How to Schedule Instagram Posts in 2026

Learn to schedule Instagram posts, Reels, and Stories automatically. Save 5+ hours every week with both free native tools and powerful third-party schedulers.

Updated: January 202610 min read

Quick Answer: How to Schedule Instagram Posts

  1. 1

    Use Instagram's native scheduler (Business/Creator accounts) or sign up for Saki

  2. 2

    Create your post with photos, carousel, or video content

  3. 3

    Choose your posting time or use Smart Slots for optimal timing

Time required: ~5 minutes
Cost: Free - $99/mo

Why Schedule Instagram Posts?

Instagram's algorithm rewards consistency. Scheduling your posts ensures you never miss a day and always post when your audience is most active.

Save 5+ Hours/Week

Batch create your content in one sitting. No more scrambling to post every day.

Consistency = Growth

Regular posting signals quality to Instagram's algorithm. Scheduling makes consistency effortless.

Post at Peak Times

Schedule posts for when your followers are online, maximizing reach and engagement.

Accounts that post consistently on Instagram see 30% more engagement on average. The algorithm rewards regular, quality content.

Method 1: Schedule Instagram Posts Natively

Instagram has built-in scheduling. Here's how to use it:

1

Create Your Post

Open Instagram, tap the + icon, and create your post as usual. Add your photo, caption, and hashtags.

2

Tap Advanced Settings

Before posting, tap 'Advanced settings' at the bottom of the screen.

3

Select Schedule

Toggle on 'Schedule this post' and select your desired date and time. Tap 'Schedule' to confirm.

Limitations of Native Scheduling

  • Only available for Business and Creator accounts
  • Cannot schedule Stories or Reels natively
  • Must use the mobile app (no desktop scheduling)
  • Limited to Instagram only—no cross-platform posting
  • No visual calendar to see scheduled content
Recommended

Method 2: Schedule Instagram Posts with Saki

For more flexibility and features, use a dedicated scheduler like Saki. Here's how:

1

Connect Your Instagram Account

Sign up for Saki and connect your Instagram Business or Creator account. The process takes under 2 minutes.

2

Create Your Post

Write your caption, add images or video, and customize your content. Create feed posts, Stories, Reels, or carousels.

3

Choose Your Time or Use Smart Slots

Pick a specific date and time, or let Smart Slots automatically find the best times based on your audience's activity.

Saki Features for Instagram

Schedule feed posts, Stories, and Reels
Visual calendar to plan your content grid
Smart Slots auto-suggest optimal posting times
Carousel/album post support
Cross-post to all 7 platforms simultaneously
Desktop and mobile scheduling

Best Instagram Scheduling Tools in 2026

Instagram has native scheduling, but third-party tools offer more features. Here's how the top Instagram schedulers compare:

ToolInstagram FeaturesPriceBest ForRating
SakiOur Pick
Full (Feed, Stories, Reels)Free - $99/moMulti-platform creators
Later
Full (Feed, Stories, Reels)$25 - $200/moVisual planners
Buffer
Feed only$6 - $120/moSimple scheduling
Hootsuite
Full$99 - $739/moEnterprise teams
Instagram Native
Feed onlyFreeBasic scheduling

Our Recommendations

  • Best free option: Instagram's native scheduler for feed posts, or Saki's free plan for 15 posts/month with Stories support
  • Best for teams: Saki Pro or Hootsuite for larger teams
  • Best for multi-platform: Saki supports all 7 major platforms including newer ones like Bluesky and Threads

Pro Tips for Scheduling Instagram Posts

Best Times to Post

Days: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday

Times: 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM (EST)

Posting Frequency

3-7 times per week for optimal growth. Consistency matters more than frequency.

Content Tips

  • Use high-quality, visually cohesive images that match your brand aesthetic
  • Write captions that encourage engagement (ask questions, use CTAs)
  • Include 5-10 relevant hashtags (mix of popular and niche)
  • Post Reels regularly—Instagram's algorithm favors video content
  • Use Stories daily to stay top-of-mind with followers

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Posting at random times instead of when your audience is active
  • Using the same hashtags on every post (Instagram may flag as spam)
  • Scheduling too far in advance without reviewing trending topics
  • Ignoring Stories and Reels (Instagram prioritizes video)
  • Not engaging with comments after posting

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about scheduling Instagram posts.

Can you schedule Instagram posts for free?

Yes! Instagram's native scheduling is free for Business and Creator accounts. You can also use Saki's free plan to schedule up to 15 Instagram posts per month.

Can you schedule Instagram Reels?

Yes, but not through Instagram's native scheduler. Third-party tools like Saki support Reels scheduling, allowing you to plan and auto-publish your short-form video content.

Can you schedule Instagram Stories?

Instagram doesn't offer native Story scheduling. However, Saki and other third-party schedulers support Story scheduling, including multi-slide Stories.

Does scheduling Instagram posts hurt engagement?

No! Studies show scheduled posts perform just as well as manually posted content. The key is posting at optimal times when your audience is active—which scheduling helps you do consistently.

What is the best Instagram scheduler?

For most users, Saki is the best Instagram scheduler because it supports feed posts, Stories, Reels, and cross-platform posting at an affordable price. Later and Buffer are also good options for Instagram-focused scheduling.

Start Scheduling Instagram Posts Today

Stop manually posting. Start saving 5+ hours every week with automated Instagram scheduling.

No credit card required
15 free posts per month
Connect all 7 platforms