Top Buffer Alternatives & Competitors based on 387 Reviews
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| Brand | Pricing |
|---|---|
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Buffer offers a free plan and three paid plans: ‘Essentials’ starting at $15/month, ‘Team’ at $65/month, and ‘Agency’ at $99/month. Each tier comes with different features like number of social accounts, posts, and additional team members. |
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Hootsuite has a free plan and several paid options: ‘Professional’ at $19/month, ‘Team’ at $99/month, and ‘Business’ at $599/month. The plans vary by the number of users, social accounts, and advanced features like analytics and advertising tools. |
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Later offers a free plan and four paid tiers: ‘Starter’ at $12.50/month, ‘Growth’ at $20/month, ’71+ Business’ at $33/month, and ‘Advanced’ at $66/month. Pricing is based on the number of social profiles and features like analytics and post scheduling. |
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Sprout Social provides a free trial followed by three main plans: ‘Standard’ at $249/month, ‘Professional’ at $399/month, and ‘Advanced’ at $499/month. Each plan offers various features to manage social media accounts, analytics, and team collaboration tools. |
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Why should you be looking for a Buffer alternative?
Users often seek alternatives to Buffer for various reasons, such as the need for specific features not available, ease of use, budget constraints, and varying levels of customer support. Popular alternatives include Hootsuite, known for its extensive analytics; Later, ideal for visual content and scheduling; and Sprout Social, designed for comprehensive social media management and reporting. Each platform offers unique features, pricing structures, and is tailored to different user needs, making them suitable substitutes for those re-evaluating their social media management tools.
Quick Overview of Top Buffer Competitors
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Hootsuite – Best Buffer Alternative for Comprehensive Social Media Management
- Offers a unified dashboard for managing multiple social media profiles.
- Provides extensive analytics and reporting tools to track performance across platforms.
- Supports collaboration with team members through shared calendar and task assignments.
- Integrates with numerous apps and services, enhancing productivity and streamlining workflows.
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Later – Cheapest Buffer Competitor for Social Media Scheduling
- Focuses on visual content with a strong emphasis on Instagram scheduling.
- Simplifies content planning with a drag-and-drop calendar layout.
- Offers a media library for easy access to images and videos, optimizing posts for visual platforms.
- Provides link tracking through a built-in URL shortener, helpful for measuring click-through rates.
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Sprout Social – Best Buffer Competitor for Analytics and Engagement
- Delivers advanced reporting features that provide deep insights into audience engagement.
- Includes robust social listening tools for monitoring brand mentions and industry trends.
- Facilitates customer engagement with features like Smart Inbox for managing messages across platforms.
- Enables competitor analysis, allowing brands to refine their strategies based on market insights.
Buffer Alternatives: Feature by Feature Comparison
| Feature | Hootsuite | Later | Sprout Social | Buffer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Social Media Scheduling | Comprehensive scheduling for multiple social networks and posts at once. Allows bulk uploads via CSV. | Visual content calendar for drag-and-drop scheduling, ideal for visual platforms like Instagram. | Advanced scheduling with optimal engagement times applied via Smart Queue. | Simple scheduling with user-friendly interface but lacks bulk upload features. |
| Content Curation | Integrated with RSS feeds for content discovery and sharing. | Focus on visual content and user-generated content curation through Linkin.bio. | Offers topic research tools to find trending content relevant to your audience. | Offers link shortening and tracking but limited content discovery options. |
| Analytics & Reporting | In-depth analytics, including sentiment analysis and ROI reporting across platforms. | Basic analytics mainly focused on Instagram; not as comprehensive as others. | Robust reporting tools with customizable reports and audience engagement metrics. | Offers basic engagement analytics; more limited than Hootsuite and Sprout Social. |
| Collaboration Tools | Allows team collaboration with different user roles and permissions for streamlined workflows. | Limited team collaboration features; best for individual users or small teams. | Advanced team collaboration and approval workflows; ideal for larger teams. | Basic collaboration tools; lacks advanced team functionality. |
| Listening & Monitoring | Comprehensive social listening tools that track brand mentions, keywords, and hashtags. | No dedicated monitoring tools; primarily focuses on scheduling and visual planning. | Powerful social listening features to monitor brand sentiment and industry trends. | Basic monitoring; more focused on engagement rather than in-depth listening. |
| User Interface | Intuitive dashboard with a comprehensive overview of social performance across all platforms. | Visual and user-friendly platform emphasizing planning over analytics. | Clean and modern interface that combines both analytics and engagement seamlessly. | Simple and straightforward interface; lacks the visual planning aspect of Later. |
| Customer Support | Offers extensive resources, live chat, and dedicated account management for higher-tier plans. | Supports users with email and community forums; lacks immediate live support. | Excellent customer support with dedicated account management and extensive resources. | Decent support; primarily email and help center resources, lacks personalized service. |
| Integrations | Supports a wide range of third-party integrations, including CRM tools and other social channels. | Limited integrations focused mainly on image-based platforms; not as extensive. | Robust integrations with a variety of tools, including CRMs and analytics platforms. | Good integrations, but not as extensive as Hootsuite or Sprout Social. |
| Mobile App | Feature-rich mobile app that allows management and scheduling on-the-go. | Excellent mobile app focused on visual planning and scheduling. | Functional mobile app with key features like engagement and monitoring. | Mobile app available with essential scheduling features but less comprehensive than others. |
| User Analytics | Provides insights based on audience demographics and engagement patterns. | Basic user analytics primarily focused on engagement metrics. | Advanced audience insights and actionable recommendations based on user demographics. | User analytics offered but more limited than Sprout Social’s advanced offerings. |
Unique/Superior Aspects
- Hootsuite: Superior for comprehensive analytics, custom reporting, and extensive integrations.
