Updated September 29, 2026 · ForgeCue Editorial Team
Sprout Social vs Tailwind
Sprout Social
Higher score in this comparison
Tailwind
Sprout Social vs Tailwind: the differences
| Compare | Sprout SocialReviewVisitVisit | TailwindReviewVisitVisit |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $99 | $14.99Lower |
| Free plan | No | YesHas it |
| Usage limits | 5 social profiles | 50 Tailwind credits/mo included |
| Tool type | Social | Social, SchedulingCovers more |
| Free trial length | 30 days | Not confirmed |
| Compliance certifications | SOC 2 Type 2, ISO 27001, ISO 27701, GDPR, CCPA, PCI DSS, CSA STAR | Not confirmed |
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Key differences
- Sprout Social scores higher overall: 9.4 vs 9.0.
- Price from is lower at Tailwind: $14.99 vs $99.
- Free plan: only Tailwind.
- Support channels: only Sprout Social offers Chat, Phone, Community.
- Founded is lower at Sprout Social: 2010 vs 2015.
- Audience: only Sprout Social offers Enterprise.
- Pricing model: only Tailwind offers Free plan.
- Tool type: only Tailwind offers Scheduling.
Our verdict on each
Sprout Social
Sprout Social suits small-business and enterprise teams seeking a social management option with clear profile limits and guided support. Entry pricing is listed at $99 for the entry plan, with trial access available before commitment for evaluation across connected accounts.
Tailwind
Tailwind suits small-business teams that plan and schedule social posts on a tight budget, with entry pricing that sits at $14.99 and a free plan for light use. Limits apply through 50 Tailwind credits/mo included, so heavier publishers should weigh credits against Appointy and Jobber options.
Score breakdown
| Area | Sprout Social | Tailwind |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.8Entry pricing is listed at $99 for the entry plan. | 9.4HigherEntry at $14.99 with free plan keeps starting spend contained |
| Offer | 10.0HigherEntry use covers 5 social profiles with trial access for 30. | 8.8Covers social and scheduling with allowance shown as 50 Tailwind credits/mo included |
| Trust | 9.6HigherAssurance signals include SOC 2 Type 2, ISO 27001 and ISO 27701 held under Sprout Social, Inc.. | 8.7Operator BRIDESVIEW, INC. DBA TAILWIND in US supported via email and help centre |
Choosing between them
Pick Sprout Social if trust matter most.
Pick Tailwind if cost, price from, free plan, and tool type matter most.
How they place
| Ranking | Sprout Social | Tailwind |
|---|---|---|
| Social media tools | 2 of 34 | 6 of 34 |
The bill, worked out
A year on the entry plan
Sprout Social
$1,188
12 × $99
Tailwind
$179.88
12 × $14.99
Tailwind costs $1,008.12 less.
Worked out from the stated prices and rates; your own total depends on how you use it. Facts checked September 29, 2026.
Also worth a look
Wondershare has price from at $3.33, against $99 for Sprout Social and $14.99 for Tailwind.
Wondershare reviewEvery fact side by side
| Fact | Sprout Social | Tailwind |
|---|---|---|
| Audience | Small business, EnterpriseCovers more | Small business |
| Pricing model | Free trial | Free plan, Free trialCovers more |
| Legal entity | Sprout Social, Inc. | BRIDESVIEW, INC. DBA TAILWIND |
| Headquarters | United States | United States |
| Founded | 2010Lower | 2015 |
| Support channels | Email, Chat, Phone, Help centre, CommunityCovers more | Email, Help centre |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Sprout Social | Tailwind | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price from | $99highest quarter | $14.99below the median | $22 |
| Free trial length | 30 dayshighest quarter | Not confirmed | 14 days |
Median across 353 listed software products.
Pros and cons
Sprout Social
Pros
- Trial access for 30 gives time to assess fit before paying $99 for the entry plan.
- Entry allowance of 5 social profiles sets clear expectations for teams managing a defined set of profiles.
- Support through email, chat and phone gives assisted and self guided options across email, chat, phone, help centre and community.
Cons
- No free plan, so ongoing access requires paid entry at $99 for the entry plan.
- Entry scope is bounded at 5 social profiles, which can constrain teams with broad channel needs.
- Entry pricing at $99 for the entry plan is higher than Buffer at $5 for price sensitive teams.
Tailwind
Pros
- Free plan available alongside paid entry plan priced at $14.99, giving low-risk start for social scheduling
- Entry plan priced at $14.99 sits below Appointy at $29.99 and Jobber at $49
- Allowance stated as 50 Tailwind credits/mo included, so monthly output is easy to map against publishing calendars
Cons
- Support runs on email and help centre only, without chat or phone paths for urgent scheduling help
- Paid output is metered by 50 Tailwind credits/mo included, so heavier calendars need careful credit planning across the month
- Positioned for small business rather than enterprise scale, which may limit fit beside Jobber at $49
Who each suits
Sprout Social
Who it suits
- Small-business teams that want defined profile allowances and trial access for 30 before paying.
- Enterprise teams that value stated credentials of SOC 2 Type 2, ISO 27001 and ISO 27701 and support through email, chat and phone.
Who should look elsewhere
- Teams seeking unpaid ongoing use may prefer HubSpot, which offers Free plan availability.
- Teams seeking lower entry pricing may prefer Buffer, which lists entry pricing at $5.
- Teams seeking lower entry pricing in EUR may prefer KambaChat, which lists entry pricing at €14.99.
Tailwind
Who it suits
- Small-business social teams picking Tailwind over Jobber at $49 to keep publishing spend contained
- Planners who prefer stated credits at 50 Tailwind credits/mo included over Flexibits limits at 1 set, 1 invitee per event
- Budget-led teams testing the free plan before paid entry at $14.99 versus Appointy at $29.99
Who should look elsewhere
- Teams needing appointment depth beyond social queues, who may prefer Appointy at $29.99 for booking-led work
- Field-service operations that map better to Jobber at $49 than to credit-based social scheduling
Questions about each
Sprout Social
Does Sprout Social offer a free plan?+
Sprout Social does not offer a free plan, so there is no unpaid tier for continued use. Access for evaluation is through trial access for 30, after which a paid plan is required to continue.
How long is the Sprout Social trial?+
Trial access is available for 30. The trial period allows review of fit for social workflows before moving to the entry plan priced at $99.
Tailwind
What does Tailwind cost at entry?+
Paid entry for Tailwind sits at $14.99 for the paid entry plan. That figure covers the starting point for budgeting, while light use can remain on the free plan. Readers comparing appointment tools can set this against Appointy and Jobber before shortlisting.
Does Tailwind offer a free plan?+
Yes, Tailwind offers a free plan for light social scheduling. It suits readers testing calendars and post flow before committing. Paid entry sits at $14.99 for the paid entry plan when output grows and credits matter more.