The Best Social Media Management Tools for LinkedIn
(That Aren’t Overwhelming or Overhyped)
Keeping your LinkedIn presence consistent can feel like trying to cook dinner, answer emails and clean your flat… all at the same time.
But here’s the truth: You don’t need to be everywhere or post every single day. You just need a handful of social media software that actually help you stay visible, stay intentional and stay sane.
Whether you’re a one-person brand, a coach juggling client calls, or a small team trying to keep content rolling, here are the best LinkedIn management tools I’d recommend (and actually use).
Later - For Easy-Peasy Scheduling
If you’re the kind of person who gets bursts of inspiration, writes three posts at once, and then forgets to post them - Later is your new best friend.
What it does:
Schedule posts in advance
Preview how your feed will look
Auto-publish to LinkedIn (plus Instagram, Facebook, etc.)
Write once, schedule across platforms
Plan content visually in a calendar view
Why I like it:
It’s intuitive, colourful and doesn’t feel like you’re using enterprise software. If you like drag-and-drop tools and batching your content when you’re “in the zone”, Later’s a no-brainer.
Pricing and Limits:
Free plan available with paid plans beginning from $16.67 a month which unlocks more features. Check out Later’s full pricing plans here and access a 14-day free trial.
Pro-tip: Using Later’s visual calendar can help you maintain a balanced content mix, so your LinkedIn feed never feels repetitive.
2. Metricool - For Reports That Don’t Fry Your Brain
If you want to track your growth, figure out what’s working and show a bit of “proof” without falling into a spreadsheet rabbit hole, Metricool is it. It cuts through the noise, tracks what’s actually working and shows it in a way that actually makes sense.
What it does:
Tracks follower growth, reach, and clicks
Measures best-performing content
Provides downloadable reports (great for client work or end-of-month check-ins)
Shows competitor comparisons if you’re feeling nosy
Why I like it:
It makes data digestible. And unlike other analytics tools, Metricool works with LinkedIn company and personal pages (rare!).
Pricing and Limits:
Free plan available but this only includes basic metrics, is limited to 50 pieces of content a month and analysis of only 5 competitor profiles. Paid plans start from $18 a month which unlocks more extensive analytics and reporting features. You can check out Metricool’s full pricing plans here.
Pro-tip: Metricool helps you find the best times to post on LinkedIn. This means you don’t have to guess when your audience is paying attention, but can schedule your posts when engagement is statistically at its highest.
3. Shield App - For Personal Brand Nerds
If you’re building your personal LinkedIn presence and want to get super nerdy with insights, this is the tool. It’s like Google Analytics but specifically built for your LinkedIn profile.
What it does:
Breaks down impressions, engagement, and DMs per post
Identifies your top-performing content
Helps you spot trends over time (e.g., which post formats work best)
Tracks your personal brand growth, not just page analytics
Why I like it:
Shield is made specifically for personal brands and content creators on LinkedIn - so everything is hyper-relevant. It’s not cheap, but if you’re serious about LinkedIn growth or want to prove content ROI, it’s worth a look.
Pricing and Limits:
Plans available for both personal and team accounts with a 14-day free trial available for both. However, once the 14-day trial period is over, you will have to continue with a paid plan. Personal plans start from $15 a month while team accounts start from $25 a month.
Pro-tip: Shield provides a weekly email summary as a useful nudge to keep your content strategy on track without having to constantly log in
Bonus Tools:
These tools aren’t LinkedIn specific but are valuable for keeping your content game strong:
Canva - For creating posts, banners, lead magnets and carousels that look 10x more professional with half the effort. Compare Canva’s variety of plans here.
ChatGPT – A powerful AI tool for idea generation, writing support and reworking content that isn’t quite landing. You can use the free version here or upgrade to the plus version to remove daily usage restrictions.
Airtable or Notion - If you love a content calendar or want to organise your content library without using a million sticky notes, these tools are excellent for planning and collaboration. Both tools offer free and paid plans. Notion starts at a cheaper price of £8.50 while Airtable has a starting price of $20.
TL; DR?
Use Later to batch and schedule your content so you’re not glued to your laptop.
Use Metricool to track what’s working (without the stats-induced headache).
Use Shield if you want the in-depth data behind your personal brand posts.
Use Canva to make your stuff look good.
Use your voice to make your content work.
Because the best content strategy is the one you actually use and these tools make it that little bit easier.
Summary
LinkedIn is a long game, but this doesn’t mean it has to eat up your week.
Want to show up without overthinking every post? Later and Canva streamline the creative side.
Need more insight into what’s working? Shield shows you which posts are landing best.
Managing multiple brands or tools? Metricool keeps your strategy clear and schedule under control.
Whichever stage you’re at, there’s a tool to make your LinkedIn management easier.
About Me
Hi, I’m Sam - a social media strategist and founder of Vertebrae Social. I help founders and creatives show up confidently on LinkedIn with content that actually connects. Since 2020, I’ve supported owners in refining their profiles, building a personal brand and turning posts into real connections. As part of LinkedIn’s first Creator Accelerator and a previous workshop host for brands like Virgin Money and Natwest, I’m all about making LinkedIn and other social media platforms feel less like a chore and more of a space you can actually thrive in. Learn more about us and our work here.
Let's connect today. Get in contact
FAQ’s
What is a social media management tool?
A social media management tool is basically your behind-the-scenes helper. It helps you schedule posts, track performance and manage interactions all in one place, so you’re not juggling a million tabs. For LinkedIn, this means it’s easier to show up consistently, see what’s working and free up your time for the bigger picture.
Do I need a social media management tool?
Not necessarily. But if you’re juggling a million things, it can be a real lifesaver. Social media management tools aren’t just for big teams or agencies. They’re for anyone who wants to stay visible without feeling overwhelmed. If you’re tired of scrambling to post in real time, or wondering if your content is hitting the mark, a good tool can save you time, stress and second-guessing.
What is the best social media monitoring tool?
It depends what you want to keep your eye on. Shield is best for monitoring personal LinkedIn performance by giving details on impressions, engagements and DM’s. Metricool works for both personal and company pages and is great for pulling reports without the stress of spreadsheets. Later includes a simple analytics tab so you can check on performance while scheduling your content to keep it consistent.