Quick Overview
- 1#1: Sprout Social - Comprehensive social media management platform with a smart inbox for CRM-style customer engagement, listening, publishing, and analytics.
- 2#2: Agorapulse - Social media tool featuring a powerful unified inbox, CRM integrations, team collaboration, and detailed reporting for customer interactions.
- 3#3: Hootsuite - Enterprise-grade social media platform with streams for monitoring, engagement inbox, scheduling, and CRM syncs to manage customer relationships.
- 4#4: Sendible - White-label social media management software with client-specific dashboards, unified inbox, and automation for CRM-like agency workflows.
- 5#5: Brandwatch - Advanced social listening and analytics platform that builds consumer intelligence profiles for enhanced CRM decision-making.
- 6#6: Zoho Social - Social media management integrated with Zoho CRM for seamless publishing, monitoring, engagement, and lead generation.
- 7#7: SocialPilot - Affordable social media scheduler with team inbox, client approvals, analytics, and CRM integrations for efficient customer management.
- 8#8: Loomly - Collaborative social media calendar and management tool with post previews, engagement tracking, and workflow features akin to CRM.
- 9#9: Buffer - Simple social media scheduling and analytics platform with reply inbox and audience insights for basic CRM functions.
- 10#10: eClincher - All-in-one social media platform with auto-publishing, unified inbox, visual calendar, and CRM integrations for engagement management.
We ranked tools by assessing core features like unified inboxes, CRM integrations, automation, and analytics, alongside factors such as usability, reliability, and value, to highlight those that excel in balancing functionality and practicality for diverse needs.
Comparison Table
This comparison table guides readers in evaluating top social media CRM software, including Sprout Social, Agorapulse, Hootsuite, Sendible, Brandwatch, and more, by outlining features, pricing models, and integrations to support informed decisions.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sprout Social Comprehensive social media management platform with a smart inbox for CRM-style customer engagement, listening, publishing, and analytics. | specialized | 9.5/10 | 9.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.8/10 |
| 2 | Agorapulse Social media tool featuring a powerful unified inbox, CRM integrations, team collaboration, and detailed reporting for customer interactions. | specialized | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 3 | Hootsuite Enterprise-grade social media platform with streams for monitoring, engagement inbox, scheduling, and CRM syncs to manage customer relationships. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 4 | Sendible White-label social media management software with client-specific dashboards, unified inbox, and automation for CRM-like agency workflows. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 9.0/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 5 | Brandwatch Advanced social listening and analytics platform that builds consumer intelligence profiles for enhanced CRM decision-making. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.4/10 | 7.2/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 6 | Zoho Social Social media management integrated with Zoho CRM for seamless publishing, monitoring, engagement, and lead generation. | enterprise | 8.6/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.1/10 |
| 7 | SocialPilot Affordable social media scheduler with team inbox, client approvals, analytics, and CRM integrations for efficient customer management. | specialized | 8.6/10 | 8.7/10 | 9.1/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 8 | Loomly Collaborative social media calendar and management tool with post previews, engagement tracking, and workflow features akin to CRM. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 9 | Buffer Simple social media scheduling and analytics platform with reply inbox and audience insights for basic CRM functions. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 9.4/10 | 8.6/10 |
| 10 | eClincher All-in-one social media platform with auto-publishing, unified inbox, visual calendar, and CRM integrations for engagement management. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.0/10 |
Comprehensive social media management platform with a smart inbox for CRM-style customer engagement, listening, publishing, and analytics.
Social media tool featuring a powerful unified inbox, CRM integrations, team collaboration, and detailed reporting for customer interactions.
Enterprise-grade social media platform with streams for monitoring, engagement inbox, scheduling, and CRM syncs to manage customer relationships.
White-label social media management software with client-specific dashboards, unified inbox, and automation for CRM-like agency workflows.
Advanced social listening and analytics platform that builds consumer intelligence profiles for enhanced CRM decision-making.
Social media management integrated with Zoho CRM for seamless publishing, monitoring, engagement, and lead generation.
Affordable social media scheduler with team inbox, client approvals, analytics, and CRM integrations for efficient customer management.
