Learning how to schedule LinkedIn posts manually can take up to 20 hours monthly. Scheduling tools save time, boost engagement, and ensure consistency. This guide compares seven LinkedIn scheduling tools, focusing on pricing, features, AI capabilities, and platform support. Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur or part of a marketing team, here’s what you need to know:
Key Takeaways:
- Buffer: Easy to use, free plan available, supports multiple platforms. Costs start at $6/month per channel.
- Hootsuite: Advanced analytics, bulk scheduling, and team workflows. Starts at $99/month but has no free plan.
- Supergrow: LinkedIn-focused with features like carousel creation and first-comment scheduling. Starts at $19/month.
- AuthoredUp: Chrome extension with rich formatting and post previews for LinkedIn. Starts at $19.95/month.
- Taplio: AI-powered content creation and lead generation for LinkedIn. Pricing ranges from $39 to $199/month.
- PostQuickAI: Affordable multi-platform tool with AI-generated captions. Starts at $8/month.
- Closely: Combines LinkedIn scheduling with email outreach and CRM integration. Starts at $49/month.
Quick Comparison:
| Tool | Starting Price | Free Plan | Key Features | Platforms Supported |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buffer | $6/month | Yes | First-comment scheduling, analytics | Multi-platform |
| Hootsuite | $99/month | No | Bulk scheduling, team workflows | Multi-platform |
| Supergrow | $19/month | No | Carousel maker, LinkedIn-only tools | LinkedIn-only |
| AuthoredUp | $19.95/month | No | Post formatting, real-time previews | LinkedIn-only |
| Taplio | $39/month | No | AI content, lead generation | LinkedIn-only |
| PostQuickAI | $8/month | Yes | AI captions, multi-platform support | Multi-platform |
| Closely | $49/month | No | LinkedIn outreach, email automation | LinkedIn + Email |
Each tool offers unique features tailored to different needs. Choose based on your goals, budget, and whether you need multi-platform support or LinkedIn-specific functionality.
LinkedIn Scheduling Tools 2026: Pricing and Features Comparison Chart
Which is THE BEST Post Scheduler | Metricool vs Hootsuite vs Buffer
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1. Buffer
When it comes to scheduling content for LinkedIn, Buffer shines for its ease of use and practical features. Trusted by over 100,000 businesses and individuals for two decades [11], this platform simplifies scheduling while offering a range of powerful tools. Buffer supports LinkedIn personal profiles and company pages, allowing users to schedule posts in various formats like text, images, videos, link previews, and even native PDF carousels [10]. Here’s a closer look at Buffer’s pricing and features tailored for LinkedIn users.
Pricing
Buffer follows a pay-per-channel pricing model, where each LinkedIn profile or company page counts as one channel [9]. Here’s how the plans break down:
- Free Plan: Includes 3 channels with up to 10 scheduled posts per channel [8].
- Essentials Plan: Costs $6 per channel per month ($5 annually) and removes scheduling limits. It also adds advanced analytics and the ability to schedule first comments [8].
- Team Plan: Priced at $12 per channel per month ($10 annually), this plan supports unlimited users, draft collaboration, and approval workflows [8].
- Agency Plan: At $120 per month, this plan covers 10 channels and includes features like white-label reporting and custom access permissions [8].
LinkedIn-Specific Features
Buffer offers tools specifically designed to enhance LinkedIn posting. One standout feature is First Comment scheduling, which helps sidestep LinkedIn’s algorithm penalty for including external links in the main post caption [6]. By placing the link in the first comment, posts can maintain better reach and engagement.
Additionally, Buffer provides an optimal timing tool that suggests the best times to post based on audience activity patterns [2]. Higher-tier plans include approval workflows, ensuring posts are reviewed before publishing, and the Community feature allows users to manage LinkedIn comments through a unified inbox [2].
AI Capabilities
Buffer’s AI Assistant is available across all plans, including the free tier. This tool can generate post ideas, rewrite content in different tones, and suggest captions and hashtags [12]. It can even repurpose existing posts specifically for LinkedIn audiences. However, one limitation is that Buffer’s "Best Time to Post" feature in its Analyze tool does not currently support LinkedIn [10].
