3 tools that do the same job as Buffer, compared on checked pricing and features. Buffer's cheapest paid plan is $5 a month for one person, and none of the alternatives cost less. Two of the three have a free plan.
Prices checked against each vendor's own pricing page; Buffer's on October 5, 2026.
Cheapest paid plan that covers the team, per month before tax, at the yearly rate where one is published. Each tool's prices were checked against its own pricing page, most recently on October 5, 2026.
1. Metricool
Best for freelancers and small agencies reporting on organic and paid social for several brands
Metricool is a social media planner with analytics, competitor tracking, ad reporting and an inbox, suited to freelancers and agencies handling several brands. Plans are priced by how many brands you manage, from $25 a month, or $20 billed yearly, for up to five.
One person
$20/mo
Starter · Buffer: $5/mo
Team of 10
$53/mo
Advanced · Buffer: $10/mo
Free plan
Free
Choose Metricool if…
You need what Buffer lacks: social listening, competitor benchmarking and paid & organic together.
Stay with Buffer if…
Price matters for one person: Buffer is $5/mo, Metricool $20/mo.
Price matters for a team of 10: Buffer is $10/mo, Metricool $53/mo.
Later is a social media scheduler built around a visual Instagram planner and a Link in Bio page, for brands and creators that lead with Instagram and TikTok. Plans are flat monthly prices for set numbers of users and social sets, with post limits per profile.
One person
$18.75/mo
Starter · Buffer: $5/mo
Team of 10
$37.50/mo
Growth · Buffer: $10/mo
Free plan
Free
Choose Later if…
You need what Buffer lacks: social listening, competitor benchmarking and paid & organic together.
Stay with Buffer if…
Price matters for one person: Buffer is $5/mo, Later $18.75/mo.
Price matters for a team of 10: Buffer is $10/mo, Later $37.50/mo.
You rely on what Later lacks: saved replies & automation.
Hootsuite is a social media management suite that combines publishing, a shared inbox, listening, analytics and ad management for marketing and customer care teams. Every plan is sold per user seat, from $99 a user a month billed yearly, or $149 month to month, on Standard.
One person
$99/mo
Standard · Buffer: $5/mo
Team of 10
$990/mo
Standard · Buffer: $10/mo
Free plan
No
Choose Hootsuite if…
You need what Buffer lacks: social listening, competitor benchmarking and paid & organic together.
Stay with Buffer if…
Price matters for one person: Buffer is $5/mo, Hootsuite $99/mo.
Price matters for a team of 10: Buffer is $10/mo, Hootsuite $990/mo.
You need a free plan: Buffer has one; Hootsuite doesn't.
