Best Shield Analytics Alternatives for LinkedIn in 2026
TL;DR: Shield Analytics shut down in May 2026 after its founders said Google and LinkedIn made it clear the product could not keep operating as it was built. If you relied on Shield, you need a new home for your LinkedIn analytics. This article compares the 5 best Shield Analytics alternatives in 2026 for B2B teams. AuthoredUp is the closest like-for-like analytics replacement. Hey Sid ranks #2 for teams that want LinkedIn execution, not just a dashboard: it coordinates LinkedIn ads, outreach and thought leadership against the same named decision-makers in one managed service.
Most people searching for a Shield Analytics alternative today are not comparing features. They are replacing a tool that no longer exists. Shield launched in 2018 and became one of the best-known LinkedIn analytics dashboards for creators and brands, tracking post performance, audience demographics and follower growth over time.
When Shield closed in May 2026, its users lost the dashboard and the history stored inside it. That forces a useful question: do you only need a new dashboard, or do you need something that acts on the data? This article compares the 5 best options, with real pricing, honest limitations and a decision framework built for B2B teams.
Related: Best LinkedIn Analytics Tools in 2026 | Best LinkedIn Marketing Agencies for B2B in 2026 | From ICP to Pipeline: The LinkedIn ABM Playbook for B2B Teams
Please note that pricing may change, so always check the latest details on the product's website.
What Happened to Shield Analytics, and What to Look for in a Replacement
Shield Analytics shut down in May 2026 after its founders said Google and LinkedIn made it clear the product could not keep operating as it was built. Before that, it was a strong dedicated LinkedIn analytics tool: it pulled your full post history, tracked impressions, engagement and follower growth, and broke audiences down by job title, location and industry.
The shutdown carries two lessons for anyone picking a replacement.
How a tool accesses LinkedIn data matters. Shield's model depended on access that LinkedIn and Google stopped allowing. Before you commit, check how a tool connects to LinkedIn and whether that method is one LinkedIn supports.
Your history is only as safe as your exports. Former Shield users who did not export their data before the shutdown lost their historical analytics. Whatever you pick next, export your data regularly and keep your own copy.
Shield also had limits that sent B2B teams looking elsewhere even before it closed:
Analytics without action. It showed what performed. Ads, outreach and content still needed separate tools or a team.
No campaign management. It did not run LinkedIn ads or outreach.
LinkedIn-only. Teams running LinkedIn, Meta and programmatic display had no unified view.
For a solo creator, a replacement dashboard is enough. For a B2B marketing team with a long sales cycle and a named account list, measurement alone will not move pipeline.
How to Choose the Right LinkedIn Analytics Tool
Before comparing options, identify which problem you are actually solving:
Your situation | What you need | Best fit |
|---|---|---|
You want a like-for-like replacement for Shield's analytics | Pure analytics | AuthoredUp |
You want analytics + content creation in one tool | Content + analytics | Taplio, AuthoredUp |
You want LinkedIn analytics across multiple social channels | Multi-channel management | Hootsuite, Vista Social |
You want linkedin analytics connected to pipeline generation | Analytics + execution | Hey Sid |
You want ads + outreach + content coordinated against named accounts | Full ABM execution | Hey Sid |
Looking for a pure analytics dashboard with a free plan? See our roundup of the best LinkedIn analytics tools, where Metricool is the top all-round pick.
Four criteria separate the best linkedin analytics tools from the rest:
Execution depth. Does the tool measure LinkedIn activity, or generate it? Most tools on this list stop at measurement. Only one goes further.
B2B account targeting. Can the tool target specific named accounts - not just broad audiences? For companies with a defined account list, this is the deciding factor.
Team scalability. Per-profile pricing compounds quickly. Understand the full cost before a 10-profile team commits.
GDPR compliance. For Nordic and European companies, data residency is non-negotiable. Verify where data is processed before signing up.
The 5 Best Shield Analytics Alternatives in 2026
#1 Taplio - Best for LinkedIn Creators Who Want AI Content + Analytics Together
G2 Rating: 3.9/5 on G2 (March 2026) Pricing: $39/mo Starter (no AI), $69/mo Growth (AI included), $199/mo Pro
Taplio is an AI-powered LinkedIn tool that combines content creation, scheduling, analytics, and a lead database. For individual creators who want both content production and linkedin analytics in one tool, it is the most feature-complete option at this price tier.
