Comparisons
Free Zoho Social Alternative
Zoho Social is a good fit if you already use Zoho CRM or Desk. Its free plan is limited to one brand and six channels. Catvideo is free across more channels and includes an API.
Short version: Zoho Social is best inside the Zoho ecosystem; Catvideo is a free cross-poster.
Quick verdict
Choose Catvideo for more free channels and an included API. Choose Zoho Social for Zoho CRM/Desk integration and monitoring.
Feature comparison
| Feature | Catvideo | Zoho Social |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes, 1 brand / 6 channels |
| Drafts and queue | Yes | Yes |
| First comment | Yes | Varies by plan |
| AI assistance | No | Yes, Zia |
| Team collaboration | Basic teams | Premium+ |
| Integrations | Limited | Zoho CRM/Desk and more |
| Price | Free | Free; paid tiers |
| Free plan | Yes | 1 brand, 6 channels |
| Platforms | 8 | 13-16 on paid |
| Scheduling | Yes | Yes |
| Unified inbox | No | Premium+ |
| Approvals | No | Premium+ |
| CRM/Desk integration | No | Yes |
| Monitoring | No | Premium+ |
| API | Free API keys | Limited |
| Mobile app | Android | iOS and Android |
| Open source | Yes | No |
What Zoho Social does well
Zoho Social works best as part of the Zoho suite. It connects publishing and monitoring to Zoho CRM and Desk, so leads and support tickets can flow from social conversations. Paid tiers add inbox, approvals, custom reports, and monitoring.
Zoho Social pricing
Zoho Social has a free plan for one brand and six channels. Paid plans are Standard, Professional, Premium, Agency, and Agency Plus, with regional pricing. Free includes basic scheduling and reports; deeper inbox, approvals, and monitoring sit in paid tiers.
What Catvideo costs
Catvideo is free. There is no per-channel fee, no per-seat fee, and the API is included with an account. X is the only metered network: Catvideo passes X API costs through at cost ($0.015 for a plain post, $0.20 for a post with a link). Catvideo currently supports eight platforms: Bluesky, X, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, TikTok, and YouTube.
Where Catvideo wins
- No per-channel or per-seat math: adding a platform does not add a new line item.
- The API is included with an account instead of being an enterprise upgrade.
- Open source: you can inspect the code, contribute, or self-host later.
- Android app, while many competitors are web-only or slower on mobile.
- X API costs passed through at cost instead of bundled into a subscription.
Where Zoho Social still wins
- Zoho CRM and Desk integration.
- Monitoring and social listening.
- Agency plans.
- Value pricing inside Zoho.
- Custom reports.
Who should choose which
Choose Catvideo if you want more free channels, an API, and a simple scheduler.
Choose Zoho Social if you use Zoho CRM/Desk or need monitoring and agency plans.
FAQ
Is Zoho Social free?
Yes, for one brand and six channels.
How many channels are on paid plans?
Paid plans support 13-16 channels per brand.
Does Zoho Social have an API?
Limited; verify plan access.
Can Catvideo integrate with Zoho?
No. Catvideo focuses on publishing and its own API.
Related comparisons
Try Catvideo free
Schedule across eight platforms, use the API, and keep your budget for content instead of per-channel fees.
Open Catvideo- Written with AI with Human edits