Multi-Platform Support
Buffer isn’t just for LinkedIn – it supports over 10 platforms, including Instagram, Facebook, and X, making it a great choice for managing multiple social media channels [2].
2. Hootsuite
Hootsuite supports over 200,000 businesses with tools tailored for LinkedIn management, making it a trusted choice for teams handling complex workflows [14]. While it comes with a higher price tag compared to simpler tools, its comprehensive features are ideal for managing LinkedIn personal profiles, company pages, and LinkedIn Showcase Pages. The platform enables publishing in various formats, including text, images, videos, carousels, and even PDFs [5].
Pricing
Hootsuite no longer offers a free tier as of 2024 but provides a 30-day free trial. Pricing begins at $99/month (billed annually) for the Standard plan, which supports 1 user and up to 10 social accounts. The Advanced plan, at $249/month (billed annually), accommodates 3 users, offers unlimited social accounts, and includes team approval workflows. For larger organizations, the Enterprise plan provides custom pricing for teams of 5 or more, with advanced features like employee advocacy tools and Salesforce integration. Annual billing offers a 10% discount for customers who skip the free trial, and nonprofits may qualify for discounted rates [13].
LinkedIn-Specific Features
Hootsuite includes tools specifically designed to optimize LinkedIn marketing:
- Best Time to Publish: A heatmap feature that identifies the most effective posting times for LinkedIn [14].
- Bulk Scheduling: Upload and schedule up to 350 posts at once using a CSV file [13].
- Unified Social Inbox: Consolidates comments from LinkedIn Pages and Showcase Pages for efficient response management. It also features a "Suspend" button to pause all scheduled posts when needed [16].
For LinkedIn growth, posting 3–5 times per week is recommended [1].
AI Capabilities
Hootsuite’s OwlyWriter AI simplifies content creation by generating captions, suggesting hashtags, and repurposing top-performing posts. It can also craft multiple ad variations for LinkedIn campaigns, tailoring messages to specific audiences [14].
"Hootsuite is the one stop [shop] for anything you need. From scheduling content to providing options for platform-specific branding, Hootsuite is the epitome of ‘work smarter, not harder’" – Trevor D., Communications Manager [14].
Multi-Platform Support
Hootsuite extends its functionality beyond LinkedIn, supporting platforms like Instagram, Facebook, X, Pinterest, YouTube, TikTok, and Threads [13]. It also integrates with over 100 popular apps, including Canva, Salesforce, HubSpot, and Microsoft Teams [15]. However, its broad feature set comes with a steeper learning curve, and some users find the interface heavier compared to newer, more streamlined tools [10].
3. Supergrow
Supergrow is a LinkedIn-exclusive platform tailored specifically for personal branding. By 2026, it had earned the trust of over 1,200 professionals, thanks to its sharp focus on LinkedIn’s unique needs [17].
Pricing
Supergrow offers a 7-day free trial with full Pro features – no credit card required [4]. After that, users can choose from several plans:
- Starter Plan ($19/month): Includes AI writing tools, content repurposing, and basic scheduling.
- Pro Plan ($39/month): Adds features like a built-in Carousel Maker, advanced analytics, engagement tools, and voice-to-post capabilities.
- Base Plan for Teams ($69/month): Supports up to 4 clients with dedicated workspaces.
- Prime Plan for Teams ($159/month): Handles up to 10 clients and includes approval workflows.
Annual billing provides a 20% discount across all plans. These pricing options align seamlessly with Supergrow’s LinkedIn-specific tools, offering flexibility for individuals and teams.
LinkedIn-Specific Features
Supergrow is packed with tools designed to maximize LinkedIn engagement velocity. For example, its First-Comment Scheduling automatically posts a follow-up comment 5, 10, or 15 minutes after your main post, keeping links and calls-to-action out of the primary post to boost visibility. The Carousel Maker includes professional templates that can be customized with your brand’s colors, fonts, and logos – no need for external design software.
The Post Preview Tool lets you see exactly how your post will appear on both mobile and desktop, including line breaks and the "see more" cutoff. Additionally, Engagement Lists help you organize prospects and interact with their posts using AI-generated, context-aware replies.
