Sprout Social vs Hootsuite: Which Is Better in 2025?

Introduction

In 2025, 58% of consumers reported discovering a new business on social media, outperforming more traditional marketing channels. This is why marketers, agencies, and teams in the digital marketing industry need to choose the best social media management tools in 2025. One that can keep up with the rapid development of platforms like LinkedIn, Instagram, and other platforms, especially when balancing collaboration, analytics, and content creation.

With two of the biggest names in the industry, companies around the world want to know - Sprout Social vs Hootsuite - which one is better in 2025? In this article, we do a social media platforms comparison and explore their features, usability, and pricing while also taking a look at a new alternative.

Feature Comparison

Before making a decision on which platform is right for your team, you need to know how they both perform. Let’s do a social media management comparison of the two and explore Hootsuite features and Sprout Social features - how they are similar and different in their key areas.

Publishing & Scheduling

• Sprout Social offers a content calendar, smart send-time recommendations, and post approval workflows.
• Hootsuite is strong in bulk scheduling and supports queue publishing, though its interface can feel dated.

Analytics & Reporting

• Sprout Social shines with deeper analytics, cross-network comparison, trend insights, and exportable reports.
• Hootsuite has solid analytics but many advanced reports are locked behind higher-tier plans.

Social Listening & Monitoring

• Sprout Social includes built-in sentiment tracking, brand mentions, and competitor analysis.
• Hootsuite integrates with multiple listening tools and covers a wide range of sources for monitoring.

Paid & Organic Campaign Management

• Sprout Social supports ad workflows but primarily focuses on organic insights.
• Hootsuite offers unified management of paid and organic campaigns from a single dashboard.

Team Collaboration, Comments & Approvals

• Sprout Social provides structured approval flows, role-based permissions, and content tagging for organized workflows.
• Hootsuite supports team roles and approvals but with less flexibility.

Integrations & APIs

• Hootsuite boasts 150+ integrations across analytics, CRM, and marketing platforms.
• Sprout Social integrates with tools like Salesforce, HubSpot, and Zendesk.

Mobile & Platform Support

• Sprout Social has a well-designed mobile app for posting and analytics.
• Hootsuite remains functional but can feel dated on mobile.

Usability and User Experience

A great tool is not just about the features. It’s also about the ease of use. This can determine whether teams stay consistent or get bogged down by how complicated the platform can be. Now, let’s take a look at both the Sprout Social user experience and the Hootsuite dashboard.

Sprout Social

Sprout Social is a tried and trusted, enterprise-grade platform but many of it's features haven't caught up as social media channels have evolved. Some users say it can be a bit “overwhelming” to try, especially for the analytics portion.

The User Interface, though organized can feel rigid, limiting flexibility when working on more dynamic multi-channel strategies.

The Sprout Social app continues to perform well for publishing and engagement, but users note that certain workflows feel dated or overly process-heavy.

Overall, Sprout Social delivers order and predictability but not necessarily speed or adaptability.

Hootsuite

Hootsuite has a steeper learning curve due to its column-based layout but remains reliable for experienced users managing multiple networks. Users describe it has “outdated” and “overwhelming.”

The dashboard’s multi column structure can feel cluttered for beginners most especially when switching between brands or multiple streams.

On the positive side, the bulk scheduling and tab-based navigation remain efficient for power users who want speed and multi-channel control over design

Compared to Sprout Social, interface design and mobile responsiveness haven’t evolved quickly which can make a difference for those looking for a more modern feel.

Strengths and Weaknesses (Pros and Cons)

When it comes to strengths and weaknesses, each has its own. Here we do a Sprout Social vs Hootsuite comparison and take a look at Sprout Social pros and cons as wekk as Hootsuite pros and cons. This is so you can make a more strategic choice based on what your team needs.

Sprout Social — Strengths

• ✅ Reliable analytics and custom reporting
• ✅ Collaboration and permissions
• ✅ Organized Workspace

Sprout Social — Weaknesses

• ❌ Higher cost per user
• ❌ Certain advanced features require premium plans
• ❌ Can feel clunky and dated for modern teams

Hootsuite — Strengths

• ✅ More cost-accessible at entry levels
• ✅ Strong multi-platform coverage and integrations
• ✅ Reliable bulk scheduling and campaign management

Hootsuite — Weaknesses

• ❌ Outdated interface and steeper learning curve
• ❌ Advanced analytics available only on higher tiers
• ❌ Collaboration tools less intuitive

Who Benefits More from Each?

• Sprout Social fits agencies and enterprise teams that prioritize deep data and structured collaboration.
• Hootsuite suits smaller teams or SMBs managing multiple networks affordably.