The viral post library of 4M+ posts searchable by niche and topic is a genuine differentiator for content strategy. The AI carousel generator turns YouTube URLs and blog posts into LinkedIn carousels automatically.
Two trade-offs are worth knowing before committing. First, the functional starting price for AI features is $69/month, not $39 - the Starter plan includes scheduling and analytics only. Second, Taplio uses cookie-based authentication rather than LinkedIn's official API. Standard usage is low risk, but aggressive automation features have triggered LinkedIn account restrictions for some users.
Strengths:
Viral post library of 4M+ posts - strong content inspiration source
AI carousel generator from YouTube URLs and blog posts
Lead database with 3M+ enriched LinkedIn profiles for outbound prospecting
Chrome extension surfaces top-performing posts from profiles you visit
Limitations:
AI writing requires Growth plan at $69/mo - not included in $39 Starter
Cookie-based automation carries LinkedIn account risk
Critical G2 reviews cite learning curve and pricing gaps
Analytics depth below dedicated tools like AuthoredUp
Best for: Individual creators and solopreneurs who want AI content assistance, scheduling, and basic linkedin analytics from one tool - and are comfortable with the account risk trade-off.
#2 Hey Sid - Best for B2B Teams That Need LinkedIn Execution, Not Just a Dashboard
G2 Rating: Not yet listed (founded 2024, 100+ B2B clients) Pricing: Custom (managed service)
Every other linkedin analytics tool on this list measures what happens on LinkedIn. Hey Sid changes what happens.
Hey Sid is a managed ABM service built around three coordinated functions targeting the same named decision-makers over 60-90 days:
Always On - person-level advertising on LinkedIn, Meta, and programmatic display. Not account-level IP targeting - individual named people, tracked across LinkedIn, Meta, and programmatic display.
Precision Connect - automated LinkedIn outreach timed to run after ad exposure, so messages land after familiarity is built, not cold.
Authority Builder - done-for-you thought leadership content published on executive LinkedIn profiles weekly.
The three functions run as one system - The Influence Loop. Where an analytics tool gives you the scoreboard, Hey Sid plays the game. By the time Precision Connect sends a connection request, the prospect has already seen the ads and read the thought leadership. The outreach lands as a natural continuation, not an interruption.
What Hey Sid does that an analytics-only tool does not:
Runs LinkedIn and Meta ad campaigns - not just tracks content performance
Executes outreach to named target accounts automatically
Publishes weekly thought leadership on executive profiles
Delivers person-level reporting across ad, outreach, and content channels in one view
Replaces 4-5 separate tools with one managed service
Results from Hey Sid clients:
85% reduced ad spend - Mercuri International attributed one of their biggest deals in a decade to Hey Sid
45+ qualified meetings in 4 months - Devotion Ventures
2.5x shorter sales cycles, 40% higher engagement - Risk Ident (GDPR compliant)
Strengths:
Coordinates LinkedIn ads, outreach, and content as one managed system - functions that typically require 4-5 separate tools
GDPR compliant by architecture - European-born, Gothenburg/Stockholm
Creative production included - 5 ad variations per campaign, refreshed every 60 days
Person-level targeting follows named individuals across LinkedIn, Meta, and programmatic display
Limitations:
Not a self-serve analytics dashboard - you work with the Hey Sid team
Not designed for high-volume cold email or B2C campaigns
No G2 listing yet (founded 2024)
Best for: B2B companies with 20-100 employees, 1-3 person marketing teams, and long sales cycles (12-36 months) that need execution, not just measurement.
Explore Hey Sid: heysid.com/how-it-works
#3 AuthoredUp - Best Like-for-Like Replacement for Shield's Analytics
G2 Rating: 4.8/5 on Chrome Web Store Pricing: $19.95/mo Individual, $14.95/mo per user Business (3+ users minimum)
AuthoredUp is a LinkedIn content and analytics tool that assumes you will do the writing. Since Shield shut down, it is the closest like-for-like option for people who mainly used Shield for post analytics.
It pulls your full post history, not just posts published after you install it, and tracks engagement, reach, saves and comments at post level with filters and trend views. At $19.95/month it also costs less per profile than Shield did.
