A budget setup that scales
- Canva (free) for design.
- Notion or Airtable (free tiers) for one calendar per client.
- Ninecast in each calendar: the grid free, posting when a client pays.
- Google Drive (free) for client files.
The cheapest tool is the one that stops you doing the same work twice.
Comparisons: schedulers that work with Notion and Later alternatives.
Questions that follow
What's the best social media management tool for freelancers on a budget?
Buffer for a simple free start, Metricool for free analytics, Meta Business Suite for Meta’s own apps at no cost. If your client calendars live in Notion or Airtable, Ninecast: a free grid preview with no card, and posting from the calendar itself so nothing is copied into a second tool.
What's the most affordable way to manage social media for small business clients?
A small toolkit and fixed monthly packages: Canva, a Notion or Airtable calendar per client, and one scheduler. Ninecast keeps it to one place, since the calendar is also the scheduler and the report.
Are free social media schedulers good enough for clients?
For one or two clients, often yes. The limits bite on number of accounts, posts per month and reporting, usually around the third client.
What do free plans usually leave out?
Multiple accounts, unlimited scheduling, analytics history and client-facing views.
How much does Ninecast cost?
The grid preview is free, forever. Publishing is on Creator, $15 a month or $12 a month billed yearly, for 3 planners — and the free plan includes 2 posts so you can see it work first.
Try it on your own calendar
30 days free. No card, no password, no account. The guide walks through setup in ten minutes.
Start free