Later vs Metricool
Visual planner versus free analytics platform for Pinterest
TL;DR
For Pinterest pin creation: Later provides visual planning at $16.67/mo, while Metricool offers analytics with a free tier. Later is better for visual content management, Metricool for analytics at a lower cost. BlogToPin automates pin creation from blog content.
Key Differences for Pinterest
How these tools differ for Pinterest pin creation and scheduling
Pinterest Focus
Later has a Pinterest rating of 6/10 while Metricool scores 6/10. Both tools offer similar Pinterest support.
Pricing
Later starts at $25/mo while Metricool starts at $22/mo. Metricool offers a free plan.
Bulk Pin Creation
Neither Later nor Metricool can generate pins from your website automatically. BlogToPin reads your sitemap and creates hundreds of optimized pins with AI-written titles and descriptions.
Platform Support
Later supports Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest, Facebook, LinkedIn, X. Metricool covers Instagram, Facebook, X, LinkedIn, Pinterest, TikTok, YouTube, Google Business, Twitch. Metricool gives you more platform options.
Analytics
Metricool provides deeper Pinterest analytics. Metricool offers detailed analytics while the other has more basic reporting.
Pricing for Pinterest Users
What you will actually pay for Pinterest pin scheduling
Later
Per social set with post limits
Metricool
Tiered plans based on brands
BlogToPin
Starter plan. 1,000+ pins/mo. Unlimited AI.
Pinterest Feature Comparison
20 Pinterest-relevant features compared side-by-side
| Feature | Later | Metricool | BlogToPin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pinterest Features | |||
| Pinterest Scheduling | |||
| Smart Schedule | Best Time to Post | Best Times | AI-powered |
| Pin Templates | 100+ templates | ||
| Board Management | Basic | Basic | |
| Idea & Video Pins | |||
| Automation | |||
| Bulk Scheduling | CSV import | Automatic | |
| Auto-Create from URL | |||
| Auto-Sync New Content | |||
| Content Recycling | |||
| Delete Underperforming Pins | |||
| RSS Feed Integration | |||
| AI & Content | |||
| AI Writing | AI Caption Writer | AI Assistant | Unlimited |
| AI Image Generation | |||
| Hashtag Suggestions | Hashtag Tracker | ||
| Analytics | |||
| Pinterest Analytics | Basic | Detailed | |
| Best Time to Post | |||
| Competitor Tracking | |||
| Platform | |||
| Multi-Platform | Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest, Facebook, LinkedIn, X | Instagram, Facebook, X, LinkedIn, Pinterest, TikTok, YouTube, Google Business, Twitch | Pinterest focused |
| Mobile App | |||
| Team Collaboration | Growth plan | Team plan | Business plan |
Pros & Cons for Pinterest
Strengths and weaknesses for Pinterest pin workflows
Later
Pros
- Beautiful visual calendar makes content planning intuitive
- Excellent Instagram grid preview and planning
- Supports 6+ social platforms from one dashboard
- Linkin.bio feature for Instagram and TikTok
- Clean, modern interface that is easy to learn
- Strong mobile app for on-the-go scheduling
Cons
- Pinterest is treated as a secondary platform
- No pin recycling or evergreen content features
- Post limits can be restrictive on lower plans
- No Pinterest-specific optimization tools
- Analytics are basic compared to dedicated Pinterest tools
- Cannot create pins from existing website content
Metricool
Pros
- Best analytics in its price range, especially for Pinterest
- Competitor tracking lets you benchmark against others
- Hashtag tracker monitors performance over time
- Free plan is actually useful for solo creators
- Best time to post suggestions based on your data
- Clean dashboard with actionable insights
Cons
- Scheduling features are secondary to analytics
- No pin design tools or templates
- No content recycling or automation features
- Cannot create pins from website content
- Bulk scheduling limited to CSV import
- Some advanced analytics locked behind higher plans
BlogToPin
Pros
- Auto-creates pins from your website content — no manual design
- 100+ pin templates for visual variety across your profile
- AI writes Pinterest-optimized titles and descriptions
- Automatically deletes underperforming pins to protect account quality
- Smart scheduling posts pins at optimal times
- Reads your sitemap and generates pins from every page
Cons
- Pinterest-only — does not support other social platforms
- No mobile app yet
- Requires a website with content to generate pins from
- Starting at $39/mo, higher entry price than basic schedulers
What Users Say
Real user reviews from Trustpilot and G2
Later Reviews
“This is how client services should be done — quick, decisive, and no BS.”
“I recently signed up for Later, attracted by their free trial. However, after just a couple of days into the automatic yearly subscription, I found out that they refuse to issue any refunds.”
Metricool Reviews
“I've used Metricool now for over a year, and run over 30 different brands from their platform. Their support team is fantastic.”
