PostozoThe short answer
Buffer is a simple social media scheduler known for its free plan and per-channel pricing. Metricool is a social media and ads analytics tool with scheduling, known for its free plan and reporting.
At 10 channels an exact price gap cannot be worked out, because Metricool prices by brand, not by channel. Buffer lists more networks (12 against 11). On the 10 features we track, Buffer has nothing Metricool lacks, and Metricool alone has RSS auto post, bulk upload (CSV) and white label.
Choose Buffer if you post to Mastodon and Substack. Choose Metricool if you post to Twitch, you need RSS auto post, you need bulk upload (CSV) and you need white label (Custom plan only).
Pricing
Buffer charges per connected channel, while Metricool charges by the number of brands. Compare them on the exact number of channels and people you have, not on the entry price.
Buffer: Per connected channel, with volume discounts above 10 channels. Yearly billing saves about 2 months. Metricool: Tiered by number of brands. A brand is 1 business with 1 profile per network. X is a paid add-on at $10/mo per connected account.
| Plan | Monthly | Yearly/mo |
|---|---|---|
| Buffer Free | Free | Free |
| Buffer Essentials | $6 | $5 |
| Buffer Team | $12 | $10 |
| Plan | Monthly | Yearly/mo |
|---|---|---|
| Metricool Free | Free | Free |
| Metricool Starter (5 brands) | $25 | $20 |
| Metricool Advanced (15 brands) | $67 | $53 |
| Metricool Custom | 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 | Metricool | Postozo | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 channels | Essentials plan: $30 a month ($25 billed yearly) | Depends on brands, not channels. 1 brand is 1 business with 1 profile per network. Up to 5 brands cost $25 a month ($20 yearly); X is $10 a month extra per account. | Standard plan: $19 a month ($15 billed yearly) |
| 10 channels | Essentials plan: $60 a month ($50 billed yearly) | Depends on brands, not channels. 1 brand is 1 business with 1 profile per network. Up to 5 brands cost $25 a month ($20 yearly); X is $10 a month extra per account. | Team plan: $29 a month ($23 billed yearly) |
At 5 channels an exact price gap cannot be worked out, because Metricool prices by brand, not by channel. At 10 channels an exact price gap cannot be worked out, because Metricool prices by brand, not by channel.
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.
Metricool: No trial stated on the pricing page; there is a free-forever plan. Free plan: Yes: 1 brand, 20 posts per month, 30 days of analytics, 5 competitor profiles. LinkedIn and X not included.
Features
| Feature | Buffer | Metricool | 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 | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile app | Yes | Yes | No |
Plan limits on key features
- Client approval. Buffer: Content approval workflows are on the Team plan only. Metricool: Post approval system is on Advanced and up.
- Public API. Buffer: Every plan includes API access with monthly request limits (3,000 to 15,000). Metricool: API access is on Advanced and up.
- White label. Buffer: not confirmed. Metricool: Custom plan only.
Both list client approval, social inbox, analytics, AI writing help, public API, MCP server and mobile app.
Networks
Buffer lists 12 networks and Metricool lists 11. They share 10 networks: Bluesky, Facebook, Google Business Profile, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Threads, TikTok, YouTube, X.
| Networks | |
|---|---|
| Only on Buffer | Mastodon, Substack |
| Only on Metricool | Twitch |
| On Postozo but on neither | Reddit, Telegram, Discord, Slack, WordPress, Medium, Tumblr, DEV, Hashnode, Lemmy, Listmonk, Nostr, VK, Farcaster, Dribbble, 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.
Metricool
- Free plan, plus ads analytics for Facebook, Google and TikTok Ads and competitor tracking.
- Inbox for Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, LinkedIn and Google Business Profile.
- 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 an exact price gap cannot be worked out, because Metricool prices by brand, not by channel.
- Postozo supports Reddit, Telegram, Discord, Slack, WordPress, Medium, Tumblr, DEV and 8 more, which neither Buffer nor Metricool lists.
What you would give up: social inbox (Buffer and Metricool have it), bulk upload (CSV) (Metricool has it) and mobile app (Buffer and Metricool have it).
See Postozo vs Buffer and Postozo vs Metricool for the full head to head pages.
More about each tool
Buffer review, Buffer alternatives, Metricool review, Metricool alternatives, Postozo pricing.
Sources
Questions
Is Buffer or Metricool cheaper?
At 5 channels an exact price gap cannot be worked out, because Metricool prices by brand, not by channel. At 10 channels an exact price gap cannot be worked out, because Metricool prices by brand, not by channel. Prices are the lowest listed per month, with yearly billing where offered, checked on 29 September 2026.
Which has more networks, Buffer or Metricool?
Buffer lists 12 and Metricool lists 11. Only Buffer: Mastodon, Substack. Only Metricool: Twitch.
Do Buffer and Metricool have an API and MCP server?
Buffer: API yes, MCP yes. Metricool: API yes, MCP yes. Postozo includes both on every plan.
Is there a cheaper option than Buffer and Metricool?
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 Metricool?
No. This page compares facts from their official pricing and feature pages, checked on 29 September 2026.
Not sure about Buffer or Metricool?
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