Buffer is the better app overall, scoring 8.7 to 8.2. Buffer wins on 4 of the 5 scores, Threads on 1.
Solo creators and small teams who post to several apps
People who like short text posts and already use Instagram
Score by score
The details
| Feature | Buffer | Threads |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Social Media & Creator Tools | Social Media & Creator Tools |
| Category rank | #2 of 17 | #13 of 17 |
| Developer | Buffer | Meta |
| Pricing | Free + paid plans | Free |
| Usable for free | Yes | Yes |
| iPhone & iPad | ✓ | ✓ |
| Android | ✓ | ✓ |
| Web | ✓ | ✓ |
Common questions
Is Buffer better than Threads?
Buffer is the better app overall, scoring 8.7 to 8.2. Buffer wins on 4 of the 5 scores, Threads on 1.
Which is cheaper, Buffer or Threads?
Buffer: Free for 3 channels; Essentials is $5 a month per channel, billed yearly. Threads: Free with ads; you do not need a paid plan to post, reply or message. On value for money, Buffer scores higher.
Do Buffer and Threads work on the same devices?
Yes, both run on Web, iPhone & iPad, Android.
Which is more private, Buffer or Threads?
Buffer scores higher on 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.
Strengths and weaknesses
Buffer
- Free plan is useful on its own
- Clean and easy to learn
- Works with Bluesky, Threads and Mastodon
- Paid plans charge per channel
- Free plan holds only 10 posts per channel
- First-comment scheduling needs a paid plan
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.
Full Buffer review
Threads
- Quick to find people you know from Instagram
- Calmer feel than X for everyday chat
- Free to post, reply and message
- No direct pay program for creators
- Links a lot of personal data to you
- Feed leans on suggested posts
Threads is the friendliest of the big text apps. Posts are short, up to 500 characters, and you can add photos, videos or a longer block of text. It grew out of Instagram, so finding people you know is quick, and it now has 500 million monthly users. It is free with ads. Threads does not pay creators directly, and Meta links a lot of data to you.
Full Threads review
