{
  "$schema": "https://tiergauge.com/api/tools.schema.json",
  "feed_version": "1",
  "generated_at": "2026-05-01T03:49:43.063Z",
  "site": "https://tiergauge.com",
  "license": "CC BY 4.0 with attribution to TierGauge.",
  "tool": {
    "slug": "buffer",
    "name": "Buffer",
    "vendor": "Buffer",
    "homepage_url": "https://buffer.com",
    "pricing_url": "https://buffer.com/pricing",
    "tagline": "Simple per-channel social media scheduling for small brands and creators.",
    "description": "Buffer is one of the longest-running social media scheduling tools, priced per channel rather than per seat. A channel is a single social network account (one Twitter handle, one Instagram profile, etc.). The free plan covers 3 channels with 10 scheduled posts each, the Essentials tier opens unlimited scheduling at $5 per channel per month, and Team adds collaboration and approvals at $10 per channel. The simplicity is the appeal: no contact tiers, no contracts, just channel count times rate. Buffer skews toward publishing and basic analytics rather than the deep social listening that competitors like Hootsuite or Sprout Social emphasize.",
    "primary_category": "social-media-management",
    "secondary_categories": [],
    "plans": [
      {
        "name": "Free",
        "slug": "free",
        "tagline": "Up to 3 channels, 10 scheduled posts per channel",
        "prices": [
          {
            "cycle": "free"
          }
        ],
        "anchor_monthly_usd_cents": 0,
        "limits": {
          "seats": {
            "kind": "number",
            "value": 1
          }
        },
        "features_included": [
          "Up to 3 social channels",
          "10 scheduled posts per channel (refill anytime)",
          "100 ideas in the content library",
          "AI Assistant for drafting and repurposing",
          "Basic analytics",
          "Community inbox for engagement"
        ],
        "features_missing": [
          "Unlimited scheduled posts",
          "Advanced analytics",
          "Hashtag manager",
          "First-comment scheduling",
          "Approval workflows",
          "Team collaboration"
        ],
        "is_free": true,
        "has_free_trial": false,
        "contact_sales": false,
        "source_url": "https://buffer.com/pricing",
        "captured_at": "2026-04-30T21:00:00.000Z",
        "capture_method": "manual",
        "notes": "Up to 3 channels; 10 scheduled posts per channel."
      },
      {
        "name": "Essentials",
        "slug": "essentials",
        "tagline": "Most popular: $5/month per channel",
        "prices": [
          {
            "cycle": "monthly",
            "price": {
              "amount_cents": 500,
              "currency": "USD"
            },
            "per_unit": "channel",
            "notes": "$5/month per channel; volume discount above 10 channels"
          }
        ],
        "anchor_monthly_usd_cents": 500,
        "limits": {
          "seats": {
            "kind": "number",
            "value": 1
          }
        },
        "features_included": [
          "Unlimited scheduled posts per channel",
          "Unlimited ideas",
          "Advanced analytics",
          "Hashtag manager",
          "First-comment scheduling",
          "Community inbox",
          "AI Assistant"
        ],
        "features_missing": [
          "Team members and roles",
          "Approval workflows",
          "Custom access permissions",
          "Branded reports"
        ],
        "is_free": false,
        "has_free_trial": false,
        "contact_sales": false,
        "source_url": "https://buffer.com/pricing",
        "captured_at": "2026-04-30T21:00:00.000Z",
        "capture_method": "manual",
        "notes": "Annual billing knocks roughly two months off (about 17% effective discount). Channels 1-10 priced at the standard rate; channels above 10 cost less per channel."
      },
      {
        "name": "Team",
        "slug": "team",
        "tagline": "Unlimited team members and approval workflows",
        "prices": [
          {
            "cycle": "monthly",
            "price": {
              "amount_cents": 1000,
              "currency": "USD"
            },
            "per_unit": "channel"
          }
        ],
        "anchor_monthly_usd_cents": 1000,
        "limits": {
          "seats": {
            "kind": "unlimited"
          }
        },
        "features_included": [
          "Unlimited scheduled posts per channel",
          "Unlimited team members",
          "Approval workflows",
          "Custom access permissions",
          "Branded reports",
          "Advanced analytics",
          "Everything in Essentials"
        ],
        "features_missing": [
          "Dedicated agency package and support",
          "Custom contracts"
        ],
        "is_free": false,
        "has_free_trial": false,
        "contact_sales": false,
        "source_url": "https://buffer.com/pricing",
        "captured_at": "2026-04-30T21:00:00.000Z",
        "capture_method": "manual",
        "notes": "$120/yr per channel when billed annually. Volume discount applies above 10 channels."
      },
      {
        "name": "Agency",
        "slug": "agency",
        "tagline": "Custom package for agencies managing many clients",
        "prices": [
          {
            "cycle": "custom"
          }
        ],
        "anchor_monthly_usd_cents": null,
        "limits": {
          "seats": {
            "kind": "custom"
          }
        },
        "features_included": [
          "Everything in Team",
          "Agency-focused account management",
          "Custom contract terms"
        ],
        "features_missing": [],
        "is_free": false,
        "has_free_trial": false,
        "contact_sales": true,
        "source_url": "https://buffer.com/pricing",
        "captured_at": "2026-04-30T21:00:00.000Z",
        "capture_method": "manual",
        "notes": "Pricing not publicly listed; contact for agency package."
      }
    ],
    "free_plan_available": true,
    "free_trial_days": null,
    "starting_price_usd_cents": 0,
    "has_custom_enterprise": true,
    "alternatives": [],
    "pros": [
      "Generous free plan covering 3 channels with 10 scheduled posts each, refillable anytime",
      "Per-channel pricing is simple and predictable; no contact tiers or seat math",
      "Strong publishing UX that creators consistently praise for clarity and speed",
      "AI Assistant included on the free plan, not gated to a paid tier",
      "Built-in community inbox for replying to comments and DMs across networks"
    ],
    "cons": [
      "Per-channel pricing scales fast for brands managing many networks (a 12-channel brand on Team is $120/month before volume discount)",
      "Advanced reporting and branded reports require the Team tier",
      "Agency tier pricing is not transparent; you have to contact sales",
      "Lighter on social listening features than Hootsuite or Sprout Social"
    ],
    "best_for": [
      "Solopreneurs and small brands publishing to a handful of networks",
      "Content creators who want a clean, fast scheduling UI",
      "Small agencies on a budget that can live with the Team plan"
    ],
    "not_for": [
      "Enterprise brands managing 20+ channels (Hootsuite or Sprout Social fit better)",
      "Teams whose primary need is social listening; Buffer's listening is thin",
      "Organizations needing deep approval and governance workflows across hundreds of accounts"
    ],
    "last_verified": "2026-04-30T21:00:00.000Z",
    "scraper_status": "manual-only"
  }
}