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Instagram schedulers come with all kinds of features, tools, and integrations. You know you need one. But which one is right for you?
One of the biggest challenges for any social media manager is how to streamline the posting process. That’s particularly true on Instagram, where posting regularly and at the right times can make or break your Instagram strategy.
Whether you’re managing multiple accounts or looking to streamline your social media efforts, the right Instagram scheduler will make a world of difference. But with so many options available, which one is the best fit for you?.
In this article, we’ll break down the best Instagram scheduling tools for 2024 and show you how to find the right scheduler for your needs.
What to look for in the best Instagram scheduling tools
When selecting an Instagram scheduler, prioritize tools that offer user-friendly interfaces, efficient post scheduling, and flexible content planning.
Look for features like auto-publishing, which automatically posts content based on your schedule, and visual planners that help you organize your feed.
Multiple account management is essential for businesses or agencies handling various clients.
Analytics integration is also crucial for tracking engagement and refining your strategy. Finally, make sure the tool is mobile-optimized for on-the-go use and offers cross-platform functionality to streamline your social media workflow.
Key features
- Scheduling for advanced post types. A good Instagram scheduler allows you to schedule not only standard posts but also advanced post types like carousels, Stories, and Reels. This flexibility ensures your content strategy covers all Instagram formats and maximizes engagement opportunities.
- Visual Instagram feed planner. A visual planner helps you preview what your posts will look like on the grid, ensuring your feed looks cohesive and matches your brand vibe.
- Best time to post recommendations. The best Instagram scheduling tools will suggest the best times to post based on your audience's activity, so your content gets maximum reach and engagement.
- Link in bio tools. The best Instagram schedulers include link in bio tools, allowing you to direct followers to multiple destinations from a single bio link. This feature is essential for brands looking to drive traffic to various platforms.
- Multi-channel publishing. You’ll want an Instagram scheduling tool that lets you publish on multiple platforms from one place, saving you time and helping you manage your social strategy across channels.
Our picks for 2024’s best Instagram scheduling apps
- Sked Social. Best Instagram scheduler for brands and social media agencies.
- Buffer. Best Instagram scheduler for simple, user-friendly scheduling.
- Later. Best Instagram scheduler for visual content planning and management.
- Tailwind. Best Instagram scheduler for small businesses and Pinterest users.
Other platforms to consider
Collaborate effortlessly, save time and spend less
Why settle for a lackluster social media management tool when you could be using Sked Social? With unlimited collaborator access, streamlined approvals and advanced auto-post technology that lets you schedule to all major platforms, Sked Social offers everything you need.
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1. Sked Social
As one of the only Instagram-first social media schedulers, Sked Social stands out as one of the best Instagram schedulers for brands and agencies.
It supports scheduling and publishing all Instagram post types—single images, carousels, Stories, and Reels. Sked allows users to batch upload content, auto-publish posts without needing push notifications, and schedule months in advance.
With a drag-and-drop calendar, it simplifies planning and makes content organization seamless. Paired with advanced analytics and AI-powered caption suggestions, Sked Social is really an all-in-one powerhouse for optimizing both content creation and engagement.
Best for
Sked Social is ideal for larger brands, franchises, and social media agencies that need a versatile and reliable Instagram scheduling tool. It's especially useful for businesses that require batch scheduling, team collaboration, and data-driven posting strategies.
Key features
- Scheduling for all post types: Auto-schedule reels, carousels, stories, and more.
- Drag and drop Instagram planner: Visual calendar for seamless content planning.
- Link in bio: Create customized landing pages from your Instagram bio.
- AI captions: Auto-generate smart captions based on content.
- Advanced Instagram analytics: Sked comes with detailed performance metrics for better insights.
Pros
- Easy advanced post scheduling to auto-post all Instagram content types.
- Comes with smart timing recommendations to optimize posts.
- Manage and schedule content across multiple social platforms.
- Collaborate with unlimited users, streamlining your workflow.
Cons
- Expensive for individuals, more suited to larger teams.
- With its extensive features, Sked can be more challenging for beginners.
