Buffer vs Hootsuite
Both are in Social media management. Here is how their plans, prices and features compare, taken from each vendor's own site.
The main differences
- Buffer's cheapest paid plan is $5/mo, against $99/mo for Hootsuite.
- Fees: Buffer states none; Hootsuite Contact for pricing.
| Buffer | Hootsuite | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free plan · from $5/mo | from $99/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Not stated by the vendor |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Plans | Free ($0); Essentials ($5/mo annual, $60/yr); Team ($10/mo annual, $120/yr) | Standard ($99/mo annual); Professional ($199/mo annual); Advanced ($399/mo annual); Enterprise () |
| Fees | Not stated | Contact for pricing |
| Best for | Creators, Small business | Not stated |
| Key features | Post scheduling per channel; Ideas and drafts; AI Assistant; Analytics (advanced on paid plans) | Schedule unlimited social posts; AI-generated posts and images; Unified inbox; Brand and competitor monitoring |
| Checked on | 2026-10-01 | 2026-10-01 |
Prices change; confirm on the vendor's site before you buy. Full details and sources are on each tool's page.
Buffer
- Free plan for up to 3 channels
- 14-day free trial of paid plans
- Priced per channel, so you pay only for what you connect
- API access on every plan
Trade-offs
- The free plan allows only 10 scheduled posts per channel
- Pricing is per channel, so cost grows with each account
- Approval workflows and unlimited team members need the Team plan
Hootsuite
- 14-day free trial with no card
- Unlimited accounts from Professional
- One inbox for messages across networks
Trade-offs
- Starts at $99 per user a month billed yearly, well above most schedulers
- Standard is limited to 10 social accounts
- Priced per user, so teams pay for every seat