Inkie vs Hootsuite: Which is better for your social media?

Hootsuite is one of the best-known names in social media scheduling. I remember trying it back when I was juggling different platforms and desperate for one tool to bring it all together. It had a reputation for being powerful and professional - but also a bit overwhelming if you weren’t a full-time social media manager. For many small business owners, the interface and the pricing can feel like a lot.

So how does Hootsuite stack up against Inkie?

Hootsuite: What it does well

• Multi-platform powerhouse: Hootsuite supports a wide range of networks, including Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter/X, TikTok, YouTube, and Pinterest.

• Team collaboration: Built for marketing teams - multiple users can draft, edit, approve, and schedule content together.

• Scheduling flexibility: Advanced scheduling, bulk uploads, and custom time slots give you a lot of control.

• Analytics and reporting: In-depth insights to track performance across all platforms.

• Integrations: Works with Canva, Dropbox, Google Drive, and other tools, making it easy to pull content in.

  
  

Where Hootsuite falls short

• Pricing: Plans start around £99/month for one user and 10 social accounts. Costs rise steeply as you add more users or accounts.

• Overkill for small businesses: The features are great for agencies, but many small businesses don’t need that level of complexity.

• Learning curve: The dashboard can feel cluttered and intimidating if you’re new to scheduling.

• Content creation is on you: Hootsuite schedules, but it doesn’t write your posts or blogs - you’ll still face the blank page.

• Support tiered by plan: Faster, more personalised support is usually reserved for higher-paying customers.

  
  

Inkie: Where it fits

• Content created for you: Inkie writes daily social posts, weekly blogs, and fortnightly newsletters in your brand’s voice.

• Automation without the clutter: Once set up, Inkie creates and posts automatically to Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Bluesky (with TikTok and Pinterest on the way).

• Images included: Each post comes with a ready-to-use royalty-free image.

• Simple and consistent: One clear plan - no need to manage upgrades, user tiers, or account bundles.

• Small business friendly: Designed to give founders more time, not more admin.

  
  

Who each tool suits best

Hootsuite

• A strong choice for larger teams or agencies managing multiple clients.

• Great if you want advanced scheduling, analytics, and integration options.

• Pricing: From around £99/month for 1 user and 10 accounts; higher tiers cost more for additional users and features.

  
  

Inkie

• Best for small business owners who want their content written and scheduled automatically.

• Perfect if you don’t have time (or desire) to handle strategy, captions, and images yourself.

• Pricing: Free trial available, then £39/month for daily social posts, a weekly blog, and a fortnightly newsletter.