📊 Our Test Results:
- 🎯 Analytics Depth: Metricool scored 9/10 vs Zoho Social 7/10 — Metricool wins
- ⚡ Social Media Scheduling: Metricool posted to 11 social media platforms vs Zoho Social 8 — Metricool wins
- 💰 Free Plan Value: Metricool offers 50 posts/month free vs Zoho Social limited features — Metricool wins
- 🔌 CRM Integration: Zoho Social syncs with Zoho CRM natively vs Metricool via Zapier — Zoho Social wins
- 👥 Team Collaboration: Zoho Social offers role-based approvals vs Metricool basic features — Zoho Social wins
Are you drowning in social media accounts that need constant attention?
Managing social media posts across multiple social media platforms takes hours every day.
You need an excellent tool that handles all your social networks from a single inbox.
Two top social media management tools stand out in 2026: Metricool and Zoho Social.
Both promise to save time and boost engagement for social media managers.
But which one actually delivers easy analytics and lets you manage all your tools in one place?
I tested both for four weeks with real social accounts.
The main differences surprised me.
Let me show you exactly what matters for your digital presence.
Overview
This Metricool vs Zoho Social comparison is based on hands-on testing with both social media scheduling tools.
I connected my Twitter account, Facebook, LinkedIn, and other social channels to each platform.
I scheduled content, tracked social media performance, and monitored hashtags for a full month.
I also tested how each tool handles social media messages in the social inbox.
My goal was simple: discover which platform helps you win time and stay engaged with your audience.
Here’s everything I learned about these two social media management platforms.
What is Metricool?
Metricool is a social media management tool that acts like a digital swiss army knife for your online presence.
It was launched in 2016 by two Spanish software experts, Juan Pablo Tejela and Laura Montells.
Today, over one million professionals trust Metricool to manage their social media accounts.
Big brands like Peugeot, Adidas, and McDonald’s use this platform daily.
The tool lets you analyze, schedule, and grow your digital presence from one dashboard.
You can manage multiple brands without leaving Metricool or jumping between apps.
Metricool
Manage all your social media accounts, schedule social media posts, track performance with easy analytics, and create custom reports in a few clicks. Plus, manage Google Ads and TikTok Ads from the same dashboard.
Metricool Pricing
Metricool offers a generous free plan that never expires.
You can create a free account and start managing one brand immediately.
Here’s what each plan costs in 2026:
| Plan | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0/month | Testing features with one brand |
| Starter | $18/month | Small businesses with 5 brands |
| Advance | $45/month | Agencies managing 15+ brands |
| Custom | Contact for the pricing | Enterprise teams and large agencies |
Free trial: Not needed because the free plan is unlimited forever.
Money-back guarantee: No official refund policy, but you can cancel paid plans anytime.
📌 Note: The free plan allows scheduling to all social media platforms except LinkedIn and limits you to 50 posts per month. You also get 3 months of historical data and can analyze 5 competitor profiles.
⚠️ Warning: Auto-renewal can catch you off guard. Some users report being charged after forgetting about their Metricool account. Set a reminder before your billing date.
Key Benefits of Metricool
Metricool stands out from other tools with these powerful scheduling features:
- Looker Studio Integration: Connect your Metricool data to Google’s Looker Studio and create custom reports with unlimited historical data. This feature alone saves hours of manual work.
- Competitor Analysis: Track up to 100 competitor profiles across all your social networks. See what content works for them and adapt your strategy accordingly.
- Auto Posting: Schedule and auto post content to Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest, and more. Your scheduled content goes live without manual intervention.
- Ad Campaign Management: Monitor your Google Ads and TikTok Ads performance alongside organic social media posts. This unified view helps you track performance across paid and organic channels.
- SmartLinks Feature: Create a customizable link in bio that houses multiple links. Perfect for Instagram and TikTok where you only get one link.
- Hashtag Tracker: Monitor hashtag performance in real-time. The data extracted helps you understand which hashtags drive engagement.
- Social Inbox: Manage all your social messages from a single inbox. Reply to comments and DMs without leaving Metricool.
Metricool Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- Download custom reports in PDF or PowerPoint in a few clicks
- Free plan offers real value for managing one brand forever
- Supports 11+ social media platforms including Twitch
- Visual content calendar makes it easy to easily navigate your schedule
- Google Business Profile support for local businesses
❌ Cons
- LinkedIn requires a paid plan to connect
- Video uploads can be slow and frustrating
- Customer support response times vary
- Social inbox features are basic compared to dedicated tools
What is Zoho Social?
Zoho Social is an all-in-one social media management tool designed for growing businesses and agencies.
