Content is more than just the words that are written on a page.
It involves strategizing, organizing, delivering, and managing content to achieve specific goals.
This is where content planning tools come in.
These tools help you streamline your content creation process and effectively manage your content marketing efforts.
Whether you’re a freelancer, a small business owner, or part of a large organization, having the best tools for content planning can make all the difference in creating a successful content strategy.
That’s why I am sharing my personal tried and tested list of the top 15 content planning tools.
Best part!
I have included both free and paid options so that you can choose the one that best fits your budget and needs.
Let’s dive in!
Top 5 Free Content Planning Tools
For those who are just starting out or have a limited budget, I recommend using these 5 free content planning tools.
Make sure to try out each one and see which works best for you.
1. Trello – Manages, Collaborates, and Organizes
Price: Free with paid options
Trello is a popular project management tool that can be used for content planning and collaboration.
Its user-friendly interface allows you to create:
- Boards
- Lists
- Cards
With that, you can organize your ideas, tasks, and deadlines.
Reasons to Love Trello:
These are just some of the main features that make Trello a top choice for content strategy planning.
I am still using Trello for content management, especially when working on big projects with a team.
My Rating for Trello: 9/10
2. Asana – Customized Task Management and Tracking
Price: Free with paid options
Similar to Trello, Asana is a project management tool that offers customizable task tracking and team collaboration features.
It allows you to:
Plus you can integrate 200+ apps to streamline your workflow.
Although Asana may take some time to get used to, it’s worth the effort for its organization and productivity benefits.
My Rating for Asana: 9/10
3. Google Sheets & Google Docs – Simplified Document Management
Price: 100% Free
Google Sheets and Google Docs are two essential tools that I use for content writing and data organization.
With Google Sheets, you can create spreadsheets for tracking and managing data related to your content marketing efforts.
On the other hand, Google Docs is a great tool for writing and collaborating on content with others.
Why choose Google Sheets & Google Docs:
These tools are my go-to for creating and managing content, especially when working on projects with multiple contributors.
To those who are looking for a free and reliable solution, I definitely recommend giving Google Sheets and Google Docs a try.
My Rating for Google Sheets & Docs: 9/10
4. Evernote – Note-taking Made Easier
Price: Free with paid features
Evernote is a popular note-taking app that allows you to organize your ideas, research, and notes in one place.
It’s a great free tool for content planning as it allows you to create notebooks, and tags, and search for your notes easily.
Other features include:
Whether you’re brainstorming ideas or keeping track of research, Evernote is a reliable tool that can help you stay organized and productive.
My Rating for Evernote: 8.5/10
5. Milanote – Visual Planning for Creatives
Milanote is a visual planning tool that allows you to bring your ideas and content to life in a visual format.
It’s perfect for creatives who prefer a more visual approach to content strategy and planning.
Features include:
It works great for those who are visual learners or those who prefer a more creative approach to brainstorming and organizing ideas.
My Rating for Milanote: 8/10
Top 10 Best Content Planning Tools
If you’re willing to invest in your content planning and marketing efforts, these 10 paid tools are worth considering.
When you pay for a tool, you often get more advanced features, better customer support, and a seamless user experience.
Let’s take a look at each one below.
1. CoSchedule – All-in-One AI Marketing Calendar
Price: Starts at $19/month
CoSchedule is a popular all-in-one marketing calendar that helps you plan, organize, and execute your content marketing strategy.
They have now introduced AI-powered features that will help you automatically schedule and personalize your posts for maximum impact.
Features include:
No wonder CoSchedule is one of the best content planning tools for businesses and individuals alike.
For me, It’s a must-have tool for managing my content marketing efforts.
My Rating for CoSchedule: 9/10
2. SEMrush – Powerful SEO and Content Marketing Suite
Price: Starts at $130/month
SEMrush is an all-in-one digital marketing suite that offers advanced features for SEO, content planning, and optimization.
It allows you to conduct keyword research, track your competitors’ content and SEO strategies, and analyze your own website’s performance.
Other features include:
SEMrush is my favorite tool for SEO and content marketing as it works well for both research and execution.
However, it may be on the pricier side for individuals and small businesses.
My Rating for SEMrush: 9.5/10
3. HubSpot – Comprehensive Marketing and Sales Platform
Price: Starts at $45/month
HubSpot is a comprehensive marketing and sales platform that offers features for content management, email marketing, lead generation, and more.
