Choosing the right tool to plan your social media content can be a challenge.
There are so many options out there, all promising to be the best.
Two of the most popular are Plann and Later, both packed with features to help you schedule posts and grow your audience.
But which one comes out on top for actually planning your content?
In this post, we’ll dive deep and compare Plann vs Later, looking at their strengths and weaknesses to help you decide which is the perfect fit for your needs.
Plann vs Later: Overview
To give you the most accurate comparison, we’ve spent weeks using both Plann and Later to schedule and plan content across different social media platforms.
This hands-on experience allows us to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of each tool.
Ready to take your social media planning to the next level? Start your free trial of Plann today and see the difference!
Pricing: It has a free plan. Paid plan starts at $15/month
Key Features:
- Content Calendar
- Hashtag Finder
- Analytics
Want to plan your content and streamline your Instagram strategy visually? Start your free trial with Later today!
Pricing: You can try it for free. Paid plan starts at $16.67/month
Key Features:
- Visual Content Calendar
- Linkin bio
- Instagram Stories Scheduling
What is Plann?
Plann is like that friend who's always organized and has everything figured out.
It's a social media scheduling tool that simply helps you plan and visualize your content.
Think of it as your command center for Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Pinterest, and LinkedIn.
It's got a clean design and is super easy to use, even if you're new to social media planning.
Plann's user base exceeds 500,000. See firsthand how Plann simplifies your social media scheduling & elevates your strategy. Give it a try.
Key Benefits
- Unlimited media uploads: Say goodbye to storage limits!
- Hashtag finder: Discover the best hashtags to boost your reach.
- In-depth analytics: Track your progress and see what's working.
- Free plan available: Perfect for getting started and testing it out.
- Affordable paid plans: Starting at only $15/month.
Pricing
- Free: Basic features to get you started.
- Power User: $15/month (1 brand and 1 user)
- Build: $30/month (2 brand and 2 users)
- Grow: $75/month (5 brand and 4 users)
Pros
Cons
What is Later?
Later is the visual planner of your dreams.
Imagine dragging and dropping your Instagram posts onto a calendar and seeing exactly how your feed will look.
That's Later in a nutshell! It started as a tool specifically for Instagram, but now you can use it for other platforms like Pinterest, TikTok, Twitter, and Facebook.
It's known for its beautiful design and focus on visual planning.
Ready to save your 5 hours every week on social media? Later, it helped millions of brands do just that. See if it works for you with a free trial today.
Key Benefits
- Visual content calendar: Plan your feed with a drag-and-drop interface.
- Linkin bio: Turn your Instagram feed into a clickable landing page.
- Instagram Stories scheduling: Plan and schedule your Stories in advance.
- Best Time to Post feature: Maximize your reach with optimal posting times.
- User-generated content: Easily find and share content from your followers.
Pricing
- Free: Great for individuals and small businesses, but limited features for 14 days.
- Starter: Starts at $16.67/month. Best for solopreneurs with basic scheduling and analytics.
- Growth: Starts at $30/month. Ideal for growing businesses with more features like Linkin bio and hashtag suggestions.
- Advanced: Starts at $53.33/month. Perfect for larger teams with advanced analytics and collaboration features.
Pros
Cons
Plann vs Later: Feature Comparison
Now, let's get down to the nitty-gritty and compare the features that really matter when it comes to planning your social media posts.
Both Plann and Later offer a range of tools to help you with social media management, but they each have their own strengths and weaknesses.
Supported Social Media Channels
Both Plann and Later support multiple social media channels, but their offerings differ slightly.
Plann allows you to manage multiple accounts across Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Pinterest, and LinkedIn.
Later supports Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest, Twitter, and Facebook. The best choice for you will depend on which platforms you use most.
Visual Content Scheduling
Later really shines when it comes to visual content scheduling.
Its drag-&-drop interface makes it incredibly easy to plan your Instagram feed and see how your posts will look together.
Plann also offers a visual planner, but it could be more intuitive and aesthetically pleasing than Later's.
Auto Posting
Both platforms offer auto-posting, so you can schedule your content in advance and let the tool do the work for you.