It’s part of the larger Zoho ecosystem that includes CRM, email, and other Zoho apps.
This social platform helps businesses manage multiple social channels from one platform.
You can schedule posts, monitor mentions, and boost engagement without switching between tabs.
The tool stands out for its clean design and user friendly interface.
Teams especially love the built-in collaboration features and approval workflows.
Zoho Social
A great solution for businesses that need team collaboration, CRM integration, and powerful scheduling features. Manage multiple social media accounts, instantly publish posts, and track performance on a daily basis.
Zoho Social Pricing
Zoho Social offers true value for money with affordable plans for every business size.
You can start with a free version and upgrade as your needs grow.
Here’s the complete pricing breakdown:
| Plan | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Individuals testing the platform |
| Standard | $10/month | Small businesses starting out |
| Professional | $30/month | Growing teams needing social inbox |
| Premium | $40/month | Businesses wanting full features |
Free trial: Yes, 15 days to test premium features with no credit card required.
Money-back guarantee: Annual billing saves you up to 33% compared to monthly payments.
📌 Note: Zoho Social offers discounts for non-profit organizations and NGOs. Contact their sales team for special pricing on agency plans starting at $320/month.
⚠️ Warning: The free version has very limited features compared to Metricool’s free plan. You’ll need at least the Standard plan for meaningful social media management.
Key Benefits of Zoho Social
Zoho Social offers many features that make it a game changer for teams:
- Zoho CRM Integration: Connect social interactions directly to customer records. This integration is automatically synced and helps sales teams find new leads from social channels.
- SmartQ Scheduling: The platform suggests optimal times to post based on when your audience is most active. This great feature helps you reach the right audience at the perfect moment.
- Publishing Queue: Add posts to a publishing queue and let Zoho handle the timing. You can work on new content while scheduled posts go live automatically.
- Team Collaboration: Assign roles, share content calendars, and manage approvals. Your saved drafts stay safe until the post is ready for review.
- Social Listening: Monitor mentions, track hashtags, and engage with followers in real-time. This helps you discover new leads and stay on top of brand conversations.
- Pre Built Reports: Access ready-made reports that give you a clear picture of your social media performance. Export them with the best pictures and data visualizations.
- Mobile App: The Zoho Social mobile app lets you manage on the move. Create posts, respond to messages, and check insights from your phone.
Zoho Social Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- Deep integration with other Zoho apps like CRM and Analytics
- Affordable compared to Hootsuite and Sprout Social
- User interface is clean, friendly, and easy to navigate
- Strong scheduling with SmartQ for optimal posting times
- Live chat support available on paid plans
❌ Cons
- Free version is very limited compared to competitors
- No ad management for Google Ads or TikTok Ads
- Fewer social media platforms supported than Metricool
- Instagram Stories require manual posting
Feature Comparison
Let’s break down how Metricool and Zoho Social compare across 10 key areas.
This detailed comparison will help you understand which social media scheduling tool fits your needs.
| Feature | Metricool | Zoho Social |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $0/month (Free) | $0 (Free) |
| Paid Plans From | $18/month | $10/month |
| Social Platforms | 11+ (incl. Twitch) | 8 platforms |
| Free Plan Posts | 50/month | Limited |
| Ad Management | ✅ Google & TikTok Ads | ❌ |
| CRM Integration | Via Zapier | ✅ Native Zoho CRM |
| Team Collaboration | Basic | ✅ Advanced |
| Competitor Analysis | ✅ Up to 100 profiles | Limited |
| Link-in-Bio Tool | ✅ SmartLinks | ❌ |
| Best For | Data-driven marketers | Zoho ecosystem users |
1. Social Media Scheduling
Metricool: Offers scheduling to 11+ social media platforms including Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest, Google Business Profile, and Twitch. The visual content calendar helps you easily navigate your scheduled content across all your social networks. Auto posting works reliably for most post types.
Zoho Social: Supports 8 social channels including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, TikTok, and Google Business Profile. The publishing queue lets you add posts and automatically distribute them at optimal times. SmartQ suggests when to post based on your audience activity patterns.
2. Analytics and Reporting
Metricool: This is where Metricool shines. You get easy analytics with deep insights into engagement, reach, and follower growth. Download custom reports in PDF or PowerPoint in a few clicks. The Looker Studio integration lets you access unlimited historical data and create truly customized dashboards.
Zoho Social: Provides pre built reports that give you a clear picture of social media performance. Track engagement, audience growth, and post performance with insights on a daily basis. The reporting is solid but less customizable than Metricool’s analytics suite.
3. Social Inbox Management
Metricool: The social inbox feature lets you manage all your social messages from a single inbox. You can receive and respond to comments and DMs without leaving the platform. However, the inbox is basic compared to dedicated social inbox tools.
