Later vs Metricool:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Metricool had more branded searches than Later among AI social media tools worldwide. Metricool had about 451,000 branded searches, while Later had 9,280. Metricool made up 51.4% of all AI social media tool searches we track, and Later accounted for 1.1%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about AI social media tools, Later appeared in four of the five answers and Metricool in three. Later was mentioned before Metricool in every answer that named either.
Who do people search for more?
Metricool, about 49 searches for every 1 for Later
Who does AI mention more?
Later, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, Metricool in 3
Who does AI recommend more?
Later, named ahead of Metricool in 4 of 4 answers
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Top AI social media tools in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Later was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Metricool was mentioned in three out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Later was listed before Metricool in every answer that named either.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
Buffer5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Hootsuite4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers- Later4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Metricool3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Sprout Social3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Predis.ai3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Ocoya0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Postwise0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about AI social media tools
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which AI social media tool should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best AI social media tools?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best AI social media tool for scheduling social posts?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“social media scheduler”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“ai social media tools”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 20, 2026.
Is Later or Metricool more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Later and Metricool by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight AI social media tools we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Metricool, Later. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Metricool | Buffer | Hootsuite | Sprout Social | Predis.ai | Later | Ocoya | Postwise |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 41.9% | 3.8% | 28.7% | 19% | 3.8% | 1.8% | 0.92% | 0.14% |
| Nov 2025 | 43.9% | 3.2% | 30% | 16.3% | 3.9% | 1.7% | 0.79% | 0.15% |
| Dec 2025 | 48.2% | 3.9% | 27.1% | 14.7% | 3.6% | 1.6% | 0.7% | 0.14% |
| Jan 2026 | 40% | 4.8% | 33.4% | 14.9% | 4.4% | 1.7% | 0.72% | 0.13% |
| Feb 2026 | 43% | 7.1% | 29.5% | 13.2% | 4.7% | 1.7% | 0.63% | 0.13% |
| Mar 2026 | 46.3% | 6.9% | 26% | 14.1% | 4.2% | 1.7% | 0.68% | 0.13% |
| Apr 2026 | 48.8% | 9.3% | 22.7% | 12.2% | 4.4% | 1.6% | 0.87% | 0.12% |
| May 2026 | 51.2% | 9.5% | 20.4% | 12.8% | 3.8% | 1.6% | 0.61% | 0.08% |
| Jun 2026 | 51.1% | 9.1% | 21.7% | 12.8% | 3.1% | 1.7% | 0.5% | 0.08% |
| Jul 2026 | 49.3% | 18.7% | 15.2% | 12.3% | 2.4% | 1.5% | 0.59% | 0.06% |
| Aug 2026 | 52.3% | 14.2% | 16% | 13% | 2.6% | 1.4% | 0.51% | 0.07% |
| Sep 2026 | 51.4% | 21.4% | 12.9% | 10.5% | 2.1% | 1.1% | 0.5% | 0.11% |
How has the Later and Metricool comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Metricool was ahead of Later in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Later’s share of searches among AI social media tools worldwide moved from 1.8% to 1.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 13.2K to 9.3K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Metricool’s share of searches among AI social media tools worldwide moved from 41.9% to 51.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 302K to 451K.
How did search popularity change for AI social media tools worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Metricool lost share of searches among AI social media tools worldwide, from 52.3% to 51.4%.
Later’s share of searches among AI social media tools worldwide has lost ground for 3 months in a row, from 1.7% to 1.1% in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
12 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Later’s and Metricool’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Other head-to-heads among AI social media tools
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