Hootsuite vs Sprout Social: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Hootsuite and Sprout Social comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Hootsuite
Social media management platform
Best for you if:
- • Social media management platform
- • Schedule and analyze across platforms
Sprout Social
Social media management & analytics
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.6/10 vs 8.4/10)
- • Social media management platform
- • Unified inbox for all messages
| At a Glance |  Hootsuite |  Sprout Social |
|---|---|---|
Price | Paid | Paid |
Best For | Social Media Management | Social Media Management |
Rating | 84/100 | 86/100 |
| Feature | Hootsuite | Sprout Social |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| Editorial Score | 84 | 86 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Social Media ManagementMarketing Automation | Social Media ManagementWeb Analytics |
How Hootsuite and Sprout Social Compare
Hootsuite
Social media management platform
Paid · 84/100 score
Sprout Social
Social media management & analytics
Paid · 86/100 score
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are paid. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Sprout Social
Want the highest-rated option?
Hootsuite: 84/100. Sprout Social: 86/100.
Go with: Sprout Social
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Sprout Social
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are paid. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Both are social media management tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Sprout Social scores higher: 86/100 vs 84/100.
Key Takeaways
Sprout Social
- Higher score: 86/100 vs 84
- Our pick for this comparison
Hootsuite
The Bottom Line
Sprout Social (86/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hootsuite or Sprout Social better?
Sprout Social scores 86/100 in our evaluation. Both are paid.
What are Hootsuite and Sprout Social used for?
Hootsuite: Social media management platform. Sprout Social: Social media management & analytics.
What does Hootsuite cost vs Sprout Social?
Hootsuite is a paid tool. Sprout Social is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.