Collaborative social media calendar and management tool with post previews, engagement tracking, and workflow features akin to CRM.
Simple social media scheduling and analytics platform with reply inbox and audience insights for basic CRM functions.
All-in-one social media platform with auto-publishing, unified inbox, visual calendar, and CRM integrations for engagement management.
Sprout Social
specializedComprehensive social media management platform with a smart inbox for CRM-style customer engagement, listening, publishing, and analytics.
Smart Inbox with AI-powered message prioritization and collaborative response tools
Sprout Social is a comprehensive social media management platform that serves as a powerful CRM solution for handling customer interactions across multiple social channels. It offers unified inboxes for messaging, advanced publishing tools with optimal send times, robust analytics, and social listening to track brand mentions and trends. The platform enables teams to build detailed customer profiles, automate workflows, and generate insightful reports, making it ideal for scaling social media strategies with CRM integration.
Pros
- Unified Smart Inbox for streamlined engagement across channels
- Advanced analytics and reporting with customizable dashboards
- Excellent social listening and CRM tools for customer relationship management
Cons
- High pricing may deter small businesses or solopreneurs
- Steeper learning curve for advanced customization
- Limited native support for some emerging social platforms
Best For
Mid-sized to enterprise teams managing complex social media operations and customer relationships at scale.
Pricing
Starts at $249/user/month (Standard), $399 (Professional), $499 (Advanced); Enterprise custom; billed annually with 30-day free trial.
Agorapulse
specializedSocial media tool featuring a powerful unified inbox, CRM integrations, team collaboration, and detailed reporting for customer interactions.
Unified Social Inbox with case management for turning conversations into actionable CRM leads
Agorapulse is a comprehensive social media management platform with strong CRM capabilities, enabling teams to schedule posts, monitor mentions, and manage customer interactions across platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and TikTok. It features a unified inbox for handling messages, comments, and reviews in one place, with tools for assigning conversations, setting labels, and tracking leads. Advanced reporting and analytics help users measure performance and ROI, while automation features streamline workflows for agencies and brands.
Pros
- Unified inbox with CRM-style conversation management and assignments
- Powerful custom reporting and analytics dashboards
- Flexible scheduling with smart queues and evergreen calendars
Cons
- Higher pricing tiers may not suit very small teams
- Limited native support for some emerging platforms
- Advanced features have a moderate learning curve
Best For
Mid-sized businesses, agencies, and social media teams managing multiple accounts who need robust conversation tracking and reporting.
Pricing
Starts at $79/user/month (Professional plan, billed annually) up to custom Enterprise pricing; free 30-day trial available.
Hootsuite
enterpriseEnterprise-grade social media platform with streams for monitoring, engagement inbox, scheduling, and CRM syncs to manage customer relationships.
Unified Inbox for aggregating and responding to messages, mentions, and DMs from all connected platforms in one view
Hootsuite is a robust social media management platform that serves as a CRM solution by centralizing post scheduling, social listening, engagement, and analytics across major networks like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and more. It features a unified inbox for handling messages and mentions, team collaboration tools with approvals, and integrations with CRM systems like Salesforce for streamlined customer interactions. With AI-powered content suggestions via OwlyWriter, it helps teams maintain consistent social presence while tracking ROI effectively.
Pros
- Comprehensive multi-platform support for 100+ profiles and apps
- Advanced analytics, custom reports, and social listening capabilities
- Strong team collaboration with assignment, approvals, and permissions
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to complex dashboard
- Higher pricing tiers limit accessibility for small businesses
- Free plan is very limited with only 2 social accounts and 5 scheduled posts
Best For
Mid-sized businesses, agencies, and enterprises managing multiple social accounts with team-based workflows.
Pricing
Professional starts at $99/user/month (annual), Team at $249/user/month, Enterprise custom; 30-day free trial available.
Sendible
specializedWhite-label social media management software with client-specific dashboards, unified inbox, and automation for CRM-like agency workflows.
White-label client portals with automated, customizable reports
Sendible is a comprehensive social media management platform tailored for agencies and marketing teams managing multiple client accounts. It enables scheduling, publishing, monitoring engagement, and generating white-label reports across major platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and more. The tool excels in collaboration features, including client approval workflows and customizable dashboards, making it ideal for streamlining social media CRM tasks.
