Zoho Social vs Hootsuite 2026: Which Tool Wins?
TL;DR - Quick Answer
8 min readHootsuite 2026 offers better value with more features at a lower price. Zoho Social excels in simplicity but costs more for similar functionality.
Zoho Social: Best for Zoho CRM users on a budget. (Full Zoho Social review) Hootsuite: Best for enterprise social management. (Full Hootsuite review)
Budget-conscious Zoho users pick Zoho Social. Enterprises pick Hootsuite.
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30-Second Answer
Pricing Comparison
Zoho Social
Hootsuite
Key difference: Zoho Social is 6-7x cheaper than Hootsuite for solo users. Compare all options in our scheduler guide.
You're a solo marketer wanting social scheduling. Which saves more annually?
💡 Tip: Think carefully before selecting your answer!
Where Each Tool Wins
Zoho Social Wins: Price
Dramatically more affordable:
- Free plan available
- $15/month standard
- 6-7x cheaper than Hootsuite
- Annual discount up to 33%
Hootsuite starts at $99/month.
Hootsuite Wins: AI Content
OwlyWriter AI included:
- Caption generation
- Content ideas
- Repurposing help
- Hashtag suggestions
Zoho Social has no AI content generation.
You need AI-powered content generation. Which tool?
💡 Tip: Think carefully before selecting your answer!
Zoho Social Wins: CRM Integration
Deep Zoho ecosystem:
- Zoho CRM direct integration
- Lead capture from social
- Contact enrichment
- Sales team alignment
Hootsuite has limited CRM integrations.
Hootsuite Wins: Social Listening
Brand monitoring (add-on):
- Mention tracking
- Sentiment analysis
- Trend monitoring
- Competitor tracking
Zoho Social has no listening features.
Feature Comparison
You use Zoho CRM and want social-CRM integration. Which tool?
💡 Tip: Think carefully before selecting your answer!
Cost Comparison
Insight: Zoho Social saves $828-$1,600+ per year depending on team size.
Who Should Pick What
Choose Zoho Social if you:
- Use Zoho CRM
- Have tight budget
- Want free option
- Need CRM integration
- Are solo or small team
Choose Hootsuite if you:
- Need AI content
- Want social listening
- Have enterprise budget
- Need team collaboration
- Want unified inbox
Neither Is Perfect
Both tools lack:
Better Alternative
Want affordable pricing AND AI content?
Try SocialRails free →Final decision: Zoho CRM user on tight budget. Best choice?
💡 Tip: Think carefully before selecting your answer!
Quick Answers
Which is cheaper? Zoho Social. About 6-7x less expensive.
Which has AI content? Only Hootsuite with OwlyWriter.
Which has Zoho CRM integration? Only Zoho Social.
Which has social listening? Only Hootsuite (as add-on).
Which has free plan? Only Zoho Social.
Bottom Line
Zoho Social: Best for Zoho CRM users who want affordable social management.
Hootsuite: Best for enterprises who need AI content and full features.
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