Suggestions appear as you type. Use the up and down arrows to choose one and Enter to open it.

This page's audience our own tag's counts — open to see them
–Visits
–Page views
–Clicks to vendors
–Time on page
–Reading now
Clicks to vendors, by tool
  • –
Top countries
  • –
Devices
  • –

– · visits, page views and clicks counted by our own tag, which counts more than our checked analytics; every figure rounded down · how we count

Head-to-head · Social Media Management Tools

Hootsuite vs Buffer

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score Hootsuite #2 in Social Media Management Tools 9.2/10 14-day trial Free trial✓ 1 of 2 features Visit Hootsuite
Buffer #6 in Social Media Management Tools 8.7/10 Free plan · 14-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 2 of 2 features Visit Buffer

Hootsuite leads on 1 check, Buffer on 2, and 2 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreHootsuite · 9.2/10
  • Free planonly Buffer
  • Free trialboth
  • Most featuresBuffer · 2 of 2

Hootsuite scores higher on our rubric for social media management tools: 9.2 against 8.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #6.

Buffer offers free plan; Hootsuite doesn't. Hootsuite leads on social accounts: 10 versus 1. Buffer offers approval workflow; Hootsuite doesn't. On analytics level, Buffer gives you Advanced where Hootsuite offers Standard.

Hootsuite is the better fit for large teams prioritizing mature capabilities. Buffer is the better fit for most teams wanting balanced social management.

  • Hootsuite fits best

    Large teams prioritizing mature capabilities

  • Buffer fits best

    Most teams wanting balanced social management

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Hootsuite 9.2/10 Visit ↗ Buffer 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.2 8.7
Ranking #2 in Social Media Management Tools #6 in Social Media Management Tools
Best for Large teams prioritizing mature capabilities Most teams wanting balanced social management
Pricing model Paid Free plan + paid
Starting price $99/user/mo $60/site/yr
Free plan — ✓ (best)
Free trial 14 days 14 days
Free trial length 14 days · no card needed 14 days · no card needed
Deployment Cloud Cloud, Mobile, Browser extension
Platforms Web Web, iOS, Android, Chrome extension
Support Email, Tickets, Community · 24/7 Email, Docs
Compliance SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, PCI DSS 2FA
Integrations 100+ integrations 24+ integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Hootsuite 1/2 · Buffer 2/2
Social inbox ✓ ✓
Approval workflow — ✓ (best)
Specs
Social accounts 10 (best) 1
Supported networks Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, TikTok, YouTube, Threads, WhatsApp, Pinterest, Google Business Profile, Bluesky Facebook, Instagram, X/Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, TikTok, Google Business Profile, Start Pages, Mastodon, YouTube Shorts, Threads, Bluesky
Scheduled posts Not checked yet Not checked yet
Analytics level Standard Advanced
Team users 1 1
Our review
Pros
  • Unlimited scheduled posts on the Standard plan
  • Unified inbox, listening, sentiment analysis, and analytics
  • Approval workflows and custom compliance options on Enterprise
  • Free plan supports up to 3 channels
  • Supports 11 social networks plus API access
  • Advanced analytics, inbox engagement, AI, and approvals
Cons
  • Starts at $99 per user per month with annual billing
  • No free plan
  • Advanced team workflows require higher-tier plans
  • Free plan limits scheduled posts to 10 per channel
  • Paid pricing increases with every added channel
  • Approval workflows and access levels require the Team plan
Our verdict

Hootsuite is a paid social media management platform for marketers, customer-care teams, agencies, and organizations managing multiple social profiles. It brings publishing, scheduling, content creation, inbox management, monitoring,…

Read the review →

Buffer brings publishing, engagement, analytics, and collaboration into one social media management platform. It is designed for creators, small businesses, agencies, and teams that need to plan and auto-publish content across Instagram,…

Read the review →
  1. HootsuiteSocial Media Management Tools 9.214-day trial
  2. BufferSocial Media Management Tools 8.7Free plan · 14-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Hootsuite — where it wins

    • Unlimited scheduled posts on the Standard plan
    • Unified inbox, listening, sentiment analysis, and analytics
    • Approval workflows and custom compliance options on Enterprise

    Where it doesn't

    • Starts at $99 per user per month with annual billing
    • No free plan
    • Advanced team workflows require higher-tier plans

  • Buffer — where it wins

    • Free plan supports up to 3 channels
    • Supports 11 social networks plus API access
    • Advanced analytics, inbox engagement, AI, and approvals

    Where it doesn't

    • Free plan limits scheduled posts to 10 per channel
    • Paid pricing increases with every added channel
    • Approval workflows and access levels require the Team plan
  • Hootsuite9.2/10 · 14-day trial

    A mature multi-network suite for teams that can justify a high per-user price.

    Visit HootsuiteFull verdict →
  • Buffer8.7/10 · Free plan · 14-day trial

    A flexible social management suite with free access and low per-channel paid entry pricing.

    Visit BufferFull verdict →

More comparisons

All social media management tools comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update