PostozoThe short answer
Buffer is a simple social media scheduler known for its free plan and per-channel pricing. Hootsuite is an enterprise social media suite known for its inbox, listening and team workflows.
At 10 channels Buffer costs $50 a month against $99 for Hootsuite for 1 user, so Buffer is $49 a month cheaper (49% less). Buffer lists more networks (12 against 10). On the 10 features we track, Buffer has nothing Hootsuite lacks, and Hootsuite alone has RSS auto post and bulk upload (CSV).
Choose Buffer if you want the lower price for 10 channels ($50 against $99 a month), you post to Google Business Profile, Mastodon and Substack and you want a free plan. Choose Hootsuite if you post to WhatsApp, you need RSS auto post and you need bulk upload (CSV).
Pricing
Buffer charges per connected channel, while Hootsuite charges per user. The per-user tool gets more expensive as your team grows; the other does not in the same way.
Buffer: Per connected channel, with volume discounts above 10 channels. Yearly billing saves about 2 months. Hootsuite: Per user (seat) per month. Monthly and annual billing both exist; annual is cheaper.
| Plan | Monthly | Yearly/mo |
|---|---|---|
| Buffer Free | Free | Free |
| Buffer Essentials | $6 | $5 |
| Buffer Team | $12 | $10 |
| Plan | Monthly | Yearly/mo |
|---|---|---|
| Hootsuite Standard | Not listed | $99 |
| Hootsuite Professional | Not listed | $199 |
| Hootsuite Advanced | Not listed | $399 |
| Hootsuite Enterprise | Not listed | Not listed |
Cost at 5 and 10 channels
The cheapest listed plan that covers the number of channels. Where a price depends on seats, brands or workspaces, the table says so.
| Buffer | Hootsuite | Postozo | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 channels | Essentials plan: $30 a month ($25 billed yearly) | Standard plan: $99 per user a month billed yearly. The monthly-billed price is not listed | Standard plan: $19 a month ($15 billed yearly) |
| 10 channels | Essentials plan: $60 a month ($50 billed yearly) | Standard plan: $99 per user a month billed yearly. The monthly-billed price is not listed | Team plan: $29 a month ($23 billed yearly) |
At 5 channels Buffer costs $25 a month against $99 for Hootsuite for 1 user, so Buffer is $74 a month cheaper (75% less). At 10 channels Buffer costs $50 a month against $99 for Hootsuite for 1 user, so Buffer is $49 a month cheaper (49% less).
Trials and free plans
Buffer: 14-day free trial of paid plans. Without payment details the account drops to the Free plan. Free plan: Yes: 3 channels, 1 user, 10 scheduled posts per channel, 100 ideas, 30 days of analytics.
Hootsuite: 14-day free trial, no credit card. Trial accounts are limited to 10 to 20 posts per day and cannot bulk schedule. No free plan listed.
Features
| Feature | Buffer | Hootsuite | Postozo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Client approval | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Social inbox | Yes | Yes | No |
| Analytics | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| AI writing help | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Public API | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| MCP server | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| RSS auto post | Not confirmed | Yes | Yes |
| Bulk upload (CSV) | Not confirmed | Yes | No |
| White label | Not confirmed | Not confirmed | Yes |
| Mobile app | Yes | Yes | No |
Plan limits on key features
- Client approval. Buffer: Content approval workflows are on the Team plan only. Hootsuite: Content approvals are on the Advanced plan and up.
- Public API. Buffer: Every plan includes API access with monthly request limits (3,000 to 15,000). Hootsuite: included.
Both list client approval, social inbox, analytics, AI writing help, public API, MCP server and mobile app.
Neither confirms white label.
Networks
Buffer lists 12 networks and Hootsuite lists 10. They share 9 networks: Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Threads, TikTok, YouTube, X.
| Networks | |
|---|---|
| Only on Buffer | Google Business Profile, Mastodon, Substack |
| Only on Hootsuite | |
| On Postozo but on neither | Reddit, Telegram, Discord, Slack, WordPress, Medium, Tumblr, DEV, Hashnode, Lemmy, Listmonk, Nostr, VK, Farcaster, Dribbble, Twitch, Kick |
Strengths from each side
Buffer
- Has a free plan for up to 3 channels.
- Has iOS and Android apps and a browser extension.
- Includes a community inbox to reply to comments.
Hootsuite
- Unified inbox with automated replies and message routing.
- Brand monitoring and social listening.
- iOS and Android apps.
Postozo as a 3rd option
Postozo is a social media scheduler with 30 channel types, client review links, team roles, AI writing help, a public API and an MCP server. Plans are flat: $19, $29, $39, $79 a month for 5, 10, 30, 100 channels, with unlimited posts.
- Postozo costs $29 a month ($23 billed yearly) for 10 channels with team members. At 10 channels Postozo costs $23 a month against $50 for Buffer, so Postozo is $27 a month cheaper (54% less). At 10 channels Postozo costs $23 a month against $99 for Hootsuite for 1 user, so Postozo is $76 a month cheaper (77% less).
- Postozo supports Reddit, Telegram, Discord, Slack, WordPress, Medium, Tumblr, DEV and 9 more, which neither Buffer nor Hootsuite lists.
- Postozo has white label, which neither confirms.
What you would give up: social inbox (Buffer and Hootsuite have it), bulk upload (CSV) (Hootsuite has it) and mobile app (Buffer and Hootsuite have it).
See Postozo vs Buffer and Postozo vs Hootsuite for the full head to head pages.
More about each tool
Buffer review, Buffer alternatives, Hootsuite review, Hootsuite alternatives, Postozo pricing.
Sources
Questions
Is Buffer or Hootsuite cheaper?
At 5 channels Buffer costs $25 a month against $99 for Hootsuite for 1 user, so Buffer is $74 a month cheaper (75% less). At 10 channels Buffer costs $50 a month against $99 for Hootsuite for 1 user, so Buffer is $49 a month cheaper (49% less). Prices are the lowest listed per month, with yearly billing where offered, checked on 29 September 2026.
Which has more networks, Buffer or Hootsuite?
Buffer lists 12 and Hootsuite lists 10. Only Buffer: Google Business Profile, Mastodon, Substack. Only Hootsuite: WhatsApp.
Do Buffer and Hootsuite have an API and MCP server?
Buffer: API yes, MCP yes. Hootsuite: API yes, MCP yes. Postozo includes both on every plan.
Is there a cheaper option than Buffer and Hootsuite?
Postozo is $19 a month for 5 channels and $29 for 10 with a team. It has no social inbox, bulk upload (CSV) and mobile app, so check those first.
Did you test Buffer and Hootsuite?
No. This page compares facts from their official pricing and feature pages, checked on 29 September 2026.
Not sure about Buffer or Hootsuite?
Try Postozo free for 7 days. No card needed.
Create your free account