03 Feb Rating the Top 9 Social Media Tools: Results from Our Audit
At Ignite Social Media, our commitment to achieving consistent, cost-efficient, and tangible results drives us to stay ahead of trends in social media management. As platforms evolve, so do the tools designed to streamline social media operations. To determine the best fits for various needs, our Community Management Team conducted a comprehensive audit of nine leading social media tools from May-June 2024. Here’s what we discovered.
Why Conduct a Social Media Tool Audit?
In an era defined by rapid technological advancements, social media management tools must cater to increasingly complex demands, from enhanced user-generated content (UGC) integration to robust competitive analysis. This audit aimed to explore:
- How tools have adapted to the modern demands of social media.
- Key differentiators in the market.
- Which platforms align best with various organizational needs and budgets.
What We Found
Our research revealed key industry trends shaping their development and functionality. As platforms continue to evolve, these tools are rapidly adapting, though API limitations still hinder full scheduling and publishing capabilities. Many tools now integrate with CRMs to streamline workflows for brands and agencies. AI is playing a growing role, assisting with content creation, community management, and multilingual communication to enhance efficiency. Additionally, there is a heightened focus on social listening and competitive analysis, as brands seek to leverage user-generated content (UGC) and benchmark their performance against competitors. These findings highlight the ongoing innovations in the space, aimed at improving efficiency and strategic decision-making for social media professionals.
Deep Dive: Individual Tool Insights
1. Emplifi
Weaknesses: A visually disorganized calendar and integration limits.
Use case: Medium to large businesses requiring tailored solutions.
Pricing: Starts at $2,400/year for two users and ten profiles.
Website: Emplifi
Ignite recommends for big agencies and brands
2. HeyOrca
Weaknesses: Limited to Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, for the Social Inbox, lacking approval levels.
Use case: Small to large agencies and brands.
Pricing: Ranges from $29 to $67 per calendar/month.
Website: HeyOrca
Ignite recommends for all agencies and brands
3. Hootsuite
Strengths: Supports paid social media campaigns and offers an extensive range of tools, including social listening through its Talkwalker integration.
Weaknesses: Challenges in disconnecting specific social pages from calendars.
Use case: Agencies handling multiple calendars and social networks.
Pricing: Base packages start between $8,000–$20,000 annually.
Website: Hootsuite
Ignite recommends for big agencies and brands
4. OCOYA
Weaknesses: Limited to 50 team members and lacks workflow visibility.
Use case: Small-scale businesses focusing on e-commerce.
Pricing: $39–$159/month depending on team size and social profiles.
Website: OCOYA
Ignite recommends for agencies and brands who are AI-driven
5. Opal
Strengths: In-platform content creation with AI and robust content feedback capabilities.
Weaknesses: Cannot schedule posts directly from the platform.
Use case: Clients needing live content workflows.
Pricing: Custom-tiered pricing.
Website: Opal
Ignite does not recommend this platform
6. Planable
Strengths: Optimized for calendar management with seamless internal and external collaboration.
Weaknesses: Focuses solely on calendar management, lacking engagement features.
Use case: Brands or agencies prioritizing streamlined calendar management.
Pricing: $18,750/year for 100 users and 25 workspaces.
Website: Planable
Ignite recommends for all agencies and brands
7. Sprinklr
Strengths: Comprehensive enterprise-grade tool with features like ChatGPT for engagement and multilingual support.
Weaknesses: High cost and limitations in disconnecting calendars.
Use case: Large enterprises with significant ad spending.
Pricing: $358/seat/month with custom options.
Website: Sprinklr
Ignite recommends for all agencies and brands
8. Sprout Social
Weaknesses: Less suitable for small businesses due to cost.
Use case: Medium to large enterprises and customer service teams.
Pricing: $199–$399/seat/month.
Website: Sprout Social
Ignite recommends for big agencies and brands
9. Synup
Strengths: Heavy AI focus for content creation, from captions to ideas.
Weaknesses: Lacks TikTok integration and engagement options.
Use case: Agencies relying heavily on AI for content creation.
Pricing: $2–$4/channel/month.
Website: Synup
Ignite does not recommend this platform
Top Performers by Category
- Most Comprehensive: Sprout Social – With robust analytics, engagement tools, and team collaboration.
- Most Flexible: Sprout Social & Sprinklr – Adaptability for diverse workflows and custom needs.
- Best AI Integration: OCOYA – Advanced AI for creative and analytical tasks.
- Superior Reporting: Sprout Social – User-friendly, customizable insights.
- Engagement Excellence: Emplifi – Detailed tracking and filtering for content engagement.
- Content Review: Planable – Real-time collaboration for seamless approvals.
- Best Value: HeyOrca – Affordable pricing for extensive features.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right social media tool requires understanding your organization’s needs, scale, and goals. While all platforms excel in distinct areas, none are universally perfect. Sprout Social remains a powerhouse for all-in-one management, while tools like HeyOrca and Emplifi shine for specific use cases like affordability and engagement.
At Ignite Social Media, we prioritize tools that align with our clients’ unique requirements, ensuring that the technologies we recommend translate to impactful results. If you’re evaluating tools for your organization, our team is here to help. Reach out to discuss how these insights can guide your decision-making.
Contact us today to learn how we can help you with your social media marketing.