Pros
- Robust white-label reporting and client dashboards for agencies
- Advanced scheduling with approval workflows and RSS feeds
- Strong integrations with 70+ apps and detailed analytics
Cons
- Steep pricing for larger teams and more profiles
- Interface feels dated compared to newer competitors
- Limited built-in listening tools beyond basic monitoring
Best For
Social media agencies and teams managing multiple client accounts who need white-label reporting and collaboration tools.
Pricing
Plans start at $29/mo (Creator, 1 user/6 profiles), up to $329/mo (Collaboration, 10 users/150 profiles); billed annually with a 14-day free trial.
Brandwatch
enterpriseAdvanced social listening and analytics platform that builds consumer intelligence profiles for enhanced CRM decision-making.
Iris AI, which automates insight discovery from massive datasets, turning raw social data into actionable stories
Brandwatch is a powerful social listening and analytics platform that excels in monitoring vast amounts of social media data, providing deep insights into brand mentions, sentiment, trends, and audience behavior. It includes engagement tools for responding to conversations and integrates with CRM systems for enhanced customer management. While not a full-fledged publishing or scheduling suite, it supports data-driven social CRM strategies for enterprises.
Pros
- Unmatched depth in social listening and AI-powered insights like Iris for automated analysis
- Real-time alerts and customizable dashboards for proactive monitoring
- Strong integrations with CRM tools like Salesforce for seamless workflows
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to complex interface and advanced features
- High cost limits accessibility for small to mid-sized businesses
- Limited native publishing and scheduling compared to dedicated CRM tools
Best For
Large enterprises and agencies needing advanced social intelligence and measurement alongside basic engagement capabilities.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing upon request; typically starts at $1,000+ per month, with higher tiers for full features and support.
Zoho Social
enterpriseSocial media management integrated with Zoho CRM for seamless publishing, monitoring, engagement, and lead generation.
Native Zoho CRM integration that syncs social interactions directly into customer records for enhanced CRM workflows
Zoho Social is a robust social media management platform designed for scheduling posts, monitoring mentions, engaging with audiences, and generating analytics across major networks like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and more. It excels in team collaboration features such as content approval workflows and shared inboxes, while offering seamless integration with Zoho's CRM ecosystem for streamlined customer relationship management. The tool also includes listening streams, custom reports, and mobile accessibility, making it suitable for businesses aiming to centralize social efforts.
Pros
- Seamless integration with Zoho CRM and other Zoho apps for unified customer management
- Affordable pricing with a generous free plan for single brands
- Strong team collaboration tools including approvals and shared publishing
Cons
- User interface feels somewhat dated and less intuitive than modern competitors
- Limited support for emerging platforms like TikTok (business accounts only)
- Advanced automation and AI features lag behind top-tier tools
Best For
Small to mid-sized businesses using Zoho's ecosystem or seeking cost-effective social media management with CRM ties.
Pricing
Free for 1 brand; Standard at $15/brand/mo (billed annually), Professional at $35/brand/mo, Agency at $225/mo for 15 brands (all with annual discounts).
SocialPilot
specializedAffordable social media scheduler with team inbox, client approvals, analytics, and CRM integrations for efficient customer management.
White-label client dashboards and customizable reports for agency branding
SocialPilot is a robust social media management platform that enables users to schedule, publish, and analyze posts across major networks like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, TikTok, and Google Business Profile. It features a visual content calendar, bulk scheduling, team collaboration tools, and unified inbox for engagement. Designed for agencies and teams, it includes client approval workflows and white-label reporting for streamlined multi-account management.
Pros
- Affordable pricing with strong value for agencies
- Intuitive visual calendar and bulk scheduling
- Excellent team collaboration and client management tools
Cons
- Limited advanced social listening capabilities
- Customer support lacks live chat for lower plans
- Fewer third-party integrations than top competitors
Best For
Small to mid-sized agencies and marketing teams managing multiple client social accounts on a budget.
