Buffer

Plan, queue and publish social content from one workspace

Social Media Management

Buffer is a social publishing workspace for collecting ideas, preparing drafts and scheduling posts across connected accounts. A queue and calendar organize each channel’s publishing times, while customization tools help adapt the same idea to different networks.

4.5/5(1,492)CapterraFree plan available
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Last checked: September 9, 2026

Buffer Publish space with a queue for multiple social media accounts, a calendar view, and scheduling options.

Our Take

Buffer is a practical choice when the main job is maintaining a consistent publishing schedule across a few social accounts.

Best for:
Solo usersSmall teams
Best use case: Preparing a week of channel-specific posts and publishing them through a reviewed schedule.

A practical fit for independent social operators and small teams scheduling regular content.

Read the full assessment

Buffer is a practical choice when the main job is maintaining a consistent publishing schedule across a few social accounts. Its idea library, drafts and queue keep preparation close to publishing, while Team adds a review step for shared work. Count channels rather than people when comparing costs. Before committing, test the exact account types and post formats you use, because automatic publishing and analytics are not identical across every network.

Strengths

  • Ideas, drafts and scheduling in one place
  • Flexible per-channel publishing queues
  • Team review and access controls
  • API and common creative-tool integrations

Tradeoffs

  • Each paid connected channel contributes to cost
  • Network and account-type capabilities differ
  • Advanced analytics require a paid plan
  • Large channel portfolios need the volume calculator

Who it suits

  • Solo social-media operators
  • Small business content teams
  • Agencies managing routine publishing

About Buffer

Buffer is a social publishing workspace for collecting ideas, preparing drafts and scheduling posts across connected accounts. A queue and calendar organize each channel’s publishing times, while customization tools help adapt the same idea to different networks. Insights and a community inbox support reviewing performance and responding to supported comments. Paid pricing is based on connected social channels. Essentials is for an individual operator, while Team adds collaboration and approval controls. Publishing, analytics and engagement capabilities vary by network and account type, so the exact channels and formats matter as much as the plan name.

Pricing & Plans

Prices use the currency shown. Tax, usage limits and billing terms vary by provider.

Save up to 17%

Free

$0/mo

Free plan for up to 3 connected channels.

  • Up to 3 connected channels
  • 10 scheduled posts per channel
  • 100 ideas
  • 1 user account
Full plan details & limits

Free plan for up to 3 connected channels.

Free forever

  • AI Assistant
  • Insights
  • Community inbox
  • API access
  • 1 API key
  • 3,000 requests/month
  • Up to 3 channels connected at any one time
Recommended

Essentials

$6/channel/mo

Paid plan priced per social channel.

  • Unlimited scheduled posts per channel
  • Unlimited ideas
  • 1 user account
  • AI Assistant
Full plan details & limits

Paid plan priced per social channel.

$6/channel/month for channels 1–10

  • Advanced analytics
  • API access
  • 3 API keys
  • 7,500 requests/month
  • Community inbox
  • Hashtag manager
  • First comment scheduling
  • Support
  • Published per-channel rate applies to the first 10 channels
  • Higher channel counts receive graduated volume pricing
  • Unlimited scheduling is subject to fair use

Team

$12/channel/mo

Paid plan priced per social channel with team collaboration features.

  • Unlimited scheduled posts per channel
  • Unlimited ideas
  • Unlimited team members
  • AI Assistant
Full plan details & limits

Paid plan priced per social channel with team collaboration features.

$12/channel/month for channels 1–10

  • Advanced analytics
  • API access
  • 5 API keys
  • 15,000 requests/month
  • Community inbox
  • Hashtag manager
  • First comment scheduling
  • Access levels
  • Content approval workflows
  • Support
  • Published per-channel rate applies to the first 10 channels
  • Higher channel counts receive graduated volume pricing
  • Unlimited scheduling is subject to fair use
View full pricing details

Everything you need to know

Explore more details about Buffer.

FeaturesIdeas and draft library, Per-channel queues and posting schedules, Visual content calendar + more.
  • Ideas and draft library
  • Per-channel queues and posting schedules
  • Visual content calendar
  • Channel-specific post customization
  • AI-assisted rewriting
  • Performance insights
  • Community comment inbox
  • Team approvals and access controls
  • API and automation connections
RatingsCapterra: 4.5/5, TrustRadius: 7.6/10
  • CapterraBuffer4.5/5 · 1,492
    Source Checked September 8, 2026
  • TrustRadiusBuffer7.6/10 · 418
    Source Checked September 8, 2026

Customer ratings from the linked platforms, separate from our recommendations. Scores and counts can change; each platform uses its own review process.

Integrations & connectionsHow Buffer fits into your workflow

ChatGPT, Claude, Cursor, Raycast, Perplexity, Notion, Zapier, Make, IFTTT, n8n, TRMNL, Canva, Google Drive, Google Photos, Dropbox, Unsplash, Bitly, WordPress, MCP access for ChatGPT/Claude, Automation platforms and API-based workflows

Platforms & availabilityWeb workspace · iOS and Android apps · Browser extension

Buffer

Free plan: Available. Free trial: Available; check eligibility with the provider.

Cost considerationsBilling, usage limits and additional fees

Essentials is $6/channel/month or $60/channel/year; Team is $12/channel/month or $120/channel/year for the first ten channels. All connected channels are paid on a paid plan, including the first three. Beyond ten, graduated discounts apply: the official monthly example is $120 Essentials or $180 Team for 25 channels. Use the official calculator for larger configurations. The annual invoice represents about two months saved, despite an inconsistent 20% FAQ claim. A free queue slot refills after publishing; paid scheduling remains subject to fair use. Trials last 14 days.

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Sources & Verification

Checked September 9, 2026 · 7 sources · View sources

Provider facts and pricing are separate from our editorial assessments.