Buffer
Buffer: A flexible social management suite with free access and low per-channel paid entry pricing. Ranked #6 of 144 in Social Media Management Tools by our editors (8.7/10); pricing: Free plan · 14-day trial; best for most teams wanting balanced social management.
At a glance
- Editor score8.7 / 10
- PricingFree plan · 14-day trial
- Best forMost teams wanting balanced social management
- Free planYes
- Paid from$60/site/yr
- Social inboxYes
- Founded2010
- Facts checked20 Sep 2026
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
Our verdict on Buffer
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, Facebook, TikTok, LinkedIn, X, YouTube, Threads, Pinterest, Google Business Profile, Bluesky, and Mastodon. Its web, iOS, Android, Chrome extension, and API options support different working styles, while Start Page adds link-in-bio pages.
The pricing structure is easy to understand but important to budget by channel. The Free plan covers up to 3 channels, 10 scheduled posts per channel, 100 ideas, 1 user account, Insights, and a Community inbox. Essentials costs $5 per channel per month when billed monthly and adds unlimited scheduled posts, unlimited ideas, advanced analytics, and a hashtag manager. Team costs $10 per channel per month and adds unlimited team members, content approval workflows, and access levels. A 14-day free trial is also available.
Buffer’s strongest fit is for teams that want a broad publishing and measurement workflow without separating scheduling, comment engagement, analytics, and content organization across multiple tools. Canva, Google Drive, Zapier, Unsplash, and the listed social networks extend its ecosystem, while AI supports content generation, rewriting, and repurposing. The main tradeoff is the per-channel model: costs grow as social coverage expands. Smaller users can start with the Free plan, solo operators may find Essentials sufficient, and collaborative teams should choose Team for approvals and access controls.
Your product? Our editors can test Buffer in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
Buffer pricing
All 3 Buffer plans and prices →
Buffer fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | $60/site/yr |
| Social accounts | 1 |
| Supported networks | Facebook, Instagram, X/Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, TikTok, Google Business Profile, Start Pages, Mastodon, YouTube Shorts, Threads, Bluesky |
| Scheduled posts | Not verified |
| Social inbox | Yes |
| Approval workflow | Yes |
| Analytics level | Advanced |
| Team users | 1 |
| Free trial | 14 days · no card needed |
| Deployment | Cloud, Mobile, Browser extension |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android, Chrome extension |
| Compliance & security | 2FA |
| Support | Email, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 24+ integrations: Bitly, Canva, ChatGPT, Claude, Cursor, Dropbox … See all → |
| Pricing | Free plan · 14-day trial (source) |
| Website | buffer.com |
| Facts checked | 20 Sep 2026 |
Buffer integrations
Buffer lists 24+ integrations on its own site — the 20 named here are the ones its pages call out.
- Bitly
- Canva
- ChatGPT
- Claude
- Cursor
- Dropbox
- Evergreen Content Poster
- Feedly
- Google Drive
- Google Photos
- IFTTT
- Make
- Microsoft Power Automate
- n8n
- Nelio Content
- OneDrive
- OpenAI
- Perplexity Web
- Quuu
- Raycast
Alternatives to Buffer
- Sprout SocialA broad social management suite for teams that need integrations and advanced workflows.9.3
- HootsuiteA mature multi-network suite for teams that can justify a high per-user price.9.2
- Brandwatch Social Media ManagementA broad platform for coordinated publishing, listening, inbox work, and custom reporting.9.1
Buffer vs the competition
- Buffer vs Sprout Social
- Buffer vs Hootsuite
- Buffer vs Brandwatch Social Media Management
- Buffer vs Emplifi
- Buffer vs Meta Business Suite
- Buffer vs Zoho Social
Compare Buffer with any tool side by side →
Also Ranked In
Buffer is ranked in 12 of our directories; the 6 strongest besides Social Media Management Tools.
Used Buffer? Be the first to review it
The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used Buffer for, what worked and what didn't. No stars are seeded and no review is paid for; an editor reads every one before it appears.
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Featured on iTechGuides
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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