Short answer: Metricool is a social media and ads management tool for social media managers, priced by number of brands, with a free forever plan. Farmero is a Mac app that drives iPhones you own and posts through the real TikTok, Instagram and YouTube apps. If you manage client brands and want reporting in one place, Metricool fits. If you operate many short-form accounts on real phones, Farmero fits.
Everything about Metricool below is from metricool.com and metricool.com/pricing as they read on 17 September 2026.
Side by side
| Metricool | Farmero | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Planning, reporting and ads management | Mac app (macOS 14+) driving your iPhones (iOS 17+) over USB |
| Platforms | Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, Bluesky, Pinterest, TikTok, YouTube, Twitch, LinkedIn, Google Business Profile | TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts |
| How posts are published | Lists itself as a Google, Pinterest, Meta, LinkedIn and X partner | The real apps on your own iPhones, no platform API |
| Pricing | Free; Starter from $20/mo; Advanced from $53/mo; Custom on request | Solo $49/mo up to Agency $349/mo |
| Limits | Free 1 brand, Starter up to 10, Advanced up to 50 | 8 accounts per iPhone: 24 on Solo up to 480 on Agency |
| Yearly | Save up to 24% | 25% off (not Agency) |
| Trial | Free plan; no trial stated | 7 days, 2 iPhones, 16 accounts, no card |
| API / AI access | Metricool API with Zapier, Make and MCP on Advanced | Local MCP server on every plan |
How the two approaches differ
Metricool is organized around brands: each brand groups a company's profiles on different networks, and you plan, publish and report on them together, including paid campaigns.
Farmero is organized around phones and accounts. Each iPhone holds up to eight accounts; Farmero switches between them, checks the profile header before acting, posts, and confirms the post is live. Anything it can't confirm is uncertain, never auto-retried. See how many TikTok accounts per iPhone for how that sizing works.
When Metricool is the better fit
- You manage client brands across many networks and want reports and ads in the same tool.
- You want a free forever plan to start.
- You rely on an official partner relationship with the networks you post to.
- You don't want to run phone hardware.
When Farmero is the better fit
- You run many TikTok, Instagram or YouTube accounts and want each used from a real iPhone.
- You want optional per-account warm-ups, including a keyword search mode.
- You fan one clip out to many accounts and want each as its own editable post.
- You want posts confirmed on the profile, not just sent.
Automating these apps may breach their terms, and nobody can promise an account will never be restricted.
FAQ
Is Metricool free?
As of 17 September 2026, Metricool lists a free forever plan for one brand, with Starter from $20 a month and Advanced from $53 a month.
What is a brand in Metricool?
A brand is how Metricool groups one business's social profiles. Its paid plans are sized by number of brands, up to 50 on Advanced.
Does Farmero replace Metricool's reports?
No. Farmero reports what posted, what didn't and what was refused. It does not report views or ad results.
Can I try Farmero first?
Yes. The trial is seven days with two iPhones and 16 accounts, no card. Start from sign up.
Can I use Metricool and Farmero together?
Yes. A common split is to keep brand or client accounts in Metricool and run phone-based TikTok, Reels and Shorts accounts in Farmero. The two don't share accounts or schedules, so they don't conflict. Just avoid scheduling the same clip to the same account from both tools, or it will post twice.