vs
The Later Alternative
With an Actual API
Later is a beautiful visual scheduler — but it has no public API. Late is API-first with instant access, 99.97% uptime SLA, 13 platforms vs Later's 9, and significantly cheaper at scale.
No credit card required • Instant API key • Later has no API
// Late: Production-grade API available NOW
fetch('https://api.getlate.dev/v1/posts', {
method: 'POST',
headers: {
'Authorization': 'Bearer YOUR_API_KEY',
'Content-Type': 'application/json'
},
body: JSON.stringify({
platforms: ['instagram', 'tiktok', 'linkedin', 'reddit'],
content: 'Hello world!'
})
})
// Later: NO PUBLIC API AVAILABLE
// Visual scheduler only • No automation possibleThe Fatal Flaw: Later Has No Public API
Later is designed for creators who schedule posts manually via their visual calendar. If you need programmatic access — to build SaaS features, automate workflows, or manage accounts at scale — Later simply cannot help you. There is no public API.
"Later does not offer a public API for third-party integrations or custom automation."
Late: Sign up → Settings → API → Copy key. Available NOW on all plans including free.
API vs No API
Programmable posting vs manual scheduling
Later
- ✕NO PUBLIC API — visual scheduler only
- ✕9 platforms (missing Reddit, Bluesky, Google Business Profile)
- ✕Per-social-set pricing: $25-80/mo
- ✕No free plan — 14-day trial only
- ✕No published rate limits — N/A without API
- ✕No uptime SLA — consumer-focused product
- ✕Founded 2014 — 10+ years, still no API
Late
- Production-grade API — available NOW
- 13 platforms including Reddit, Bluesky, Google Business
- Flat pricing: $33/mo for 50 profiles
- Instant API key on all plans (even free)
- Published rate limits: 60-1200 req/min
- 99.97% uptime SLA — publicly documented
- API-first since day one (2023+)
Late wins by default — Later has no API. If you need programmatic posting, Late is your only choice.
Feature Comparison
Head-to-head comparison
| Feature | Late | Later |
|---|---|---|
| Public API | Yes (all plans) | NO — not available |
| Platforms | 13 | 9 |
| API access time | 30 seconds | N/A — no API |
| 50 profiles cost | $33/mo | $80/mo (Advanced) |
| Pricing model | Flat tiers | Per social set |
| Rate limits | 60-1200 req/min | None (no API) |
| Uptime SLA | 99.97% (published) | None |
| Free plan | Yes (with API) | 14-day trial only |
| Visual calendar | Basic | Excellent |
| Link in Bio | No | Yes (Linkin.bio) |
| Creator collabs | No | Yes |
| UGC management | No | Yes |
Production-Ready API
What Late offers that Later can't
Working API Today
Late has a production-grade REST API available right now. Later has no public API at all. For any automation or integration, Late is the only choice.
13 Platforms vs 9
Late supports Reddit, Bluesky, and Google Business Profile — platforms Later doesn't support. More coverage, one API.
Instant API Access
Sign up for Late, go to Settings, copy your API key. 30 seconds. Later doesn't offer API access at any price.
99.97% Uptime SLA
Late publishes a 99.97% uptime guarantee. Later is a consumer scheduler without enterprise-grade reliability commitments.
Flat Pricing at Scale
Late: $33/mo for 50 profiles. Later: $80/mo Advanced tier with social set limitations. Late scales better for agencies.
Published Rate Limits
Late: 60-1200 req/min by tier, publicly documented. Later: N/A — no API means no rate limits to publish.
Which One?
API platform vs visual scheduler
Choose Late if you:
- Need API access (Later has none)
- Building SaaS or automation tools
- Want 13 platforms including Reddit, Bluesky
- Require published uptime SLA
- Managing 10-50+ profiles at scale
- Need programmable, automated posting
- Value transparent rate limits
Choose Later if you:
- →Only need manual UI scheduling
- →Value beautiful visual content calendar
- →Want Link in Bio (Linkin.bio) tool
- →Need creator/brand collaboration features
- →Don't need any API access
- →Managing 1-3 social sets manually
- →Want UGC content management
Need API automation?
If you're a Later user who needs API access, Late is your only option. Later doesn't have a public API at any tier. Sign up for Late, copy your API key, and start automating — today, not never.
Late's free plan includes API access. Test it before you commit.
Simple Pricing
Flat pricing vs social set complexity
Free
$0/mo
Forever free
- ✓ 2 profiles
- ✓ 20 posts/month
- ✓ Full API access
- ✓ All 13 platforms
- ✓ Instant API key
Later: Free but NO API
Build
$13/mo
Billed annually ($19/mo monthly)
- ✓ 10 profiles
- ✓ 120 posts/month
- ✓ Unlimited team
- ✓ Webhooks
- ✓ 120 req/min
Later: ~$25/mo for similar
Accelerate
$33/mo
Billed annually ($49/mo monthly)
- ✓ 50 profiles
- ✓ Unlimited posts
- ✓ Unlimited team
- ✓ Priority support
- ✓ 600 req/min
Later: $80/mo Advanced tier
Need more profiles? View all plans →
Common Questions
Does Later really have no API?
Correct. Later is designed as a visual content scheduler for creators. They do not offer a public API for third-party integrations, custom automation, or programmatic posting. If you need API access, Later is not an option.
What platforms does Later support vs Late?
Later supports 9 platforms: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter/X, TikTok, Pinterest, LinkedIn, YouTube, Threads, and YouTube Shorts. Late supports 13: all of those plus Reddit, Bluesky, Google Business Profile, Telegram, and Snapchat.
How does pricing compare?
Later's pricing starts at $25/mo (Starter) up to $80/mo (Advanced) for social sets. Late's Accelerate tier is $33/mo for 50 profiles with unlimited posts and full API access. Late is cheaper with more platform coverage and an actual API.
Is Later's visual calendar better?
Yes, Later has an excellent visual content calendar with grid preview, Linkin.bio, and creator collaboration features. If you only need manual scheduling and don't need API access, Later's UI is superior. Late focuses on API reliability, not visual planning.
Can I use both Later and Late?
Yes. Some teams use Later for visual content planning and Late's API for programmatic automation. They serve different purposes — Later is for creators who schedule manually, Late is for developers who automate.
Why doesn't Later have an API?
Later is built for creators and small businesses who schedule posts manually via their app and web interface. Their business model is visual scheduling, not developer infrastructure. Late is the opposite — API-first from day one.
Ready for an API that exists?
Start with the free plan. Get an instant API key. Don't wait for Later's API — it doesn't exist.
No credit card required • Instant API key • 99.97% uptime SLA