Later started as an Instagram-first scheduling tool and has expanded to other platforms. Known for its visual planning features, it's popular among visual-focused brands. Here's how it compares to Fanbeam for social media scheduling in 2025.
| Feature | Fanbeam | Later |
|---|
| Starting Price | $12/month | $25/month |
| Free Plan | Yes | Yes (limited) |
| Platforms | 9 | 7 |
| Visual Planner | Calendar + Grid | Visual Feed Preview |
| Link in Bio | No | Linkin.bio included |
| AI Features | Yes | Yes |
| Best For | Multi-platform | Instagram-focused |
Fanbeam Platforms (9)
- Instagram (Posts, Reels, Stories, Carousels)
- TikTok
- Twitter/X (including threads)
- LinkedIn
- Facebook
- YouTube
- Pinterest
- Threads
- Bluesky
Later Platforms (7)
- Instagram
- TikTok
- Twitter/X
- LinkedIn
- Facebook
- Pinterest
- YouTube (limited)
Key Difference: Fanbeam includes Threads and Bluesky. Later's YouTube support is more limited. Later excels specifically at Instagram.
Later Pricing
- Free: 1 social set, 5 posts per social profile
- Starter: $25/month (1 social set, 30 posts per profile)
- Growth: $45/month (3 social sets, 150 posts per profile)
- Advanced: $80/month (6 social sets, unlimited posts)
Fanbeam Pricing
- Free: Limited features
- Pro: $12/month for multiple channels
- Business: Team features, higher limits
- Enterprise: Custom pricing
Analysis: Fanbeam is significantly more affordable. Later's "social set" model (one account per platform) can require higher tiers for multi-brand management.
Visual Planning
Later:
- Instagram feed preview (visual grid)
- Drag-and-drop visual planner
- See how posts look together
- Grid planning tools
- Media library organization
Fanbeam:
- Calendar view with visual previews
- Drag-and-drop scheduling
- Post preview across platforms
- Media library
- Grid view for content overview
Verdict: Later's visual feed preview is superior for Instagram aesthetic planning. Fanbeam offers solid visual planning without Instagram-specific grid tools.
Instagram Features
Later:
- Visual feed planner
- Best time to post
- First comment scheduling
- Hashtag suggestions
- Stories scheduling
- Reels scheduling
- Instagram analytics
Fanbeam:
- Full Instagram support (Posts, Reels, Stories, Carousels)
- First comment scheduling
- Hashtag suggestions
- AI caption generation
- Optimal time suggestions
- Comprehensive analytics
Verdict: Both fully support Instagram. Later has edge on visual planning; Fanbeam offers more AI features.
Link in Bio
Later:
- Linkin.bio included
- Clickable Instagram feed
- Custom pages
- Analytics on clicks
- Shopify integration
Fanbeam:
- No built-in link in bio
- Focus on scheduling and automation
Verdict: Later wins here with Linkin.bio. If link-in-bio is essential, Later has an advantage.
AI Capabilities
Later:
- Caption Writer AI
- Hashtag suggestions
- Best time recommendations
Fanbeam:
- AI caption generation
- AI hashtag suggestions
- AI image generation
- Tone customization
- Platform-specific optimization
Verdict: Fanbeam offers more comprehensive AI features, including image generation.
Analytics
Later:
- Instagram analytics (detailed)
- Post performance
- Best time to post
- Audience insights
- Stories analytics
Fanbeam:
- Cross-platform analytics
- Post performance
- Engagement tracking
- Growth metrics
- Exportable reports
Verdict: Later has deeper Instagram analytics. Fanbeam provides better cross-platform analysis.
Automation
Later:
- Auto-publish
- Scheduled posting
- Best time slots
- Limited automation
Fanbeam:
- Workflow automation builder
- Trigger-based automations
- Auto-responses
- Comment moderation
- Custom automation rules
Verdict: Fanbeam offers significantly more automation capabilities.
Team Features
Later:
- Team collaboration (Growth plan and up)
- Content approval
- Team permissions
- Contributor roles
Fanbeam:
- Team workspaces
- Role-based permissions
- Approval workflows
- Activity tracking
- Available at lower price points
Verdict: Similar features; Fanbeam offers team features at lower price points.
Best for Instagram-Focused Brands
Later Advantages:
- Visual feed planner
- Instagram-specific features
- Linkin.bio tool
- Instagram-focused analytics
- Established Instagram expertise
Best for Multi-Platform Managers
Fanbeam Advantages:
- More platforms (9 vs 7)
- Consistent experience across platforms
- Advanced automation
- AI image generation
- Better value for multi-platform
Choose Later If:
- Instagram is your primary platform
- Visual feed aesthetic is critical
- You need Linkin.bio
- You focus mainly on visual platforms
- Instagram-specific analytics matter most
Choose Fanbeam If:
- You manage multiple platforms equally
- You need advanced automation
- Budget is a consideration
- You want AI image generation
- You need Threads or Bluesky support
- You want comprehensive cross-platform tools
Switching from Later to Fanbeam
If you're considering a switch:
1
Export your media from Later's media library2
Note your posting schedule and best times3
Set up Fanbeam and connect channels4
Upload your media library5
Configure posting schedule6
Set up any automation workflows
Later excels for Instagram-focused brands who prioritize visual planning and need Linkin.bio. Fanbeam is the better choice for multi-platform management, advanced automation, and overall value.
If Instagram is 80%+ of your social strategy and visual grid planning is essential, Later makes sense. For everyone else, Fanbeam offers more features at a better price.
Try Fanbeam Free and compare the experience yourself.