“The software simply does not work and customer support is unresponsive, unreliable, and they do not value customers' time.”
Best For Pinterest
When to choose each tool for your Pinterest pin strategy
Later
- Multi-platform creators who need one tool for everything
- Visual planners who love drag-and-drop calendars
- Instagram-first brands that also post to Pinterest
Metricool
- Data-driven marketers who want deep Pinterest analytics
- Creators who want competitor tracking and benchmarking
- Budget-conscious users who want analytics plus scheduling
BlogToPin
- You need hundreds of unique pins created from your website content
- You want AI to write Pinterest-optimized titles and descriptions
- You are tired of manually designing pin images for every post
- You want to automatically remove underperforming pins
- You need Pinterest pin creation on autopilot, not just scheduling
Overview
Later and Metricool offer different Pinterest value. Later helps plan and organize visual content with a media library. Metricool provides analytics and data-driven scheduling with a free starting point. Both are solid mid-range options — the choice depends on whether visual planning or analytics matters more to your Pinterest workflow.
Visual Planning vs. Analytics
Later's media library and visual calendar are designed for image-centric platforms. For Pinterest, seeing your pin images organized and planned visually is a natural workflow.
Metricool's analytics show pin performance, audience behavior, and optimal posting times. SmartSchedule recommendations help maximize pin visibility based on data.
Pinterest Scheduling
Later offers polished Pinterest scheduling with Linkin.bio for traffic conversion. The visual calendar makes scheduling intuitive for pin content.
Metricool includes analytics-backed scheduling with SmartSchedule timing suggestions. The data-driven approach can improve pin visibility.
Pricing
Metricool's free plan includes basic Pinterest scheduling and analytics — the lowest-cost entry point. Later starts at $16.67/mo for its visual planning features.
For budget-conscious Pinterest marketers, start with Metricool free and upgrade to Later only if visual planning becomes important.
Pin Creation
Neither creates pins from content. Later organizes existing pins. Metricool analyzes and schedules them.
BlogToPin automates the blog-to-pin pipeline. Combined with either tool, it creates a complete Pinterest system — Metricool for free analytics or Later for visual planning.
Final Verdict
Metricool offers the more accessible entry point with free analytics and scheduling. Later is worth upgrading to if visual content planning is important to your Pinterest workflow.
For pin creation, BlogToPin automates blog-to-pin conversion — the capability both tools lack.
Want pins created automatically?
Both Later and Metricool require manual pin creation. BlogToPin generates pins from your website with AI — no design work needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
7 questions answered about Later vs Metricool
Should I start with Later or Metricool for Pinterest?
Start with Metricool's free plan to test Pinterest scheduling and see your analytics data. Once you understand your workflow, upgrade to Later if visual content planning and a media library become important. Metricool is the lower-risk entry point since there's no upfront cost.
Which tool provides better Pinterest analytics?
Metricool offers stronger Pinterest analytics out of the box, including pin performance tracking, audience behavior insights, and optimal posting time recommendations through SmartSchedule. Later provides basic analytics but relies more on Pinterest's native analytics for deeper insights.
How much does Later cost compared to Metricool?
Metricool has a free plan that includes basic Pinterest scheduling and analytics. Later starts at $16.67/mo. For budget-conscious Pinterest marketers, Metricool provides functional scheduling and superior analytics at no cost, while Later charges for its visual planning and media library features.
Can Later or Metricool create Pinterest pins automatically?
Neither tool creates pin designs. Later organizes existing pins in a visual media library. Metricool analyzes and schedules them with data-driven timing. For automated pin creation from blog posts, BlogToPin generates Pinterest-optimized designs, descriptions, and scheduling.
Does Metricool's SmartSchedule work well for Pinterest?
Yes. Metricool's SmartSchedule analyzes when your Pinterest audience is most active and recommends optimal posting times. This data-driven approach can improve pin visibility and engagement compared to manually guessing the best times to post.
Is Later worth paying for if Metricool is free?
Later is worth the investment if visual content planning is central to your Pinterest workflow. Its media library with labels, drag-and-drop calendar, and Linkin.bio for traffic conversion offer capabilities Metricool's free plan does not. If you primarily need scheduling and analytics, Metricool's free tier may be sufficient.
Can I use Metricool and BlogToPin together for Pinterest?
Yes. BlogToPin automates pin creation from blog content, and Metricool provides free analytics to track pin performance and schedule future pins at optimal times. This combination gives you automated creation plus data-driven distribution without paying for Later.
Tired of creating pins by hand?
BlogToPin generates Pinterest pins from your website automatically. AI writes the titles and descriptions, 100+ templates handle design, and smart scheduling posts at optimal times. Try it free.