This is a great time-saver for busy social media managers!
However, it's worth noting that Instagram's API has some limitations, so certain types of posts (like Instagram Reels and Stories) may require manual posting or mobile notifications.
Media Library
Plann and Later both provide a media library to store and organize your content.
This makes it easy to find and reuse images & videos in your social media posts. Plann offers unlimited media uploads even on its free plan, which is a big plus.
Later, on the other hand, there are limits on media storage depending on your plan.
Hashtag Research
Plann has a robust hashtag research tool that helps you find relevant & trending hashtags to increase your reach.
Later also offers hashtag suggestions, but its functionality could be more comprehensive than Plann's.
Managing Multiple Accounts
If you need to manage multiple accounts or multiple platforms, both Plann and Later have you covered.
However, Later's pricing structure is based on "account sets," which can be a bit confusing and potentially more expensive if you have a lot of social media accounts to manage.
Content Creation Tools
While both platforms primarily focus on social media management and scheduling, they also offer some basic content creation tools.
For example, both have features for creating and scheduling Instagram Stories.
However, if you're looking for advanced editing or design features, you should use a separate tool.
What should you look for when choosing a social media management platform?
- Ease of Use: How intuitive is the interface? Both Plann and Later are user-friendly but Later can feel a bit confusing for beginners due to its many features.
- Social Media Platforms: Ensure the tool supports all the platforms you use.
- Content Calendar: A visual calendar is essential for planning and visualizing your content. Later excels in this area.
- Scheduling Features: Look for features like auto-posting, bulk scheduling, and the ability to schedule different types of content (posts, Stories, Reels, etc.).
- Analytics and Reporting: Track your progress & measure your results with built-in analytics. Plann offers a good range of analytics, but Later's are more basic on lower-priced plans.
- Collaboration: If you work with a team, consider features that facilitate collaboration, such as assigning tasks and sharing content calendars. Later has stronger collaboration features than Plann.
- Customer Support: Look for a tool with responsive & helpful customer support in case you encounter any kind of issues. Plann is known for its excellent customer support.
- Pricing: Choose a plan that easily fits your budget & offers the features you need. Plann generally offers more affordable options than Later.
- Free Trial: Take advantage of the free trial to test the tools before buying a paid plan. Both Plann and Later offer free trials.
Final Verdict (Our Pick)
For us, Plann edges out Later as the best tool for content planning. Its user-friendly interface, powerful hashtag research, and unlimited media uploads make it a winner.
Plus, it's more affordable, making it a great choice for businesses & individuals on a budget.
While Later excels at visual planning, its higher price point and complex "account sets" might not be ideal for everyone.
Ultimately, the best choice totally depends on your specific needs and priorities. If you prioritize visual planning and Instagram marketing above all else, Later might be a good fit.
But if you're looking for a well-rounded tool with strong planning features, excellent hashtag research, and a more affordable price, Plann is our top recommendation.
No matter which tool you choose, remember that consistency is key when it comes to post content and growing your audience.
So, get planning, start scheduling those scheduled posts, and watch your social media presence flourish!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Plann and Later for free?
Yes, both Plann and Later offer free plans with limited features. These are great for trying out the platforms and seeing which one you prefer before committing to a paid plan.
Which tool is better for Instagram scheduling?
Later is often considered the best for Instagram because of its strong focus on visual planning and features like Linkin bio and Story scheduling. However, Plann also offers excellent Instagram scheduling capabilities, including a visual planner and hashtag research tools.
Can I schedule posts for other platforms besides Instagram?
Absolutely! Both Plann and Later support multiple social media platforms, including Facebook, TikTok, Pinterest, Twitter (Later), and LinkedIn (Plann).
Do I need a separate tool for analytics?
Both Plann and Later provide built-in analytics to track your social media performance. However, if you need very in-depth analytics, you might consider a dedicated social media analytics tool.
What kind of support do Plann and Later offer?
Plann is known for its excellent customer support, offering helpful resources and responsive assistance. Later also provides support, but some users find it less comprehensive than Plann's.