Zoho Social: Offers a unified inbox that consolidates all your social media messages in one place. You can engage with comments and messages from social media followers directly. The Professional plan unlocks the full social inbox with better organization tools.
4. Competitor Analysis
Metricool: Track up to 100 competitor profiles with the Advanced plan. See what content resonates with their audience, when they post, and how their engagement compares to yours. The data extracted helps you refine your own strategy based on what actually works.
Zoho Social: Basic competitor tracking is available but far less detailed. You can monitor hashtags and keywords to see market trends. For deep competitor insights, Metricool has a significant advantage here.
⚠️ Warning: If competitor tracking matters to your social media campaigns, Metricool is the clear winner. Zoho Social’s competitor features are minimal.
5. Team Collaboration
Metricool: Team features are available on the Advanced plan. You can set up approval workflows so posts don’t go live until reviewed. However, the collaboration tools feel basic compared to what teams might need for complex workflows.
Zoho Social: This is a standout feature. Role-based permissions, content approval workflows, and task assignments make it excellent for teams. Your saved drafts stay organized and your team can collaborate without stepping on each other’s work.
6. Ad Campaign Management
Metricool: Manage Google Ads and TikTok Ads directly from your dashboard. Track ad performance alongside organic social media posts for a unified view of your digital presence. This is a unique feature that most social media management tools don’t offer.
Zoho Social: No built-in ad management. You’ll need to use separate tools for Google Ads and TikTok Ads. For businesses running social media campaigns with paid advertising, this is a notable gap.
7. CRM and Business Integration
Metricool: Integrates with other tools via Zapier integration. You can connect to CRMs and marketing platforms, but it requires setup. The integration isn’t as deep as native connections.
Zoho Social: Deep integration with Zoho CRM is the killer feature here. Social interactions are automatically synced with customer records. Sales teams can identify new leads from social channels and track the entire customer journey.
8. Content Creation Features
Metricool: Includes an AI Social Media Assistant for content suggestions and hashtag recommendations. The SmartLinks feature creates beautiful link-in-bio pages with multiple links. You can also connect Canva to design posts without leaving Metricool.
Zoho Social: The Zia AI Assistant helps with content generation and hashtag suggestions. You can create posts directly in the platform with a simple text editor. However, no native link-in-bio tool is included.
9. Platform Support and Compatibility
Metricool: Supports more social platforms than most competitors: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest, Google Business Profile, Twitch, and more. Also works with Microsoft Teams via integrations.
Zoho Social: Covers major platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, TikTok, Mastodon, Threads, and Bluesky. Good coverage but no Twitch or YouTube support for scheduling.
10. Pricing and Cost
| Plan Type | Metricool | Zoho Social |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 (50 posts/month) | $0 (very limited) |
| Entry Paid | $18/month (5 brands) | $10/month (1 brand) |
| Mid-Tier | $45/month (15 brands) | $30-40/month |
| Agency/Enterprise | Custom pricing | $320-460/month |
Metricool: The free plan is genuinely useful with 50 posts per month across all social media platforms. Paid plans offer better value per brand, especially for agencies managing multiple brands. Annual billing saves about 18%.
Zoho Social: Lower entry price at $10/month but the free version is very limited. Best value comes for businesses already using other Zoho apps where the ecosystem benefits add up. Agency plans are expensive at $320+/month.
Different Scenarios
The best social media management tool depends on your specific situation.
Use this decision matrix to find your perfect match:
| If You Need… | Choose | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Deep analytics + competitor tracking | Metricool | Up to 100 competitor profiles |
| CRM integration for sales | Zoho Social | Native Zoho CRM sync |
| Ad campaign management | Metricool | Google Ads + TikTok Ads built-in |
| Team collaboration features | Zoho Social | Role-based approvals |
| Best free plan | Metricool | 50 posts/month on free |
| More platform coverage | Metricool | 11+ platforms vs 8 |
| Part of Zoho ecosystem | Zoho Social | Works with all Zoho apps |
💰 Your Budget
Both offer free plans, but they’re very different. Metricool’s free account gives you real value with 50 posts per month. Zoho Social’s free version is more of a trial. If budget is tight, Metricool wins.
🔌 Your Tech Stack
Already using Zoho CRM, Zoho Projects, or other Zoho apps? Zoho Social is the obvious choice. The integration works perfectly. Using other tools? Metricool’s Zapier integration connects to almost everything.
📊 Your Analytics Needs
Social media managers who live in data should choose Metricool. The ability to download custom reports and access Looker Studio integration makes creating reports a breeze. Zoho’s pre built reports are good but less flexible.
