Later alternatives for solo social media managers
Outgrown Later's Starter plan? Here are four Later alternatives for solo social media managers, with real prices for running three clients.
Later is a good tool. Plenty of social media managers start on it, and plenty stay. But solo SMMs tend to hit the same wall around their second or third client, and it's usually a pricing wall rather than a features one.
This post covers where that wall is, and four alternatives worth trying if you've hit it. Prices are from each company's pricing page in October 2026. Koda is our product, so we've kept to published facts and linked everything.
Why freelancers look for a Later alternative
Later's Starter plan is $18.75 a month if you pay yearly (about $25 month to month). For your own brand, that's fine. For client work, Starter has some tight limits.
You get one social set, which means one Instagram, one TikTok, one Facebook and so on. That's one client. You also get 30 scheduled posts per profile per month, one user, and no approval workflow or social inbox.
The Growth plan fixes most of that. It costs $37.50 a month billed yearly and includes two social sets, approvals, external feedback links and the inbox. A third client adds $11.25, bringing you to $48.75 a month, paid a year in advance.
That's a reasonable price for a mature product. It's also a big jump from $18.75 when you're still building a roster. So here's what else is out there.
1. Buffer
Buffer charges per channel. The free plan covers three channels with 10 scheduled posts each, and Essentials costs $5 per channel per month billed yearly.
For freelancers who don't need client sign-off, it's the cheapest route by some distance. Three clients with Instagram and Facebook is six channels, so $30 a month on Essentials.
The catch is the same one Later has. Approval workflows and extra team members sit on the Team plan at $10 per channel, which takes the same six channels to $60 a month.
Buffer also covers more networks than anyone else on this list, including X, Bluesky, Mastodon, Threads and Google Business Profile.
2. Planoly
Planoly is the closest thing to Later in feel. It started as an Instagram grid planner, and the visual planning is still its strength.
Starter is $14 a month for one social set. Growth is $24 a month for two sets, with extra sets at $10 each. Three clients lands at about $34 a month, which undercuts Later Growth.
The pricing page doesn't list a client approval workflow. Its extras are aimed at creators instead: link-in-bio storefronts, digital product sales and automated Instagram DMs. If those appeal and your clients don't need to sign off posts, it's a strong pick.
3. Metricool
Metricool is the one to look at if your clients care about numbers. Its free plan covers one brand with 20 posts a month. Starter starts at $20 a month billed yearly for up to five brands, with unlimited scheduling, competitor tracking and downloadable PDF reports.
For reporting, that's more than most tools give you at this price. The trade-off is that approvals, team roles and client access are on Advanced, which starts at $53 a month billed yearly.
4. Koda
Koda is built for the freelance SMM who plans, shoots and posts for clients. The Freelancer plan covers up to three clients for £19 a month. Koda bills in pounds, so the dollar price moves with the exchange rate, but it works out at roughly $25.
Every plan has every feature, so approvals aren't held back for a higher tier. Clients get a link where they can approve a post or ask for changes, and they don't need an account. You get a push notification on the iPhone app the moment they respond.
The rest of the plan includes a content calendar, an Instagram scheduler with first comment, location and collaborator tags, a DM and comment inbox, and branded monthly reports your client can open without logging in. There are also shoot plans for briefing each video before you film it, and captions drafted in each client's tone of voice.
Instagram has the deepest support. Facebook Pages, TikTok and LinkedIn publishing are live too, but there's no X, Pinterest or Bluesky. The 14-day free trial asks for a card, and you aren't charged if you cancel before it ends.
Side by side, for three clients
| Tool | Plan you'd need | Monthly cost | Approvals included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Later | Growth + 1 extra set (billed yearly) | $48.75 | Yes |
| Buffer | Essentials, 6 channels (billed yearly) | $30 | No |
| Buffer | Team, 6 channels (billed yearly) | $60 | Yes |
| Planoly | Growth + 1 extra set | $34 | Not listed |
| Metricool | Starter (billed yearly) | $20 | No |
| Koda | Freelancer | £19 (about $25) | Yes |
Which one should you switch to?
It depends on what made you leave Later.
If it was the price and your clients never review posts, Buffer Essentials or Metricool Starter will save you money straight away.
If you liked Later's visual planner and want something similar for less, try Planoly.
If approvals were the problem (clients replying "looks great!" two hours after the post should have gone out), look at a tool where approvals come on the entry plan. Koda is built around that problem.
How to switch without losing a week
Moving tools mid-month is where things go wrong. A few habits make it painless.
- Switch at the start of a client's month, once the current calendar is mostly published.
- Export or screenshot your scheduled posts in Later before your plan lapses.
- Reconnect one client first and run a full week through the new tool before moving the rest.
- Tell clients the approval link is changing, and send them one test post so they know what it looks like.
FAQ
Is there a free alternative to Later?
Yes. Buffer and Metricool both have free plans, and Instagram's own app can schedule posts, carousels and Reels for one account. None of the free options include client approvals.
What's the best Later alternative for agencies?
For a growing studio, look at how price scales. Koda's Studio plan covers 10 clients and unlimited team members for £29 a month. Later's Scale plan covers six social sets and four users for $82.50 a month billed yearly.
Can I use Later and another tool together?
You can, but you'll pay twice and split your calendar across two places. Most freelancers are better off picking one and moving everything over.