Instagram is the better app overall, scoring 8.6 to 8.1. Instagram wins on 4 of the 5 scores, Later on 1.
Creators and small shops who post photos and short videos
Brands and creators who plan a polished Instagram feed
Score by score
The details
| Feature | Later | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Social Media & Creator Tools | Social Media & Creator Tools |
| Category rank | #3 of 17 | #15 of 17 |
| Developer | Meta | Later |
| Pricing | Free + paid plans | Free + paid plans |
| Usable for free | Yes | Yes |
| iPhone & iPad | ✓ | ✓ |
| Android | ✓ | ✓ |
| Web | ✓ | ✓ |
Common questions
Is Instagram better than Later?
Instagram is the better app overall, scoring 8.6 to 8.1. Instagram wins on 4 of the 5 scores, Later on 1.
Which is cheaper, Instagram or Later?
Instagram: Free with ads; optional Instagram Plus is $3.99 a month for Story and profile extras. Later: Free plan with 12 posts per profile a month; Starter is $18.75 a month, billed yearly. On value for money, Instagram scores higher.
Do Instagram and Later work on the same devices?
Yes, both run on iPhone & iPad, Android, Web.
Which is more private, Instagram or Later?
Later scores higher on privacy (7.0/10). The App Store label says usage data may be used to track you. Contact info, identifiers, usage data and your content are linked to you. Later needs access to the social accounts you connect.
Strengths and weaknesses
Instagram
- Huge audience for almost any topic
- Photos, video, Stories and chat in one app
- Strong free editing tools and music
- Feed is full of ads and suggested posts
- Collects a lot of data and tracks you
- Some Story and profile extras now cost $3.99 a month
Instagram is the all-rounder. You can post photos, carousels, Reels and Stories, go live and message friends in one app, and most of your friends are likely there already. Reels can run up to 20 minutes, but only Reels of three minutes or less get shown to new people. It is free, yet the feed is packed with ads and suggested posts, and Meta collects a lot of data about you.
Full Instagram review
Later
- Best visual planner for an Instagram grid
- Helpful best time to post tips
- Link in Bio page is built in
- Pricey next to Buffer
- Starter allows only 30 posts per profile a month
- Free plan has no carousels or Stories scheduling
Later is the scheduler for people who care how their Instagram grid looks. You drag posts around a visual planner, get tips on the best time to post, and build a link in bio page. It also posts to TikTok, Threads, YouTube, Pinterest and more. The catch is price. Starter costs $18.75 a month billed yearly and caps you at 30 posts per profile. The free plan allows just 12.
Full Later review
