ComparisonsInstagramScheduling

6 Best Planoly Alternatives in 2026 (Tested & Compared)

Updated 19 January 2026
7 min read

Looking for a Planoly alternative? We tested the top Instagram scheduling tools to find the best options for visual planning, grid preview, and cross-platform posting.

Instagram grid planning interface showing visual content calendar for social media scheduling as Planoly alternative

Looking for a Planoly alternative? Whether you've outgrown Planoly's limits, want better cross-platform support, or need AI-powered features, this guide covers the 6 best alternatives in 2026.

TL;DR: Best Planoly Alternatives

Tool Best For Starting Price Free Plan
PostEverywhere AI + cross-platform $19/mo 7-day trial
Later Visual-first Instagram $25/mo Limited free
Buffer Simple scheduling $6/mo per channel Yes
Hootsuite Enterprise teams $99/mo No
Preview App Grid planning only Free Yes
Sked Social Agencies $59/mo 7-day trial

Our pick: PostEverywhere — best for creators who want AI captions, grid preview, and scheduling across Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and more.

Why Switch from Planoly?

Planoly is a solid Instagram-first tool, but users commonly switch because of:

  • Limited platform support — Planoly focuses on Instagram/Pinterest; no TikTok, YouTube, or LinkedIn
  • Restrictive free plan — Only 30 uploads per month on free tier
  • No AI features — Manual caption writing only
  • Pricing adds up — $13-33/month for basic features

If you need cross-platform scheduling, AI caption generation, or simply more value, here are your best options.


1. PostEverywhere — Best Overall Planoly Alternative

Best for: Creators and businesses who want AI-powered scheduling across all platforms.

PostEverywhere is built for modern creators who post to multiple platforms. Unlike Planoly's Instagram-only focus, you can schedule to Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, LinkedIn, X, Facebook, and Threads from one dashboard.

Key Features:

Pricing:

  • Starter: $19/month (3 social accounts)
  • Pro: $39/month (10 social accounts)
  • 7-day free trialStart here

Why choose PostEverywhere over Planoly:

✅ AI-powered captions and hashtags
✅ 7 platforms vs Planoly's 2
✅ Modern interface with content calendar
✅ Free tools: viral hooks, grid preview, bio generator

Try it free: PostEverywhere Instagram Scheduler — 7-day trial, no credit card required.


2. Later — Best for Visual-First Instagram Planning

Best for: Instagram-focused creators who prioritize grid aesthetics.

Later is Planoly's closest competitor. It's also visual-first with drag-and-drop grid planning and link-in-bio features.

Key Features:

  • Visual Instagram planner
  • Link in bio (Linkin.bio)
  • Best time suggestions
  • TikTok and Pinterest support

Pricing:

  • Starter: $25/month (1 social set)
  • Growth: $45/month (3 social sets)
  • Limited free plan available

Planoly vs Later:

Later offers better TikTok support than Planoly, but still lacks YouTube and LinkedIn. Both are Instagram-first tools with similar visual planning features.


3. Buffer — Best Budget-Friendly Option

Best for: Beginners and solopreneurs on a tight budget.

Buffer is one of the oldest social media schedulers. It's simple, reliable, and has a generous free plan.

Key Features:

  • Clean, simple interface
  • Basic analytics
  • Team collaboration
  • Browser extension

Pricing:

  • Free: 3 channels, 10 scheduled posts
  • Essentials: $6/month per channel
  • Team: $12/month per channel

Planoly vs Buffer:

Buffer is cheaper but lacks visual grid planning. If you don't need to preview your Instagram aesthetic, Buffer is a solid budget choice.

Related: Buffer Alternative


4. Hootsuite — Best for Enterprise Teams

Best for: Large teams and enterprises needing advanced features.

Hootsuite is the enterprise standard for social media management. It's powerful but complex and expensive.

