Although TweetDeck was created to offer multiple integrations, after its acquisition by Twitter the interface was modified into an exclusive dashboard for managing Twitter accounts. The social media management options with TweetDeck are quite limited and may not be suitable for users seeking to integrate other platforms. HootSuite provides a more extensive list of integrations that can be beneficial for the user.
HootSuite vs TweetDeck
The main difference between HootSuite and TweetDeck is that HootSuite offers more social media profile integrations than TweetDeck. TweetDeck offers profile integrations mainly with Twitter.
It is an apt platform for Twitter management. However, HootSuite offers integrations with Facebook, Twitter, WordPress, and many other essential platforms.
Comparison Table Between HootSuite and TweetDeck
| Parameters of Comparison | HootSuite | TweetDeck |
| Social Media Profile Integrations | HootSuite offers a vast list of integrations for the user. Social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and others can be integrated with the HootSuite dashboard. | TweetDeck offers social media management for only Twitter accounts. The platform used to offer more integrations but since it was acquired by Twitter, the platform functions exclusively for Twitter accounts. |
| Suitability of Usage | HootSuite is best suited for small businesses that want to manage multiple, diverse social media platforms simultaneously. | TweetDeck is more suitable for businesses seeking to solely manage their Twitter accounts. |
| Price | HootSuite has a free trial version of the app. It also offers 4 paid plans with more enhanced features for the user to enjoy. | TweetDeck is a holistically free platform. No paid plans are offered by the platform. |
| Customer Support | HootSuite offers customers email support along with the other channels of support. It also has a customer forum, where customers can raise issues and get quick replies. | TweetDeck does not offer email support for customers. It offers training and tutorial videos as support measures but email support is absent from its customer care provisions. |
| Free Version Offerings | The free version of HootSuite offers the user 3 social media profile integrations. | TweetDeck has no paid plans. Thus, it offers all its features completely free of cost. |
What is HootSuite?
HootSuite is a social media management platform that helps users manage their online profiles with an added sense of ease. The Vancouver-based company provides users with a content management system and a robust analytics system.
The added list of features offered by HootSuite includes social media monitoring for the client, multi-user collaborations, multi-account management, automated publishing, and others. HootSuite has a web app to make the platform more easily accessible to users.
The most striking offering of the brand is that it allows the user a diverse list of social media integrations. Users can link their Facebook, Twitter, WordPress, LinkedIn, Instagram, and other accounts with the platform. Its integrated dashboard has columns and pop-up notifications that allow users to easily track all their social media activities through a single platform.
However, this plethora of integrations can only be accessed with a paid subscription. The free version of the platform allows the user to integrate only 3 social media profiles.
What is TweetDeck?
TweetDeck is another favorable option available within the arena of social media management dashboards. TweetDeck is a totally free platform that is apt for managing the user’s Twitter profiles. The app is used to improve the functionality and organization of the user’s multiple Twitter accounts.
It offers very limited social media integrations and caters mainly to Twitter accounts. This circumscribes the usage of the platform to a considerable level. However, when TweetDeck was conceptualized, other popular social media platforms like Facebook could be integrated. This change in the list of TweetDeck integrations happened after the independent platform was acquired by Twitter Inc. and integrated into the Twitter interface.
The TweetDeck dashboard has multiple columns that display the user’s activity from his various Twitter accounts. The user can also customize the TweetDeck dashboard. This allows the user to alter its layout and notification features according to his own needs.
Main Differences Between HootSuite and TweetDeck
- The main difference between HootSuite and TweetDeck is that while HootSuite offers a much more extensive list of social media profile integrations, TweetDeck can only be used to manage one’s Twitter accounts. Integrations with WordPress, Vimeo, Google+, UberFlip, and many other platforms are offered by HootSuite. Thus, HootSuite offers the user more social media management options than TweetDeck.
- TweetDeck is a completely free application, while HootSuite has both free as well as paid versions available. It has 4 comprehensive pricing plans for the user to choose from.
- HootSuite offers email support to customers which is absent in the case of TweetDeck. Additionally, HootSuite also has a community forum for customers to raise issues and get quick solutions for their issues.
- TweetDeck and HootSuite are quite different in terms of their suitability for their niche target audiences. TweetDeck is better suited for individuals and small businesses who want a free tool especially oriented towards Twitter management. Contrarily, HootSuite is suitable for small businesses that want to manage a variety of divergent networks.
- The free version offerings of both platforms differ. HootSuite allows the user to access only 3 social media accounts with its free version. The paid plans come with more features and access options.
Conclusion
Managing multiple social media accounts on a single device can be a daunting task. Software applications that integrate multiple social media accounts into a single dashboard are invaluable to users. TweetDeck and HootSuite are both part of such software variants.
Each platform has its own advantages and disadvantages. However, the most striking feature that makes HootSuite a clear victory in the battle between the two is the multiple integrations offered by the platform. TweetDeck can be best described as an exclusive dashboard for managing Twitter accounts. It cannot be used for other social media platforms. This is a severe restraint on its usage.
However, the choice between the two user-friendly, simple interfaces will be determined by the requirements of the users. If you want a free social media management platform just for your Twitter profiles then TweetDeck is the better option. While if you desire an integrative, all-in-one dashboard that caters to multiple platforms, then HootSuite is the more suitable choice.
References
- https://vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/bitstream/handle/10919/88454/Managing%20Library%20Social%20Media%20with%20HootSuite.pdf?sequence=4
- https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02763877.2012.704566