Buffer vs Sprout Social
Buffer
buffer.com
Sprout Social
sproutsocial.comSide by side
| Figure | Buffer | Sprout Social |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $5/mo | $79/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | — |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 5 | 6 |
| Spec score · Social Media Management Tools | 9.5 (#1) | 9.0 (#11) |
| Spec score · Social Media Scheduling Software | 9.5 (#1) | 8.2 (#21) |
| Spec score · AI Social Media Management Software | 9.5 (#1) | 8.2 (#23) |
| Spec score · Social media schedulers | 9.5 (#1) | 8.9 (#7) |
| Analytics level | advanced | basic |
| Approval workflow | Yes | Yes |
| Founded | 2010 | 2010 |
| Free plan | Yes | No |
| Integrations | Buffer's integrations directory lists 24 apps, including Canva, ChatGPT, Claude, Dropbox, Google Drive, IFTTT, Make, n8n, WordPress, and Zapier. | Advanced includes the Sprout API and Helpdesk integrations |
| Social accounts | 1 | 5 |
| Social inbox | Yes | Yes |
| Support | Buffer says its global Customer Advocacy team provides human support across time zones with no bots. | Support resources include Help center, FAQs and System status |
| Supported networks | Facebook,Instagram,X/Twitter,LinkedIn,Pinterest,TikTok,Google Business Profile,Start Pages,Mastodon,YouTube Shorts,Threads,Bluesky | X,Facebook,TikTok,LinkedIn,Instagram,Pinterest,YouTube,Bluesky,Threads,WhatsApp |
| Team collaboration | Teams can manage, edit, and approve social media posts. | Plans include consolidated inbox and collaboration tools |
Plans
Buffer
- FreeFree
- Essentials$5 a month
- Essentials$60 a year
- Team$10 a month
- Team$120 a year
Sprout Social
- Essentials$79 a month
- Standard$199 a month
- Professional$299 a month
- Advanced$399 a month
- EnterprisePriced on request
- Essentials Monthly$99 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.
Sprout Social
Sprout Social brings social accounts, messages and team workflows into one social media management platform. Its consolidated inbox and collaboration tools support shared work, while approval workflows help teams review activity. Supported networks include X, Facebook, TikTok, LinkedIn, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, Bluesky, Threads and WhatsApp. Essentials and Standard provide five social profiles per seat; Professional and Advanced provide unlimited profiles. Analytics report profile-level and post-level performance, and AI features assist with replies and posts, including Trellis agent capabilities. Premium Analytics and Listening are add-ons available to Standard and higher plans. Annual-billed pricing starts with Essentials at $79 per seat per month; Standard is $199, Professional $299 and Advanced $399 per seat per month. Essentials is also available for $99 per seat per month with monthly billing. There is no free plan, but a 30-day trial is offered. Mobile apps are available for iOS and Android. Advanced includes the Sprout API and Helpdesk integrations; Enterprise has tailored plans, dedicated SSO setup and priority support.