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Buffer

A social media scheduler that queues and publishes posts to most major networks, priced per connected channel.

$5/mo per channel billed annually ($6/mo monthly, Essentials)Free tier
Visit BufferSee all social scheduling & marketing

What it actually does

Buffer connects your social accounts and lets you write posts, drop them into a per-channel queue, and have them published automatically on a schedule. It supports the major networks including Instagram, Facebook, X, LinkedIn, TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest, Threads, Bluesky and Mastodon.

Its defining trait is per-channel pricing: each connected account is billed separately at a few dollars a month ($6/mo monthly, $5/mo billed annually), so a founder on one or two channels pays very little, while someone on many channels pays linearly more. A free tier covers three channels with a capped queue.

Beyond scheduling it adds a start-page (link-in-bio), basic analytics on paid plans, an AI assistant for drafting, and a free API key. It is a generalist tool rather than a specialist for any single platform.

Buffer vs its main rivals

The tools people actually weigh against Buffer: Hootsuite, SocialBee, Metricool. Same criteria for every column, including where Buffer loses.

Buffer logoBufferHootsuite logoHootsuiteSSocialBeeMMetricool
Pricing & access
Free tierYes3 channelsNoNoNo14-day trialYesFree plan
Starting price$5/mo per channel (annual)$99/mo$29/mo$22/mo
Platform coverage
Networks supported10+ networks10+ networks8+ networks9+ networks
Instagram grid plannerNoNoYesYesNoNoYesYes
Scheduling & limits
Scheduled postsUnlimited (paid)UnlimitedUnlimitedCapped by plan
Evergreen recyclingNoNoYesYesYesYesNoNo
Developer & API
REST APIYesFreeYesPaidNoNoYesPaid
Analytics & team
AnalyticsYesBasicYesAdvancedYesYesYesAdvanced
Team & approvalsYesTeam planYesYesYesYesYesYes
AI assistantYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
Worth it for
  • Free tier with 3 channels is usable for a launch-phase founder posting a few times a week
  • Per-channel pricing means two channels cost about $10/mo annually ($12 monthly) instead of a fixed bundle
  • Unlimited scheduled posts on paid plans plus a free API key with 3,000 requests/mo
Watch out for
  • Per-channel math adds up: six channels on Essentials is $30/mo billed annually ($36 monthly), more than several flat-rate rivals
  • Free tier caps you at 10 scheduled posts per channel, so the queue empties every few days
  • No visual Instagram grid planner or evergreen post recycling

Pay less for it

5 ways found
Annual billing

$5/mo per channel billed annually vs $6/mo monthly, about 17% off

Free tier

3 channels and 100 content ideas at $0, enough for a low-volume launch

Volume discount

Channels above 10 are discounted per channel

Nonprofit discount

Buffer offers a 50% discount for registered nonprofits

Cheaper swap

Publer — A la carte per-account pricing is cheaper across 2-5 accounts, and Publer's free tier covers 3 accounts too

See this for your whole stack, with your real numbers

StackTracker tracks what you actually pay for Buffer and every other tool, flags overpayment, and shows the dollars you would save by switching.

See plans

Is it the right tool for you

Pick it if
  • You post on only 1-3 platforms and want a free start with predictable per-channel cost
  • You want a simple generalist scheduler covering nearly every network
  • You need a free API key for light automation
Skip it if
  • You post to 6+ channels and per-channel cost balloons → use Post Bridge or Postiz
  • Instagram is your main channel and you want a visual grid planner → use Later

Track what Buffer and the rest of your stack cost

StackTracker adds up every subscription, plus your hours, so you see the real number.

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Prices and limits last verified 2026-07-20.