AI Capabilities
Supergrow takes LinkedIn productivity up a notch with its advanced AI features. Using tools like Content DNA and voice profiles, it ensures that every post aligns with your personal tone and style [19]. The AI Interviews feature is particularly impressive – it condenses a 15-minute session into a week’s worth of content.
It also repurposes existing materials like YouTube videos, blogs, and PDFs into LinkedIn-ready posts. The Voice-to-Post tool transcribes spoken ideas into polished content, while the AI comment generator crafts thoughtful, relevant responses to help you engage effectively with your network [4].
Multi-Platform Support
Supergrow is laser-focused on LinkedIn, meaning it doesn’t support other platforms like Twitter (X), Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok [18]. This single-platform approach ensures that all its features are fine-tuned for LinkedIn’s specific demands. However, it’s worth noting that Supergrow is available only on desktop and web, with no mobile app currently offered.
4. AuthoredUp
AuthoredUp is designed to refine your LinkedIn writing experience. Over 2,000 companies, including Microsoft and EY, trust this tool to create polished LinkedIn posts [20]. It operates as a Chrome extension integrated into your LinkedIn feed, offering advanced formatting options like bold, italics, and bullet points – features not available in LinkedIn’s native editor.
Pricing
AuthoredUp’s pricing is based on the number of LinkedIn profiles connected, not on user seats.
- The Individual plan costs $19.95/month (or $16.63/month if billed annually at $199.50/year) and covers one profile, making it ideal for individual creators [22].
- The Business plan is priced at $14.95 per month per profile with a minimum of three profiles (totaling $44.85/month), making it a great choice for teams, agencies, and ghostwriters.
- For larger organizations managing 10 or more profiles, the Growth plan offers custom pricing.
AuthoredUp also provides a 14-day free trial with no credit card required, and scheduling posts to LinkedIn Company Pages is included at no extra cost [22].
LinkedIn-Specific Features
Tailored for LinkedIn’s unique platform, AuthoredUp includes several standout features:
- A Rich Text Editor that enables professional formatting, including proper line spacing and structure, ensuring posts display cleanly in the feed.
- The Hook & CTA Library offers over 300 carefully crafted templates for opening lines and calls-to-action, helping boost engagement and encouraging the "see more" click.
- A Real-Time Post Preview lets you see exactly how your post will look on both desktop and mobile before publishing.
- The Drafts Hub organizes your unfinished ideas with labels and sorting options, supporting collaboration within teams.
- Frequently used text blocks can be saved as Snippets, streamlining repetitive content creation [35,37].
These tools make AuthoredUp a go-to resource for improving LinkedIn content.
AI Capabilities
While AuthoredUp doesn’t generate content, it enhances your manual writing with a personalized machine learning model. This model analyzes your posting history and compares it to similar profiles, offering data-driven recommendations for the best times to post. It provides visual charts highlighting optimal posting times and your top-performing posts. Additionally, a readability score evaluates each post on a journalistic scale, encouraging users to aim for a level of 8 or lower to ensure accessibility for a broader audience [39,40].
Multi-Platform Support
AuthoredUp is exclusively focused on LinkedIn and functions as both a Chrome extension and a web app. It adheres to LinkedIn’s policies, avoiding cookies, automation, and scraping. Stéphane Hamel, a LinkedIn user, praised its compliance:
"AuthoredUp stays LinkedIn-compliant and secure – it doesn’t try to game the platform" [21].
5. Taplio
Taplio is a premium tool designed exclusively for LinkedIn growth, boasting a lead database of over 3 million profiles [23]. Its core offerings include AI-powered content creation and automated outreach, tailored specifically for LinkedIn users.
Pricing
Taplio provides three pricing options, but there’s a catch with the Starter plan. At $39/month ($32/month when billed annually), it doesn’t include any AI credits, meaning no access to AI-generated content [23]. The Standard plan, priced at $65/month ($49/month annually), is the most practical choice for most users, offering 250 AI credits and 500 comment credits per month. For power users or sales teams, the Pro plan at $199/month ($149/month billed annually) unlocks unlimited AI credits, full access to the lead database, and advanced automation tools like auto-DMs and bulk connection requests.
