Buffer
Simple per-channel social media scheduling for small brands and creators.
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.
- Category
- Social media management
- Free plan
- Yes
- Plans
- 4
- Verified
Plans & pricing
Headline prices for each Buffer tier, captured from https://buffer.com/pricing on .
Free
Up to 3 channels, 10 scheduled posts per channel
- Team seats
- 1
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
Not on this plan
- Unlimited scheduled posts
- Advanced analytics
- Hashtag manager
- First-comment scheduling
- Approval workflows
- Team collaboration
Up to 3 channels; 10 scheduled posts per channel.
Essentials
Most popular: $5/month per channel
- Team seats
- 1
Included
- Unlimited scheduled posts per channel
- Unlimited ideas
- Advanced analytics
- Hashtag manager
- First-comment scheduling
- Community inbox
- AI Assistant
Not on this plan
- Team members and roles
- Approval workflows
- Custom access permissions
- Branded reports
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.
Team
Unlimited team members and approval workflows
- Team seats
- Unlimited
Included
- Unlimited scheduled posts per channel
- Unlimited team members
- Approval workflows
- Custom access permissions
- Branded reports
- Advanced analytics
- Everything in Essentials
Not on this plan
- Dedicated agency package and support
- Custom contracts
$120/yr per channel when billed annually. Volume discount applies above 10 channels.
Agency
Custom package for agencies managing many clients
- Team seats
- Custom
Included
- Everything in Team
- Agency-focused account management
- Custom contract terms
Pricing not publicly listed; contact for agency package.
Where Buffer earns its price
- 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
Where it falls short
- 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
Common questions
- Does Buffer have a free plan?
- Yes. Buffer offers a free tier. Up to 3 channels, 10 scheduled posts per channel
- How much does Buffer cost?
- Buffer starts at Free. Plan prices captured April 30, 2026.
- What plans does Buffer offer?
- Buffer ships 4 plans: Free, Essentials, Team, Agency. Each plan's anchor price, included features, and limits are listed above. Pricing reflects the snapshot captured on April 30, 2026.
Source: https://buffer.com/pricing · last verified · capture method: manual
TierGauge tracks live pricing for marketing & sales tools. Prices may change between refreshes; confirm at the vendor's pricing page before purchasing.