AuthoredUp does not collect cookies and performs no automation on LinkedIn, making it the account-safety choice in a category where several tools carry ban risk.
Strengths:
Full post history analytics - not capped by installation date
Rich text editor with bold, italic, emoji, and multi-device preview
No automation - zero LinkedIn ban risk
Costs less per profile than Shield did ($25/profile/mo)
Business plan at $14.95/user/mo scales well for small teams
Limitations:
No AI content generation - you write everything
LinkedIn-only - no multi-channel analytics
No outreach, ad management, or execution features
Business plan requires minimum 3 users
Best for: former Shield users and content marketers who write their own posts and want deep post analytics in one tool.
#4 Hootsuite - Best for Teams Managing Multiple Social Channels from One Dashboard
G2 Rating: 4.2/5 on G2 Pricing: $99/mo Standard, $249/mo Advanced
Hootsuite manages scheduling, monitoring, analytics, and team workflows across LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, X, TikTok, and YouTube from one dashboard. For marketing teams where LinkedIn is one of several active channels - and where consolidated reporting matters more than linkedin analytics depth - Hootsuite avoids the tool sprawl of running separate platforms per channel.
Its LinkedIn-specific analytics are solid but not specialist-grade. Follower growth, post reach, engagement rates, and audience demographics are covered. It does not match AuthoredUp's depth on post-level LinkedIn analytics. The $99/mo entry price is hard to justify if LinkedIn is the only channel in play.
Strengths:
Manages 6+ social platforms from one dashboard
Strong team workflows with approval queues and role management
Social listening and brand mention monitoring included
Reliable bulk scheduling and content calendar
Limitations:
LinkedIn analytics surface-level compared to dedicated tools
$99/mo entry price high for LinkedIn-only teams
No B2B account targeting, outreach, or ad execution
Steep learning curve for new users
Best for: Marketing teams managing LinkedIn alongside Instagram, Facebook, and X, who need unified scheduling and reporting rather than deep LinkedIn-specific analytics.
#5 Vista Social - Best for Agencies Needing Multi-Channel Client Reporting
G2 Rating: 4.6/5 on G2 Pricing: $79/mo Professional, $149/mo Advanced, $379/mo Enterprise
Vista Social is a social media management platform built for agencies managing multiple clients across multiple channels. Its customisable reporting, consolidated inbox, and approval workflows make it a practical operational layer for teams managing 5+ client accounts simultaneously.
For pure linkedin analytics depth, Vista Social is not the specialist choice. Its value is in breadth and client workflow - consolidated reporting and shared dashboards that eliminate manual report-building across platforms. The $249/mo Agency plan is the tier where the feature set fully justifies the price.
Strengths:
Strong customisable reporting for client-facing work
Multi-channel publishing with approval workflows
Social listening and review management included
Competitive pricing for agency-scale features
Limitations:
LinkedIn analytics not specialist-grade: AuthoredUp goes deeper
Full agency features require the Advanced plan at $149/mo or Enterprise at $379/mo
No B2B account targeting or ad execution
Best for: Social media agencies managing LinkedIn as part of a multi-channel client mix, who need consolidated reporting and team workflows more than LinkedIn analytics depth.
Full Feature Comparison
Feature | Hey Sid | Taplio | AuthoredUp | Hootsuite | Vista Social |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
LinkedIn post analytics | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ Deep | ✅ | ✅ |
Full post history | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ⚠️ | ⚠️ |
Audience demographics | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
AI analytics assistant | ✅ | ⚠️ Basic | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
Content creation / scheduling | ✅ Done-for-you | ✅ AI-assisted | ✅ Manual | ✅ | ✅ |
LinkedIn ad execution | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
Automated LinkedIn outreach | ✅ | ⚠️ Risk | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
Multi-channel support | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
B2B named account targeting | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
GDPR compliant | ✅ | ⚠️ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Team / multi-profile | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ (3+ min) | ✅ | ✅ |
Starting price | Custom | $39/mo | $19.95/mo | $99/mo | $79/mo |
Decision Framework: Which LinkedIn Analytics Tool Is Right for Your Situation?
