Best Apps to Schedule Instagram Posts: A Complete Guide
Instagram is only the 3rd social platform after Facebook and YouTube to have more than a billion monthly active users. The popularity of the photo-sharing app in the past couple of years has grown to an extent where businesses can now no longer leave it out of their online marketing strategy.
As a matter of fact, Instagram suggests that there are now more than 25 million business pages on Instagram and 80% of their users follow at least one brand on their platform.
Instagram scheduling apps are tools that allow you to plan, create, and schedule posts in advance. These apps help you maintain a consistent posting schedule, save time, and improve your overall Instagram strategy. Whether you’re a solo creator, a small business, or a large enterprise, scheduling apps can streamline your workflow and help you achieve your social media goals.
Being consistent on Instagram
As a business owner, you might already understand the importance of time and are thorough about things on which you actually should spend your time in order to grow your businesses.
When it comes to marketing yourself on social networking platforms, consistency is the key. This means that you’ll have to regularly keep posting great content on Instagram to keep the users engaged, attract more followers, and improve your reputation on the platform.
But do you really think that you’d be able to take at least 30 minutes off from your busy schedule regularly to find great photos and captions to maintain your consistency on Instagram? Even if you can, don’t you think this would negatively affect your productivity?
Also, a lot of businesses have a marketing team handling their Instagram page, but won’t this affect their productivity as well? Especially, when marketing professionals already have so much on their plate? Fortunately, there is now a simpler and time-efficient alternative- Instagram post scheduler.
Why Use Instagram Scheduling Apps?
Here are some key reasons to use Instagram scheduling apps:
- Consistency: Maintain a regular posting schedule without manual effort.
- Time-Saving: Plan and schedule posts in advance, freeing up time for other tasks.
- Analytics: Track performance and optimize your strategy.
- Collaboration: Work with team members and manage multiple accounts.
- Automation: Automate posting and focus on engagement.
Best Instagram Scheduling Apps.
- Post Scheduling: Schedule posts, stories, and reels in advance.
- Visual Content Calendar: Drag-and-drop interface for easy planning.
- Analytics: Track engagement, follower growth, and post performance.
- Media Library: Organize and store your content in a centralized library.
- Hashtag Suggestions: Get recommendations for trending hashtags.
- Linkin.bio: Turn your Instagram profile into a clickable landing page.
- Free plan available.
- Paid plans start at $18/month.
- Easy to use.
- Great for visual planning.
- Free plan available.
- Limited features on the free plan.
- No direct publishing for Instagram posts (reminders required).
- Post Scheduling: Schedule posts and stories across multiple platforms.
- Analytics: Track performance metrics like impressions, reach, and engagement.
- Team Collaboration: Collaborate with team members and assign tasks.
- Multi-Platform Support: Manage Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.
- Content Calendar: Visualize your posting schedule.
- Browser Extension: Schedule posts directly from your browser.
- Free plan available.
- Paid plans start at $6/month.
- Affordable pricing.
- Simple and intuitive interface.
- Free plan available.
- Limited features compared to competitors.
- No direct publishing for Instagram posts.
- Post Scheduling: Schedule posts, stories, and reels.
- Advanced Analytics: Track performance with detailed reports.
- Team Collaboration: Assign tasks, approve posts, and manage team members.
- Multi-Platform Support: Manage Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and more.
- Social Listening: Monitor brand mentions and industry trends.
- Content Library: Store and organize your media files.
- Free plan available.
- Paid plans start at $49/month.
- Robust features for businesses.
- Excellent team collaboration tools.
- Direct publishing for Instagram posts.
- Expensive for small businesses.
- Steeper learning curve.
- Post Scheduling: Schedule posts, stories, and reels.
- Drag-and-Drop Calendar: Visualize your content with an easy-to-use calendar.
- Analytics: Measure engagement and track performance.
- Media Library: Organize and store your content.
- Hashtag Manager: Save and organize hashtags for easy use.
- Grid Preview: See how your posts will look on your Instagram grid.
- Free plan available.
- Paid plans start at $15/month.
- Great for visual content creators.
- User-friendly interface.
- Free plan available.
- Limited features on the free plan.
- No direct publishing for Instagram posts (reminders required).
- Post Scheduling: Schedule posts, stories, and reels.
