7 Best Tailwind Alternatives in 2026: Pinterest & Instagram Scheduling Tools Compared
TL;DR - Quick Answer
15 min readQuick tool comparison. Features, pricing, and what works best for your needs.
Tailwind is a solid Pinterest and Instagram scheduler — but at $25/month for just those two platforms, many users look for alternatives that offer more platform coverage, better pricing, or different features. Here's a straightforward comparison of the best Tailwind alternatives in 2026.
Skip to: Quick Decision · Top 7 Alternatives · Feature Comparison · When to Keep Tailwind
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Quick Decision
Why People Look for Tailwind Alternatives
There are three main reasons users switch away from Tailwind:
Limited platform coverage. Tailwind focuses on Pinterest and Instagram. If you need to manage Twitter/X, LinkedIn, Facebook, or TikTok, you'll need a second tool — which adds cost and complexity.
Pricing for what you get. At $25/month for the Pro plan, you get 1 Pinterest account + 1 Instagram account. Compared to tools that cover all platforms for a similar or lower price, the value can feel limited.
SmartSchedule limitations. Tailwind's SmartSchedule picks posting times based on general engagement data. Some users find it less personalized than what competitors offer with AI-driven analytics based on your own audience data.
Tailwind Pro at $24.99/month covers which platforms?
💡 Tip: Think carefully before selecting your answer!
Top Tailwind Alternatives
1. SocialRails — Best for All Platforms + AI
$29-99/month · All major platforms with AI content generation
SocialRails covers every major platform for a small price increase over Tailwind, and includes unlimited AI-powered content generation and 350+ video templates. For users who need more than just Pinterest and Instagram, it's the most complete option.
Best for: Users managing multiple platforms who want AI content help.
Try SocialRails free →2. Later — Best for Instagram Visual Planning
$25-80/month · Visual-first scheduling with strong Instagram tools
What you get:
- Instagram grid preview (drag-and-drop visual planner)
- Linkin.bio landing pages
- Pinterest scheduling
- Best posting time recommendations
- TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn support
Later is the go-to for Instagram-focused users who care about how their feed looks. The visual grid planner is best-in-class. Pinterest scheduling is included but isn't as deep as Tailwind's.
Best for: Instagram-first users who want visual planning.
Read Later Review →Which Tailwind alternative covers the most social platforms?
💡 Tip: Think carefully before selecting your answer!
3. Planoly — Best Budget Pinterest + Instagram Tool
$16-43/month · Pinterest and Instagram focus at a lower price
What you get:
- Visual grid planner
- Pinterest scheduling and analytics
- Instagram scheduling with grid preview
- Shoppable links (Sellit feature)
- TikTok support
Planoly covers the same two core platforms as Tailwind (Pinterest + Instagram) but starts at $16/month — roughly 35% cheaper. If Pinterest and Instagram are all you need, Planoly delivers similar functionality for less.
Best for: Pinterest + Instagram users on a tighter budget.
Read Planoly Review →4. Buffer — Best Simple Multi-Platform Option
$6-12/channel/month · Clean, straightforward scheduling
What you get:
- Per-channel pricing (pay only for what you use)
- Support for all major platforms including Pinterest
- Clean, minimal interface
- Basic analytics
- Browser extension for quick sharing
Buffer is the simplest tool on this list. Per-channel pricing means you can start small — but costs add up quickly if you manage many accounts. Pinterest support is functional but basic compared to Tailwind's dedicated features.
Best for: Users who want simplicity and only manage a few accounts.
Read Buffer Review →5. Plann — Best for Visual Branding
$15-40/month · Visual planning with color palette and hashtag management
What you get:
- Visual feed planner with drag-and-drop
- Color palette detection for brand consistency
- Hashtag manager with saved groups
- Pinterest, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, LinkedIn support
- Content strategy suggestions
Plann stands out with its focus on visual branding — the color palette tool and hashtag management features make it popular with brand-conscious creators and small businesses.
Best for: Brand-focused creators who want visual consistency.
Read Plann Review →6. Pallyy — Best Budget All-in-One
$25/month · Multi-platform scheduling with visual planning
What you get:
- Instagram grid preview
- Support for all major platforms
- Social inbox for managing replies
- Bio link pages
- Basic analytics
Pallyy offers a solid all-in-one package at a competitive price. It's not as specialized as Tailwind for Pinterest, but covers more platforms for the same price.
Best for: Small businesses wanting multi-platform coverage on a budget.
Read Pallyy Review →7. Hootsuite — Best for Larger Teams
$99-739/month · Enterprise-level multi-platform management
What you get:
- All major platforms including Pinterest
- Team management and approval workflows
- Social listening and monitoring
- Advanced analytics and reporting
- Bulk scheduling
Hootsuite is overkill for individual users but makes sense for agencies and larger teams managing many accounts. Pinterest support is included alongside everything else.
Best for: Agencies and teams managing 10+ social accounts.
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You manage Pinterest, Instagram, and TikTok for a client. Best value?
💡 Tip: Think carefully before selecting your answer!
How to Switch from Tailwind
Step 1: Export your content from Tailwind Download your scheduled pins, content calendar, and any analytics data you want to keep. Tailwind allows data export from the dashboard.
Step 2: Pick your alternative based on your needs
Step 3: Connect your accounts Most tools let you connect Pinterest and Instagram in under 5 minutes. Your existing content on those platforms isn't affected — you're just changing which tool manages your scheduling.
Tailwind's strongest unique feature compared to alternatives?
💡 Tip: Think carefully before selecting your answer!
When to Keep Tailwind
Tailwind is still the right choice if you:
- Focus exclusively on Pinterest — Tailwind's Pinterest features (SmartSchedule, interval pinning, board lists) are the most specialized on the market
- Use Tailwind Communities — This collaborative content sharing feature is unique to Tailwind and genuinely useful for Pinterest growth
- Rely on interval pinning — Tailwind's ability to spread pins across boards over time is a feature most alternatives don't match
- Don't need other platforms — If Pinterest is your only channel, Tailwind's depth beats general-purpose tools
- Already have a workflow built around Tailwind — Switching has a small learning curve; if Tailwind works for you, there may not be a strong reason to change
Quick Answers
What's the best Pinterest tool besides Tailwind? Planoly or Later for Pinterest-specific scheduling. SocialRails for Pinterest plus all other platforms. See our Planoly pricing or Planoly alternatives guide.
What's the cheapest Tailwind alternative? Buffer at $6/channel or Planoly at $16/month for similar Pinterest + Instagram coverage.
Which alternative has the best AI content tools? SocialRails offers unlimited AI content generation. Buffer includes an AI Assistant. Most other tools have limited or no AI features.
Which is best for Instagram specifically? Later for visual grid planning. SocialRails for AI-powered captions and multi-platform coverage.
Bottom Line
Tailwind remains a strong choice for Pinterest-focused users, but its limited platform coverage and pricing for just two platforms make alternatives worth exploring. For users who need more platforms, AI content, or lower pricing, there are several strong options available.
Our recommendation: If you need more than Pinterest and Instagram, SocialRails at $29/month covers all platforms with unlimited AI. If you want the same two platforms for less, Planoly at $16/month is the most direct Tailwind replacement.
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