There are many types of social media management tools. The most useful Twitter management tool is called a client or dashboard. It’s designed to replace Twitter’s one-column display of tweets with more powerful ways to read, send, and manage tweets.

Software Download vs. No Download

One difference among the various Twitter client and dashboard programs is whether they require a software download and installation on your computer, or if they run through an internet browser and require no downloads. Also, some Twitter client tools allow you to manage other social media networks and services.

Increasingly, Twitter is making changes to its site to make it more useful. Still, the Twitter homepage isn’t as powerful as the top independent Twitter clients listed in this article.

TweetDeck

TweetDeck is one of the two most popular free programs for managing Twitter timelines. It was so popular that Twitter bought it in May 2011 and continues to develop it as a Twitter client.

  • Multiple columns of tweets.

  • Free software.

  • You can schedule tweets.

  • Can save keyword searches.

  • Can’t edit your tweets.

  • Very limited customization.

The Twitter website and app display only one column of tweets, which makes for a slower reading experience. For this reason, many people prefer using an independent Twitter client such as TweetDeck as their main way to view tweets.

TweetDeck lets you set up groups of people to follow, and it displays your tweet feeds or streams in rows of columns, so you can view several tweets at once.

TweetDeck also lets you save keyword searches and view them in one of many column displays. In the other columns, you can see tweet streams from the groups you set up, tweets containing hashtags you want to follow, and feeds from your other Twitter accounts.

TweetDeck requires a free software download. It works with most major mobile phone operating systems, too.

Hootsuite

Hootsuite is one of the top two free clients for managing Twitter. Unlike TweetDeck, Hootsuite requires no software download because it is an internet-based Twitter client, which means it’s accessible on all web browsers.

  • You can schedule posts.

  • Amazing analytics.

  • Excellent customer service.

  • No download required.

  • Boring layout.

  • Must pay to use some apps.

Like TweetDeck, Hootsuite displays the tweets you subscribed to in columns or lists for quick viewing. This quick-view function allows you to see several tweet streams at once and interact with them in more powerful ways.

As with most Twitter clients or dashboards, you can retweet, reply, direct message, follow, or unfollow from drop-down menus or icons alongside any tweet.

One of the best things about Hootsuite is that it can manage more than your Twitter timelines. From the same dashboard window, Hootsuite also manages your feeds and profiles on Facebook, LinkedIn, and other social networks. Hootsuite is a social media client in addition to a Twitter client.

Hootsuite’s basic service is free, but it also offers premium monthly subscriptions for those who need to manage more than three social media accounts, or if you need more than one user to manage your social media accounts.

Twitterrific

Twitterrific is a Twitter dashboard service that is optimized for macOS. It also manages tweets on iPhones and iPads.

  • Optimized for macOS.

  • Manages tweets on iOS.

  • Can add GIFs to posts.

  • Limited functionality on iOS.

On both operating systems, you can choose a light or dark theme and upload media to Twitter. On the macOS, you can customize fonts and view multiple Twitter timelines at once.

The mobile version is free, as is the ad-supported desktop software.

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