If you are looking for a platform to automate social media posts, you’ll probably encounter both Hootsuite and Tweetdeck on your search. The question is…which one do you need? Each of these tools offer several great features, so I will cover some of their similar functions and how they differ. Hootsuite offers both a free and paid version, but I’ll be referring only to the paid (pro) version. Keep reading for my showdown of Hootsuite VS Tweetdeck…
Both Hootsuite and Tweetdeck offer:
- The ability to schedule social media posts in advance.
- Custom streams to track keywords and searches.
- Option to create lists to track new followers or other activity.
- The ability to monitor trending topics and hashtags.
- Custom link shorteners (bit.ly or ow.ly).
- A free mobile app for your smartphone.
A few things only Hootsuite offers:
- Access to third-party apps such as Tumblr, Instagram, and Youtube.
- The ability to include social networks other than Facebook and Twitter, such as Google+, Foursquare, LinkedIn, and Myspace.
- Functionality to create teams to work on projects.
- Basic analytics to create custom reports.
- The option to auto-post from your WordPress blog to your social networks.
- Google Analytics integration.
A few things only Tweetdeck offers:
- The service is always free, no matter how many social networks are connected.
- A custom stream to see activity from those you follow or who follow you.
- All social profiles are represented on one page within the program.
- This tool can be used through Google Chrome Apps.
In the end, it really just depends on what you or your company needs. If you are only interested in scheduling tweets and Facebook updates, then Tweetdeck may be a great choice for you. However, if you need to include some other social networks, you may have to shell out a little each month for Hootsuite Pro.
There are a lot of other tools that do these same things, but Hootsuite and Tweetdeck are by far the most popular. Do you have a tool you would recommend over either of these?
Comments 12
Nice review of the main features of these two applications. I’ve been using TweetDeck for quite awhile now. Have used Twhirl, Seesmic, Hootsuite and a couple of others here and there. Generally I’ve come to find I prefer TweetDeck, but Hootsuite has some features that would be nice to have.
Author
Thanks for reading Bnpositive!
If TweetDeck can be used through Chrome, why would it not work with G+?
Also, what about Instagram? RSS feeds?
thanks
Author
That’s a great question, Pete. Maybe it’s in the works…it’s handy to have it as a Chrome app though!
Hootsuite does have the option of using Instagram as an installed application. Here’s Hootsuite’s summary of how it works:
“The popular photo sharing application is now available for HootSuite. The Instagram app allows you to view and search for photos, view and add comments and likes, filter the stream to view various feeds, share photos to your social networks and more.”
Hootsuite also allows a similar app for RSS feeds. You can add feeds individually or use OPML files to import multiple feeds. Then you can set up custom streams within Hootsuite. Pretty cool stuff!
Are you using Hootsuite?
Just started using TweetDeck and it’s pretty cool. Wouldn’t have mind seeing a little more indepth comparison tho.
Author
Glad you’re liking TweetDeck. Are there any specific questions about these two platforms I can answer for you?
I love love love contentdj- I got spoiled during a 2 week trial but the minimum subscription that would meet my needs was $20/ mo and I wasn’t willing to pay that. There is no scaled down free version after the trial, either- the minimum option was $9 a month and offered the level of use you get for free at hootsuite. It is a shame, their interface and scheduling were so easy, and the content was easy to get, easy to share. it was a superior product and I cried to go back to hootsuite, frankly, but their prices are not reasonable. Yes it is great, but not double the price great…
$20 per month is a bit steep, but it looks like Content DJ has some great features.
Good comparison ! I use both tweetdeck and hootsuite. However, hootsuite is a better option when it comes to sharing content or post to multiple social networking sites. Thanks for the article. 🙂
Thanks for reading. I actually use both too. I agree with you that Hootsuite is the best option, generally speaking for most social accounts.
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I like to read about comparing Hootsuite against Socialzing. Please write an article comparing this two programs