Verdict
The simplest way to schedule a few accounts, and the cheapest entry if you only run one to three channels.
Buffer keeps doing one thing well: a clean queue you can fill without a manual. The per-channel pricing is friendly when you run a couple of accounts and unfriendly once you run ten, and the analytics stay shallower than the tools built for reporting. If you want simple over deep, it holds up.
Pros and cons
The good
- Clean, fast interface
- Cheapest entry for one to three channels
- Widest network list, including Bluesky and Mastodon
- Genuinely useful free plan
The catch
- Per-channel pricing adds up quickly
- No CSV bulk upload
- No evergreen recycling
- Analytics are basic
Pricing
Priced per channel / mo. Verified 1 June 2026.
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.
| channels | Essentials | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Who it's for
Best for
- Solo creators
- Small businesses with a few channels
Look elsewhere if
- Agencies juggling many accounts
- Teams that need deep reporting
Platforms it posts to
- InstagramAuto-publish
- FacebookAuto-publish
- X (Twitter)Auto-publish
- LinkedInAuto-publish
- TikTokAuto-publish
- PinterestAuto-publish
- YouTubeAuto-publish
- ThreadsAuto-publish
- BlueskyAuto-publish
- Google BusinessAuto-publish
- MastodonAuto-publish
Features
Publishing
13- YesContent calendar
- YesPosting queue
- NoBulk uploadNo native CSV bulk import.
- YesAuto-publish
- YesReminder publishingFor Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
- YesBest-time schedulingPaid plans.
- NoEvergreen recycling
- YesDuplicate posts
- YesThreads / multi-postThreads to X, Bluesky, Threads, and Mastodon.
- YesFirst commentPaid plans; Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
- YesChannel groupsPaid plans.
- YesLink shortening
- YesCustom video coversPaid plans; Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
Content & AI
10- YesAI captionsAI Assistant; create, refine, and repurpose.
- PartialHashtag toolsHashtag manager to save and reuse sets; paid plans.
- YesAsset library
- YesPost templates
- YesContent ideas100 on Free, unlimited on paid.
- YesDrafts
- YesContent tags3 on Free, 250 on paid.
- YesBoard view
- YesCanva integration
- YesLink in bioStart Page; counts as a channel.
Engagement
5- YesSocial inboxCommunity inbox to reply to comments.
- YesSaved replies1 on Free, unlimited on paid.
- YesAI replies5 suggestions/week on Free, unlimited on paid.
- YesComment insightsComment score and insights.
- YesComment to post
Analytics
8- YesBasic analytics30-day history on Free, unlimited on paid.
- YesPerformance overviewPaid plans.
- YesCustom analyticsPaid plans.
- PartialAdvanced reportsLighter than Hootsuite or Metricool.
- YesAudience demographicsPaid plans.
- YesUTM parametersPaid plans.
- YesExport reportsPaid plans; spreadsheet, PDF, or image.
- YesBranded reportsTeam plan only.
Collaboration
4- YesTeam rolesUnlimited members on Team plan.
- YesInternal notesPaid plans.
- YesApprovalsTeam plan.
- YesCustom permissionsTeam plan; per-channel access.
Access
4- YesMobile app
- YesBrowser extension
- YesTwo-factor auth
- YesAPI access
Sources
- Buffer pricing (accessed 1 June 2026)
Buffer FAQ
- Is Buffer free?
- Yes. Buffer has a free plan, so you can schedule a few posts without paying a cent.
- How much does Buffer cost?
- Paid plans start at $5 per channel / mo. There's also a free plan if you want to start without paying.
- What platforms does Buffer support?
- Buffer posts to 11 networks, including Instagram, Facebook, X (Twitter), LinkedIn, and TikTok.
- Who is Buffer best for?
- Buffer suits solo creators and small businesses with a few channels. It's a weaker fit for agencies juggling many accounts and teams that need deep reporting.
Vendor: Buffer, Inc., United States (remote) · founded 2010
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