Buffer review
Simple post scheduling with a generous free plan
- Buffer
- Free + paid plans
- Web, iPhone & iPad, Android
4.7 from 34.9K App Store ratings 1M+ Google Play downloads
Does it deserve #2?
Is Buffer worth it?
For most people, yes. Buffer scores 8.7/10 and ranks #2 in Social Media & Creator Tools. It's best for solo creators and small teams who post to several apps. Skip it if you manage dozens of accounts and need deep reports. Price: Free for 3 channels; Essentials is $5 a month per channel, billed yearly.
The verdict
Buffer is the easiest way to plan posts for many apps at once. Write a post, pick your channels, and it goes out at the time you choose. The free plan covers three channels with 10 scheduled posts each, which is plenty for one creator. It works with 12 networks, including Instagram, TikTok, Threads, Bluesky and YouTube. Paid plans charge per channel, so costs climb if you run many accounts.
- Scheduling for 12 networks
- Free plan with 3 channels
- Calendar and queue views
- Ideas board with tags
- Insights on what works
- Community inbox for comments
Score breakdown
Overall = features 30% · design 20% · speed 20% · value 15% · privacy 15%. Why these weights?
What's new
- Oct 2026Add music and collaborators to Instagram posts without leaving Buffer
- Sep 2026Substack Notes joined the list of places you can post to
- Sep 2026One post can now mix images and video
Privacy 8.0/10
The App Store label links contact info, identifiers, usage data, diagnostics and your content to you, with no tracking. There are no ads. Buffer needs access to the social accounts you connect.
What we like
- Free plan is useful on its own
- Clean and easy to learn
- Works with Bluesky, Threads and Mastodon
What could be better
- Paid plans charge per channel
- Free plan holds only 10 posts per channel
- First-comment scheduling needs a paid plan
Solo creators and small teams who post to several apps
you manage dozens of accounts and need deep reports
Questions about Buffer
Is Buffer worth it in 2026?
For most people, yes. Buffer scores 8.7/10 and ranks #2 in Social Media & Creator Tools. It's best for solo creators and small teams who post to several apps. Skip it if you manage dozens of accounts and need deep reports. Price: Free for 3 channels; Essentials is $5 a month per channel, billed yearly.
Is Buffer free?
Yes. The free plan covers up to 3 channels with 10 scheduled posts per channel. Essentials costs $5 a month per channel when billed yearly.
Which apps does Buffer post to?
Twelve networks: Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, Threads, Bluesky, X, Pinterest, Mastodon, Google Business Profile and Substack.
Is Buffer or Later better?
Buffer is cheaper and has a stronger free plan. Later costs more but adds tools made for Instagram, like a visual grid planner and a link in bio page.
What are the best alternatives to Buffer?
The closest alternatives are Later, Metricool and YouTube. See all of them ranked on our Buffer alternatives page.
Where does Buffer rank?
Buffer ranks #2 of 17 in our Social Media & Creator Tools ranking, with an overall score of 8.7 out of 10.