What it does
Planoly is a comprehensive social media planner designed for content creators and marketers. The app's core function is to help users visually plan their content grid, particularly for Instagram, but it also supports scheduling posts for TikTok, Pinterest, and other channels. Users can upload media, arrange it in a grid, write captions, and schedule posts for automatic publishing.
Where it shines
Planoly's strength lies in its visual-first approach to content planning. The drag-and-drop grid interface (05:58) is intuitive and allows users to perfect their feed's aesthetic before anything goes live. Another standout moment is the workspace selection during onboarding (00:25), which immediately tailors the app to the user's specific needs, whether they are an Instagram purist or a multi-channel manager. Finally, the contextual upgrade prompts, like the one for the AI Caption Writer at 08:08, cleverly tie monetization directly to user intent.
UX highlights
- Draft Grids: At 04:42, the user creates a separate 'draft' grid. This feature provides a sandbox for experimenting with different layouts without affecting the main plan.
- Clear Scheduling UI: The post scheduler (07:13) is straightforward, with a simple calendar and time picker to set a precise publication time.
- Undo Functionality: After rearranging posts, a subtle toast notification appears with an 'Undo' option (06:11), offering a quick way to revert changes.
- Visual Calendar: The calendar view (08:51) not only shows scheduled posts but also integrates social media holidays, helping creators plan relevant content.
- List and Grid Views: The app offers both list and grid views for scheduled posts (08:43), catering to different organizational preferences.
- Multi-select for Uploads: Users can efficiently select multiple photos and videos from their gallery to upload in a single batch (03:45).
Monetization & growth
Monetization is handled through contextual, feature-gated paywalls rather than a single, mandatory upfront screen. When a user tries to access a premium feature, such as uploading more than the free limit or using the AI writer, a screen appears detailing the benefits and presenting subscription plans (04:12). The plans are displayed in a swipeable carousel, showing three tiers ('Starter', 'Growth', 'Personal'). This strategy connects the value proposition of paying directly to the user's immediate need.
Who it’s for
This app is built for visual storytellers. Social media managers, influencers, small business owners, and meticulous content creators who care deeply about their feed's aesthetic are the primary audience. It suits anyone who needs to plan content in advance, maintain a consistent look, and manage multiple social channels from one place.
Notes & opportunities
The onboarding process, while logical, is quite long due to the necessity of linking external accounts (00:31 - 03:06). This delays the 'aha!' moment of actually using the planning tools. While the app warns about low-resolution files (05:16), it still allows them to be uploaded, which could lead to poor post quality. Making this warning more prominent or offering an in-app enhancement could be a valuable addition.