You don’t need to spend money to start scheduling your Pinterest pins. Several Pinterest-approved schedulers offer free plans with enough features to build a consistent posting habit before you ever consider upgrading.
This guide covers the best free Pinterest scheduling tools, what “Pinterest-approved” actually means, and what to look for so you choose a tool that won’t get your account suspended.
What Does “Pinterest-Approved Scheduler” Mean?
A Pinterest-approved scheduler is a tool that connects to your Pinterest account using Pinterest’s official developer API — the same system Pinterest’s own apps use.
When you connect an approved tool, Pinterest takes you through an OAuth login screen (at pinterest.com) where you explicitly grant the tool permission to post on your behalf. The tool receives an access token; it never sees your username or password.
Why this matters: Unapproved tools (browser bots, extension-based automation, tools that ask for your password directly) violate Pinterest’s terms of service. Pinterest actively detects and bans accounts using them. Only use tools that use the official API.
You can check whether a tool is API-based by watching the connection flow. If it takes you to a Pinterest.com page to log in and approve access, it’s using the API. If it asks for your Pinterest username and password directly — red flag.
Free Pinterest Schedulers Worth Using
PinPublish — Best for creators and sellers who want pin design built in
PinPublish combines scheduling with a built-in pin template library (305+ templates), so you can go from URL to published pin without a separate design tool.
Free plan includes: - 400 credits/month (1 credit = 1 published or scheduled pin) - 1 Pinterest profile - Access to all 305+ templates - AI-generated pin titles and board suggestions - Live pin preview
Best for: bloggers, Etsy sellers, Shopify store owners, and anyone who wants polished pins without hiring a designer.
No credit card required to start.
Pinterest’s Native Scheduler — Free, basic
Pinterest’s built-in scheduler (available inside any Business account) lets you schedule individual pins up to 30 days ahead. It’s completely free and requires no third-party tool.
Limitations: One pin at a time, no template library, no bulk scheduling, no automation.
Best for: creators who pin infrequently and don’t need bulk features.
Tailwind — Established Pinterest partner, limited free plan
Tailwind is one of the oldest Pinterest scheduling tools and has been a Pinterest Marketing Partner since 2012. Their free plan allows a small number of scheduled posts per month.
Limitations on free plan: Very restricted post limits; you’ll hit the ceiling quickly if you’re pinning more than once a day.
Best for: users who want a well-established tool and can work within tight posting limits.
How to Choose the Right Free Pinterest Scheduler
The right tool depends on what you’re actually trying to do:
If you need design help too: Choose PinPublish. The built-in template library means you can create and schedule pins in one tool, which saves significant time.
If you only pin occasionally: Pinterest’s native scheduler is free, requires no setup, and does the job.
If you already have Canva or another design tool: Any API-based scheduler works. Focus on one that has good queue management and supports your posting volume.
If you manage multiple accounts: You’ll likely need a paid plan on any tool — free tiers typically limit you to one profile.
Red Flags to Avoid in a Pinterest Scheduler
Watch out for tools that: - Ask for your Pinterest username and password directly - Offer automated repinning of other people’s content - Promise follower growth or engagement boosts - Use a browser extension to “control” Pinterest on your behalf - Have no mention of using Pinterest’s official API
Any of these indicate the tool operates outside Pinterest’s terms of service.
How Many Free Credits / Posts Do You Need?
If you’re posting 5 pins per day (a solid starting pace), you need around 150 pins per month. PinPublish’s free plan (400 credits/month) covers this comfortably, with room for AI title batches too.
If you want to scale to 10–20 pins per day, you’re looking at 300–600 pins per month — which means either a paid plan or managing credits carefully.
Getting Started With a Free Pinterest Scheduler
- Create a Pinterest Business account if you don’t have one (free at business.pinterest.com)
- Sign up for your chosen scheduler using your email — no credit card needed for free plans
- Connect your Pinterest profile via the OAuth flow (you’ll be taken to pinterest.com to approve)
- Add your first pin — paste a URL, pick a template, write your title
- Set your schedule — choose posting times and let the tool take over
The whole setup takes under 10 minutes. After that, your Pinterest presence runs on autopilot.
Start with PinPublish free → — 400 credits/month, all templates included, no credit card required.