Customers say
“I've seen HUGE gains in our Insta this year and we're finally earning income off of our Insta and I know Sked Social is a huge part of that.” - Source
“You can auto-publish gallery posts on Instagram, as well as stories and reels. Great for saving time! The Sked Link feature is also hugely useful for our Instagram profile.” - Source
“I use this software primarily for Instagram management, it is very easy to use and has all the features I could need for a small-mid size business.” - Source
Cost
Plans start at $59/month for Essentials, $199/month Professional for enhanced collaboration and approval workflows.
2. Buffer
Buffer is one of the top post schedulers for Instagram and other social channels.
As one of the OG social media schedulers, Buffer has a range of advanced features. is one of the leading post schedulers for Instagram and other social channels. Its user-friendly interface, robust scheduling, and one of the best queueing systems make it a top choice for those managing multiple social accounts. With built-in analytics and post optimization tools, it’s ideal for improving Instagram strategies.
While Buffer excels at post scheduling and simplicity, Sked Social offers more advanced multi-platform scheduling, deeper Instagram analytics, and features like auto-publishing for Stories and Reels. Sked’s detailed performance tracking also makes it a stronger option for brands managing complex campaigns.
Best for
Buffer is best for small businesses, social media managers, and creators who want a straightforward, reliable tool for managing posts across multiple channels, with a focus on Instagram scheduling and analytics.
Key features
- Smart scheduling queues: Automatically posts at optimal times.
- Built-in analytics: Track engagement and post performance.
- Visual calendar: Preview, plan and manage posts easily.
Pros
- Easy to learn, user-friendly interface.
- Multi-platform support and ability to schedule across social platforms.
- Affordable pricing for smaller teams and individuals.
Cons
- Basic Instagram analytics compared to competitors.
- acks native post scheduling for Instagram Stories and carousels.
- Paid plan can be expensive for multiple accounts.
Customers say
“Buffer is easy to use, many social media such as Facebook and Instagram can be integrated with it, and it really makes life easier. You could once a month schedule all the posts and leave Buffer do the job.” Source
“I really like the capabilities of being able to publish to three platforms, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. [But] I had a heck of a time connecting Instagram and Facebook to Buffer.” Source
Cost
Buffer offers a free plan with basic features, while paid plans start at $5/month for one channel, up to the $100/month Agency plan for 10 channels.
3. Later
Later supports a wide range of platforms, including Facebook, TikTok ,and Pinterest. But more than any other platform, Later focuses on planning, managing, and scheduling content for Instagram. That focus makes it one of the best Instagram scheduling apps available in 2024.
In terms of functionality for that platform, Later doesn’t disappoint. It has all the features you’d expect—like easy-to-use scheduling and analytics. It also includes advanced tools and features perfect for Instagram, including a visual feed planner, UGC tools, and a link in bio tool.
While Later is a powerful tool for Instagram scheduling, Sked Social offers more advanced features like auto-publishing for Stories and Reels, along with more robust analytics. Sked's multi-platform scheduling and better Instagram performance tracking give it the edge for larger social media campaigns.
Best for
Later is best for influencers, small businesses, and social media managers focused mainly on Instagram. It’s ideal for users who want to visually plan their feed and easily manage their Instagram content with basic analytics and scheduling tools.
Key features
- Visual Instagram feed planner: Organize and preview your posts.
- Link in bio tool: Direct followers to multiple links from one hub.
- UGC (User-generated content) tools: Easily share content from your audience.
Pros
- Specially tailored features focused on Instagram users.
- Visual drag-and-drop calendar simplifies Instagram content scheduling.
- Instagram-specific tools for planning and previewing feeds before posting.
Cons
- Limited analytics and reporting features on lower-tier plans.
- Lacks support for Instagram Stories auto-publishing.
- Limited post types compared to other platforms.
Customers say
“It was extremely easy to schedule posts on several different accounts and manage media assets. Instagram analytics were also helpful in growing the company's following.” Source
“I ran into many hurdles when trying to automate/schedule Instagram stories and tag people on LinkedIn, which is ultimately what made me decide to leave. “ Source
Cost
Free for 1 set including 1 Instagram account and 5 posts/month; paid plans start at $25/month
See how Later stacks up against Sked Social in our Later vs. Sked Social comparison.
4. Tailwind
Tailwind stands out from other social media schedulers for its focus on visual content. Unlike other schedulers on this list, Tailwind only supports two platforms: Pinterest and Instagram. But that focus on visual content makes it one of the top apps for planning, scheduling, and publishing Instagram posts.