- Later: Stands out for its visual content calendar and ease of use for Instagram-focused users.
- Sprout Social: Known for its in-depth social listening capabilities, advanced reporting features, and strong customer support for larger teams.
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Integration Capabilities for each Buffer competitor
| Alternative | Supported Integrations | Compatibility Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Buffer | – Comprehensive support for major social platforms | |
| – Syncs with analytics tools | ||
| – Compatible with email marketing services | ||
| – Integration with WordPress available | ||
| – Compatible with various browsers through extensions | ||
| – Zapier | – Facilitates additional integrations with many applications | |
| – Shopify | – E-commerce integration for social ads | |
| – Google Analytics | – Links social engagement data to website performance | |
| – Bitly | – URL shortening and tracking | |
| – Canva | – Facilitates graphic content creation | |
| – Content discovery tool integration | ||
| – WordPress | – Direct posting to WordPress blogs | |
| Hootsuite | – Supports a wide range of social media platforms | |
| – Direct posting and scheduling across platforms | ||
| – Integrates with social CRM tools | ||
| – Allows management of LinkedIn pages | ||
| – YouTube | – Supports analytics for video content | |
| – Scheduling options available | ||
| – Slack | – Notifications and team collaboration features | |
| – Google Analytics | – Tracks performance of social campaigns | |
| – Shopify | – Social commerce options | |
| – Trello | – Task management integration | |
| – Salesforce | – CRM integration for enhanced lead management | |
| – Canva | – Graphic design integration for posts | |
| Later | – Focuses primarily on visual content management | |
| – Includes support for multi-account management | ||
| – Limited features for Twitter compared to others | ||
| – Strong emphasis on image-based platforms | ||
| – Google Analytics | – Provides insights on post performance | |
| – Linkin.bio | – Facilitates shoppable Instagram content | |
| – Shopify | – Supports product tagging for Instagram posts | |
| – Canva | – Simplifies graphic content creation | |
| Sprout Social | – Extensive reporting and analytics options | |
| – Advanced social listening features | ||
| – Visual content scheduling and analytics | ||
| – Strong B2B integration capabilities | ||
| – Google Analytics | – Tracks ROI of social campaigns | |
| – Salesforce | – Combines social engagement with CRM data | |
| – HubSpot | – Marketing automation and social media synergy | |
| – Slack | – In-app notifications and team collaboration | |
| – Zendesk | – Customer support integration | |
| – WordPress | – Connects blog publishing with social media |
Pros and Cons of each Buffer Alternative
Below is a table that outlines the primary pros and cons of each alternative compared to Buffer.
| Alternative | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Hootsuite | – Extensive integration with numerous platforms | – Higher pricing tiers can be expensive for small teams |
| – Comprehensive analytics and reporting features | – User interface can be cluttered for new users | |
| – Ability to manage multiple accounts from one dashboard | – Limited scheduling features compared to Buffer | |
| – Supports a wide range of content types | ||
| Later | – Visual content calendar ideal for Instagram planning | – Limited functionality for platforms other than Instagram |
| – User-friendly interface | – Fewer analytics features compared to Buffer | |
| – Strong media library for storing visuals | – Not suitable for extensive analytics or reporting | |
| – Free tier available for beginners | ||
| Sprout Social | – Robust reporting and analytic tools | – Pricing can be prohibitive for small businesses |
| – Excellent customer support and training resources | – Steeper learning curve for full feature utilization | |
| – Integrated CRM features for customer engagement | – Not as intuitive as Buffer for quick scheduling | |
| – Strong team collaboration functionalities |
This table provides a concise comparison of the primary pros and cons associated with Hootsuite, Later, and Sprout Social compared to Buffer, focusing on relevant strengths and weaknesses for typical use cases.
