Head to head

Buffer vs MavSocial

vs

The simplest way to schedule a few accounts, and the cheapest entry if you only run one to three channels.

From
$5 per channel / mo
Free plan

MavSocial pairs scheduling with unusually strong digital asset management, including a built-in stock photo library, plus a social inbox and approval workflows. The catch is the network list: it covers the big names but skips TikTok and Pinterest.

From
$24 /mo
Free plan

Bottom line

Buffer is the pick for solo creators, and it's the only one of the two with a free plan. MavSocial fits teams that want strong digital asset management built into the scheduler better, and it adds bulk upload that Buffer leaves out.

Buffer starts cheaper, $5 per channel / mo against $24 a month for MavSocial. They bill on different units, so the real gap depends on how much you run. Buffer brings link in bio that MavSocial skips, while MavSocial has bulk upload Buffer doesn't.

Key differences

Where the two actually diverge, before the full tables.

  • Buffer has a free plan; MavSocial doesn't, though it offers a 14-day trial.
  • Buffer starts at $5 per channel / mo, MavSocial at $24 a month.
  • Buffer posts to 11 networks, MavSocial to 6.
  • Only Buffer reaches TikTok, Pinterest, Threads, Bluesky, and Mastodon.
  • Buffer has link in bio; MavSocial doesn't.
  • MavSocial has bulk upload; Buffer doesn't.

Features compared

FeatureBufferMavSocial
AI captionsYesNot assessed
Basic analyticsYesYes
Advanced reportsPartialYes
Bulk uploadNoYes
Evergreen recyclingNoNo
Team rolesYesYes
ApprovalsYesYes
Link in bioYesNo

Platforms compared

NetworkBufferMavSocial
InstagramAutoAuto
FacebookAutoAuto
X (Twitter)AutoAuto
LinkedInAutoAuto
TikTokAutoNo
PinterestAutoNo
YouTubeAutoAuto
ThreadsAutoNo
BlueskyAutoNo
Google BusinessAutoAuto
MastodonAutoNo

Pricing

Headline prices are for a single unit. Here is the real monthly cost as each tool scales, costed on its own unit so the two stay honest.

Bufferper channel / mo

Free plan available.

1 channel
$6/mo~$5/mo annual
9 channelsTypical
$54/mo~$45/mo annual

Cheapest plan: Essentials.

MavSocialflat pricing

No free plan; 14-day trial.

Cheapest paid plan
$24/mo

Whole-plan price; it doesn't scale per unit.

Buffer

Free

Free
Seats
1
Accounts
3
Scheduled posts
10
  • 3 channels
  • 10 scheduled posts per channel

Essentials

Popular
$6 per channel / mo

$5/mo billed annually

Seats
1
Accounts
1
Scheduled posts
Unlimited
  • $6 per channel/mo, $5 on annual
  • Analytics
  • Engagement tools

Team

$12 per channel / mo

$10/mo billed annually

Seats
Unlimited
Accounts
1
Scheduled posts
Unlimited
  • $12 per channel/mo, $10 on annual
  • Unlimited team members
  • Approvals
  • Priced per channel: the headline $6 / $12 is for a single channel and scales with how many you connect.
  • Volume discount lowers the per-channel rate above 10 channels (down to $1-$2 per channel at 51+).
  • Annual billing saves about two months, so a channel works out near $60 / $120 per year.

What it really costs

Buffer charges per channel, so the headline price is for one. Here is the monthly cost as you connect more, with the 9-channel row marked as a realistic setup.

channelsEssentialsTeam
1$6/mo$12/mo
3$18/mo$36/mo
5$30/mo$60/mo
9Typical$54/mo$108/mo
10$60/mo$120/mo
25$120/mo$180/mo
50$195/mo$255/mo

Monthly billing. Volume discounts lower the per-channel rate at higher counts. Annual billing takes about 2 months off.

MavSocial

Advanced

$29 /mo

$24/mo billed annually

Seats
1
Accounts
10
Scheduled posts
Unlimited
  • $29/mo, $24 on annual
  • 1 user, 10 social profiles
  • Publishing, social inbox, reporting, digital asset management

Pro

Popular
$78 /mo

$65/mo billed annually

Seats
3
Accounts
30
Scheduled posts
Unlimited
  • $78/mo, $65 on annual
  • 3 users, 30 social profiles
  • Adds team collaboration and campaign planning

Business

$249 /mo

$208/mo billed annually

Seats
5
Accounts
40
Scheduled posts
Unlimited
  • $249/mo, $208 on annual
  • 5 users, 40 social profiles
  • Adds team and permission management and approval workflows
  • Extra profiles $6-$7/mo, extra users $20-$24/mo

Enterprise

$399 /mo

$333/mo billed annually

Scheduled posts
Unlimited
  • From $399/mo, $333 on annual
  • Fully customizable users and profiles
  • Dedicated support
  • Flat, quota-bundled plans: each tier bundles users and social profiles. On Business you can add extras, at about $6-$7 a month per profile and $20-$24 a month per user.
  • There's no free plan, only a 14-day trial, no card required.
  • Annual billing saves roughly two months: Advanced works out to $24 a month, Pro $65, Business $208, Enterprise from $333.
  • MavSocial's distinctive feature is its digital asset management, with a built-in stock photo library; its weak spot is the network list.
  • Prices are USD, read off the live pricing page and cross-checked against current third-party listings.

Pros and cons

Buffer

  • Clean, fast interface
  • Cheapest entry for one to three channels
  • Widest network list, including Bluesky and Mastodon
  • Genuinely useful free plan
  • Per-channel pricing adds up quickly
  • No CSV bulk upload
  • No evergreen recycling
  • Analytics are basic

MavSocial

  • Strong digital asset management with a built-in stock library
  • Social inbox, campaign reporting, and approval workflows
  • Flat, reasonable pricing with add-ons on Business
  • 24/7 support advertised across plans
  • No TikTok or Pinterest, a serious coverage gap
  • No evergreen recycling, link-in-bio, or broad listening
  • Approval workflows and permissions are Business-only
  • Network list is short next to its rivals

Buffer vs MavSocial: FAQ

Is Buffer or MavSocial cheaper?
Buffer is cheaper to start, from $5 against $24 for MavSocial. The unit each one charges by differs, so the real bill depends on how many channels or seats you run.
Does Buffer or MavSocial have a free plan?
Buffer has a free plan; MavSocial does not, though it offers a 14-day trial.
Which is better, Buffer or MavSocial?
Buffer is the stronger pick for solo creators, while MavSocial is the better fit for teams that want strong digital asset management built into the scheduler. We don't score them; the right call comes down to how you post.

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