However, AI-generated posts aren’t exactly cheap. Each post can cost between 5 and 10 credits, so if you’re posting twice daily, the Standard plan’s 250 credits might run out halfway through the month [23].
Now, let’s dive into what makes Taplio a LinkedIn specialist.
LinkedIn-Specific Features
Taplio’s features are crafted specifically for LinkedIn users. It offers a library of 5 million viral post ideas and even includes a carousel builder for creating multi-slide posts [24]. Its Chrome extension, Taplio X, adds convenience by displaying real-time stats and trending content directly in your LinkedIn feed.
Engagement tools are another highlight. You can schedule automated comments for your posts, use smart-reply suggestions to save time, and plan interactions on others’ posts. For Pro users, the platform goes further with its 3 million+ profile lead database and automation tools for connection requests and bulk DMs. That said, overusing automation could lead to LinkedIn restrictions, so it’s worth being cautious [23].
These tools are complemented by Taplio’s AI capabilities.
AI Capabilities
What sets Taplio apart is its AI, designed specifically for LinkedIn. It identifies viral trends and adapts to your writing style, generating optimized posts, hooks, and carousels [23]. You can even repurpose content from external sources like YouTube videos, blog posts, or PDFs into LinkedIn-ready formats.
AI hooks typically cost 2 to 3 credits each, while smart replies use 1 to 2 credits per action [24]. While the AI has received a solid 4/5 rating for its effectiveness, the limited credits on the Standard plan could be a challenge for users with frequent posting habits.
Multi-Platform Support
Taplio is solely focused on LinkedIn [23]. While this limits its reach to other platforms, it allows the tool to deliver highly specialized LinkedIn features.
6. PostQuickAI
PostQuickAI is an AI-driven scheduling tool that combines content creation with automation, making it a standout option for creators and businesses aiming to simplify their workflow. With plans starting at just $8 per month, it’s one of the more affordable choices available, catering to both solo creators and small teams. The Pro plan, priced between $20 and $40 per month, offers added perks like AI-generated visuals, and all plans include a 7-day free trial for new users.
Pricing
PostQuickAI uses a straightforward pricing model. The Basic plan costs $8 per month and covers essential features, while the Pro plan adds monthly credits for AI-generated images and videos. Compared to tools like Hootsuite, which starts at $99 per month, PostQuickAI stands out as a budget-friendly option. This clear pricing structure complements its LinkedIn-focused tools, making it accessible without compromising on functionality.
LinkedIn-Specific Features
PostQuickAI offers tailored features for LinkedIn, ensuring smooth and efficient scheduling. Before posting, users can select whether to publish to a personal profile or a company page, reducing the chance of errors. The platform uses server-side scheduling, so posts go live automatically – even if your device is offline or the browser is closed. It supports all major LinkedIn formats, including text updates, image posts (single or multiple), and videos.
Rather than relying on risky automation tactics like auto-DMs or connection requests, PostQuickAI focuses on safe, API-based scheduling. It encourages users to engage with their audience during the first 15–30 minutes after posting to maximize visibility and interaction, aligning with LinkedIn’s engagement-driven algorithm.
AI Capabilities
AI is deeply integrated into PostQuickAI’s content creation features. The platform offers unlimited AI-generated captions, brainstorming tools, tone refinements, and hashtag suggestions to help users craft polished, professional posts. Its tone analysis tool ensures that your content stays consistent with your brand’s voice.
For visual content, PostQuickAI provides monthly credits for creating AI-generated images and short videos (around 8 seconds long). The AI-powered image editor allows users to remove backgrounds, adjust colors, or modify objects using simple text commands. This feature is especially handy for creators who need quick, professional visuals without advanced design expertise. These tools make PostQuickAI a strong choice for LinkedIn marketing strategies.
Multi-Platform Support
Beyond LinkedIn, PostQuickAI supports posting to eight platforms, including X (formerly Twitter), Instagram (Feed and Reels), Facebook Pages, TikTok, YouTube Shorts, Threads, and Bluesky. However, it doesn’t currently support Instagram or Facebook Stories. To streamline workflows, the platform uses "Content Groups", which help users manage different brands or clients within a single account, keeping everything organized and efficient.
