Social media analytics & listening · Buffer Inc.
Buffer
Simple, low-cost social media scheduler with lightweight analytics, popular with solo creators and small teams.
Buffer is a social media scheduling and publishing tool that lets users queue and publish posts across networks from one calendar, with lightweight analytics on post-level engagement rather than deep listening or competitive benchmarking. It is priced per connected social channel rather than per user, with a free plan covering up to three channels, making it one of the lowest-cost entry points in social media management. Paid plans add features like collaboration tools, an idea and content calendar, and a link-in-bio landing page tool. Buffer is positioned as a publishing-first tool for individual creators, small businesses, and lean marketing teams, rather than the analytics-and-listening depth offered by Sprout Social or Hootsuite.
At a glance
| Vendor | Buffer Inc. |
|---|---|
| Pricing model | Free tier + paid plans |
| Free tier | Yes |
| Deployment | Cloud |
| Open source | No |
| Best for | Solo creators and small teams wanting simple, low-cost post scheduling. |
Pricing
Free for up to 3 channels; paid plans are priced per channel, billed monthly or yearly at a discount.
| Plan | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0/month | Connect up to 3 channels |
| Essentials | $5/month per channel | Billed yearly at $60/year per channel |
| Team | $10/month per channel | Billed yearly at $120/year per channel |
Prices read from the vendor's own page on September 21, 2026. Vendors change prices; check the source before you budget.
Features
- Multi-network post scheduling and publishing
- Post-level engagement analytics
- Content and idea calendar with drafts
- Link-in-bio "Start Page" tool
- Team collaboration and approval flows
- Per-channel pricing (pay only for channels used)
- Browser extension for content curation
Integrations
Profile last reviewed September 21, 2026