A social media MCP server lets an AI assistant such as Claude, ChatGPT or Cursor post to your social accounts for you. The best ones for publishing, PostOnce, Buffer, Blotato and Zernio, are hosted: you add one URL and sign in. Then you ask in plain language: "post this video to TikTok and Instagram tomorrow at 9am".
Servers, plans and tool lists checked November 6, 2026.
Below: 9 servers compared on hosting, sign-in, networks and plans, then how to connect one to Claude in 4 steps. You'll pick a server that posts where you need it without testing each one. To connect PostOnce to your assistant, see the MCP setup page.
The best social media MCP servers for publishing are:
- PostOnce: hosted, OAuth sign-in, 9 networks, plus crossposting rules your assistant can set up
- Buffer: hosted, OAuth, works on Buffer's free plan
- Blotato: hosted, built for AI content creators
- Zernio: hosted, the longest list of networks, free for 2 accounts
- Postiz: open source, hosted or self-hosted
- Socialync: hosted, approve each post in the chat
- Metricool: hosted, scheduling plus analytics, on every plan
- Ayrshare: hosted, for apps that post for many users
- Publer: hosted, for teams already on Publer
Disclosure: PostOnce publishes this guide and runs one of the servers listed. Other servers were checked against their official docs and pricing pages on November 6, 2026. MCP support changes quickly, so confirm the details before you build on one.
What is a social media MCP server?
A social media MCP server is a Model Context Protocol endpoint that lets an AI assistant list your accounts, upload media and post. There are 2 kinds: hosted servers you add with one URL and a sign-in, and local servers you run with npm or Docker and an API key.
MCP (Model Context Protocol) is an open standard that lets AI assistants call outside tools. A social media MCP server exposes actions such as "list my accounts", "upload this video" and "publish this post". Your assistant reads the list of actions and calls them when you ask.
There are two kinds:
- Hosted servers run on the vendor's side. You paste one URL into Claude, ChatGPT or Cursor and sign in. Nothing to install.
- Local servers run on your own computer (usually through npm or Docker) and need an API key in a config file.
Most social media MCP servers sit on top of a scheduling or posting product, so the server can only post to the networks that product supports.
Best social media MCP servers, compared
| Server | Setup | Sign-in | Networks | Cheapest plan with MCP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PostOnce | Hosted | OAuth (API key for other clients) | 9 | Creator: about $0.79/day billed yearly ($29 month to month), 15 accounts; 7-day trial |
| Buffer | Hosted | OAuth | 11, including TikTok, Threads and Bluesky | Free: 3 channels |
| Blotato | Hosted | OAuth or API key | 9 | Starter: $29/month |
| Zernio | Hosted | API key | 15, including Reddit and WhatsApp | Free for 2 accounts, then $6 per account per month |
| Postiz | Hosted or self-hosted | API key or OAuth token | All networks Postiz supports | Standard: $29/month |
| Socialync | Hosted | Browser sign-in or API key | 8 on its MCP page | Free: 5 posts/month; paid from $20/month |
| Metricool | Hosted | OAuth or token | Metricool's 11 networks (planning tools) | Free plan included |
| Ayrshare | Hosted | API key | 14 | Premium: $149/month |
| Publer | Hosted | OAuth or API key | Publer's networks (13 in its docs) | Business: from $10/month |
Prices are per month as shown on each pricing page.
1. PostOnce: best for crossposting rules your assistant sets up
PostOnce's MCP server is hosted at https://postonce.to/mcp. In Claude, ChatGPT, Claude Code, Codex or Cursor you add that URL and sign in with PostOnce through OAuth. You don't need an API key.
It has 23 tools:
| Group | What your assistant can do |
|---|---|
| Accounts | List connected accounts, get a link to connect a new one, remove one |
| Media | Get an upload link for a file, check uploaded media |
| Drafts | Save, list, read and update drafts |
| Posts | List posts, publish now or schedule, check status, update or cancel a scheduled post, publish a scheduled post now |
| Crossposting | Create, list, update and delete workflows that copy new posts from one account to others |
| Analytics | Get analytics across posts, or for one post |
One create_post call can target several accounts at once, and each account gets its own status. PostOnce adds crossposting tools: your assistant can set up a rule such as "every new TikTok also goes to Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts", and it keeps running after the chat ends.
- Networks: Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, X, Threads, Bluesky and Pinterest, through each platform's official API.
- Clients: Claude, ChatGPT, Claude Code, Codex and Cursor sign in with OAuth. Other clients can use an API key from a paid plan. Claude Code can also install free, MIT-licensed skills for each platform from the
postoncehq/pluginsmarketplace. - Price: Creator costs about $0.79 a day billed yearly ($290/year), or $29 month to month, for 15 accounts and unlimited posts. Try it free for 7 days with up to 10 posts and no card.
Setup guides: Claude, ChatGPT, Claude Code, Codex, Cursor. Each network also has its own page, for example the TikTok MCP server and the Instagram MCP server.
Choose PostOnce if you want your assistant to publish to every major network without installing anything, and to set up crossposting rules that keep working on their own.
2. Buffer: best for simple scheduling from your assistant
Buffer's MCP server is hosted at mcp.buffer.com/mcp and signs in with OAuth. Its docs list publishing now, adding to the queue, scheduling, drafts and analytics across Instagram, Facebook, X, LinkedIn, Pinterest, YouTube, TikTok, Threads, Bluesky, Mastodon and Google Business.
Documented clients include Claude, Claude Code, ChatGPT, Codex, Cursor and Perplexity. Buffer lists API access on every plan, including the free plan for up to 3 channels.
Choose Buffer if you already plan posts in a Buffer queue and want your assistant to add to it.