Key Features:

  • Advanced analytics and reporting
  • Team workflows and approvals
  • Social listening
  • Ad management

Pricing:

  • Professional: $99/month
  • Team: $249/month
  • Enterprise: Custom pricing

Planoly vs Hootsuite:

Hootsuite is overkill for most creators. Choose it only if you need enterprise-grade features and have the budget.

Related: Hootsuite Alternative


5. Preview App — Best Free Grid Planner

Best for: Creators who only need grid preview (no scheduling).

Preview App is a free Instagram grid planner. It's simple—upload photos, drag to rearrange, visualize your feed.

Key Features:

  • Free grid preview
  • Filter editing
  • Hashtag manager
  • No auto-posting (manual publish only)

Pricing:

  • Free: Basic grid planning
  • Pro: $7/month for advanced features

Planoly vs Preview:

Preview is great for planning but doesn't auto-publish. You'll still need to manually post each photo. For a free grid previewer with scheduling, try our Instagram Grid Previewer.


6. Sked Social — Best for Agencies

Best for: Agencies managing multiple client accounts.

Sked Social (formerly Schedugram) is built for agencies with white-label features and client management.

Key Features:

  • Unlimited users
  • Client approval workflows
  • White-label reports
  • Auto-posting to Instagram

Pricing:

  • Fundamentals: $59/month
  • Essentials: $129/month
  • Professional: $249/month

Planoly vs Sked Social:

Sked Social is more expensive but offers agency-specific features Planoly lacks. Choose it if you manage 5+ client accounts.


Quick Comparison: Planoly Alternatives

Feature PostEverywhere Later Buffer Hootsuite Preview Sked
Instagram
TikTok
YouTube
LinkedIn
Grid Preview
AI Captions
Free Plan Trial Limited Yes No Yes Trial
Starting Price $19/mo $25/mo $6/mo $99/mo Free $59/mo

How to Choose the Right Planoly Alternative

Choose PostEverywhere if:

  • You post to Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and other platforms
  • You want AI-generated captions and hashtags
  • You need a modern content calendar

Choose Later if:

  • You're Instagram/Pinterest-only
  • Visual grid planning is your top priority
  • You need link-in-bio features

Choose Buffer if:

  • You're on a tight budget
  • You want simple, no-frills scheduling
  • You're just getting started

Choose Hootsuite if:

  • You're an enterprise team
  • You need advanced analytics and social listening
  • Budget isn't a concern

Free Tools to Complement Your Scheduler

Whichever alternative you choose, these free tools help optimize your Instagram:


FAQs

Is there a free Planoly alternative?

Yes. Buffer offers a free plan with 3 channels and 10 scheduled posts. Preview App is free for grid planning only. PostEverywhere offers a 7-day free trial with full features.

What's the best Planoly alternative for TikTok?

PostEverywhere supports TikTok scheduling with AI captions and cross-posting. Later also supports TikTok but lacks AI features.

Can I import my Planoly content?

Most tools let you reconnect your Instagram account and start fresh. Your existing scheduled posts in Planoly won't transfer, but you can download your media and re-upload.

Which Planoly alternative has the best grid preview?

PostEverywhere, Later, and Preview App all offer visual grid planning. PostEverywhere includes it free alongside full scheduling features.


Bottom Line

For most creators, PostEverywhere is the best Planoly alternative — you get AI-powered captions, cross-platform scheduling (Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, LinkedIn, X), and a visual content calendar at a competitive price.

If you're Instagram-only and budget-conscious, Later or Buffer are solid choices. For agencies, consider Sked Social.

Ready to switch? Try PostEverywhere free for 7 days — no credit card required. Schedule your first post in under 2 minutes.


Last updated: January 19, 2026

Jamie Partridge

Jamie Partridge

Founder & CEO of PostEverywhere

Jamie Partridge is the Founder & CEO of PostEverywhere. He writes about social media strategy, publishing workflows, and analytics that help brands grow faster with less effort.

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