Comparisons

Metricool vs Later 2025: Which Tool Should You Pick?

Matt
Matt
8 min read

TL;DR - Quick Answer

9 min read

Later 2025 offers better value with more features at a lower price. Metricool excels in simplicity but costs more for similar functionality.

Metricool: Advanced analytics, competitor tracking (free plan). Later: Visual planning, Instagram-first (free plan).

Both have free plans. Here's how to choose.

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30-Second Answer

FactorWinner
AnalyticsMetricool
Visual planningLater
Instagram featuresLater
Competitor trackingMetricool
Free planTie
Link in bioTie

Pricing Breakdown

Metricool

PlanCostBrandsFeatures
Free$01Basic
Starter$18/mo5Full
Advanced$45/mo15Team + API

Later

PlanCostUsersSocial Sets
Free$011
Starter$25/mo11
Growth$45/mo33
Advanced$80/mo66

🤔 Quick Knowledge Check

Solo creator with 5 accounts. Monthly cost for each tool?


Cost by Scenario

ScenarioMetricoolLaterWinner
1 Instagram profileFreeFreeTie
3 social sets$18/mo$45/moMetricool
5 brands$18/mo$80/moMetricool
Analytics focus$18/mo$25/moMetricool
Visual planning$18/mo$25/moLater

Pattern: Metricool is cheaper at scale. Later wins for visual workflows.


Where Each Tool Wins

Metricool Wins: Analytics

Unified cross-platform dashboard:

  • Engagement, reach, follower trends
  • Best times to post
  • Historical data (years)
  • Competitor benchmarking

Later: Basic analytics, Instagram-focused.


Metricool Wins: Competitor Tracking

Track up to 100 competitor accounts:

  • Engagement rates vs yours
  • Content performance
  • Follower growth trends
  • Benchmark comparison

Later: No competitor tracking features.


🤔 Quick Knowledge Check

You need detailed analytics across all platforms. Which tool?


Later Wins: Visual Planning

Built for visual brands:

  • Instagram grid preview
  • Drag-and-drop calendar
  • Media library organization
  • Visual-first workflow

Metricool: Text-based interface, no grid preview.


Later Wins: Instagram Features

FeatureMetricoolLater
Grid previewNoYes
Linkin.bioSmartLinksYes
Story schedulingYesYes
UGC collectionNoYes

🤔 Quick Knowledge Check

Fashion brand wanting to preview Instagram grid before posting. Which tool?


Metricool SmartLinks:

  • Multiple links
  • Analytics tracking
  • Custom branding
  • Mobile optimized

Later Linkin.bio:

  • Shoppable links
  • Instagram integration
  • Analytics tracking
  • Custom design

Both offer solid link-in-bio solutions.


Feature Comparison

FeatureMetricoolLater
Free plan1 brand1 social set
AnalyticsAdvancedBasic
Competitor tracking100 profilesNo
Grid previewNoYes
Link in bioSmartLinksLinkin.bio
UGC collectionNoYes
ReportingPDF/PPTBasic
Best forDataVisuals

Who Should Pick What

Choose Metricool if you:

  • Need detailed analytics
  • Want competitor tracking
  • Manage multiple platforms equally
  • Generate client reports
  • Budget is limited

Choose Later if you:

  • Are Instagram-focused
  • Care about grid aesthetics
  • Create visual content
  • Need UGC collection
  • Value visual planning

🤔 Quick Knowledge Check

Data-driven marketer tracking performance across 6 platforms. Best choice?


What Neither Tool Has

AI content generation: Both lack AI writing.

Video templates: Neither creates videos.

Content recycling: Both are one-time posting.

For AI content and video templates, see SocialRails.


Better Alternative

Want AI content AND video templates?

FeatureMetricoolLaterSocialRails
PriceFreeFree$29/mo
AI contentNoNoUnlimited
Video templatesNoNo350+
AnalyticsAdvancedBasicBasic
Visual planningBasicAdvancedGood
Try SocialRails free

Quick Answers

Is Metricool cheaper than Later? For multiple accounts, yes. Metricool $18 for 5 vs Later $45 for 3.

Which has better analytics? Metricool. Significantly more advanced.

Which is better for Instagram? Later. Grid preview and visual planning.

Does either have AI content? No. Both lack AI generation.

Which has competitor tracking? Metricool only.


Bottom Line

Metricool: Best for analytics, competitor tracking, and multi-platform data.

Later: Best for visual brands and Instagram-first strategies.

Best alternative: SocialRails at $29/month with unlimited AI and video templates.

Create content, post everywhere

Let AI do the work. Ideas, posts, images, carousels. Scheduled in seconds.

Start your free trial

Metricool:

Later:

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