3. Blotato: best for AI content creators
Blotato's MCP server is hosted at mcp.blotato.com/mcp, with OAuth or an API key. It can publish, schedule, upload media and read analytics on X, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Bluesky, Threads and YouTube.
Its setup guide covers Claude, Claude Code, ChatGPT, Codex, Cursor and VS Code. Every paid plan includes the API and MCP, starting with Starter at $29 a month.
Choose Blotato if you also create content with AI and want generation and posting in one tool.
Post once. Reach every app.Connect once. PostOnce copies each new post for you.See how →4. Zernio: best for the most networks
Zernio (formerly Late) runs a hosted server at mcp.zernio.com/mcp with an API key. It covers 15 networks, including Reddit, WhatsApp, Telegram, Snapchat and Discord alongside the usual ones, and can publish, schedule, upload media and read analytics.
The first 2 connected accounts are free, then $6 per account per month. The MCP server has no separate fee.
Choose Zernio if you're a developer who needs networks most tools don't cover.
5. Postiz: best open-source option
Postiz is an open-source scheduler. Its MCP server is hosted at mcp.postiz.com/mcp and also built into self-hosted installs. Its docs list publishing, scheduling, drafts and AI image and video generation, with setup for Claude, ChatGPT and Cursor.
Every Postiz plan includes the MCP server, starting with Standard at $29 a month ($23 billed yearly). Self-hosting is free.
Choose Postiz if you want to run the whole stack on your own server.
6. Socialync: best for approving each post in the chat
Socialync's MCP server is hosted at mcp.socialync.io/mcp. Your assistant drafts the post and publishes it after you approve it in the chat. It can also schedule, upload media and read analytics on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, X, LinkedIn, Facebook, Threads and Bluesky.
The MCP is on every plan, including the free plan with 5 posts a month. Paid plans start at $20 a month for 5 accounts.
Choose Socialync if you want to review every post before it goes out.
7. Metricool: best for analytics plus scheduling
Metricool's MCP server is hosted at ai.metricool.com/mcp. Its tools focus on planning: create and edit scheduled posts, send posts for review, read analytics and find the best time to post.
It works with ChatGPT, Claude, Claude Code, Cursor and Gemini CLI, and Metricool includes it on every plan, including Free.
Choose Metricool if you want your assistant to read performance data and plan around it.
8. Ayrshare: best for apps that post for many users
Ayrshare is a social media API for developers. Its hosted MCP server at api.ayrshare.com/mcp uses an API key and can publish, update scheduled posts and read analytics across 14 networks.
Documented clients include Claude Code, Cursor, VS Code and n8n. Premium is $149 a month; managing many user profiles needs a Business plan.
Choose Ayrshare if you're building a product that posts on behalf of your own customers.
9. Publer: best for teams already on Publer
Publer's MCP server is hosted at mcp.publer.com, with OAuth or an API key, and works with Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor and Grok. Its example prompts show drafting and scheduling posts in Publer.
The MCP is on Business and Enterprise plans; Business starts at $10 a month.
Choose Publer if your team already schedules in Publer.
Is there a free social media MCP server?
Yes, several social media MCP servers work for free. Buffer's server works on Buffer's free plan, Zernio is free for 2 accounts, and Postiz is open source, so you can host it yourself for free. PostOnce's server has a 7-day trial with up to 10 posts and no card.
How to choose a social media MCP server
- Check the networks. The server can only post where its product can. If you need TikTok or Pinterest, confirm both are listed.
- Hosted or local. A hosted server with OAuth takes a minute in Claude or ChatGPT. A local server gives you more control but needs Node or Docker and an API key.
- Check what the tools can do. Publishing is common. Media upload from your computer, drafts, analytics and crossposting rules are not.
- Check which plan includes it. Some vendors include MCP on every plan; others only on API or business plans.
- Test one post first. Ask your assistant to post one image to one account, then check the result before you automate more.
How to connect a social media MCP server to Claude
For a hosted server such as PostOnce:
- In Claude, open Customize → Connectors → Add custom connector.
- Paste the server URL:
https://postonce.to/mcp. - Sign in to PostOnce when asked, and allow access.
- Ask Claude: "List my connected social accounts." If it answers with your accounts, it's working.
ChatGPT, Cursor, Claude Code and Codex follow the same idea: add the URL, then sign in. Each client's exact steps are on the MCP setup page.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best MCP server for social media?
For publishing to every major network from Claude, ChatGPT or Cursor without installing anything, PostOnce's hosted server covers 9 networks with OAuth sign-in. If you already use a scheduler, its own server (Buffer, Metricool, Publer) adds to the tool you know. Developers who need networks such as Reddit or WhatsApp can look at Zernio or Ayrshare.
Is there a free social media MCP server?
Some include MCP on a free plan: Buffer (3 channels), Metricool, Socialync (5 posts a month) and Zernio (2 accounts). Postiz is free if you host it yourself. PostOnce's MCP works during its 7-day trial, with up to 10 posts and no card.
Can Claude post to Instagram and TikTok?
Yes, through an MCP server connected to your accounts. With PostOnce, Claude can upload a video, publish it to Instagram and TikTok at once, and report each post's status. Instagram needs a Business or Creator account.
Can an MCP server schedule posts?
Most social media MCP servers can. With PostOnce, create_post takes a publish time, and your assistant can later update, cancel or publish the scheduled post early.
Do I need an API key to use a social media MCP server?
It depends on the server. Hosted servers with OAuth, such as PostOnce in Claude, ChatGPT, Claude Code, Codex and Cursor, only need you to sign in. Local servers usually need an API key in their config.