Best free social media scheduler in 2026: what free plans really give you
Searches for “social media scheduler” have doubled in a year, and “free” is the word most often tacked on. Makes sense: when you run a small company’s social accounts alone, paying $30 a month for a tool you haven’t adopted yet is a hard sell.
The problem is that “free” means different things everywhere. Some tools still listed as free no longer are, others are free with caps you hit in a week. We checked each plan on the official pages.
Key takeaways
- Buffer: 3 channels, 10 queued posts per channel. The simplest, but no serious analytics.
- Metricool: 1 brand, 20 posts a month, no LinkedIn or X. Good analytics, but you hit the cap fast.
- Meta Business Suite: free and unlimited, but Facebook and Instagram only.
- Later has no free plan (14-day trial) and Canva scheduling requires Canva Pro.
- Perroly: free during the beta with every feature, 6 networks, scheduling and automatic DMs.
The table that sums it up
We kept the criteria that matter day to day: how many networks, how many posts, and whether the tool also handles messages.
Scheduler free plans, October 2026
How many networks you can connect for free
That is usually the first wall. If you are on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn, Meta Business Suite is already not enough, and neither is free Metricool, since it leaves out LinkedIn.
Buffer: the simplest, the most limited
Free Buffer means 3 channels and 10 queued posts per channel. If you post twice a week, that works. Beyond that, you have to empty the queue before adding more. The interface is clean, the mobile app works well, and it is often what we recommend to a friend who is just starting.
What’s missing: proper analytics, and anything to do with messaging. Our full comparison: Perroly vs Buffer.
Metricool: the analytics, but 20 posts a month
You still read everywhere that free Metricool allows 50 posts a month. Not anymore: it is 20, for a single brand, without LinkedIn or X. In return you get real analytics, a view on 5 competitors and 30 days of history.
Twenty posts is five a week, across all networks. Post on Instagram and Facebook every weekday and you run out in two weeks. We listed the options in the best Metricool alternatives.
Meta Business Suite: no limits, but Meta only
The most underrated option. Free, no cap, with Stories, a calendar, and Facebook and Instagram messages in one place. If those are your only two networks, start there before paying for anything.
The downsides: the interface keeps moving, features come and go from month to month, and the moment you add LinkedIn or TikTok you need a second tool.
Canva and Later: watch out for outdated advice
Canva has a content planner, but it is part of Canva Pro. On the free version you design your visuals, then publish them somewhere else.
Later no longer has a free plan. It offers a 14-day trial, then you pick a paid plan. Plenty of “best free tools” lists still mention it, they just haven’t been updated. Our comparison: Perroly vs Later.
Perroly: free during the beta, and more than a scheduler
We are obviously biased, so here are just the facts. During the beta Perroly is free with every feature: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok, YouTube and Threads; posts, carousels, Reels and Stories; an assistant that adapts copy to each network; the inbox; analytics; and DM automations (comment-to-DM, welcome messages, story mentions). Premium will cost €40 a month after the beta.
What sets it apart from the rest of this list is scheduling plus messaging. If your Reels say “comment PRICE to get our rates”, the same tool publishes the post and sends the DM. Elsewhere you need Buffer and ManyChat.
Which one should you pick?
- Facebook and Instagram only: Meta Business Suite, no question.
- 2 or 3 networks, a few posts a week: free Buffer holds up.
- Analytics first, low posting volume: free Metricool.
- Several networks including LinkedIn or TikTok, plus DMs to handle: Perroly. While the beta is free, now is the time to try it.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best free social media scheduler?
It depends on your networks. For Facebook and Instagram only, Meta Business Suite. For 3 networks and a few posts, Buffer. For 6 networks with automatic DMs, Perroly, free during its beta.
Is Metricool free?
Yes, with a plan limited to 1 brand and 20 scheduled posts a month, without LinkedIn or X. Paid plans start around $20 a month billed yearly.
Does Later have a free plan?
Not anymore. Later offers a 14-day free trial, then you need a paid plan.
Can you schedule posts with Canva for free?
No. Canva’s content planner is a Canva Pro feature.
How many posts can you schedule on free Buffer?
10 queued posts per channel, on up to 3 channels.