Buffer vs Competitors: Traffic & Marketing Comparison
Traffic Comparison:
Hootsuite significantly leads in organic traffic, peaking with 77,744,613 views in December 2023, whereas Buffer follows with a maximum of 18,054,701 in April 2024. Later also shows strong performance, particularly at 31,571,787 in April 2024, but remains behind Hootsuite. Sprout Social lags with lower traffic, peaking at 16,918,107 in January 2025. Thus, Hootsuite is the clear market leader, while Sprout Social ranks lowest in organic traffic across the dataset evaluated.
Top Performing Keywords:
Buffer excels with key rankings in “social media management” (1st) and “free social media management tools” (6th), demonstrating a focus on both traffic-driving long-tail keywords and high-volume terms. Hootsuite effectively captures diverse keywords, including top ranks for "hootsuite free" and general social media tools. Later leverages "best social media management tools" and various content calendars, but lacks the keyword dominance of Buffer. Sprout Social’s keywords like "free social media management tools" rank lower, indicating less strategy refinement.
Conclusions on Visibility and Reach:
Hootsuite emerges as the strongest in terms of visibility, dominating both traffic and keyword rankings across varied categories, especially in core social media tool keywords. Buffer and Later maintain competitive traffic but focus differently on keywords, with Buffer excelling in management-related searches. Despite its lower traffic, Sprout Social captures specific niche keywords relevant to its services, but overall, it struggles with visibility. Hootsuite’s diverse strategy and high traffic make it the leading brand for social media management online visibility.
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Other “Buffer” Alternatives & Competitors that you can find for free
Here are five alternatives and competitors to Buffer, along with their key features, strengths, and value propositions:
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CoSchedule
- Key Features: Content calendar, social media automation, blog scheduling, analytics, and integrations with various tools.
- Strengths: Combines marketing calendar and social media automation, great for team collaboration, and robust analytics.
- Value Proposition: CoSchedule helps streamline marketing efforts by providing a comprehensive overview of your entire content strategy in one platform.
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Sendible
- Key Features: Comprehensive social media scheduling, content suggestions, analytics, image editing, and client management tools.
- Strengths: Offers client management features ideal for agencies, and integrates well with a variety of platforms.
- Value Proposition: Sendible simplifies social media management for agencies and social media teams with client-focused features and robust reporting.
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MeetEdgar
- Key Features: Automated content recycling, social media scheduling, and category-based content organization.
- Strengths: Excellent for maximizing the lifespan of content through automation and recycling of posts.
- Value Proposition: MeetEdgar helps users maintain an active social media presence without the constant need for new content, making it perfect for busy marketers.
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SocialBee
- Key Features: Content categorization, scheduling, analytics, and recycling of posts.
- Strengths: The ability to organize content into categories for targeted posting and a focus on audience engagement.
- Value Proposition: SocialBee empowers users to manage their content better and engage their audience effectively with its categorization and post recycling features.
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Agorapulse
- Key Features: Social inbox, scheduling, reporting, social listening, and user-generated content moderation.
- Strengths: Strong in social media monitoring and inbox management, facilitating easier interaction with followers.
- Value Proposition: Agorapulse provides a holistic approach to social media management, focusing on interaction and community engagement alongside scheduling and analytics.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Buffer and what does it do?
Buffer is a social media management tool that allows users to schedule, publish, and analyze all their posts in one place. It supports multiple social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
How does Buffer compare to Hootsuite?
Buffer is known for its simplicity and user-friendly interface, making it ideal for individuals and small businesses. Hootsuite, on the other hand, offers more extensive features suitable for larger teams and businesses, including enhanced analytics and team collaboration tools.
Can I use Buffer for free?
Yes, Buffer offers a free plan that allows users to connect a limited number of social accounts and schedule a limited number of posts. For additional features and capabilities, users need to upgrade to a paid plan.
What are some alternatives to Buffer?
Some popular alternatives to Buffer include Hootsuite, Sprout Social, Later, and SocialBee. Each of these tools offers unique features and pricing plans, catering to different needs and preferences.
Is Buffer suitable for large businesses?
While Buffer can be used by large businesses, it is often more suited for individuals and small to medium enterprises due to its simpler interface and feature set. Larger organizations may benefit from more comprehensive tools like Hootsuite or Sprout Social.
Does Buffer provide analytics?
Yes, Buffer includes analytics features that allow users to track performance metrics for their posts, including engagement, reach, and click-through rates. This helps users understand what content works best for their audience.
Can Buffer integrate with other tools?
Yes, Buffer integrates with various third-party applications and tools, such as Zapier, to streamline workflows and enhance functionality. It also allows integration with other marketing tools for better social media management.