7. Closely
Closely is a LinkedIn outreach automation platform that combines LinkedIn engagement with email campaigns. It’s tailored for sales professionals, recruiters, and marketers who need to streamline connection requests, follow-ups, and lead generation. Users have reported a 52% higher engagement rate on LinkedIn [26] and a 35% boost in response rates from its automated sequences [28]. Let’s break down how Closely’s pricing, LinkedIn-specific features, AI tools, and multi-platform integrations can elevate your outreach efforts.
Pricing
Closely uses a "sender" model – each sender represents one LinkedIn account linked to one email inbox. Here’s the breakdown:
- Starter Plan: $49/month ($29/month annually) for one LinkedIn account with 1,000 monthly credits.
- Growth Plan: $127/month ($87/month annually) for three LinkedIn accounts with 3,000 credits.
- Essential Plan: $205/month ($145/month annually) for five LinkedIn accounts with 5,000 credits.
All plans include unlimited email accounts and white-labeling options. Credits are spent on specific actions: 1 credit for AI personalization, 4 credits to find an email address, and 20 credits to retrieve a phone number [31]. Closely’s pricing structure is designed to cater to professionals who want to optimize prospecting without breaking the bank.
LinkedIn-Specific Features
Closely is built to simplify LinkedIn outreach. It automates every step – from profile visits and connection requests to follow-up messages and even post engagement. The platform pulls targeted leads from LinkedIn Search, Sales Navigator, Recruiter, Posts, and Groups, enriching profiles with 30+ real-time data points like verified emails and phone numbers [26][27].
Its unified inbox consolidates LinkedIn DMs, InMails, and email replies into one workspace, ensuring smooth communication without overlapping efforts. To keep your LinkedIn account safe, Closely uses dedicated residential proxies, cloud-based 24/7 operations, and a "warm-up mode" that mimics human activity to avoid triggering restrictions [26][29].
AI Capabilities
Closely’s AI tools take personalization and efficiency to another level. The Sales AI Agents handle lead research by analyzing website data and company insights to craft messages that sound "100% human" [26]. By using LinkedIn profiles and company signals, the AI creates tailored DMs, InMails, and emails at scale. It also tracks response patterns to optimize the timing and channels for outreach [30].
With these capabilities, users typically save around 10 hours per week on manual prospecting while generating 45% more pipeline opportunities [28].
"Closely is a powerful tool for anyone looking to enhance their sales engagement. The platform is user-friendly and easy to navigate, making it accessible even for those who are not tech-savvy."
- Antonio D., Digital Strategist & Coach [26]
Multi-Platform Support
Although LinkedIn is Closely’s main focus, it supports multichannel campaigns by integrating LinkedIn outreach with automated email sequences. Users can connect unlimited email accounts, including Gmail and Outlook via OAuth, or set up custom SMTP connections.
Closely also syncs with popular CRMs like Salesforce, HubSpot, Pipedrive, and GoHighLevel, automatically logging LinkedIn interactions such as DMs, InMails, and connection events [31]. For agencies, there’s a white-label option available for an extra $300/month, allowing full customization with your branding, including domain, logo, and colors [30].
This combination of LinkedIn automation, AI-driven personalization, and CRM integration makes Closely a versatile tool for outreach professionals.
Pros and Cons
Each LinkedIn scheduling tool comes with its own set of strengths and weaknesses. For instance, Buffer is known for its generous free tier and easy-to-use design, but its per-channel pricing can quickly become expensive for users managing multiple accounts [1][5][6].
Hootsuite, on the other hand, is packed with features like enterprise-level analytics, bulk scheduling, and advanced team workflows. However, its $99/month starting price and a steep learning curve make it less accessible for individual users or small teams [1][5].
Specialized LinkedIn tools like Supergrow and Taplio add unique features to the mix. Supergrow offers a carousel maker and the ability to schedule first comments, while Taplio includes an AI-powered content engine and a lead generation database with over 3 million contacts. The downside? Both tools are limited to LinkedIn, with Supergrow lacking a mobile app and Taplio’s pricing (ranging from $39 to $199 per month) potentially being a barrier for some users [1][4][25].