Tailwind excels in simplifying Instagram scheduling with its visual planning tools and hashtag finder. It’s particularly strong in content organization, making it easy to streamline workflows for posts and stories. With features like smart scheduling, users can optimize their posting times for better engagement.
While Tailwind is excellent for content organization and scheduling, you might look elsewhere for more in depth Instagram-specific features, such as deeper analytics and auto-publishing for all post types, including Stories and carousels.
Best for
Tailwind is best suited for small businesses, influencers, and bloggers who need a simple and visual Instagram scheduler with strong content planning features
Key features
- Visual content planning calendar.
- Smart scheduling for optimized posting times.
- Hashtag finder for better Instagram reach.
Pros
- The visual planner is easy to use and intuitive.
- Excellent for both Instagram and Pinterest scheduling.
- Affordable for smaller businesses and individual creators.
Cons
- Limited analytics compared to other platforms.
- No auto-publishing for Instagram Stories or carousels.
- Fewer collaboration tools for large teams.
Customers say
“Overall very good. When I had a double account for Instagram and Pinterest… I recommend it to people all the time.” Source
“Yes, it does what it says… but it's too expensive for small businesses, even if you pay annually.” Source
Cost
Free plans are available, with the Pro plan starting at $15/month up to $50/month for the Max plan for unlimited access.
5. Sprout Social
When we say Sprout Social is comprehensive, we really mean it. Sprout is much more than a social media scheduler—it’s software for nearly every aspect of your social media management. That alone makes it one of the best Instagram post scheduling apps on the market.
From scheduling to analytics, listening to collaboration, and (almost) everything in between, Sprout Social is a leading solution for social media managers. And thanks to its features, Sprout is near the top of the list when it comes to Instagram scheduling and auto-posting.
Sprout’s core strength is its social listening tool, which helps you uncover and get in depth on what’s trending, and Sprout uses artificial intelligence (AI) to comb through social networks.
If you’re managing multiple accounts or require in-depth reporting to refine your Instagram strategy, Sprout is a great fit. However, if you primarily need Instagram Stories auto-publishing or a more budget-friendly option, other platforms might suit smaller teams or businesses better.
See how Sprout Social stacks up against Sked Social in our Sprout Social vs. Sked Social comparison or check out our breakdown of Sprout Social's top competitors.
Best for
Brands, agencies, and larger teams that need a comprehensive tool for Instagram scheduling and management with a focus on social listening.
Key features
- Auto-publish posts: Seamlessly schedule and automatically post Instagram photos, videos, and carousels.
- Visual content calendar: Drag-and-drop posts to plan your Instagram content ahead with ease.
- In-depth analytics: Dive deep into post performance, engagement rates, and follower insights.
Pros
- An all-in-one tool with a wide range of advanced features.
- Ideal for teams, with built-in collaboration tools.
- Comprehensive reporting for brands that need in-depth data.
Cons
- Higher price point compared to other platforms.
- Can’t auto-publish Instagram Stories directly.
- Takes time to get a handle on the advanced features.
Customers say
“By using Sprout Social, we are able to gather valuable intelligence about our customers and utilize them to improve our overall social media strategy.” Source
”This is more of an API functionality, but Instagram posting is not the easiest because it doesn't schedule it out. It only sends a push notification with the post and then the user still has to manually” Source
Cost
Prices start at $199/month (when billed annually) for a Standard plan, up to $399/month for Advanced.
6. Hootsuite
Hootsuite is another household name in the world of Instagram scheduling tools. And like Sprout Social, it has all sorts of features you didn’t even know you needed.
As you’d expect, Hootsuite allows you to bulk upload and schedule hundreds of social media Instagram posts all at once. Hootsuite ’s browser extension and mobile app also make it easy to schedule posts from anywhere.
Another cool feature of Hootsuite is that it empowers you to find relevant content that you can share or repost. You can search by hashtag, location, or keyword to find existing posts that you can curate and share to your own account.
While Hootsuite excels in bulk scheduling and content discovery, Sked stands out with more Instagram-specific features, such as auto-publishing Stories and carousels, which Hootsuite lacks.
Explore top alternatives to Hootsuite and our Hootsuite vs. Sked Social comparison guide.
