2026 comparisonFacts checked October 14, 2026

The best social media scheduling APIs and MCP servers

Few scheduling tools truly open their publishing to a script or an AI agent. As of October 2026, five have an MCP server: Kreatoai, Postiz, Buffer, Publer and Metricool. Hootsuite goes through its Wisdom assistant, and Later announces no API.

We make Kreatoai, but every fact below was checked on each tool’s official pricing page, and we say plainly when a competitor is the better choice.

Tool	API	MCP and AI agents	Price
Kreatoai	Yes, every plan, even free	MCP server, connector in Claude	Free, then Creator $9 for 10 accounts, Studio $19 for 25 accounts, Agency $49 for 60 accounts
Postiz	Yes, every plan	MCP server	$29 to $99/mo, free if self-hosted
Buffer	Yes, every plan (rate-limited)	MCP server	Free, then $6 per channel per month
Publer	Business plan only	MCP server (Business)	From $5 per account per month
Metricool	Advanced plan (Zapier, Make)	MCP server	Free, then from $20/mo yearly
Hootsuite	Not listed in its plans	Wisdom assistant with MCP connectors	From $99 per user per month
Later	Not announced	Not announced	From $18.75/mo yearly

1.
Kreatoai
Best for: Posting from ChatGPT, Claude or a script, at a flat price
One API call, or one request in Claude or ChatGPT, posts to Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, YouTube, Bluesky and Google Business. The API and the MCP server are included on every plan, even the free one, with webhooks and connect links to link your own clients’ accounts.
Limit: Only 7 platforms.
Free (3 accounts and 10 posts per month), then Creator $9 for 10 accounts, Studio $19 for 25 accounts, Agency $49 for 60 accounts.
2.
Postiz
Best for: Automating with open source software
The only open source tool on this list (AGPL-3.0 license), free to self-host. API, MCP server and command-line tool on every plan, and 30+ platforms.
Limit: Self-hosted, maintenance is on you.
$29 to $99/mo, free if self-hosted.
Kreatoai vs Postiz, the comparison
3.
Buffer
Best for: Few channels and the best free plan
The incumbent most open to developers: an API on every plan, even free (rate-limited), and an MCP server.
Limit: Per-channel pricing climbs fast as you add channels.
Free, then $6 per channel per month.
Kreatoai vs Buffer, the comparison
4.
Publer
Best for: Many platforms at a low price
Excellent value and 13 platforms, but the API and the MCP server require the Business plan.
Limit: API and MCP only on the Business plan.
From $5 per account per month.
Kreatoai vs Publer, the comparison
5.
Metricool
Best for: Analytics above all
An MCP server from the free plan, and an API (for Zapier and Make) on the Advanced plan.
Limit: Designed for analytics first, with pricing per brand.
Free, then from $20/mo billed yearly.
6.
Hootsuite
Best for: Large teams already on Hootsuite
Its Wisdom AI assistant connects to MCP connectors, but the API does not appear in its public plans.
Limit: Per-user pricing aimed at large companies.
From $99 per user per month.
Kreatoai vs Hootsuite, the comparison
7.
Later
Best for: Visual Instagram planning, not automation
An excellent tool to plan Instagram, with no public API or MCP server announced.
Limit: Nothing for developers or AI agents.
From $18.75/mo billed yearly.
Kreatoai vs Later, the comparison

Names mentioned belong to their owners. Pricing and features checked October 14, 2026 on each tool’s site: see their pages for current pricing.

Frequently asked questions

Which scheduling tools have a real API?

As of October 2026: Kreatoai and Postiz on every plan, Buffer on every plan with rate limits, Publer on its Business plan and Metricool on its Advanced plan. Hootsuite does not list it in its public plans, and Later does not announce one.

Which tools have an MCP server for AI agents?

Kreatoai, Postiz, Buffer, Publer (Business plan) and Metricool. An MCP server lets Claude, ChatGPT or your own agents create and schedule posts directly.

What is the cheapest way to post through an API?

Kreatoai’s free plan includes the API and the MCP server (3 accounts and 10 posts per month), as does Buffer’s (3 channels, rate-limited). For many accounts, Kreatoai (Creator $9 for 10 accounts, Studio $19 for 25 accounts, Agency $49 for 60 accounts) or a self-hosted Postiz are the best value.

Can an AI agent post to TikTok and Instagram on its own?

Yes: connect your accounts to a tool with an MCP server, add that server to Claude, ChatGPT or your agent, and the agent can upload your media and schedule your posts on TikTok, Instagram and your other platforms.

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