Your situation | Best choice |
|---|---|
You have a named account list and a sales cycle of 12+ months | Hey Sid |
You want linkedin analytics + ads + outreach as one managed service | Hey Sid |
You need a dedicated LinkedIn analytics dashboard to replace Shield | AuthoredUp, $19.95/mo, or Metricool (free plan available) |
You post consistently and want AI content + scheduling + analytics | Taplio Growth, $69/mo |
You write your own content and want the deepest analytics at lowest cost | AuthoredUp, $19.95/mo |
You manage LinkedIn across a team of 5+ needing multi-profile reporting | AuthoredUp Business, $14.95/user/mo |
You run LinkedIn alongside Instagram, Facebook, and X | Hootsuite or Vista Social |
You manage social media for multiple agency clients | Vista Social Advanced/Enterprise, from $149/mo |
Conclusion
The best Shield Analytics alternative depends on what you need beyond the dashboard.
Shield Analytics shut down in May 2026, so the choice is no longer whether to stay. AuthoredUp is the closest like-for-like replacement for its post analytics. Taplio adds AI content for creators who want both in one tool. Hootsuite and Vista Social serve teams where LinkedIn is one channel among several.
For B2B marketing teams, the real question is whether your team has the capacity to act on what any dashboard shows: running ads, producing content and managing outreach to the same decision-makers over 60 to 90 days. If it does, any tool above fills the measurement gap. If it does not, a new dashboard will not generate pipeline.
Book a demo: heysid.com/demo
FAQ
What is the best free Shield Analytics alternative?
LinkedIn's native analytics (available free through Analytics & tools) cover the basics - post impressions, engagement, and follower demographics - but lack historical depth and export capabilities. Metricool also offers a free plan with LinkedIn analytics and reporting for one brand. For teams needing deeper analytics, AuthoredUp starts at $19.95/month with a genuine free trial. For multi-platform scheduling alongside analytics, free tiers from Taplio or Hootsuite exist but are heavily restricted.
Is Shield Analytics still available?
No. Shield Analytics shut down in May 2026 after its founders said Google and LinkedIn made it clear the product could not keep operating as it was built. It was a dedicated LinkedIn analytics tool that tracked post performance, follower growth and audience demographics. The closest active options are AuthoredUp for post analytics, Metricool for analytics and reporting with a free plan, and Taplio for analytics plus AI content.
Is Hey Sid a replacement for Shield Analytics?
Not in the like-for-like sense. Shield was a self-serve analytics dashboard. Hey Sid is a managed service that runs LinkedIn and Meta ads, outreach and done-for-you thought leadership against named accounts, with person-level reporting across all three. If you only need a dashboard, AuthoredUp or Metricool is the closer swap. If your problem is not generating enough pipeline from LinkedIn, a new dashboard will not solve it.
Which LinkedIn analytics tool is best for B2B teams?
For B2B teams with defined account lists and long sales cycles, Hey Sid is the only option on this list that connects LinkedIn analytics to pipeline execution. For teams that need deep analytics and will run execution themselves, AuthoredUp at $19.95/mo is the strongest dedicated option now that Shield has shut down. Taplio adds AI content at $69/mo for teams that also need content production support.
Are LinkedIn analytics tools GDPR compliant for European teams?
AuthoredUp collects no cookies and performs no automation, making it low-risk. Hey Sid is GDPR compliant by architecture - European-born and built for Nordic and European B2B markets. Taplio's cookie-based authentication warrants review for teams with strict compliance requirements. Verify data processing locations against your company's specific obligations before committing to any tool.
Sources
G2, "Taplio Reviews"
G2, "Hootsuite Reviews"
G2, "Vista Social Reviews"
AuthoredUp, "Shield Analytics Alternative"
CheckThat.ai, "Taplio Reviews 2026: What Real Users Actually Say" (February 2026)
MagicPost, "Taplio Review: Powerful, But Are You Overpaying?" (February 2026)
ConnectSafely, "Best Shield Alternative: LinkedIn Analytics vs Inbound" (March 2026)
ConnectSafely, "Taplio vs AuthoredUp LinkedIn Tools Comparison 2026" (February 2026)
Hey Sid, "Best LinkedIn Analytics Tools in 2026"
Hey Sid, "How It Works"
Hey Sid, "Case Studies"
Related: Best LinkedIn Analytics Tools in 2026 | Best LinkedIn Marketing Agencies for B2B in 2026 | From ICP to Pipeline: The LinkedIn ABM Playbook for B2B Teams
