Buffer review 2026: pricing, features, pros and cons

Summary verdict

Buffer is built for solo creators and small teams who want a free plan or only need a few channels. It starts at $6 a month ($5 billed yearly) and is priced per channel. For 10 channels it is Essentials plan: $60 a month ($50 billed yearly), which ranks 7 of 12 tools we track on the lowest listed price.

Its main strengths are has a free plan for up to 3 channels, has iOS and Android apps and a browser extension and includes a community inbox to reply to comments. The main things to check before you buy: priced per channel, so the bill grows with each account you add, free plan: 10 scheduled posts per channel at a time and client approval comes with a condition: content approval workflows are on the Team plan only.

Buffer lists both a public API and an MCP server, so it can work with AI apps. It lists 12 networks, and does not list Reddit, Telegram, Discord, Slack, WordPress, Medium and 11 more.

Buffer pricing

Per connected channel, with volume discounts above 10 channels. Yearly billing saves about 2 months. The entry plan is Essentials.

Free is free. It includes 3 social profiles. Users: 1. 10 scheduled posts per channel at a time. 30 days of analytics history.

Essentials costs $6 a month, or $5 a month when you pay yearly. Paying yearly saves $12 a year (17%). Profiles: Per channel. Users: 1. Price is per channel for channels 1 to 10. Channels 11 to 25 cost $4 each, 26 to 50 cost $3, 51 and up cost $1 (monthly billing). 5 channels = $30/mo monthly or $25/mo yearly.

Team costs $12 a month, or $10 a month when you pay yearly. Paying yearly saves $24 a year (17%). Profiles: Per channel. Users: Unlimited. Price is per channel for channels 1 to 10. Channels 11 to 25 cost $4 each, 26 to 50 cost $3, 51 and up cost $2 (monthly billing). 10 channels = $120/mo monthly or $100/mo yearly.

What 5 and 10 channels cost

5 channels: Essentials plan: $30 a month ($25 billed yearly). 10 channels: Essentials plan: $60 a month ($50 billed yearly). For comparison, Postozo is $19 a month for 5 channels and $29 a month for 10 channels with team members.

Free trial: 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.

Buffer features

We track 10 features that matter most when you choose a scheduler. Here is where Buffer stands on each, with any plan limits from its pages.

Client approval. This is when a client or manager approves a post before it goes out. Buffer: yes. Content approval workflows are on the Team plan only. Postozo has it (Approve or request changes from a review link, with approval rules per customer).

Social inbox. This is when you reply to comments and messages from inside the tool. Buffer: yes. Community inbox for replying to comments. We found no DM inbox on the pricing page. Postozo does not have it.

Analytics. This is when you see results for each account and post. Buffer: yes. Postozo has it.

AI writing help. This is when AI drafts, rewrites or shortens your posts. Buffer: yes. Postozo has it.

Public API. This is when your own code or automation tools can create and read posts. Buffer: yes. Every plan includes API access with monthly request limits (3,000 to 15,000). Postozo has it.

MCP server. This is when AI apps such as Claude or ChatGPT can use the tool directly. Buffer: yes. Buffer lists a social media MCP and Claude, ChatGPT and Cursor integrations. Postozo has it.

RSS auto post. This is when new items from a blog or feed turn into posts on their own. Buffer: not confirmed on its official pages. Postozo has it (Team plan and up).

Bulk upload (CSV). This is when you import many posts at once from a spreadsheet file. Buffer: not confirmed on its official pages. Postozo does not have it (No CSV import. The API and MCP server can create many posts at once).

White label. This is when reports or the app can carry your agency brand instead of theirs. Buffer: not confirmed on its official pages. Postozo has it (Pro and Ultimate plans: your brand on client review pages, the client app and client emails, plus a custom domain. No white-label reports).

Mobile app. This is when you can plan and approve posts from a phone app. Buffer: yes. Postozo does not have it.

Networks Buffer supports

Buffer lists 12 networks: Bluesky, Facebook, Google Business Profile, Instagram, LinkedIn, Mastodon, Pinterest, Threads, TikTok, YouTube, X, Substack.

It lists Substack, which Postozo does not support. It does not list Reddit, Telegram, Discord, Slack, WordPress, Medium, Tumblr, DEV, Hashnode, Lemmy, Listmonk, Nostr, VK, Farcaster, Dribbble, Twitch and Kick, which Postozo supports.

Pros

• 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.
• Free plan: Yes: 3 channels, 1 user, 10 scheduled posts per channel, 100 ideas, 30 days of analytics.
• 14-day free trial.
• Included with no plan limit noted: social inbox, analytics, AI writing help, MCP server and mobile app.
• Wide network list: 12 networks.

Cons

• Priced per channel, so the bill grows with each account you add.
• Free plan: 10 scheduled posts per channel at a time.
• Client approval comes with a condition: content approval workflows are on the Team plan only.
• Public API comes with a condition: every plan includes API access with monthly request limits (3,000 to 15,000).
• Not confirmed on official pages: RSS auto post, bulk upload (CSV) and white label.

Who Buffer is for

Solo creators and small teams who want a free plan or only need a few channels. The free plan makes it easy to start small.

Who should look elsewhere

• Anyone who posts to Reddit, Telegram, Discord, Slack, WordPress and 12 more.
• Agencies that need client approval on a low plan (Content approval workflows are on the Team plan only).
• Buyers on a budget: Postiz ($31), Publer ($36) and Later ($37.50) list lower prices for 10 channels.

Buffer alternatives

See the full list of Buffer alternatives, or our head to head Postozo vs Buffer. The closest on price for 10 channels are Buffer vs Postiz, Buffer vs Publer and Buffer vs Later.

Sources

Buffer facts checked on 29 September 2026 on these official pages: buffer.com/pricing, buffer.com/pricing.md. Prices and features change, so check buffer.com before you decide. Buffer is a trademark of its owner. Postozo is not affiliated with Buffer.