- Advanced Analytics: Generate detailed reports on performance.
- Social Listening: Monitor brand mentions and industry trends.
- Team Collaboration: Collaborate with team members and manage workflows.
- Content Calendar: Plan and visualize your posting schedule.
- CRM Tools: Manage customer relationships and interactions.
- Plans start at $249/month.
- Comprehensive features for businesses.
- Excellent analytics and reporting.
- Direct publishing for Instagram posts.
- Expensive for small businesses.
- Overwhelming for beginners.
- Post Scheduling: Schedule posts and stories.
- Analytics: Track performance metrics like engagement and reach.
- Team Collaboration: Collaborate with team members and manage multiple accounts.
- Multi-Platform Support: Manage Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and more.
- Content Calendar: Visualize your posting schedule.
- Bulk Scheduling: Schedule multiple posts at once.
- Plans start at $25.50/month.
- Affordable pricing.
- Great for small businesses and agencies.
- Direct publishing for Instagram posts.
- Limited features compared to competitors.
- Interface can feel outdated.
- Post Scheduling: Schedule posts and stories.
- Visual Content Calendar: Plan and visualize your posts.
- Hashtag Recommendations: Get suggestions for trending hashtags.
- Analytics: Track performance and engagement.
- SmartSchedule: Automatically schedule posts at optimal times.
- Grid Preview: See how your posts will look on your Instagram grid.
- Free plan available.
- Paid plans start at $9.99/month.
- Free plan available.
- Affordable pricing.
- Free plan available.
- Limited features compared to competitors.
- No direct publishing for Instagram posts.
Features of Instagram Scheduling Apps
In January 2018, Instagram finally released a feature that social media managers have been wanting for a very long time- it now allows businesses pages on Instagram to schedule their posts.
The support has been added to the API of Instagram which means that the feature is not available on the Instagram platform itself. However, social media software applications can access this feature and offer it to business pages through their application.
Here are some common features to look for in Instagram scheduling apps:
- Scheduling: Plan and schedule posts, stories, and reels in advance.
- Analytics: Track performance and optimize your strategy.
- Content Calendar: Visualize your posting schedule.
- Media Library: Organize and store your content.
- Team Collaboration: Work with team members and manage multiple accounts.
- Direct Publishing: Automatically publish posts without reminders.
Pricing Comparison of each App
| App | Free Plan | Paid Plans |
|---|---|---|
| Later | Yes | Starts at $18/month |
| Buffer | Yes | Starts at $6/month |
| Hootsuite | Yes | Starts at $49/month |
| Planoly | Yes | Starts at $15/month |
| Sprout Social | No | Starts at $249/month |
| SocialPilot | No | Starts at $25.50/month |
| Tailwind | Yes | Starts at $9.99/month |
Pros and Cons Comparison of each App
| App | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Later |
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| Buffer |
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| Hootsuite |
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| Planoly |
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| Sprout Social |
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| SocialPilot |
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| Tailwind |
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How to Choose the Right Scheduling App
While there are a number of social media software applications now available which help you manage your Instagram and other social pages in a more organized and efficient manner than managing them directly through the Instagram app and Instagram website, not every application supports the post scheduler API.
Using these applications is an effective way to get more Instagram likes, comments, followers, and improve your presence on the platform. Most of these solutions come with innovative features to make Instagram page management easy and time-efficient.
When choosing an Instagram scheduling app, consider the following factors:
- Features: Does it offer the features you need?
- Pricing: Is it within your budget?
- Ease of Use: Is the interface user-friendly?
- Team Collaboration: Does it support team collaboration?
- Analytics: Does it provide detailed performance insights?
Know that most of these are paid applications which offer a host of additional features apart from scheduling Instagram photos. Some of them also offer free packages but they come with limited features and mostly do not support post scheduling. Also, some of them are also available in app form apart from their online platform.
Benefits of Scheduling Instagram Posts
Scheduling Instagram posts isn’t just a time-saver—it’s a strategic move that transforms how brands and creators engage with their audience. Below are 10 detailed benefits, including new subtopics, to highlight why scheduling is a game-changer:
Time Efficiency and Workflow Optimization
- Batch Creation: Design multiple posts in one sitting (e.g., weekly or monthly content batches) to avoid daily creative burnout.
