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Social Media · head to head

Instagram vs Metricool

Instagram logo

Instagram

Social Media

Bringing you closer to the people and things you love

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Metricool logo

Metricool

Social Media

All-in-one platform to plan, publish, and analyze social media content

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Instagram algorithm changes frequently affect content reach and organic visibility; Metricool full Twitter/X analytics and post approval workflows are locked behind the Advanced plan.
  • They diverge on capability: Instagram covers Photo and video sharing, Metricool covers Content Planner.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Instagram and Metricool actually diverge.

Attributes where Instagram and Metricool differ
AttributeInstagramMetricool
Pricing modelUnknownfreemium
PlatformsiOS, Android, Webweb, ios, android, api
Founded2010Unknown

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Social Media).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Instagram

  • Photo and video sharing
  • Stories
  • Reels
  • IGTV
  • Direct messaging
  • Live streaming
  • Shopping
  • Explore page

Only in Metricool

  • Content Planner
  • Analytics & Competitor Analysis
  • Automated Reporting
  • Unified Inbox
  • Ads Management
  • SmartLinks
  • AI Assistant

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Instagram

  • Social networkingnot Metricool
  • Brand marketingnot Metricool
  • Content creationnot Metricool
  • E-commercenot Metricool
  • Personal sharingnot Metricool

Metricool

  • Scheduling posts across multiple social networksnot Instagram
  • Tracking competitor social performancenot Instagram
  • Automating client and team reportsnot Instagram
  • Managing paid social ad campaignsnot Instagram
  • Building a link-in-bio landing pagenot Instagram

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Instagram

  • Algorithm changes frequently affect content reach and organic visibility
  • Requires public account and 1000+ followers to access live streaming (as of August 2025)
  • Increasingly focused on video content, reducing discoverability of photo-only posts
  • Limited content creator earnings compared to YouTube
  • Heavy emphasis on ads can make free experience cluttered

Metricool

  • Full Twitter/X analytics and post approval workflows are locked behind the Advanced plan.
  • Unlimited scheduling on paid plans is still capped by an undisclosed fair use policy.
  • Free plan is limited to a single brand and 20 posts per month.
  • API access is only available on the top Advanced tier.

Pricing, plan by plan

Instagram

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Instagram review.

Metricool

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 1 brand
    • 20 posts/month
    • 5 competitor profiles
  • Starter$20/month
    • Up to 10 brands
    • Unlimited publishing (fair use)
    • 100 competitor profiles
  • Advanced$53/month
    • Up to 50 brands
    • Team management and post approval
    • Full Twitter/X analytics

Which should you pick?

Choose Instagram if

  • You need photo and video sharing.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on iOS, Android, Web.
  • You also want stories.
Instagram review

Choose Metricool if

  • You need content planner.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on web, ios, android, api.
  • You also want analytics & competitor analysis.
Metricool review

Questions people ask

Is Instagram or Metricool better?
Neither clearly leads. Instagram starts at Free and Metricool at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Instagram or Metricool?
Instagram starts at Free and Metricool at Free.
Does Instagram or Metricool run on more platforms?
Instagram runs on iOS, Android, Web. Metricool runs on web, ios, android, api.
Can I use Instagram for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Instagram best used for?
Instagram is most often used for social networking, brand marketing, content creation, e-commerce. Of those, social networking and brand marketing are not what Metricool is typically brought in for.
What can Instagram do that Metricool cannot?
Instagram covers Photo and video sharing, Stories, Reels, IGTV. Metricool covers Content Planner, Analytics & Competitor Analysis, Automated Reporting, Unified Inbox.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Instagram: Is Instagram free to use?

Yes. Instagram is free for all users. Meta monetizes through advertising rather than subscription fees.

Source
Metricool: Is there a free plan, and what are its limits?

Metricool's Free plan supports 1 brand, up to 20 posts per month, 5 competitor profiles, and 30 days of analytics history.

Source
Instagram: How many users does Instagram have?

As of September 2025, Instagram has more than three billion users, making it one of the world's largest social media platforms.

Source
Metricool: What does Metricool cost?

Starter runs from about $20/month and Advanced from about $53/month (billed annually, with monthly billing also available); a Custom tier is available on request.

Source
Instagram: What platforms does Instagram support?

Instagram is available on iOS, Android, and web browsers as the primary platforms.

Source
Metricool: How is usage metered?

Plans limit the number of connected brands and competitor profiles; scheduling is unlimited on paid plans but subject to a fair use policy.

Source
Instagram: Can you upload both photos and videos on Instagram?

Yes. Instagram supports photo sharing, video uploads, stories, reels (short-form videos), and lives streams.

Source
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