How much does social media management cost in Canada? (2026)
Canadian social media management prices in 2026: CA$300 to CA$1,000 for basic help, CA$1,500 to CA$3,000 for agencies, hourly rates and setup fees.
By James Olawale · · 3 min read
Social media management for a Canadian small business usually costs CA$300 to CA$3,000 a month. Basic management starts around CA$300 to CA$1,000 a month, growth-focused agency work with strategy, video and reporting runs CA$1,500 to CA$3,000, and full-service agencies charge CA$3,000 to CA$5,000 and up. Agencies that bill by the hour charge about CA$75 to CA$200. Ad spend is always extra. These are published prices from Canadian agencies, not a survey.
Below: what each option costs, what's included, what pushes the price up, and how to get a fair quote.
Social media management prices in Canada at a glance
| Who does it | Typical price | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Freelancer or DIY-level help, basic posts | CA$200 to CA$500 a month | AP Digital |
| Budget agency, 4 to 8 posts | CA$500 to CA$1,000 a month | AP Digital |
| Growth agency, 12 to 20 posts with strategy and reporting | CA$1,500 to CA$3,000 a month | AP Digital |
| Full-service agency | CA$3,000 to CA$5,000+ a month | AP Digital |
| Published agency packages | CA$300, CA$600 or CA$1,200 a month, plus setup | CloudSprout |
| Hourly agency work | CA$75 to CA$200 an hour | AP Digital |
| Software that plans and posts for you | from about US$19 a month | Tool pricing pages (see below) |
Prices were checked in October 2026 and exclude ad spend and sales tax (GST or HST, depending on your province). Some agencies also charge a one-off setup fee: CloudSprout lists CA$500 to CA$7,500 depending on the package.
What a monthly package usually includes
Most packages cover a set number of posts a month on one to three platforms, captions and graphics, scheduling and a monthly report. Strategy, short video, ads management and community replies usually come with the higher tiers or as extras.
What pushes the price up
- More posts and platforms.
- Short video. Reels and TikToks take longer to make.
- Ads management. Usually a separate fee: CloudSprout lists CA$500 to CA$2,000 a month, plus the ad spend.
- Setup and strategy work at the start.
- Bilingual content. English and French posts are more work than one language.
Freelancer, agency or software?
A freelancer suits a single location that wants a person, at the lower end of the range. An agency fits when you need strategy, video and ads together. Software is the cheapest way to post consistently.
We make one of these tools, so read this with that in mind. Scala plans and designs a week of Instagram and Facebook posts from your own photos (and X on Growth), emails your customers and checks how you show up on Google. It costs US$19, US$79 or US$249 a month, billed in US dollars, so your bank converts it. It writes in English only, doesn't reply to messages or run ads. See our comparisons for other tools.
Marketing emails: Canada's rules
Canada's anti-spam law (CASL) needs consent before you send commercial emails, and every email needs your contact details and a way to unsubscribe (CRTC). Make sure any email list your manager uses meets it.
How to get a fair quote
- Write the scope: platforms, posts a month, video, replies, reporting.
- Get three quotes for the same scope.
- Ask about setup fees and minimum contract length.
- Keep your accounts in your name, with access through Meta Business Suite.
- Separate the management fee from ad spend so you know what each costs.
Frequently asked questions
How much does social media management cost in Canada?
Basic management usually starts around CA$300 to CA$1,000 a month. Agencies with strategy and reporting charge CA$1,500 to CA$3,000, and full service CA$3,000 to CA$5,000 or more.
How much do social media managers charge per hour in Canada?
Agencies quote about CA$75 to CA$200 an hour for consulting and one-off work.
Is ad spend included?
No. Ad spend is paid to the platforms on top of the management fee.
Do Canadian agencies charge setup fees?
Some do. CloudSprout, for example, lists a one-off setup fee from CA$500 to CA$7,500 depending on the package.
