Buffer Pricing 2026

Plans, hidden costs, and cheaper alternatives compared

Is Buffer worth the price?

85/10

Buffer's pricing is quite generous, especially the Free tier which offers substantial features for $0.

The Pro tier at $5/channel is very competitive for individual users needing more scheduling, while Advanced at $10/channel scales well for teams. This pricing is best for small businesses, solopreneurs, and growing teams focused on social media management.

Pricing Plans

Free Trial

Free

Up to 3 channels
10 scheduled posts per channel
100 ideas
1 user
AI Assistant
30-day analytics
Community inbox

Pro

$5/channel

1 channel per subscription
Unlimited scheduled posts
Unlimited ideas
Advanced analytics
Hashtag manager
First comment scheduling

Advanced

$10/channel

Unlimited scheduled posts
Unlimited team members
AI Assistant
Approval workflows
Custom access and permissions
Branded reports

Calculate your cost View full pricing

Hidden Costs & Gotchas

Price scales directly with channels

Advanced features require higher tiers

No annual discount mentioned

Analytics limited on Free tier

Which Plan Do You Need?

Solopreneurs on a budget

Small businesses managing few channels

Teams needing approval workflows

How Buffer Compares to Competitors

Compared to Hootsuite, which starts around $99/month for 10 social accounts, Buffer's Pro tier at $5/channel is significantly more affordable for single-channel users. Sprout Social's basic plan at $249/month also makes Buffer's Advanced tier at $10/channel a much more budget-friendly option for teams, albeit with potentially fewer integrations.

Buffer Pricing FAQ

How much does Buffer cost?

Buffer starts at $5/month on the Pro plan. A free plan is also available with limited features.

Does Buffer have a free plan?

Yes. Buffer offers a free plan called "Free". It includes: Up to 3 channels, 10 scheduled posts per channel, 100 ideas.

Does Buffer offer a free trial?

Yes, Buffer offers a free trial. No credit card is typically required to start the trial, though this may vary.

Is there a cheaper alternative to Buffer?

Yes. Popular alternatives to Buffer include Hootsuite, Sprout Social, Sociality.io, Dash Hudson. Free alternatives include Metricool, Hypefury. Compare them side-by-side on Toolradar.