Most small businesses don't need enterprise social media software. For under $50/month, you can get useful DIY scheduling tools. The tradeoff is that you still have to create every post yourself.
I am also including Glow Social even though it is $99/month, because it answers a different question: what if the cheapest tool is not the cheapest total cost once your time is included?
Here are the best affordable options.
Best Social Media Management Tools Under $50/Month
Glow Social — $99/month, included for true-cost comparison
What it does: Turns your website into 20 posts ready to approve for Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and Google Business ProfileYour time: Review and approve
Best for: Business owners who want posts prepared for approval without creating them from scratch
Key difference: This is the only option in this comparison where posts are prepared for approval - not just scheduled by you.
Website: Affordable social media management from Glow Social
Buffer — Free to $5/channel/month billed yearly
What it does: Schedule posts across multiple platforms with basic analyticsYour time: 3-5 hours/month (you create content)
Free tier: 3 channels, 10 scheduled posts per channel
Essentials ($5/month per channel billed yearly, or $6 monthly): Unlimited scheduled posts, landing page builder, advanced analytics
Team ($10/month per channel billed yearly, or $12 monthly): Collaboration features
Best for: People who create their own content and want simple scheduling
Full comparison: Buffer pricing and free plan limits | Buffer alternative with content creation built in | Buffer vs. Glow Social | Later vs. Buffer | Publer vs Buffer | Metricool vs Hootsuite
Later — Limited free plan; paid from $18.75/month billed yearly
What it does: Visual content planning with strong Instagram featuresYour time: 3-5 hours/month (you create content)
Free tier: Limited basic scheduling and Link in Bio features
Starter ($18.75/month billed yearly): 30 posts per profile, basic analytics
Growth ($37.50/month billed yearly): 180 posts per profile, collaboration, and better analytics
Best for: Visual businesses who want to plan content aesthetically
Full comparison: Later pricing and free plan | Later vs. Buffer | Planoly vs Later
Meta Business Suite — Free
What it does: Schedule posts, manage inbox, view insights for Facebook and InstagramYour time: 3-5 hours/month (you create content)
Platforms: Facebook and Instagram only
Best for: Businesses focused only on Meta platforms who want free scheduling
SocialPilot — $30+/month
What it does: Scheduling, planning calendar, team features, analyticsYour time: 3-5 hours/month (you create content)
Professional ($30/month): 10 accounts, 1 user
Small Team ($50/month): 20 accounts, 3 users
Best for: Small teams who need affordable scheduling with collaboration
Postly — Free to $15/month
What it does: Simple scheduling with AI caption suggestionsYour time: 3-5 hours/month (you create content)
Free tier: Limited features
Paid ($15/month): More accounts and features
Best for: Solopreneurs who want cheap scheduling with some AI help
Comparison Table
| Tool | Price | Creates content? | Your time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glow Social | $99 | 20 posts ready to approve | Review and approve | Done-for-you posting |
| Buffer | Free; paid from $5/channel/mo billed yearly | No (AI suggestions only) | 3-5 hours | Simple scheduling |
| Later | Limited free plan; paid from $18.75/mo billed yearly | No | 3-5 hours | Visual planning |
| Meta Business Suite | Free | No | 3-5 hours | FB/IG only |
| SocialPilot | $30+ | No | 3-5 hours | Teams |
| Postly | Free-$15 | No (AI suggestions) | 3-5 hours | Budget scheduling |
Two Different Approaches
Notice the fundamental difference in the table above:
DIY tools (Buffer, Later, etc.): Cheaper subscription but require 3-5 hours of your time monthly. You create content, they help you schedule it.
Done-for-you (Glow Social): $99 subscription but requires less content creation time. The service turns your website into posts ready to approve.
If your time is worth $15/hour or more, Glow Social likely costs less than DIY when you factor in time.
The Time Math
Budget DIY approach:
- Buffer free tier: $0
- Your time (4 hours/month × $15/hour): $60
- True cost: $60/month
Glow Social approach:
- Glow Social: $99
- Your time: review and approve
- True cost: $99/month
Cheaper tools aren't always cheaper when time is included. See our full AI tools vs. agencies cost comparison for the complete breakdown, or check how much a social media manager costs if you're considering hiring.
What to Choose Based on Your Situation
You should use free tools (Meta Business Suite, Buffer free tier) if:
- You have time but not budget
- You enjoy creating content
- You only need Facebook and Instagram
You should use paid DIY tools (Buffer, Later, SocialPilot) if:
- You have moderate time and budget
- You want better features and analytics
- Creating content is part of your workflow
You should use Glow Social if:
- You have very little time for social media
- You've tried DIY and stopped using the tools
- You want posts prepared for approval, not just a scheduler
- $99/month fits your budget
Looking for the most affordable option overall? See our affordable social media management service, the best tools under $50 quick answer, the complete affordable social media management guide, or the social media budget guide.
Getting Started
For DIY scheduling, start with Buffer's free tier to test if you'll actually use it. If free works, consider paid options for more features. If your brand is visual-first, compare that against Later's free plan and Starter plan.
For approval-first posting, Glow Social turns your website into 20 posts ready to approve for $99. Compare it against Buffer, Hootsuite, Sprout Social, Publer, and Metricool, or see the affordable social media management service page.
About Glow Social: Done-for-you software that turns your website into 20 custom posts ready to approve for Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and Google Business Profile. Plans start at $99/month. See posts from your website first.