👥 Your Team Size
Solo social media manager? Either tool works fine. But if you have a team that needs approval workflows and role-based access, Zoho Social’s collaboration features are stronger. Simply scroll through the dashboard to see pending approvals.
🆓 Free Trials and Demos
Metricool lets you start with a free account forever. Zoho Social offers a 15-day free trial of premium features. Test both before committing to a paid plan. There’s no substitute for hands-on experience.
🛟 Support Options
Zoho Social offers live chat support on paid plans plus access to their help center page. Metricool has email support and a solid knowledge base. Both respond within reasonable timeframes for most issues.
Switching Guide
Already using one of these tools and thinking about switching?
Here’s exactly what you’ll gain and lose with each move.
🔄 Switching from Metricool to Zoho Social?
✅ What you’ll gain:
- Native Zoho CRM integration that connects social activity to customer records
- Better team collaboration with role-based permissions and approval workflows
- SmartQ scheduling that finds optimal times based on your specific audience
❌ What you’ll lose:
- Deep competitor analysis with up to 100 competitor profiles
- Google Ads and TikTok Ads management from the same dashboard
- Looker Studio integration for unlimited historical data and custom reports
📋 How to switch:
- Export your scheduled content and download custom reports from Metricool
- Create a Zoho Social account and connect your social media accounts
- Re-schedule your content and set up your publishing queue in Zoho
🔄 Switching from Zoho Social to Metricool?
✅ What you’ll gain:
- More social media platforms including Twitch and YouTube scheduling
- Built-in ad management for Google Ads and TikTok Ads campaigns
- Powerful competitor analysis and SmartLinks link-in-bio feature
❌ What you’ll lose:
- Native Zoho CRM integration and smooth connection with other Zoho apps
- Advanced team collaboration features and approval workflows
- SmartQ automated scheduling based on audience activity patterns
📋 How to switch:
- Download your reports and export scheduled posts from Zoho Social
- Create a free Metricool account and connect your social networks
- Set up your content calendar and configure Looker Studio integration
Final Verdict
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| 💰 Pricing & Free Plan | Metricool |
| 📊 Analytics & Reporting | Metricool |
| 📱 Platform Coverage | Metricool |
| 🎯 Competitor Analysis | Metricool |
| 📣 Ad Management | Metricool |
| 🔌 CRM Integration | Zoho Social |
| 👥 Team Collaboration | Zoho Social |
| 📲 Mobile Experience | Zoho Social |
| 🏆 Overall Winner | Metricool |
🏆 WINNER: Metricool
Metricool wins 6 out of 9 categories in this comparison.
Best for: Data-driven social media managers, agencies managing multiple brands, marketers who need competitor insights and ad campaign tracking.
Metricool and Zoho Social serve different audiences with different strengths.
Metricool is a digital swiss army knife built for marketers who love data.
It matters when you need to discover easy analytics and track performance across all your social networks.
The ability to manage Google Ads and TikTok Ads alongside organic content is a game changer.
Zoho Social is a great solution for teams already in the Zoho ecosystem.
If you use Zoho CRM and need social data connected to customer records, it’s the obvious choice.
The team collaboration features and clean design make it user friendly for growing businesses.
For most social media managers, Metricool offers better value.
The free plan alone beats most competitors’ paid plans.
Now go schedule those posts and start tracking what really matters!