Pricing
Starts at $30/month (Professional plan for 10 accounts), up to $300/month (Agency plan for 500+ accounts); 14-day free trial available.
Loomly
specializedCollaborative social media calendar and management tool with post previews, engagement tracking, and workflow features akin to CRM.
Universal Content Calendar with drag-and-drop scheduling, multi-platform previews, and real-time collaboration.
Loomly is a user-friendly social media management platform that focuses on content planning, scheduling, and publishing across networks like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok, and Pinterest. It supports team collaboration through approval workflows, content calendars, and asset libraries, while offering basic engagement tools for monitoring comments, mentions, and direct messages. As a social media CRM solution, it provides post analytics, performance reports, and optimization suggestions to help manage customer interactions and track campaign effectiveness.
Pros
- Intuitive visual calendar for easy planning and scheduling
- Strong team collaboration with approval workflows and comments
- Comprehensive analytics and auto-best-time-to-publish
Cons
- Limited advanced social listening and CRM integrations
- Fewer third-party app connections than top competitors
- Pricing scales quickly for larger teams or more profiles
Best For
Small to mid-sized marketing teams and agencies prioritizing collaborative content workflows with basic social engagement management.
Pricing
Starts at $32/month (billed annually) for Base plan (3 social accounts, 3 users); tiers up to $159/month for Business, with custom Enterprise options.
Buffer
specializedSimple social media scheduling and analytics platform with reply inbox and audience insights for basic CRM functions.
The intelligent Queue that automatically schedules and spaces out posts at optimal times
Buffer is a user-friendly social media management tool focused on scheduling and publishing posts across platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok, and Pinterest. It offers a content queue for automated posting at optimal times, basic analytics for performance tracking, and team collaboration features including approvals and analytics sharing. While strong in simplicity and efficiency, it provides limited depth in engagement monitoring and CRM functionalities compared to more robust social CRM solutions.
Pros
- Intuitive interface with drag-and-drop scheduling
- Generous free plan and affordable per-channel pricing
- Supports wide range of social platforms and auto-publishing
Cons
- Basic analytics without advanced segmentation or forecasting
- Limited in-depth engagement and response management tools
- Lacks comprehensive CRM features like customer data integration
Best For
Freelancers, small businesses, and content creators seeking simple, efficient social media scheduling without complex CRM needs.
Pricing
Free plan for 3 channels; Essentials starts at $6/channel/month, Team at $12/channel/month (billed annually).
eClincher
specializedAll-in-one social media platform with auto-publishing, unified inbox, visual calendar, and CRM integrations for engagement management.
Visual Calendar with drag-and-drop planning and true multi-platform auto-publishing previews
eClincher is a comprehensive social media management platform that allows users to schedule posts, manage multiple social accounts, and track performance analytics across platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and more. It includes CRM features for capturing leads from social interactions, managing contacts, and facilitating team collaboration. The tool emphasizes content curation from RSS feeds and libraries, visual planning calendars, and automated publishing to streamline workflows for businesses.
Pros
- Supports scheduling and publishing across 20+ social platforms with a visual calendar
- Built-in content curation and RSS integration for easy post creation
- Solid analytics and basic CRM for lead tracking and team collaboration
Cons
- CRM features are somewhat basic compared to dedicated tools
- Limited third-party integrations beyond core social networks
- Mobile app lacks full desktop functionality
Best For
Small to medium-sized businesses and agencies seeking an affordable all-in-one tool for social scheduling and basic CRM without advanced enterprise needs.
Pricing
Starts at $59/month (Connect plan for 10 profiles), $99/month (Premier for 25 profiles), with custom Enterprise pricing; 14-day free trial available.
Conclusion
After thorough review, the top social media CRM tools showcase diverse strengths, with Sprout Social leading as the top choice for its comprehensive management and CRM-style engagement. Agorapulse impresses with its unified inbox and collaboration features, while Hootsuite stands out for enterprise-grade syncing, making each a strong pick depending on specific needs. Together, they offer robust solutions to elevate social customer relationships.
Ready to transform your social interactions? Start with Sprout Social—the top-ranked tool—to turn connections into lasting customer relationships today.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison
