: faq

Can scheduling tools help boost engagement and save time on social media?

Scheduling tools, such as those offered by TheBlue.social, make managing your social media presence much simpler. These tools let you plan and schedule posts ahead of time, saving you hours of work while helping you stick to a regular posting routine - something that's essential for increasing engagement.

One standout feature is cross-platform scheduling. With it, you can handle content for platforms like X (Twitter), Threads, Instagram, Bluesky, and Mastodon all from a single dashboard. This ensures your message gets delivered to the right audience at just the right moment. :::