Best for
Hootsuite is ideal for businesses, agencies, and large social media teams that need to manage multiple accounts across various platforms. It’s especially useful for those looking for bulk scheduling.
Key features
- Content calendar: Visualize and organize Instagram posts with a drag-and-drop calenda
- Post scheduling and auto-publishing: Schedule and auto-publish Instagram posts, including videos and carousels.
- Analytics and reporting: Track post performance and audience engagement with Instagram-specific analytics.
Pros
- Great for handling large volumes of content across multiple platforms.
- Content curation through hashtags, keywords, and location search.
- Strong team collaboration tools, ideal for agencies.
Cons
- Higher cost compared to Instagram-focused tools.
- Not as visual and hard to plan your Instagram feed’s aesthetic.
- No native auto-publishing for Instagram Stories.
Customers say
“I have used Hootsuite for doing social media management (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) for our company's social media handles. The process is very efficient and simple.” Source
“Most of my dislikes I assume are the social media applications restraints, such as not being able to tag accounts for Instagram.” Source
Cost
Professional account starts at $99/month for 1 user and 10 accounts.
7. Iconosquare
Iconosquare positions itself as a comprehensive social media management suite at a cost-effective rate, ideal for teams who desire functionality without straining their budgets.
Iconosquare allows users to schedule Instagram posts, carousels, and videos with detailed analytics on post performance. The platform also provides a visual content calendar, making it easy to plan and organize content ahead of time.
While Iconosquare handles Instagram post scheduling, Sked offers more Instagram-specific features like auto-publishing for Stories and carousels without needing push notifications. Sked also supports batch uploads for quicker content management.
Best for
Best for those needing a strong combination of post scheduling and in-depth Instagram analytics to guide their future content strategies.
Key features
- Visual content calendar for Instagram scheduling.
- Post scheduling so you can set and forgetvyour content in advance.
- Post performance analytics with detailed insights.
Pros
- Allows scheduling of Instagram carousels and videos.
- The visual planner makes content organization easier.
- In-depth analytics to guide future activities and content across Instagram, Facebook, X, LinkedIn, and TikTok.
Cons
- No auto-publishing for Instagram Stories.
- Push notifications required for some post types.
- Costly pricing tiers may be high for smaller businesses.
Customers say
“Iconosquare makes it easy for my team to schedule content across multiple social channels, tag content, and analyze metrics.” Source
“Adding new accounts was a consistent issue for me. Despite having "full admin access" on many accounts, I would run into limitations on which Facebook and Instagram pages could be filtered into the program..” Source
Cost
Offers 3 main packages, including: Single- $49/month Teams– $79/month and Custom tailored pricing for bigger agencies.
8 .SocialBee
SocialBee is a social media management platform known for its category-based scheduling and content recycling features. It's designed to help businesses efficiently manage social accounts like Instagram.
SocialBee allows users to schedule Instagram posts in bulk and organize them into categories, making content management simple. Its emphasis on content recycling helps ensure that evergreen posts are reshared regularly, optimizing audience engagement over time.
While SocialBee excels in content recycling and category-based scheduling, other platforms like Sked offer more advanced Instagram-specific features, such as direct auto-publishing for Stories and deeper Instagram analytics.
Best for
SocialBee is perfect for small businesses, solopreneurs, and marketers looking for bulk scheduling and content recycling, across Instagram and other platforms.
Key features
- Category-based Instagram content scheduling.
- Content recycling for evergreen posts.
- Bulk scheduling for Instagram posts.
Pros
- Organizes content into easily manageable categories.
- Helps repurpose evergreen posts with recycling, saving you time.
- Intuitive, user-friendly interface for quick post scheduling.
Cons
- Lacks more advanced Instagram-specific analytics.
- No direct Instagram Stories auto-publishing.
- Limited customization for Instagram post previews.
Customers say
“The bootstrap plan has a perfect pricing, I have 3 Instagram accounts so manage it with SocialBee makes my day way more productive” Source
“The only complaint I have is that there sometimes is a glitch when setting up the automatic posts that grabs content from previous posts.” Source
Cost
A wide range of price tiers starting at $24/month for the Bootstrap Plan, up to $374/month for a large agency.