- Automation: Tools like Buffer or Later eliminate manual posting, freeing hours for brainstorming, analytics review, or engagement.
- Example: A social media manager saves 10+ hours monthly by scheduling content upfront.
Consistency for Algorithm Favorability
- Algorithm Boost: Instagram prioritizes accounts that post regularly. A consistent schedule signals reliability, increasing reach.
- Audience Trust: Followers learn when to expect content, building habit-driven engagement.
- Stat: Accounts posting 5+ times weekly see 2x higher engagement than sporadic posters (Hootsuite, 2023).
Global Audience Reach
- Time Zone Adaptation: Schedule posts to align with peak activity times in different regions (e.g., 9 AM in New York and 6 PM in Mumbai).
- Multilingual Campaigns: Plan posts in multiple languages for diverse demographics.
Data-Driven Strategy Refinement
- Performance Tracking: Use analytics from schedulers like Meta Business Suite to identify top-performing content.
- A/B Testing: Schedule variations of captions, hashtags, or visuals to test what resonates.
- Example: A beauty brand discovers carousel posts drive 40% more clicks than static images.
Stress Reduction and Mental Well-being
- Avoid Last-Minute Panic: Pre-planning prevents rushed, low-quality posts.
- Work-Life Balance: Creators can take breaks without worrying about gaps in content.
- Stat: 68% of marketers report reduced anxiety after adopting scheduling tools (Social Media Today, 2023).
Enhanced Content Quality
- Creative Focus: Allocate time to polish visuals, write compelling captions, and source user-generated content (UGC).
- Editing Buffer: Review scheduled posts for errors or alignment with brand guidelines before they go live.
Team Collaboration and Accountability
- Shared Calendars: Tools like Trello or Asana let teams assign roles (e.g., designer, copywriter) and track deadlines.
- Approval Workflows: Managers can review and approve content before publishing.
Strategic Alignment with Campaigns
- Campaign Syncing: Schedule posts to coincide with product launches, holidays, or events (e.g., Black Friday sales).
- Cross-Platform Coordination: Align Instagram posts with email newsletters, blogs, or TikTok content for unified messaging.
Crisis Management and Flexibility
- Draft Mode: Most schedulers allow last-minute edits if a post becomes irrelevant (e.g., during a PR crisis).
- Backup Content: Maintain a library of evergreen posts to fill gaps during unexpected disruptions.
Consistent Brand Voice and Aesthetic
- Tone Control: Pre-plan captions to ensure alignment with brand personality (e.g., playful vs. professional).
- Visual Cohesion: Use scheduling tools’ grid previews to design a visually harmonious feed.
- Example: Glossier’s pastel-heavy feed is meticulously planned to reinforce its minimalist brand identity.
Avoiding Burnout and Creative Blocks
- Sustainable Workflow: Avoid the pressure of daily content creation by working in batches.
- Idea Bank: Use scheduling downtime to curate a backlog of content ideas for future use.
Post scheduling features
No matter if your aim is to get more Instagram followers, brand awareness, or get more leads, you need to turn your Instagram page into something that the users look up to it on a regular basis. This can only be achieved by staying consistent with your Instagram posts. Social media applications with post scheduling feature are an excellent way to post content consistently and keep your audience engaged.
While you can try any one of the applications mentioned above, it is important to understand how the post scheduling feature works. While the feature works slightly different in most of these applications, knowing how it works in one would make it easier to understand its function in other applications too.
For this post, we are considering Buffer for Business to help you understand how you can use the post scheduling feature.
How to use Buffer for Business to schedule your posts?
Know that the post scheduling feature is only available for business profiles on Instagram. If you only have a profile for an organization, you’ll first have to make it a business profile.
Once you have a business profile, follow these steps on Buffer for Business application.
Step 1 : Connecting Instagram account
On the Buffer dashboard, look for the “Connect More” option. A new page will open with all the different social platform options. Select “Instagram” and enter the username and password of your Instagram page.
Step 2 : Scheduling Instagram Photos
Once the account is connected, its time for scheduling the post. Look for a photo that you’d like to post at a later date/time. After selecting the photo, go to Buffer’s dashboard and look for the “Content” option, click on it and you’ll get the option to “Queue” your post.