Looking for a Sprout and Hoosuite Alternative?

Aside from Sprout and Hootsuite, newer, more powerful alternatives exist like Assembly. Assembly is the modern alternative to Sprout Social and the better alternative to Hootsuite.

Assembly is an all-in-one platform for B2B teams. It brings together content drafting, publishing, analytics, and collaboration in one workspace. The best part is it’s a cost-effective, team-friendly option, built for teams that care about content as much as their metrics.

Standout Features

✅ Collaboration and Approval Workflows

Keep your entire content lifecycle in one place. With real-time commenting, role-based approvals, and clear visibility into every post, Assembly eliminates back-and-forths across Slack or email. Teams can review, edit, and approve content seamlessly - keeping launches on schedule and everyone aligned.

✅ Analytics Dashboard

See what’s working at a glance. Assembly’s analytics dashboard gives you actionable insights on performance, reach, and engagement trends across your brand and employees’ posts. Track growth over time and pinpoint the content themes that truly resonate with your audience.

✅ Post Performance and Engagement Tracking

Understand who’s interacting with your content - go beyond just vanity metrics like impressions. Assembly surfaces detailed engagement data, showing the names, companies, and roles of people liking, commenting, and sharing your posts. It’s a game-changer for identifying warm leads and building authentic relationships.

✅ Auto-Engagement Tools

Drive visibility without manual effort. Assembly’s smart automation helps your team engage with company and employee posts instantly - boosting impressions and reach while maintaining a natural, human rhythm.

✅ LinkedIn Features

Assembly stands out on LinkedIn, with deeper native features -  from polls and tagging to realistic post previews - that make managing LinkedIn content effortless.  Plus, you can preview exactly where your hook cuts off before “see more,” ensuring every post is optimized for engagement. It easily becomes the best LinkedIn scheduler for teams!

The bottom line is:

• Sprout is great for a traditional scheduling tool. Assembly is a more modern, powerful version of Sprout that comes with growth automations.
• Hootsuite is great for scheduling, but Assembly is the clear choice for teams looking for collaboration features and looking to grow on LinkedIn & X (formerly Twitter).

Sprout Social vs Hootsuite vs Assembly (2025 Feature Comparison)

To help you visualize it all, here’s a side-by-side 2025 feature comparison. That way, you get to see what works best for you and your team. Here, you get a quick look at usability, scalability, and ideal use cases for whether you are an enterprise, an agency, or a fast-growing B2B startup.

✅ = excels

⚪ = moderate/acceptable

❌ = weak/limited

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Sprout Social vs Hootsuite: Which Should You Choose in 2025?

After looking at their features, usability, and strengths and weaknesses, we are now ready to answer the question. Sprout Social vs Hootsuite - What is the best social media management tool for 2025?

The answer really depends on your priorities, whether it’s depth, analytics, usability, or cost efficiency. We know that each platform has its own target audience and use case, so your decision should depend on where your brand is focusing when it comes to growth. But with the comparison we have, here’s what can help you make a decision:

Sprout Social - Best Legacy Platform for Enterprise Teams

Sprout Social is a tried and trusted tool for large organizations. It’s known for its reliability and strong reporting tools which make it ideal for agencies and enterprise teams managing multiple brands. However, while dependable, it’s pace of innovation has slowed down. Some features haven’t evolved as quickly as other social media management tools leaving newer teams wanting more speed and flexibility.

Hootsuite - Best for multi-platform management and small-to-mid teams

Hootsuite is the choice for small-to-medium businesses or social teams managing many platforms at once. It’s cost-effective, supports a wide range of integrations, and handles high-volume scheduling - though it can feel clunky compared to newer alternatives. It’s reliable for seasoned users but less suited for teams looking for a modern, collaborative experience.

But if you’re looking at the best alternative, give Assembly a try.

Assembly — Built for Modern Teams that Take Content Seriously

Assembly brings publishing, analytics, and collaboration together in one streamlined platform. While it supports multiple social networks, it’s especially effective for teams investing in LinkedIn - offering advanced features like tagging, polls, and engagement insights that most schedulers don’t have.

Conclusion

Sprout Social vs Hootsuite verdict - There is no one-size-fits-all winner when it comes to the best social media management platform. It depends on your team’s workflow and goals. If you’re more into data-driven insights and collaboration, choose Sprout Social. If you’re into managing multiple networks and something more cost-effective, go with Hootsuite.

But if you are a team that’s focused on B2B marketing, content performance, and LinkedIn growth, Assembly brings together the best of both worlds. It’s an intuitive platform that helps you plan, collaborate, and scale smarter.