Best Buffer alternatives in 2026
The best Buffer alternatives in 2026 are Hootsuite, Later, Metricool. Metricool has a free plan. Publer costs less, from $5/mo versus $6/mo for Buffer.
Why people look for Buffer alternatives
Buffer is used by individuals, creators and small businesses who manage a handful of social channels, and it is known for simple scheduling with a free plan. Paid plans start at $6 a month per channel, which is cheap for one brand but adds up fast for agencies with many client accounts.
Others leave because there is no social listening, the inbox lacks DMs on several networks, or reporting is too light for client work. When choosing a replacement, weigh per-channel versus per-user pricing, approval workflows, the engagement inbox, listening and reporting depth, and which networks you publish to most.
- Per-channel pricing adds up for agencies
- No social listening
- Inbox lacks DMs on several networks
- Reporting is lighter than enterprise tools
- Buffer starts at $6/mo (Freemium).
Best Buffer alternative by need
| # | Tool | Pricing | Starts at | Best for | Platforms | Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hootsuite Enterprise social media management | Paid | $99/mo | Enterprise, Agencies | web, ios, android | 0 |
| 2 | Later Visual planner for Instagram and TikTok | Paid | $25/mo | Creators, Small businesses | web, ios, android | 0 |
| 3 | Metricool Social analytics and planning for agencies | Freemium | $25/mo | Small businesses, Agencies | web, ios, android | 0 |
| 4 | Planable Social content collaboration and approvals | Freemium | $33/mo | Agencies | web | 0 |
| 5 | Postiz Open-source social scheduling | Paid | $29/mo | Developers, Creators | web | 0 |
| 6 | Sendible Social media scheduling and reporting built for agencies | Paid | $35/mo | Agencies, Small businesses, Freelancers | web, ios, android | 0 |
| 7 | Typefully Write and schedule threads for X and LinkedIn | Freemium | $8/mo | Creators | web, ios | 0 |
| 8 | Agorapulse Social media inbox, publishing, listening and ROI reports for teams | Paid | $99/mo | Small businesses, Agencies, Enterprise | web, ios, android | 0 |
| 9 | Loomly Social media calendar with approvals for brands and agencies | Paid | $65/mo | Agencies, Small businesses, Enterprise | web, ios, android | 0 |
| 10 | Publer Affordable scheduler with bulk and recycling | Freemium | $5/mo | Creators, Small businesses | web, ios, android | 0 |
10 Buffer alternatives compared
- 1
Hootsuite
Enterprise social media management
Why pick it over Buffer: Hootsuite starts at $99 a month, far above Buffer, but adds social listening, a unified inbox and enterprise reporting and permissions. Mid-market and enterprise social teams pay for those features once Buffer's simpler toolkit runs out.
- 2
Later
Visual planner for Instagram and TikTok
Why pick it over Buffer: Later starts at $25 a month and centers on a visual planner for Instagram and TikTok. Visual brands and creators who plan by how the feed will look get a tool built around that rather than Buffer's general queue.
- 3
Metricool
Social analytics and planning for agencies
Why pick it over Buffer: Metricool has a free plan and paid plans from $25 a month, with deeper analytics, competitor tracking and ads reporting next to scheduling. Agencies and freelancers handling several brands get the reporting Buffer keeps light.
- 4
Planable
Social content collaboration and approvals
Why pick it over Buffer: Planable starts at $33 a month and is built around content approval: clients and colleagues comment on and approve posts in a feed-like preview. Agencies with multi-step sign-offs get a review workflow Buffer does not focus on.
- 5
Postiz
Open-source social scheduling
Why pick it over Buffer: Postiz is open source, so developers can self-host the scheduler and avoid per-channel fees, or use the hosted plan from $29 a month. It suits teams that want to own their social scheduling stack rather than rent Buffer.
- 6
Sendible
Social media scheduling and reporting built for agencies
Why pick it over Buffer: Sendible starts at $35 a month and is built for agencies, with client approvals, client reporting and plans that bundle many profiles instead of Buffer's per-channel billing. It suits agencies managing many client brands.
- 7
Typefully
Write and schedule threads for X and LinkedIn
Why pick it over Buffer: Typefully starts at $8.25 a month and is built for writing threads and long posts on text-first networks, with drafts, previews and analytics. Founders and writers get a writing-focused editor instead of Buffer's general composer.
- 8
Agorapulse
Social media inbox, publishing, listening and ROI reports for teams
Why pick it over Buffer: Agorapulse starts at $99 a month and centers on the inbox, bringing comments, messages and ad replies into one queue, plus listening and ROI reports. Teams whose main job is answering people get what Buffer's inbox lacks.
- 9
Loomly
Social media calendar with approvals for brands and agencies
Why pick it over Buffer: Loomly starts at $65 a month and adds a structured review and approval flow before posts go live, plus post ideas and a shared calendar. In-house marketing teams and agencies with formal sign-off get more process control than Buffer gives.
- 10
Publer
Affordable scheduler with bulk and recycling
Why pick it over Buffer: Publer starts at $5 a month, a dollar below Buffer, and adds bulk scheduling and post recycling for evergreen content. Budget-conscious agencies and SMBs that repost often save manual work.
Buffer alternatives: FAQ
What is the best alternative to Buffer?
Based on features, audience and market presence, the strongest Buffer alternatives are Hootsuite, Later, Metricool. Hootsuite is the closest match for most teams.
Is there a free alternative to Buffer?
Metricool has a free plan with limits; paid plans unlock more. Other alternatives to Buffer with a free or freemium option include Planable, Typefully, Publer.
What is cheaper than Buffer?
Publer starts at $5/mo, while Buffer starts at $6/mo. Prices are checked on each vendor's own pricing page.