Buffer vs Planable
Buffer
buffer.com
Planable
planable.ioSide by side
| Figure | Buffer | Planable |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $5/mo | $9/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 5 | 14 |
| Spec score · Social Media Management Tools | 9.5 (#1) | 9.3 (#3) |
| Spec score · Social Media Scheduling Software | 9.5 (#1) | 8.9 (#9) |
| Spec score · AI Social Media Management Software | 9.5 (#1) | 8.9 (#9) |
| Spec score · Social media schedulers | 9.5 (#1) | 8.9 (#10) |
| Analytics level | advanced | advanced |
| Approval workflow | Yes | Yes |
| Approval workflows | Approval workflows are included in the Team plan. | Approval modes range from no approval to optional, required and multi-level sequential approvals, depending on plan. |
| Founded | 2010 | 2016 |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Integrations | Buffer's integrations directory lists 24 apps, including Canva, ChatGPT, Claude, Dropbox, Google Drive, IFTTT, Make, n8n, WordPress, and Zapier. | Official integrations include Canva, Slack, Zapier, viaSocket, iCal calendars, a Public API and an MCP connector for AI assistants. |
| Social accounts | 1 | 4 |
| Social inbox | Yes | Yes |
| Paid from | 5 | 33 |
| Supported channels | Buffer lists Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, LinkedIn, X, YouTube, Threads, Pinterest, Google Business Profile, Bluesky, Mastodon, and Substack as channels. | Connected channels include Facebook Pages, LinkedIn profiles and pages, Instagram professional accounts, X, Google Business Profiles, YouTube, TikTok, Pinterest business accounts and Threads. |
| Supported networks | Facebook,Instagram,X/Twitter,LinkedIn,Pinterest,TikTok,Google Business Profile,Start Pages,Mastodon,YouTube Shorts,Threads,Bluesky | Facebook,LinkedIn,Instagram,X,Google Business Profile,YouTube,TikTok,Pinterest,Threads |
| What it does | Buffer is a social media management tool for scheduling posts and providing design and analytics tools. | Planable is a collaboration-first social-media and marketing-content platform for creating, reviewing, approving, scheduling, publishing, engaging and analyzing content. |
Plans
Buffer
- FreeFree
- Essentials$5 a month
- Essentials$60 a year
- Team$10 a month
- Team$120 a year
Planable
- FreeFree
- Basic$33 a month
- Basic$39 a month
- BasicPriced on request
- Pro$49 a month
- Pro$59 a month
- ProPriced on request
- EnterprisePriced on request
- Social Inbox add-on$9 a month
- Analytics add-on$14 a month
In their own words
Buffer
Buffer is a social media management tool for scheduling posts, developing content, and reviewing performance across supported channels. Its tools include an idea library, an AI Assistant, and options to brainstorm, rewrite, and shape posts for specific platforms. A community inbox brings comments from multiple accounts into one dashboard for replies, while teams can edit and approve posts together. The free plan lasts indefinitely and supports up to three connected channels, 10 scheduled posts per channel, 100 ideas, and one user. Essentials and Team include a 14-day free trial; annual billing starts at $5 per month for one channel. Team adds unlimited team members and approval workflows. Buffer supports Android, iOS, web, browser extensions, and API access. Supported channels include Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, LinkedIn, Threads, Bluesky, YouTube Shorts, Pinterest, Google Business, Mastodon, and X. Integrations include Canva, Google Drive, Dropbox, and Zapier.