Content Management Tools Showdown
There are a lot of social media schedulers and planners out there, but here’s the thing nobody talks about: the “best” tool depends on how you actually work.
Are you a visual planner? A checklist person? A team manager? Or a solo creator who just wants it done?
Today, I’m breaking down four popular content management tools: Later, HeyOrca, Rella, and Hootsuite and matching each one to the work style it suits best. (all in my own opinion from someone who has personally used them all!)
So you can stop trialling 5 free versions and actually find your perfect fit.
Later - For the Visual Planners
If your brain loves a drag-and-drop calendar and a feed preview, Later is your friend.
Why people love it:
Easy-to-use calendar with a visual grid preview..
Quick drag-and-drop scheduling.
Great for solo creators and small teams.
Limitations:
Not as robust for multi-step client approvals.
Some features (like Stories auto-posting) may be limited on certain plans.
Best for: Visual thinkers who want to lay it all out.
HeyOrca - For the Collaborators
If you manage clients or teams, or need a simple way for someone to approve posts without a million emails, HeyOrca is designed for you.
Why people love it:
Built-in approval workflows for clients and teams.
Easy link sharing so clients can preview posts in a calendar view.
Simple content libraries and comment threads for feedback.
Limitations:
Less creator-focused than some newer apps.
Sometimes more expensive.
Best for: Agencies, social media managers with multiple clients, or businesses with multiple stakeholders who need to sign-off.
Rella - For the Creator Who Wants Everything in One Place
Rella is newer, but if you’re a solo creator, freelancer, or influencer, it’s worth a look.
Why people love it:
Not just a scheduler, it includes idea planners, caption drafts, content prompts, and brand deal trackers.
Built for creators, not big teams.
Great if you like having strategy + planning + scheduling together.
Limitations:
Newer = fewer advanced analytics and approvals. (but exciting things are coming since their recent Rellacon last week!)
Not ideal for agencies with big teams.
Best for: Solo creators who wear all the hats and want a planner that keeps up.
Hootsuite - For the Data-Driven Strategist
Hootsuite has been around forever and for good reason. If you want a reliable, all-in-one dashboard with deep reporting capabilities, this old-school favourite still holds up.
Why people love it:
Supports tons of platforms, including LinkedIn, Twitter (X) and YouTube.
Advanced reporting and analytics.
Social listening tools to monitor mentions and keywords.
Limitations:
The interface isn’t the sleekest.
Some find it clunky compared to newer drag-and-drop tools.
Best for: Larger teams, agencies that need heavy reporting, or brands that need big-picture analytics and listening tools.
Which One’s Your Match?
If you:
Love seeing your feed laid out visually → Later
Need approvals and smooth client workflows → HeyOrca
Want an all-in-one creator HQ → Rella
Care about deep reporting and dashboards → Hootsuite
There’s no “perfect” tool, just the one that fits how you work.
Test one. Tweak it. And if you’d rather never stress about scheduling again? I can handle it for you! (PS, I’m currently using Rella myself)