Managing Your Social Media Accounts with Later

As a freelance social media manager working with nonprofits and small businesses, I’m always on the lookout for tools that make scheduling posts and tracking engagement as smooth as possible. I used to rely on Hootsuite, but when they discontinued their free account option, I went hunting for alternatives.

That’s when I found Later—a scheduling tool that quickly became my go-to. Think Hootsuite, but with a cleaner layout, visual-first planning, and a few features that just make sense.

Why I Use Later for Social Media Management

I’ve been using Later for about six months now, and honestly? I love it.

The platform makes it easy to:

• Plan content across multiple platforms
• Track which images you’ve used before
• Monitor post performance at a glance

As anyone in social media knows, reflection is everything. Understanding which posts resonate with your audience is key to growth. Later makes this simple with filters that let you sort posts by clicks, comments, views, shares—you name it.

Reply to Comments Without Leaving Later

One of my favorite features? You can reply to comments directly from the Later dashboard. No more bouncing between platforms. It saves time, keeps you focused, and makes community management less chaotic.

If you’re working with a team, Later lets you add multiple users and accounts so everyone can collaborate, review, edit, and track results together.

Later vs. Hootsuite

Both are great platforms, but I personally find Later:

• Easier to navigate
• More visually intuitive
• Better suited for the way I manage client accounts

Hootsuite had its time, but for me, Later wins in usability and user experience—especially if you’re a visual planner.

Bonus: Their Values Align with Mine

One of the most underrated perks? Later offers discounts to organizations working against racism, sexism, and discrimination. That alone makes it worth recommending. At Commvey, we care deeply about the values behind the tools we use, and Later walks the talk.

Later: Quick Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Clean, visual layout
• Easy engagement tracking
• Manage multiple platforms in one place
• Discount program for values-driven organizations

Cons:

• Can feel a bit cluttered with multiple accounts
• Limited analytics for LinkedIn or posts not scheduled through Later

Final Thoughts

If you’re managing social media for a nonprofit, or small business, or just trying to keep your content strategy together without losing your mind, Later is worth a look. It’s efficient, affordable, and built with real-world users in mind.