Facebook remains one of the best platforms for entrepreneurs, freelancers and online stores in South Africa. With millions of active users, it gives small businesses the opportunity to reach customers directly — without needing a physical store.
But to succeed, you need the right tools to manage posts, create graphics, schedule content, run ads and analyze results. The best part? Many of these tools are completely free.
Here are 10 free tools every Facebook business owner should be using.
1. Meta Business Suite
What it is: Facebook’s official tool for managing business pages, messages and ads.
Best for: Scheduling posts, checking analytics, managing multiple pages.
Pros: 100% free, built-in analytics, integrates with Instagram.
Cons: Limited advanced reporting compared to paid third-party tools.
🔗 business.facebook.com
2. Canva (Free Plan)
What it is: A design platform with ready-made templates for Facebook.
Best for: Creating ads, posts, cover photos and story graphics.
Pros: Free templates sized perfectly for Facebook.
Cons: Some elements require a Pro subscription.
🔗 canva.com
3. Buffer (Free Plan)
What it is: A social media scheduling tool.
Best for: Planning and automating Facebook posts in advance.
Pros: Saves time, consistent posting, easy-to-use dashboard.
Cons: Free plan only allows a limited number of scheduled posts.
🔗 buffer.com
4. Hootsuite (Free Plan)
What it is: Another scheduling and monitoring tool.
Best for: Businesses managing multiple platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter).
Pros: Unified dashboard, content calendar, analytics.
Cons: Free plan has limits; advanced features are paid.
🔗 hootsuite.com
5. Bitly
What it is: A free link shortener and tracking tool.
Best for: Tracking clicks on links shared in posts or ads.
Pros: Clean, short links with click analytics.
Cons: Free version has limited customization.
🔗 bitly.com
6. Facebook Ads Library
What it is: A free database of all active Facebook ads worldwide.
Best for: Researching competitors’ ads and finding inspiration.
Pros: Completely free, transparent, updated in real time.
Cons: Doesn’t provide performance data (only ad creatives).
🔗 facebook.com/ads/library
7. Google Analytics
What it is: A free analytics tool that tracks traffic from Facebook to your website.
Best for: Understanding how Facebook ads and posts drive sales.
Pros: Free, detailed insights into customer behavior.
Cons: Requires setup and some learning.
🔗 analytics.google.com
8. Mailchimp (Free Plan)
What it is: An email marketing platform.
Best for: Collecting leads from Facebook and sending newsletters.
Pros: Free for up to 500 subscribers, integrates with Facebook ads.
Cons: Limited automation in free plan.
🔗 mailchimp.com
9. Pexels & Unsplash (Free Stock Images)
What it is: Free libraries of stock images.
Best for: Adding eye-catching visuals to Facebook ads and posts.
Pros: 100% free, royalty-free images.
Cons: Stock images can feel generic if overused.
🔗 pexels.com | unsplash.com
10. Trello (Free Plan)
What it is: A project management tool.
Best for: Planning campaigns, content calendars and tracking tasks.
Pros: Free, visual boards, good for small teams.
Cons: Requires setup to stay organized.
🔗 trello.com
Final Thoughts
Running a Facebook business doesn’t mean spending thousands on expensive software. With tools like Meta Business Suite, Canva, Buffer, Bitly and Trello, you can design posts, schedule content, analyze performance and engage with your audience — all for free.
As your business grows, you can upgrade to paid tools for more features. But to start, these 10 free tools give you everything you need to manage your Facebook presence like a pro.