Step 3: Queuing the post
Click the “Queue” button and you’d get to create a post just like you normally do on Instagram. Add the photo, caption, and @-mentions if you want to. Once done, click on the “Add to Queue” button and you can now share this post instantly or choose a date/time to schedule it for later.
That is it! If you’ve scheduled the post, it’ll be posted automatically at the time/date that you’ve selected. All the other popular social media applications work more or less the same way.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, many scheduling apps like Later, Buffer, and Tailwind offer free plans with basic features. However, free plans often have limitations, such as a restricted number of posts or accounts.
Yes, most scheduling apps, including Later, Hootsuite, and Buffer, allow you to schedule Instagram Stories. However, some apps may require you to manually publish Stories after receiving a reminder.
Yes, you can edit scheduled posts in most apps. For example, Later and Planoly allow you to modify captions, hashtags, and images before the post goes live.
Yes, most scheduling apps offer analytics to track your Instagram performance. For example:
- Later: Provides insights into engagement, follower growth, and post performance.
- Hootsuite: Offers advanced analytics and reporting tools.
- Buffer: Offers advanced analytics and reporting tools.
Yes, most scheduling apps support multiple Instagram accounts. For example:
- Hootsuite: Allows you to manage up to 10 social media accounts on its paid plans.
- Buffer: Supports multiple accounts on its paid plans.
- Later: Lets you manage up to 3 social media accounts on its free plan.
Do scheduling apps support Instagram Reels?
- Later: Allows you to schedule Reels and provides reminders for publishing.
- Hootsuite: Supports Reels scheduling with direct publishing capabilities.
- Hootsuite: Supports all major social media platforms.
- Buffer: Supports Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.
- Tailwind: Focuses on Instagram and Pinterest.
Direct publishing allows you to automatically publish posts without needing a reminder. Apps that support direct publishing for Instagram posts include:
- Hootsuite
- Hootsuite
- Hootsuite:
Due to Instagram’s API restrictions, some apps (e.g., Later, Buffer) require you to manually confirm posts after receiving a reminder.
Yes, some apps like SocialPilot and Planoly allow you to schedule multiple posts at once. This is especially useful for businesses and agencies managing large volumes of content.
Yes, scheduling apps are safe to use as long as they comply with Instagram’s API policies. Always choose reputable apps with good reviews and avoid sharing your login credentials with untrusted platforms.
Can I use scheduling apps on mobile devices?
- Later: Offers a mobile app for scheduling and managing posts on the go.
- Buffer: Provides a mobile app for scheduling and analytics.
Yes, some apps like Tailwind and Later provide hashtag suggestions to help you optimize your posts for discoverability.
Yes, many scheduling apps offer team collaboration features. For example:
- Hootsuite: Allows you to assign tasks, approve posts, and manage team members.
- Buffer: Supports team collaboration on its paid plans.
Yes, most scheduling apps allow you to set your preferred time zone. This is especially useful if your audience is spread across multiple regions.
Yes, most scheduling apps support carousel posts (multi-image posts). For example:
- Later: Allows you to schedule and preview carousel posts.
- Planoly: Supports carousel posts with drag-and-drop functionality.
No, Instagram Highlights cannot be scheduled directly. However, you can schedule Stories and later add them to Highlights manually.
Yes, some apps like Canva (integrated with Later) and Planoly offer content templates to help you create visually appealing posts.
Yes, some apps like Sprout Social and Hootsuite offer social listening tools to track competitor activity and industry trends.
No, Instagram Live videos cannot be scheduled. You can only go live in real-time.
Can I schedule posts for Instagram Shopping?
Conclusion
Instagram scheduling apps are essential tools for anyone looking to streamline their social media strategy. Whether you’re a solo creator, a small business, or a large enterprise, these apps can help you save time, maintain consistency, and achieve your Instagram goals. By choosing the right app and scheduling your posts at the best times, you can maximize engagement and grow your audience.
From saving time, freedom to post content through a desktop computer, creating better Instagram captions, encouraging engagement, to cultivating a better feel and look of your page, there are several ways in which scheduled posts can help.
Now that you know what the post scheduling feature is and the top applications you can use for the same, use this knowledge to improve your credibility on the platform and attract more Instagram followers and engagement.
