The top 6 AI tools for social media managers tested and proven

In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, managing socials content requires more than creativity and a basic understanding of AI and social media.

It demands consistency, strategy, and speed. Whether it’s producing social media posts, analyzing performance, or engaging audiences across multiple social media channels, professionals are always looking for ways to stay ahead of the curve.

That’s where artificial intelligence comes in.

I teamed up with my colleague and close friend, Patrick Venegas - our extremely talented Social Media Manager at Lummi - to build this definitive guide to the most useful, time-saving, and powerful AI marketing tools for content creation.

These are not hypothetical recommendations. Patrick has tested each of these tools in real-world campaigns and uses them regularly to improve team workflows and output quality.

If you're looking to simplify the content pipeline and increase creative efficiency, the following tools for social media are worth exploring.

What makes a great AI tool for social media?

The best AI tools solve real problems not just through automation, but through intelligent assistance. They help social media managers and marketers create more content, in less time, with better results. But not all platforms are equal.

We evaluated these tools based on:

• Their ability to support essential formats like video, carousels, and captions
• Speed and ease of use for everyday tasks
• Content flexibility and alignment with various content strategy goals
• Built-in automation for optimization, scheduling, and resizing
• Seamless integration into planning, collaboration, and publishing systems
• How well they support user experience and team workflows

Whether you’re a solo content creator or managing a team, these proven suggestions from Patrick can help you generate content, test new ideas, and execute at scale.

1. Lummi – Smarter image creation for every platform

Visual content and content generation play a central role in social media posts, from branded carousels to engaging ad creatives.

The beauty of working with (and for) Lummi is that Patrick never has to use the same tired stock images. Users can access a massive collection of high-quality, royalty-free images. This includes 3D assets, editorial-level illustrations, and more.

Or, if you can’t find what you’re looking for, you can also generate custom graphics directly inside the platform with the powerful image generator.

On top of that, Patrick loves using features like reframe which allows seamless resizing across channels, enabling you to turn one strong design into multiple assets fit for Instagram, LinkedIn, or paid campaigns.

This level of flexibility is ideal for teams producing content at high volume and speed.

Why Patrick likes it

Patrick uses Lummi to streamline the visual creation process. From custom image generation to resizing graphics for various social media channels, Lummi offers speed without sacrificing originality. Compared to other AI powered content tools, it strikes the perfect balance between creative freedom and output efficiency.

2. ChatGPT – Reliable support for writing and brainstorming

No social strategy is complete without great copy. From caption writing to campaign ideation, ChatGPT is Patrick’s everyday writing assistant.

This tool speeds up content ideation and helps ensure posts are optimized for both engagement and search visibility, especially now that Google indexes Instagram content.

By training the tool with brand tone, audience preferences, and top-performing posts, Patrick generates copy that lines up with Lummi values and tone, helping him produce high-quality copy fast.

Why Patrick likes it

ChatGPT helps him generate content faster while keeping messaging sharp. He uses it to develop hooks, test different angles for campaigns, and even brainstorm content series. The tool is also a major help with SEO-driven writing, helping the team leverage AI for discoverability and reach.

3. CapCut – Streamlined video editing for Reels and TikToks

Video is central to modern content creation, especially with the rise of short-form formats like Reels, TikToks, and YouTube Shorts.

CapCut makes video editing easy with built-in templates, transitions, and effects. But what really makes it a must-have for Patrick is its use of AI generation to enhance workflows with automated captions, visual effects, or AI-generated voiceovers.

With CapCut, creators can produce videos that look polished and professional without needing expensive editing software or advanced skills.

Why Patrick likes it

Patrick relies on CapCut for fast editing of Reels and TikToks. The AI voice generator helps him add narration on tight turnarounds, and the video templates make it easy to build scroll-stopping content. It supports high-quality social media content with minimal production time.

4. ElevenLabs – AI voice cloning for fast narration

Patrick knows that sometimes a campaign calls for voiceovers, but the logistics of recording can slow everything down. ElevenLabs solves this pain point for Patrick by using AI driven technology to clone real voices and generate natural-sounding speech from typed scripts.

This tool can create different vocal styles, tones, and pacing which makes it ideal for narration in video posts or story content.

Although used more selectively, it offers a unique solution for content that requires audio.

Why Patrick likes it

Patrick has uses ElevenLabs to clone his voice and others on the team, which helps him produce narration-based content without needing to record. This was especially useful for storytelling posts and announcement videos. It’s not a tool he uses every day, but it plays an important role when speed and sound matter.

5. Sprinklr – All-in-one scheduling and AI insights

Publishing content is only half the battle for Patrick when it comes to managing a months worth of content. Sprinklr helps him plan, schedule, and measure social performance in one place. The platform includes an AI engine that recommends optimal posting times, analyzes engagement patterns, and offers sentiment tracking for deeper insight into audience perception.

For social managers like Patrick working across multiple platforms, this type of automation is extremely helpful for productivity.

Why Patrick likes it

Patrick uses Sprinklr to manage publishing calendars and analyze campaign results. The sentiment analysis tool helps him gauge how different posts resonate with the audience, and AI-powered recommendations guide strategic timing. As a social media management platform, it helps Patrick stay structured while also uncovering insights.

6. Notion – Where planning meets AI content support

Content creation starts with planning, and Notion is where all that planning lives for Patrick. It acts as Patrick’s digital headquarters for organizing content calendars, documenting campaigns, and collaborating with other team members. With Notion AI, the platform also helps summarize, brainstorm, and even draft copy inside content workspaces.

This tight integration between planning and creation reduces friction and helps teams stay aligned.

Why Patrick likes it

Patrick uses Notion to stay organized and reduce overhead during campaign prep. He builds content outlines, stores reference material, and writes initial drafts all in one place. Notion AI adds a layer of support that simplifies ideation and improves the user experience of content planning. It’s a foundational tool that ties the entire workflow together.

Why you should use these AI social media tools

The way we manage AI-powered social media has changed dramatically in just a few years (just ask Patrick). With platforms and audiences evolving at lightning speed, marketing teams are under pressure to create content faster, analyze results more accurately, and respond more thoughtfully. AI tools make that possible by unlocking new levels of creativity and productivity.

When used right, AI generation can support every stage of the content journey: ideation, creation, optimization, and analysis. The tools Patrick uses are the ideal toolkit built for the demands of modern creatives and marketers.

Whether your focus is on engagement, reach, or brand storytelling, these platforms can help you execute with more clarity and control.

Build your AI-powered content engine

To stay competitive, brands and creators need to evolve beyond manual content production. That doesn’t mean turning everything over to automation. It means using AI marketing tools that reduce friction and improve the quality of your work.

Remember, each one has been tested in real-world campaigns by Patrick, one of the best social managers in the world who is constantly on the front lines of content delivery.

If you're building your own tools for social media, start small. Choose one or two areas where AI could save you time or enhance your output. The more you experiment, the more confident you'll become in using artificial intelligence to strengthen your brand’s voice and presence.

Content should always feel human. But there's no reason it has to be built by hand.