9. PromoRepublic
PromoRepublic is a versatile social media management platform designed to streamline content scheduling, automation, and collaboration across multiple channels, including Instagram. It’s perfect for businesses seeking consistent brand visibility.
PromoRepublic offers easy Instagram scheduling with an emphasis on templates, post automation, and content recommendations. It also includes a visual content calendar to plan and manage posts for consistent Instagram engagement.
While PromoRepublic offers solid scheduling and automation, it lacks more Instagram-specific features like auto-publishing for Stories and carousels and deeper analytics to optimize Instagram strategy.
Best for
An excellent choice for mid-sized businesses looking to maintain consistent brand visibility across multiple social channels.
Key features
- Intuitive visual content calendar for scheduling posts.
- Pre-made templates for Instagram content.
- AI-driven content recommendations.
Pros
- Wide selection of content templates.
- Supports multi-location businesses.
- Easy-to-use for scheduling and automation.
Cons
- Lacks auto-publishing for Instagram Stories.
- Basic analytics compared to competitors.
- Limited customization for large-scale campaigns.
Customers say
“What I like best about PromoRepublic is its comprehensive suite of features and its user-friendly interface. The availability of customizable templates and designs is impressive, allowing us to create visually appealing and engaging content easily.” Source
“Good for simple posts, but not reels and optimized posts” Source
Cost
Starts at $49/month for small businesses, and $79/month for agencies.
Conclusion
Instagram scheduling tools offer a variety of features tailored to different needs.
Sked Social stands out for brands and agencies with its advanced scheduling and analytics capabilities. Buffer is perfect for those seeking simple, user-friendly scheduling, while Later excels at visual content planning. Tailwind is a great option for small businesses and Pinterest users.
The best choice ultimately depends on your content strategy, business size, and feature requirements to ensure efficient Instagram management.
Frequently asked questions
How do I schedule posts on Instagram?
To schedule posts within Instagram, you can use Instagram’s built-in Creator Studio or Professional Dashboard, but these are limited to basic features like single-image posts. For more robust scheduling, third-party tools like Sked Social allow you to auto-publish all post types (stories, reels, and carousels), offering greater flexibility and advanced analytics.
How do I schedule Instagram posts at the best times?
Instagram schedulers, like Sked Social, come with smart scheduling features that suggest the best times to post for maximum engagement. These recommendations are based on an analysis of your audience’s behavior. Learn more about Sked’s best time to post feature.
How can I plan my Instagram grid when scheduling posts?
Many Instagram scheduling tools, like Sked Social and Later, feature visual Instagram feed planner that allow you to drag and drop posts to design your grid and ensure cohesive branding. This helps maintain a cohesive aesthetic while scheduling posts at the optimal times.
What are the best free Instagram scheduling apps?
Some of the best free Instagram schedulers include Buffer, Later, and Hootsuite. Buffer provides an easy-to-use interface for scheduling posts, Later offers strong visual content planning tools, and Hootsuite supports multi-platform management with a free tier that works well for beginners.
What are the best Instagram scheduling apps for small businesses?
For small businesses, Later, Buffer, and Tailwind are popular Instagram scheduling tools. Later provides a strong visual planner, Buffer is ideal for simple scheduling, and Tailwind is great for those managing both Instagram and Pinterest, offering a streamlined way to manage multiple accounts.
What are the best Instagram scheduling apps for enterprise and franchise brands?
Sked Social is a top choice for enterprise and franchise brands, offering advanced scheduling, analytics, and auto-publishing features. Platforms like Iconosquare and Hootsuite are also excellent options, with robust multi-location management and performance tracking. Sked’s batch scheduling and detailed Instagram analytics make it particularly suited for large-scale teams.
What are the best Instagram scheduling apps for social media agencies?
Sked Social, Hootsuite, and Sprout Social are excellent Instagram scheduling apps for agencies. Sked offers advanced auto-publishing, Instagram Stories scheduling, and collaboration tools tailored for agencies managing multiple accounts. For more details, check out Sked’s agencies page and the best social media management tools for agencies blog post.
Related reading
- The best Instagram automation tools
- The best Instagram competitor analysis tools
- The best link in bio tools for Instagram
Our content is always evolving, just like the world of social media. This post was recently updated to ensure it aligns with today's social media landscape.