AuthoredUp focuses on advanced post formatting and offers real-time previews for both mobile and desktop. However, it does not include AI-driven content creation and is exclusively for LinkedIn users [4].
For those seeking affordability and AI-driven features, PostQuickAI provides unlimited scheduling and AI-generated captions at $39/month. However, it only offers basic analytics, which might not meet the needs of data-driven users [5].
One universal limitation of third-party tools is LinkedIn’s API restrictions. Features like polls, PDF carousels, and articles can only be scheduled using LinkedIn’s native scheduler. This often leads professionals to adopt a hybrid approach: using third-party tools for regular posts and analytics, while relying on LinkedIn’s native scheduler for specialized content formats [3][6].
Here’s a quick comparison of the tools mentioned:
| Tool | Key Strengths | Key Weaknesses | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buffer | Generous free plan; easy to use | Limited engagement features; costly per-channel pricing | Solo creators & those on tight budgets |
| Hootsuite | Advanced analytics; bulk scheduling; team collaboration | High cost; steep learning curve; no free plan | Large agencies & enterprises |
| Supergrow | Carousel maker; schedules first comments | No mobile app; LinkedIn-only | LinkedIn-focused creators |
| AuthoredUp | Advanced formatting; real-time previews | No AI content generation; LinkedIn-only | Professionals prioritizing polished posts |
| Taplio | AI content creation; lead generation database | Higher pricing; LinkedIn-only; learning curve | Growth-driven solopreneurs |
| PostQuickAI | Unlimited scheduling; AI captions; multi-platform support | Basic analytics; newer tool | Multi-platform content creators |
| Closely | Combines LinkedIn and email automation; CRM sync | Geared toward outreach; not a pure scheduling tool | Sales teams & recruiters |
Each tool serves different needs, so it’s essential to pick one that aligns with your goals and workflow.
Conclusion
Your scheduling tool should not only simplify your outreach with best practices but also enhance your LinkedIn engagement. For sales professionals and recruiters seeking integrated workflows, Closely stands out by combining LinkedIn automation, email outreach, and CRM synchronization into one solution.
Starting at $49 per month, Closely’s pricing adapts to your posting needs and growth goals. With one LinkedIn account and 1,000 monthly credits included, users can leverage its AI-driven personalization and automated sequences to achieve a 52% higher engagement rate on LinkedIn [26] and a 35% increase in response rates [28]. By centralizing automation and outreach, Closely helps save around 10 hours weekly on manual prospecting while generating 45% more pipeline opportunities [28].
That said, LinkedIn’s native scheduler remains essential for scheduling polls and PDF carousels due to API limitations [6]. However, successful lead generation is about more than just timing – it requires well-structured engagement workflows. As Dr. Hernani Costa, Founder of First AI Movers, puts it:
"The secret isn’t just timing; it’s building systematic workflows that amplify authentic professional voices at scale" [7].
Closely seamlessly integrates LinkedIn automation and email outreach, ensuring your workflow stays efficient while maintaining genuine engagement.
FAQs
Can I schedule LinkedIn posts from a personal profile?
Yes, LinkedIn lets you schedule posts directly from your personal profile. With its built-in scheduling tool, you can choose a specific date and time for your post to go live. Just click the clock icon next to the post button, and you’re all set to plan and organize your content ahead of time.
What LinkedIn post types can’t be scheduled with third-party tools?
LinkedIn doesn’t allow third-party tools to schedule certain types of content, like native articles, newsletters, or other specific updates. This restriction is in place to protect the platform’s integrity and ensure that all content complies with its policies.
How do I pick a tool for scheduling vs. outreach?
The main distinction lies in their purpose. Scheduling tools are designed to automate content posting, helping you maintain a steady flow of updates and improve engagement. They’re perfect for keeping your content calendar organized and active. On the other hand, outreach tools are geared toward prospecting, generating leads, and nurturing relationships by automating tasks like connection requests and follow-ups. Use scheduling tools to stay consistent and visible, while outreach tools are better suited for expanding your network and driving lead generation.