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Head-to-head · Social Media Management Tools

Sprout Social vs Buffer

Updated Oct 2026
Both researched from official sources
4 checks side by side

Higher score Sprout Social #1 in Social Media Management Tools 9.3/10 30-day trial Free trial✓ 2 of 2 features Visit Sprout Social

Buffer #6 in Social Media Management Tools 8.7/10 Free plan · 14-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 2 of 2 features Visit Buffer

Sprout Social leads on 1 check, Buffer on 1, and 2 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

Highest scoreSprout Social · 9.3/10
Free planonly Buffer
Free trialboth

Sprout Social scores higher on our rubric for social media management tools: 9.3 against 8.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #6.

Buffer offers free plan; Sprout Social doesn't. Sprout Social leads on social accounts: 5 versus 1. On analytics level, Buffer gives you Advanced where Sprout Social offers Basic.

Sprout Social is the better fit for enterprise teams needing deep integrations. Buffer is the better fit for most teams wanting balanced social management.

Sprout Social fits best
Enterprise teams needing deep integrations
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

Show only differences

Feature	Sprout Social 9.3/10 Visit ↗	Buffer 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.3	8.7
Ranking	#1 in Social Media Management Tools	#6 in Social Media Management Tools
Best for	Enterprise teams needing deep integrations	Most teams wanting balanced social management
Pricing model	Paid	Free plan + paid
Starting price	$79/seat/mo	$60/site/yr
Free plan	—	✓ (best)
Free trial	30 days	14 days
Free trial length	30 days · no card needed	14 days · no card needed
Deployment	Cloud, Mobile	Cloud, Mobile, Browser extension
Platforms	Web, iOS, Android	Web, iOS, Android, Chrome extension
Support	Email, Live chat, Phone, Tickets, Community, Docs	Email, Docs
Compliance	SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, PCI DSS	2FA
Integrations	20 integrations	24+ integrations
Built for	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Sprout Social 2/2 · Buffer 2/2
Social inbox	✓	✓
Approval workflow	✓	✓
Specs
Social accounts	5 (best)	1
Supported networks	X, Facebook, TikTok, LinkedIn, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, Bluesky, Threads, WhatsApp	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	Basic	Advanced
Team users	Not checked yet	1
Our review
Pros	Extensive CRM, help-desk, analytics and asset-management integrations Approval workflows, inbox tools, review management and reporting Supports 11 social networks with up to 10,000 scheduled posts	Free plan supports up to 3 channels Supports 11 social networks plus API access Advanced analytics, inbox engagement, AI, and approvals
Cons	Starts at $79 per seat per month on annual billing Essentials limits teams to five social profiles Advanced capabilities require higher-priced 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	Sprout Social is a paid social media management and analytics platform for businesses and organizations. It supports planning, scheduling and publishing across X, Facebook, TikTok, LinkedIn, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, Bluesky, Threads,… 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 →

Sprout SocialSocial Media Management Tools 9.330-day trial
BufferSocial Media Management Tools 8.7Free plan · 14-day trial

Compare the top tools in

Strengths and trade-offs

Sprout Social — where it wins
- Extensive CRM, help-desk, analytics and asset-management integrations
- Approval workflows, inbox tools, review management and reporting
- Supports 11 social networks with up to 10,000 scheduled posts
Where it doesn't
- Starts at $79 per seat per month on annual billing
- Essentials limits teams to five social profiles
- Advanced capabilities require higher-priced 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

Sprout Social9.3/10 · 30-day trial
A broad social management suite for teams that need integrations and advanced workflows.
Visit Sprout Social Full 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 Buffer Full verdict →

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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated 21 Oct 2026 · How we research and update