TweetDeck became X Pro and now sits behind X Premium, so many people look elsewhere. For columns, Hootsuite's streams come closest. For scheduling, Buffer, Typefully and Hypefury are well known. For analytics, Metricool and Sprout Social cover more than X's own tools. Pick by the job you need done.
The tool most people call TweetDeck still exists, but it doesn't look or behave like the one you remember. If it has changed on you, or you'd rather not subscribe just to keep it, there are good options. Which one fits depends on what you used TweetDeck for.
A short history: TweetDeck, X Pro and X Premium
TweetDeck started as an independent dashboard for Twitter, built around columns you could set up for your home feed, mentions, lists and searches. Twitter bought it, and it became the standard tool for people who managed busy accounts.
After Twitter was renamed X, TweetDeck was rebranded as X Pro, and access later moved to X Premium subscribers. That change is the reason so many people searched for a replacement. If you're weighing the subscription itself, I've covered it in whether X Premium is worth it in 2026.
I'm keeping this to what each tool is known for. Features, limits and plans on both X and third-party tools change often, so check each provider's current plans page before you commit.
First, work out what you used it for
TweetDeck did three jobs at once, and most alternatives only do one or two well. Decide which of these matters to you.
- Columns: watching several feeds, lists, searches and mentions side by side.
- Scheduling: writing posts ahead of time and queuing them.
- Analytics: seeing what worked so you can do more of it.
Most small business owners need scheduling first, then a way to monitor a few lists, then analytics. Agencies and journalists often care most about the columns.
If you need columns
This is the hardest job to replace, because few tools copy the multi-column layout.
Hootsuite
Hootsuite's streams let you monitor a feed, mentions and searches side by side, which is why people compare it with TweetDeck. It's a broader social media management tool, so it can feel like more than you need if you only use X. It suits teams and people running several accounts.
Lists on X, pinned in your browser
The free approach is to build lists on X for customers, competitors and industry voices, then open each one in its own pinned browser tab or window. It's not as neat, but it works for a solo owner who just wants to watch a handful of accounts.
Browser tricks on a wide screen
If you have a large monitor, put two or three windows side by side, each showing a different list or search. It's a low-tech version of columns, and it's free to try this week.
If you need scheduling
Scheduling is where the alternatives are strongest. Here's who each one suits.
Buffer
Buffer is known for a clean, simple queue across several networks. It suits solo owners and small teams who want to plan posts without learning a big platform. It's lighter on monitoring and listening.
Typefully
Typefully is built around writing for X. It has a good drafting editor, thread support and basic analytics. It suits people who write threads and care about the writing experience more than managing many networks.
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Hypefury
Hypefury is aimed at creators who want to schedule, recycle older posts and automate some engagement. It suits people building an audience on X. If you want to grow a small account, read my notes on how to grow a small account before you automate anything.
Metricool
Metricool combines planning with reporting across several networks. It suits a small business that wants one place for the calendar and the numbers.
If you need analytics
X has its own analytics, but they're limited if you want to compare against other channels or see history over time. Two other ideas help.
- Metricool and Sprout Social offer reporting that sits across networks. Sprout Social is built for larger teams and goes deeper, while Metricool is lighter.
- Typefully and Hypefury include account stats aimed at creators, so you can see what's working for your own posts.
- A simple spreadsheet works for a solo owner. Log your posts weekly, note which got replies, and look for patterns.
Analytics only help if you act on them. Once you know which posts get replies, try posting at the times your audience is active. My guide to the best time to post explains how to find yours.
Side-by-side summary
| Tool | Best for | Main strength | Main limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hootsuite | Teams and multi-account monitoring | Streams that resemble columns | Can be more than a solo owner needs |
| Buffer | Solo owners and small teams | Simple queue across networks | Light on monitoring |
| Typefully | Writers and thread creators | Focused drafting editor | Centred on X, fewer networks |
| Hypefury | Creators growing an audience | Scheduling plus recycling | Automation needs care |
| Metricool | Small businesses wanting reports | Planning and reporting together | Interface has many options |
| Sprout Social | Larger teams | Deep reporting and team tools | Built for bigger budgets |
| Lists on X | Solo owners | Free and flexible | Not a true column view |
How I'd choose
If you only post a few times a week, start with a free queue in Buffer or Typefully and a few lists on X. If you manage client accounts or a busy brand, Hootsuite is worth a look for the monitoring. If reporting is the priority, look at Metricool first.
Whichever you pick, write down what you need before you start, then run it alongside your usual routine for a couple of weeks before you drop anything. Check that scheduled posts publish as expected and that your account stays connected. Tools that connect through X can break when X changes its access rules, so don't build your whole workflow around a single login. Keep a copy of your best posts and your list of accounts somewhere you control, such as a document or spreadsheet. That way, if a tool changes or closes, you can move to another one in an afternoon instead of starting again.
Make a social media scheduling tool? See how to get it featured on this list.
Frequently asked questions
What replaced TweetDeck?
TweetDeck became X Pro, and that experience now sits behind X Premium. If you don't want to subscribe, third-party tools such as Hootsuite, Buffer and Typefully cover the main jobs.
Is there a free TweetDeck alternative?
Several tools have a free plan with limits, including Buffer, Typefully and Metricool. Free plans change, so check each provider's current plans page.
Which tool gives me columns like TweetDeck?
Hootsuite's streams are the closest match in the tools I'd look at. You can also use lists on X itself and pin them in a browser tab.
Do I need a scheduling tool for X?
Not always. If you post a few times a week, you can write them by hand. A scheduler helps when you want to batch your writing or post at times when you're offline.
