Buffer vs Zoho Social
Buffer
buffer.com
Zoho Social
zoho.comSide by side
| Figure | Buffer | Zoho Social |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $5/mo | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 5 | 6 |
| Spec score · Social Media Management Tools | 9.5 (#1) | 8.8 (#19) |
| Spec score · Social Media Scheduling Software | 9.5 (#1) | 8.0 (#26) |
| Spec score · Social media schedulers | 9.5 (#1) | 8.8 (#11) |
| Analytics level | advanced | basic |
| Approval workflow | Yes | No |
| Audience | Buffer describes itself as a toolkit for creators, entrepreneurs, and small businesses and lists agencies, developers, nonprofits, higher education, and startups as audiences. | Designed for individuals, small and large teams, and agencies. |
| Founded | 2010 | 1996 |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile apps | Buffer's mobile app is available through the iOS App Store and Android Play Store, with minimum requirements of iOS 17 and Android 7.1. | Available through the App Store and Google Play. |
| Social accounts | 1 | 12 |
| Social inbox | Yes | No |
| Supported networks | Facebook,Instagram,X/Twitter,LinkedIn,Pinterest,TikTok,Google Business Profile,Start Pages,Mastodon,YouTube Shorts,Threads,Bluesky | X,Instagram,Facebook,Google Business Profile,LinkedIn,TikTok,Pinterest,Mastodon,YouTube,Threads,Bluesky |
| Team collaboration | Teams can manage, edit, and approve social media posts. | Team members can edit posts, approve drafts, and share copy ideas. |
| Team users | 1 | 1 |
Plans
Buffer
- FreeFree
- Essentials$5 a month
- Essentials$60 a year
- Team$10 a month
- Team$120 a year
Zoho Social
- FreeFree
- StandardPrice not published
- ProfessionalPrice not published
- PremiumPrice not published
- AgencyPriced on request
- Agency PlusPriced on request
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.
Zoho Social
Zoho Social is a social media management service for scheduling posts, monitoring activity and reviewing reports. It supports X, Instagram, Facebook, Google Business Profile, LinkedIn, TikTok, Pinterest, Mastodon, YouTube, Threads and Bluesky. A publishing calendar helps arrange posts; SmartQ predicts when an audience is active, and Custom Queues set publishing slots for each weekday. Listening columns support real-time monitoring and engagement. Reports can be pre-built or configured around selected statistics. Instagram tools include publishing, hashtag monitoring and reposting user-generated content. Zoho CRM, Zoho Desk and Canva integrations support lead management, turning social updates into support tickets, and visual design. Agency users can create branded dashboards and invite clients. The service is available on web, iOS and Android. Its free plan lists one brand, six social channels and one team member; a 15-day trial is available without a credit card. Subscriptions can be canceled at any time.