vsref

Buffer Review

Low-cost per-channel publishing and engagement toolkit for creators and small teams.

See pricing

Facts verified Aug 2, 2026Try Buffer

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What we know about Buffer

Buffer sits in the social media schedulers category, where it is low-cost per-channel publishing and engagement toolkit for creators and small teams. We keep this Buffer profile grounded in primary sources, each fact dated to when we last confirmed it.

Buffer does not publish a public per-minute rate we have been able to verify, so the price figure here stays blank until we can confirm one. We would rather show nothing than a guessed number; if you have a current Buffer quote, it is the fastest way for us to close that gap.

On capabilities, Buffer covers instagram (reels / stories), tiktok direct publish, youtube direct publish, x (twitter) support, linkedin, and pinterest, and does not offer annual billing required. Each of those is verified against Buffer's own docs or dashboard, not marketing copy.

In total we track 22 verified facts for Buffer today, each linking the primary source it came from so you can check our work - and vendor claims we have not measured ourselves are labeled as such on the Buffer fact sheet below.

Reviewed by vsref Editorialfacts verified Aug 2, 2026Methodology →

Fact sheet

Pricing
Pricing facts
Pricing modelper_channelAug 2
Free plan (what it caps)3 channels, 10 posts/channel, 1 userAug 2
Cheapest paid plan (billed annually)$5Aug 2
Extra channel cost$5Aug 2
Post caps by planFree: 10 posts/channel; paid: unlimitedAug 2
Free trial length (days)14 daysAug 2
Annual billing required✗ NoAug 2
Capabilities
Capabilities facts
Networks supported11 networksAug 2
Instagram (Reels / Stories)✓ YesAug 2
TikTok direct publish✓ YesAug 2
YouTube direct publish✓ YesAug 2
X (Twitter) support✓ YesAug 2
LinkedIn✓ YesAug 2
Pinterest✓ YesAug 2
Google Business Profile✓ YesAug 2
Threads / Bluesky / MastodonAll three: Threads, Bluesky and MastodonAug 2
AI caption generation✓ YesAug 2
Approval workflow✓ YesAug 2
Unified inbox / engagement✓ YesAug 2
Analytics depthorganicAug 2
Link-in-bio tool✓ YesAug 2
Build experience
Build experience facts
API accessGraphQL API all plans; 3k-15k requests/moAug 2

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Buffer head-to-head

Buffer vs Hootsuitewon 4 · lost 0 · tied 1
AgencieswonCreators on XwonFree PlanswonSelf-HostedtieSmall Businesswon
Buffer vs Laterwon 3 · lost 1 · tied 1
AgencieswonFree PlanswonInstagram-FirstlostSelf-HostedtieSmall Businesswon
Buffer vs Metricoolwon 2 · lost 1 · tied 1
AgencieslostCreators on XwonSelf-HostedtieSmall Businesswon
Buffer vs Postizwon 3 · lost 1 · tied 1
Creators on XtieFree PlanswonInstagram-FirstwonSelf-HostedlostSmall Businesswon
Buffer vs Publerwon 1 · lost 1 · tied 2
AgencieswonCreators on XlostFree PlanstieSelf-Hostedtie
Buffer vs CoSchedulewon 2 · lost 1 · tied 1
Creators on XlostInstagram-FirstwonSelf-HostedtieSmall Businesswon
Buffer vs SocialPilotwon 2 · lost 2 · tied 1
AgencieslostCreators on XlostInstagram-FirstwonSelf-HostedtieSmall Businesswon
Buffer vs Mixpostwon 2 · lost 3 · tied 1
AgencieslostCreators on XtieFree PlanswonInstagram-FirstwonSelf-HostedlostSmall Businesslost
Buffer vs Typefullywon 4 · lost 0 · tied 2
AgencieswonCreators on XtieFree PlanswonInstagram-FirstwonSelf-HostedtieSmall Businesswon