- Ten social media reporting tools at a glance
- Social media reporting tools, one entry at a time
- What good social media reporting includes
- Features to weigh in social media reporting software
- Writing a social media report people will read
- Which social media reporting tool suits which business
- Data and privacy when you connect your accounts
- The case for smaller social media reporting tools
- A closing checklist for social media reporting software
- Frequently asked questions
Good social media reporting tools pull your numbers from each network into one clear report. Check which networks they cover, whether reports can be scheduled and branded, and what the free version limits. This page lists ten options in no particular order, then covers how to choose and what to include.
Posting is the easy part of social media. The harder question, for you or for a client, is what the posts achieved. Social media reporting tools pull your numbers from each network into one place, line them up against past results and turn them into a report you can read in minutes or send to someone else.
Here's a list of ten social media reporting tools, in no particular order, sorted alphabetically. Two are better known and the rest are smaller makers. I've taken every description from each tool's own website and directory listings, so check the current details on the site itself before you sign up. If you're not sure which numbers deserve a place in a report, my article on social media metrics that predict revenue is a useful starting point.
Ten social media reporting tools at a glance
In the free plan column, Yes means the tool's own site describes a permanent free plan or free tier. Trial only means a free trial but no ongoing free plan. Free tiers usually limit accounts, brands or report features, so check them against the number of profiles you need to cover.
| Tool | Type | Good for | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agorapulse | Management suite | Reports alongside inbox and scheduling | Yes |
| DashThis | Report dashboards | Automated dashboards for clients | Trial only |
| Databox | Dashboard platform | Pulling social and web data together | Yes |
| Iconosquare | Analytics platform | Social analytics and scheduled reports | Trial only |
| Metricool | Planner and analytics | Reports for several social profiles | Yes |
| NapoleonCat | Management suite | Analytics plus inbox and moderation | Trial only |
| Pallyy | Planner and analytics | Stats inside a client planner | Trial only |
| Reportei | Report builder | Quick automated marketing reports | Trial only |
| Socialinsider | Analytics and benchmarking | Comparing your profiles with rivals | Trial only |
| Swydo | Report builder | Customisable client reports | Trial only |
Social media reporting tools, one entry at a time
Agorapulse
Best for: Small teams who already manage comments and posts and want reports from the same login.
DashThis
Best for: Agencies and consultants who send regular marketing reports and want them to refresh on their own.
Databox
Best for: Owners who want social numbers on the same dashboard as their website and sales numbers.
Iconosquare
Best for: Brands and agencies who want clear social analytics with reports ready to share.
Metricool
Best for: Small businesses who want to see results for several profiles and download a report.
NapoleonCat
Best for: Teams who answer lots of comments and messages and want reports on that activity too.
Pallyy
Best for: Freelancers who plan posts for clients and want analytics in the same place.
Reportei
Best for: Agencies who want reports built automatically from connected accounts.
Socialinsider
Best for: Marketers who want to compare their results with other brands in the same field.
Swydo
Best for: Agencies and consultants who send tailored reports to several clients.
What good social media reporting includes
A useful report answers a few plain questions: what did we post, what happened and what should we do next. The tool collects the numbers, but you decide which ones matter.
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- Reach and engagement show how many people saw posts and what they did with them.
- Follower changes show growth over time, though not every new follower is valuable.
- Best-performing posts point to topics and formats worth repeating.
- Clicks and visits connect social activity to your website.
- Comparison with earlier periods turns a pile of numbers into a story.
If you're on a tight setup, you can still measure well. My guide to measuring social media success without a dedicated analytics tool shows what the networks give you directly.
Features to weigh in social media reporting software
- Networks covered. Check every network you use, since support varies from tool to tool.
- Scheduled reports. Can it send a report to you or a client on a set day?
- Branding. Agencies often need their own logo and colours on reports.
- Custom metrics. Look for the option to leave out numbers you don't care about.
- Export formats. PDF and slide formats are handy for sharing.
- History. Find out how far back the tool shows data once connected.
- Competitor comparison. Some tools let you compare against other profiles.
Writing a social media report people will read
- Start with one sentence on what happened this period.
- Show three to five numbers, not thirty.
- Say what worked and what didn't, in plain words.
- End with what you'll do next.
- Keep the layout the same each time so changes are easy to spot.
A tool gives you the numbers, but the commentary is where you add value. My reporting narrative prompt pack can help you write that part.
Which social media reporting tool suits which business
- Solo owners often do well with the reports built into a planner.
- Freelancers and agencies tend to want branded, scheduled reports for several clients.
- Teams that reply to a lot of messages may like a suite that reports on response activity.
- Marketers who watch rivals may value a tool built for benchmarking.
- Owners with data in many places could use a dashboard that mixes social, web and sales numbers.
Data and privacy when you connect your accounts
Reporting tools connect to your social accounts through each network's own sign-in. Connect only through that official screen, never by sharing a password. If you report on client accounts, make sure you have their permission, and check what each tool stores. This isn't legal advice, so read the current terms for your own situation.
The case for smaller social media reporting tools
Smaller makers tend to focus on one job, such as reports or dashboards, and many reply to support questions quickly. That can suit a small business that doesn't need a whole management suite.
Before you commit, check that the tool is still being updated, read its help pages and build one report for a real account. Make sure you can export your reports in case you switch later.
Do you make a social media reporting or analytics tool? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
A closing checklist for social media reporting software
Pick two that cover your networks, then build the same report in each. Compare how long it takes, how clear the result looks and whether it's something you'd be happy to send. Keep the one that fits your routine and note anything you'd want to ask the maker.
Frequently asked questions
What is a social media reporting tool?
It's software that collects your numbers from social networks and arranges them into reports or dashboards. Some also schedule the reports and email them to you or a client.
Do I need a reporting tool for social media?
Not necessarily. The networks give you basic numbers for free. A tool helps when you manage several profiles, report to clients or want numbers from many places on one page.
Is there a free social media reporting tool?
Some have a free plan and others offer a trial. The table on this page shows what each tool's own site says, and free plans usually limit profiles or features.
How often should I send social media reports?
Monthly suits most small businesses, with a quick weekly look at the numbers for yourself. Agencies usually follow what each client has agreed.
Which numbers matter most?
That depends on your goal. If you want sales, clicks and enquiries matter more than likes, so choose the numbers that link to what you want.
