Buffer
A simple social media scheduler priced per channel, with a free plan for 3 channels and paid plans from $5 per channel a month billed annually.
- Free plan
- Per channel
- Cloud
- Simple scheduling
- Independent sources
- Verified 10 Nov 2026Sources are dated on this profile
- 2 sourcesLinked, typed and dated
- Independent third-party sourcesHow this profile was compiled
- Not an endorsementStack18 has not tested this product
What is Buffer?
Buffer is a social media scheduling and analytics tool priced per connected channel, with a free plan and Essentials and Team plans.
- Best forCreators and small businesses wanting simple, low-cost scheduling
- Team size fitSmall teams, Mid-size teams
- PricingFree (3 channels); Essentials $5 and Team $10 per channel a month billed annually.
- Main limitationFree plan limits queued posts to 10 per channel.
- AlternativesLater, Metricool, SocialPilot, Hootsuite · compare all
Buffer overview: who it is for and what it does.
Buffer is known for straightforward scheduling, a clean interface and transparent, per-channel pricing popular with creators and small businesses.
A guide published in August 2026 with prices checked in November lists Free (up to 3 channels, 10 queued posts per channel), Essentials at $6 per channel monthly or $5 annually, and Team at $12 or $10 with unlimited users and approvals.
Volume pricing lowers the rate above 10 channels, falling to $1 (Essentials) or $2 (Team) above 50. A 14-day trial needs no card, and refunds are available within 7 days (monthly) or 30 days (annual).
Main problem it solves
Lets people schedule and analyse social posts without complexity.
Typical customer segment
Creators, small businesses and small teams.
Target users
- Creators
- Small businesses
- Small marketing teams
Primary use cases
- Post scheduling
- Basic analytics
- Approval workflows (Team)
- Idea management
What makes it distinct
- Per-channel pricing.
- Volume discounts above 10 channels.
- Unlimited users on Team.
Buffer features explained.
Plans
- Free
- 3 channels; 10 queued posts each.
- Essentials
- $6 monthly / $5 annual per channel.
- Team
- $12 / $10 per channel; unlimited users.
Volume pricing
- 11 to 25 channels
- $4 per channel.
- 26 to 50
- $3 per channel.
- 51+
- $1 (Essentials) or $2 (Team).
Terms
- Trial
- 14 days, no card.
- Refunds
- 7 days monthly; 30 days annual.
- Fair use
- 5,000 posts per channel.
Buffer pricing and plans.
Figures reported by independent sources; vendor page not reviewed directly. Checked 10 Nov 2026 against NapoleonCat.
Pricing model
Per channel per month, monthly or annual.
Free plan
Yes (3 channels)
Free trial
Yes (14 days)
Buffer plans and prices (USD)
Free
$0
Free
Up to 3 channels.
Essentials
$5 per channel per month
Annual ($6 monthly)
1 user.
Team
$10 per channel per month
Annual ($12 monthly)
Unlimited users.
Source is a competing tool; it notes Buffer's FAQ cites 20% annual savings while the table implies about 16.7%.
Prices change. Confirm current plans and terms on the vendor's site before you decide.
Visit official website (external) ↗See alternativesBuffer integrations, API and platforms.
Important integrations
- Major social networks
- Canva
- Zapier
Supported platforms
- Web
- iOS
- Android
API
Not reviewed for this profile.
Data import and export
Not reviewed for this profile.
Integration coverage was not assessed in full. Check Buffer's integrations directory and documentation for your tools.
Buffer pros and cons.
Strengths, limitations and best fit. Each point cites a source; editorial summaries are not customer reviews.
Strengths
Limitations
Best for
- Creators and small businesses wanting simple, low-cost scheduling
- Teams that want unlimited users cheaply
- Brands with few channels
May be less suited to
- Enterprises needing listening
- Customer care teams needing a full inbox
Top Buffer alternatives and competitors.
Later
A visual social media planner popular for Instagram and TikTok, priced by social sets from $25 a month…
Explore →Related productMetricool
A social media planning and analytics tool priced by brands, with a free plan and paid plans from $20 a…
Explore →Related productSocialPilot
An affordable social media management tool for agencies and SMBs, from $25.50 a month (Essentials…
Explore →Related productHootsuite
One of the longest-running social media management platforms, priced per user from $99 a month…
Explore →Buffer compared with similar social media management software.