It’s a great tool for businesses of all sizes looking to improve their inbound marketing strategies.
Other features include:
HubSpot is a top choice for many businesses due to its all-in-one approach and user-friendly interface.
I highly recommend it for those looking to streamline their marketing and sales efforts.
My Rating for HubSpot: 9/10
4. Notion – Versatile Workspace for Team Collaboration
Price: Free + Starts at $8/month
Notion is a versatile workspace tool that allows teams to collaborate and manage projects, including content planning and creation.
It offers a wide range of features and customization options, making it a popular choice for many businesses.
Features include:
The notion is a great content planning tool, especially for those who prefer a more flexible and customizable workspace.
It’s a great choice for businesses with remote teams as it offers features for real-time collaboration and project management.
My Rating for Notion: 9/10
5. Buzzsumo – Content Discovery and Analysis Tool
Price: Starts at $$199 /month
When it comes to finding untapped and popular content ideas, Buzzsumo is a go-to tool for many content marketers.
It allows you to search for the most shared and top-performing content on any topic, giving you insights into what your audience is interested in.
It helps you find popular and trending topics in your niche, as well as analyze your competitors’ content strategies.
Other features include:
While Buzzsumo is on the pricier side, its features make it a valuable investment for content marketers looking to create high-performing content.
If you’re looking to stay ahead of the game when it comes to content ideation, this is the tool for you.
My Rating for Buzzsumo: 9/10
6. AnswerThePublic – Keyword and Content Research Tool
Price: Starts at $5/month
AnswerThePublic is a content research tool that helps you discover what questions people are asking in relation to your topic.
It’s a great tool for finding long-tail keywords and creating content that answers your audience’s burning questions.
Features include:
AnswerThePublic is a budget-friendly tool for content planning and research.
It’s best suited for individuals or smaller businesses with limited resources.
My Rating for AnswerThePublic: 8/10
7. Monday.com – Best Project Management Tool for Teams
Price: Free + Starts at $9/month
Monday.com is a top project management tool that allows teams to collaborate and manage tasks efficiently.
It’s especially useful for content teams as it offers features such as task assignment, progress tracking, and deadline setting.
Other features include:
They are now targeting the development team and designers, too.
Its user-friendly interface and integration options make it a top choice for businesses of all sizes.
My Rating for Monday.com: 8.5/10
8. Loomly – Best Social Media Content Planning Tool
Price: Starts at $32/month
Loomly is a social media content planning tool that allows businesses and individuals to schedule, publish, and analyze their social media posts.
It offers features for content creation, collaboration, and optimization across multiple social media platforms.
Other features include:
I highly recommend Loomly for businesses looking to streamline their social media content planning and improve their online presence.
It always offers superhelpful insights and recommendations for enhancing your social media strategy.
My Rating for Loomly: 9/10
9. MarketMuse – AI Content Optimization Tool
Price: Free trial + Starts from $149 /month
MarketMuse is an AI-powered content optimization software and tool that helps businesses create high-quality and SEO-friendly content.
It uses machine learning to analyze your existing content, identify gaps, and provide recommendations for improvement.
Other features include:
MarketMuse is a valuable tool for businesses looking to improve their content and rank higher in search engine results.
However, its high pricing may not be feasible for smaller businesses or individuals.
But its advance algorithms and data-driven insights make it a worthwhile investment for those who can afford it.
My Rating for MarketMuse: 8.5/10
10. Canva – User-Friendly Graphic Design Tool
Price: Free Trial + Starts at $55/Year
Canva is a popular graphic design tool known for its user-friendly interface and wide range of templates.
It’s a great tool for creating visually appealing graphics and designs for your content, including social media posts, infographics, and presentations.
Features include:
Canva is a must-have tool for content creators looking to add visual appeal to their content without the need for extensive design skills.
It’s also budget-friendly, making it accessible for all businesses and individuals.
My Rating for Canva: 9/10
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Conclusion
Overall, these 15 best content tools can greatly improve your content creation and management process.
Each tool offers unique features suited for different needs and budgets, so it’s important to carefully evaluate which ones will best serve your business goals.
Incorporating these tools into your content strategy can help you save time, improve quality, and ultimately drive better results for your business.
Also, share this post if you found it helpful!
Keep creating amazing content.
Happy Content Planning 😊