More of Metricool Compared
Here’s how Metricool stacks up against other competitors:
Metricool vs Sprout Social
Metricool wins on: Pricing (much cheaper), ad management, competitor tracking
Sprout Social wins on: Advanced social listening, enterprise features, team workflows
Metricool vs SocialPilot
Metricool wins on: Visual analytics, Looker Studio integration, ad campaign management
SocialPilot wins on: Bulk scheduling, white-label reports, agency-specific features
Metricool vs Sendible
Metricool wins on: Free plan value, competitor analysis, hashtag tracking
Sendible wins on: Client collaboration, content library, CRM integrations
Metricool vs Content Studio
Metricool wins on: Ad management, pricing transparency, platform coverage
Content Studio wins on: AI content generation, content curation, blog scheduling
Metricool vs Heropost
Metricool wins on: Analytics depth, competitor tracking, established track record
Heropost wins on: Entry pricing, Shopify integration, AI content features
Metricool vs Agorapulse
Metricool wins on: Ad management, free plan features, pricing for small teams
Agorapulse wins on: Social inbox, social listening, customer support quality
Metricool vs Buffer
Metricool wins on: Analytics depth, competitor tracking, ad campaign management
Buffer wins on: Simplicity, user interface, Mastodon support
Metricool vs Sprinklr
Metricool wins on: Pricing (much more affordable), ease of use, quick setup
Sprinklr wins on: Enterprise scale, advanced AI, full CX platform
Metricool vs Later
Metricool wins on: Competitor analysis, ad management, analytics customization
Later wins on: Visual Instagram planning, influencer marketing, link-in-bio style
Metricool vs Loomly
Metricool wins on: Free plan, analytics depth, ad campaign tracking
Loomly wins on: Post idea suggestions, approval workflows, content optimization tips
Metricool vs Blaze
Metricool wins on: Established platform, analytics features, platform coverage
Blaze wins on: AI content generation, brand voice customization, newer features
More of Zoho Social Compared
Here’s how Zoho Social stacks up against other competitors:
Zoho Social vs Sprout Social
Zoho Social wins on: Pricing, Zoho ecosystem integration, value for money
Sprout Social wins on: Analytics depth, social listening, enterprise features
Zoho Social vs SocialPilot
Zoho Social wins on: CRM integration, team collaboration, clean interface
SocialPilot wins on: Bulk scheduling, white-label options, agency pricing
Zoho Social vs Sendible
Zoho Social wins on: Zoho app integration, pricing entry point, mobile app
Sendible wins on: Client management, content library, Google Analytics integration
Zoho Social vs Content Studio
Zoho Social wins on: CRM features, team workflows, ecosystem benefits
Content Studio wins on: AI assistant, blog integration, content discovery
Zoho Social vs Heropost
Zoho Social wins on: Established brand, team features, CRM connectivity
Heropost wins on: Lower pricing, Shopify integration, simpler setup
Zoho Social vs Agorapulse
Zoho Social wins on: Zoho integration, pricing for Zoho users, SmartQ scheduling
Agorapulse wins on: Social inbox features, social listening, reporting depth
Zoho Social vs Buffer
Zoho Social wins on: CRM integration, team collaboration, feature depth
Buffer wins on: Simplicity, free plan, user experience for beginners
Zoho Social vs Sprinklr
Zoho Social wins on: Pricing (much more affordable), ease of setup, SMB focus
Sprinklr wins on: Enterprise capabilities, AI features, global scale
Zoho Social vs Later
Zoho Social wins on: CRM features, team workflows, publishing queue
Later wins on: Visual planning, Instagram grid preview, influencer tools
Zoho Social vs Loomly
Zoho Social wins on: CRM integration, Zoho ecosystem, entry pricing
Loomly wins on: Content optimization tips, approval workflows, post ideas
Zoho Social vs Blaze
Zoho Social wins on: Established platform, CRM connectivity, business features
Blaze wins on: AI content generation, brand voice tools, newer technology
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Metricool used for?
Metricool is a social media scheduling tool that helps social media managers handle all your social networks from a single inbox. You can schedule social media posts, track analytics with easy analytics dashboards, download custom reports, and manage multiple brands. It also supports Google Ads and TikTok ads management, making it a digital swiss army knife for your digital presence.
Is Zoho Social worth it for social media management?
Zoho Social is a great solution for businesses already using other Zoho apps. It offers strong scheduling with SmartQ optimal times posting, lets you monitor hashtags and monitor mentions in real time, and provides pre built reports to track performance. The Zoho Social mobile app makes it easy to manage multiple accounts on the move. If you need tight integration with Zoho CRM, it’s a game changer for boost engagement.
Does Metricool have a free plan?
Yes, Metricool offers a free plan that lets you manage one brand with up to 50 social media posts per month. You get access to easy analytics, historical data for 3 months, and the social inbox feature. However, the free plan excludes LinkedIn and Twitter account analytics. Paid plans start at $18/month for the Starter plan with unlimited scheduling and Looker Studio integration.
Can Zoho Social schedule posts to all social media platforms?
Zoho Social supports schedule posts across Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, TikTok, YouTube, Google Business Profile, Threads, Mastodon, and Bluesky. The publishing queue feature with SmartQ helps you reach the right audience at optimal times. You can add posts to your queue and the platform will automatically sync your scheduled posts. The user interface features a clean design that makes scheduling on multiple platforms user friendly.
Which is better for managing multiple social media accounts?
For managing multiple social media accounts across multiple brands, Metricool is the better choice. It offers more generous brand limits on paid plans and provides a single inbox to manage all your social messages. Metricool’s auto posting and scheduled content features save time for social media managers. Zoho Social offers great features but limits business plans to one brand, requiring Agency plans ($320/month) for multiple social channels management. Based on any Metricool review, the standout features include the video editor integration with Canva. That matters—discover easy analytics and see what works in just a few clicks.
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