Summaries come from each profile. This is a side-by-side aid, not a ranking.
| Product | Pricing model | Starting price | Free plan | Users included | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buffer | Per channel | $5/channel/mo (annual) | Yes (3 channels) | 1 (Essentials); unlimited (Team) | Creators and small businesses |
| Agorapulse | Per user | $79/user/mo (annual) | No (ended 2026) | 1 per seat | Inbox-heavy teams |
| Hootsuite | Per user, annual | $99/user/mo | No | 1 per seat | Teams and enterprises |
| Later | By social sets | $18.75/mo (annual) | Yes (limited) | 1 to 4 by plan | Visual creators |
| Loomly | Monthly plans | $49/mo (annual) | Yes (hidden, limited) | 3 or unlimited | Collaborative calendars |
| Metricool | By brands | $20/mo (annual) | Yes (1 brand) | Unlimited on Advanced | Creators and agencies |
Buffer vs competitors: head-to-head comparisons.
Each comparison has a feature table, pricing side by side, strengths and limits, and best-fit scenarios.
Publer vs Buffer
Publer and Buffer are low-cost social media schedulers for creators and small businesses.
Explore →ComparisonBuffer vs Later
Buffer vs Later in 2026: pricing, free plans, features, strengths and best fit compared from dated sources.…
Compare →ComparisonHootsuite vs Buffer
Hootsuite vs Buffer in 2026: pricing, free plans, features, strengths and best fit compared from dated…
Compare →ComparisonMetricool vs Buffer
Metricool vs Buffer in 2026: pricing, free plans, features, strengths and best fit compared from dated…
Compare →Buffer discussions and buying questions.
No published discussions mention this product yet.
Buffer questions and answers
What is Buffer used for?
Buffer is a social media scheduling and analytics tool priced per connected channel, with a free plan and Essentials and Team plans. Typical uses include post scheduling, basic analytics, approval workflows (Team), idea management.
How much does Buffer cost?
Essentials is $5 and Team $10 per channel a month billed annually ($6 and $12 monthly); there is a free plan.
Is Buffer free?
Yes, for up to 3 channels with 10 queued posts each.
Does Buffer charge per user?
No, it charges per channel; Team includes unlimited users.
How does Buffer compare with its competitors?
Stack18 publishes head-to-head comparisons of Buffer vs Later, Hootsuite vs Buffer and Metricool vs Buffer, each with a feature table, pricing and best-fit scenarios.
What are the main alternatives to Buffer?
The main alternatives to Buffer covered on Stack18 are Later, Metricool, SocialPilot and Hootsuite. Later may suit creators and brands focused on Instagram, TikTok and visual content. Metricool may suit creators, freelancers and agencies wanting analytics-rich scheduling by brand. SocialPilot may suit budget-conscious agencies and SMBs managing several brands. See the Buffer alternatives guide for a side-by-side table.
What are the pros and cons of Buffer?
Strengths: Free plan for up to 3 channels. Unlimited users on Team. Limitations: Free plan limits queued posts to 10 per channel. Costs grow with every channel.
Who is Buffer best for?
Buffer may suit creators and small businesses wanting simple, low-cost scheduling; teams that want unlimited users cheaply; brands with few channels. It may be less suited to enterprises needing listening; customer care teams needing a full inbox.
What integrations does Buffer support?
Documented integrations and ecosystem items include Major social networks, Canva, Zapier. API: Not reviewed for this profile.
When was the Buffer profile last verified?
Sources for this profile were last reviewed on 10 Nov 2026. 2 sources are listed under Sources, and prices and plans can change, so confirm with the vendor.
Where this information comes from.
- Buffer Pricing: What Per-Channel Billing Actually Costs NapoleonCat (competing vendor) Third-party Accessed 10 Nov 2026
- Social Media Management Software Pricing 2026 CostBench Third-party Accessed 10 Nov 2026
Secondary-source profile. Vendor pages were not reviewed directly for this profile. Facts and prices are taken from independent third-party sources and may differ from the vendor's current pages. Confirm with the vendor before buying.
Facts come from a NapoleonCat guide (August 2026, prices checked November 2026). Capabilities were not tested.
Stack18 has not tested this product or received anything from the vendor for this profile. Editorial summaries of vendor information are not endorsements. Confirm details with the vendor before buying.
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