Best Free Tools for Scheduling Your Social Media Like a Pro
If you're a business owner or entrepreneur doing your own marketing but don't consider yourself a marketer, you've probably found yourself posting on social media whenever you have time, or when you randomly remember. It's inconsistent, it's draining, and honestly, it's not very effective.
The good news? Scheduling your content in advance can change that. It allows you to maintain a steady online presence without the daily stress of logging into each platform separately. You’ll not only save time but start showing up more consistently, which is the key to growth.
You might be thinking, "I barely post now, why would I need a scheduler?" But even if your numbers are small or you’ve been inconsistent, using a scheduler can help you build momentum and boost engagement over time.
Of course, tools are just one piece of the puzzle. Knowing what to post and how to connect with your audience still matters. And when you’re juggling everything solo, that can feel overwhelming.
Let’s be real y’all, running a business already comes with plenty of expenses. So when every tool you need to stay visible online seems to cost just $15 here or $30 there, it can seriously add up!
Scheduling tools, content planners, design platforms… before you know it, you're paying monthly fees for five different apps just to stay consistent.
Granted, sometimes you need these tools, and the only way is to pay.
However, there are some surprisingly solid free tools out there that can help you plan, schedule, and post your content without spending anything. Whether you're showing up on Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, or TikTok, or all of them, these platforms can help you stay engaged without draining your budget.
Here are my top picks for social media schedulers that are actually free to use:
✅ Meta Business Suite (for Instagram & Facebook)
What it is:
Meta Business Suite is Facebook’s free, built-in tool for managing both your Instagram and Facebook content in one place. It’s a solid choice if those are your main platforms and you want a free way to stay consistent.
Pros:
100% free to use
Schedule posts, Reels, and Stories
View engagement insights and analytics
Available as both a desktop tool and mobile app
Cons:
The interface can be a little clunky
Only works with Meta platforms
Scheduling Stories isn’t always smooth or reliable
✅ YouTube Studio (for YouTube)
What it is:
If you're creating video content, YouTube Studio is your best friend. This built-in tool lets you prep, schedule, and publish videos directly on your channel, no need for external tools.
Pros:
Native to YouTube with no added cost
Schedule videos in advance
Customize titles, descriptions, thumbnails, and tags
Monitor performance and manage comments
Cons:
Only works with YouTube
Doesn’t offer batch scheduling
Less flexible if you’re repurposing content across platforms
✅ TikTok Creator Center (Desktop Only)
What it is:
The TikTok Creator Center allows you to schedule up to 10 videos from your desktop, ideal if you are batching and getting ahead on your content calendar.
Pros:
Free and easy to use
Schedule videos with captions, hashtags, and custom covers
Helps maintain consistency without relying on your phone
Cons:
Desktop only (no mobile support)
Not all post types are supported
Occasional upload glitches
✅ LinkedIn Native Scheduler
What it is:
LinkedIn now lets you schedule posts directly within the post composer, whether you’re using your personal profile or a business page.
Pros:
Built right into LinkedIn—no extra tools required
Simple to use
Works on both desktop and mobile
Cons:
Only supports text and single-image posts
No option for videos or carousels yet
Can’t bulk schedule multiple posts
✅ Buffer (Cross-Platform)
What it is:
Buffer has been around while and allows you to schedule across multiple platforms. It’s user-friendly and perfect for entrepreneurs looking to stay ahead of their content with a limited toolset.
Pros:
Free plan supports up to 3 social accounts
Schedule up to 10 posts per channel
Supports Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter/X
Intuitive interface
Cons:
Free plan is a bit limited
No support for Stories or Reels
Basic analytics unless you upgrade
✅ Later (Cross-Platform)
What it is:
Later is especially great for visual planners. If you love a drag-and-drop calendar or need to map out your Instagram grid, this tool is worth trying.
Pros:
Visual, user-friendly interface
Drag-and-drop calendar for easy planning
Supports Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and LinkedIn
Cons:
Limited number of posts on the free plan
Some key features locked behind the paid version
Doesn’t support Reels or Stories on the free plan
✅ Canva Content Planner (Cross-Platform)
What it is:
Already using Canva to design your posts? Their built-in content planner lets you schedule content right from your designs, no downloads or exporting needed.
Pros:
Free with any Canva account
Seamless design-to-post workflow
Supports Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and more
Great for batching content
Cons:
You have to be using a Canva Pro account (the paid version)
Basic scheduling features
No advanced analytics
Some limitations unless you upgrade
Choosing the right social media scheduler can save you time, money, and a whole lot of stress. Whether you stick to one platform or manage multiple, these free tools provide powerful ways to stay visible online without stretching your budget thin.
But remember, tools are just one part of your marketing success. Knowing what content to create, how to engage your audience, and keeping consistency across platforms can feel overwhelming when you’re juggling everything alone.
That's exactly what we tackle in my Group Marketing Program, "Grow with Guidance." It's designed specifically for entrepreneurs and business owners who want expert marketing advice, clear strategies, and hands-on support without the hefty agency price tag.
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Focused training sessions on essential topics like content creation, email marketing, and social media strategy.
Easy-to-follow templates and guides to streamline your marketing tasks and boost productivity.
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This blog was written by Kristina Kury, Founder & CEO of Sprout Creative
They work with small business owners and entrepreneurs who are busy running their businesses, overwhelmed with marketing, and whose growth has plateaued to turn their marketing into a more manageable, automated marketing machine.
Follow @SproutCreativeLA on Facebook and Instagram.
Join "Grow with Guidance" monthly group marketing calls today and start marketing confidently!