Buffer
Simple social media scheduling for small teams
Quick verdict
Buffer is built for solo founders and small teams who need solid social media capabilities. It holds its own against competitors like Hootsuite. You can start for free, which makes it low-risk to test.
Buffer is a straightforward social media scheduling tool focused on helping small businesses and creators publish consistently. Known for its clean interface, affordable pricing, and focus on doing scheduling well rather than trying to do everything.
What we like
- Very clean and easy to use
- Affordable per-channel pricing
- Good free plan
- Great for small teams
Watch out for
- Less analytics depth than Sprout Social
- No social listening
- Limited reporting on free plan
Key features
Who should use Buffer?
If you are a Solo / freelancer...
The free plan covers the basics. You will probably not need to upgrade until you hit the limits of the Free plan.
If you are a 5-person startup...
Start on the free plan and upgrade when collaboration features become essential. Budget around $30/mo for a team of five on the paid plan.
If you are a 50+ person company...
You will likely need the Essentials plan or above. At this scale, check the ai assistant and calendar view capabilities — they matter more as teams grow.
Pricing: the honest take
The free plan is genuinely useful for post scheduling and analytics — not just a teaser. You can run real work on it. When you outgrow it, the jump to Essentials at $6/mo is reasonable.
See full Buffer pricing breakdown →Top Buffer alternatives
Our verdict
Buffer is a well-regarded social media tool with 3 pricing plans. The free plan makes it easy to get started with no upfront cost. If the watch-outs above are dealbreakers, see the alternatives below.
Buffer: frequently asked questions
Is Buffer free?
Yes — Buffer offers a free plan. Paid plans start at $6/mo.
How much does Buffer cost?
Buffer has 3 plans. There is a free tier. Paid plans start at $6/mo. See full pricing →
What are the best alternatives to Buffer?
Top alternatives include Hootsuite, Later, Sprout Social. See full comparison →