Buffer suits solo business owners and small teams who want a simple scheduler with a free-forever plan for up to 3 channels. Hootsuite suits social media managers and agencies running many accounts with inbox, monitoring and trend tools, and it starts with a 14-day trial rather than a free plan. If you're one person posting a few times a week, Buffer's free plan may be all you need.
Buffer and Hootsuite both schedule posts, but they're aimed at different stages of a business. Buffer keeps scheduling simple and lets you add channels one at a time. Hootsuite bundles publishing, inbox, listening and reporting for people who manage social as a full-time job.
Buffer and Hootsuite at a glance
| Buffer | Hootsuite | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes, free forever | No |
| Free trial | 14 days on Essentials and Team | 14 days on Standard, Professional and Advanced |
| Channels on the entry option | Up to 3 channels on free | Up to 10 social accounts on Standard |
| Scheduled posts | 10 per channel on free; unlimited on Essentials | Unlimited on every plan |
| Team members | 1 user on free; unlimited on Team | Add as many user seats as you need |
| AI help | AI Assistant, including on free | Wisdom AI on every plan; AI posts and images |
| Inbox | Community inbox | One inbox; automated replies on Professional |
| Approvals | Content approval workflows on Team | Approvals on Advanced |
| API | 1 API key on free | Not detailed on the plans page |
Why Buffer works for small businesses
Buffer's plans page sets out a free-forever plan that's useful on its own: connect up to 3 channels, keep 10 scheduled posts per channel (you can refill any time), store 100 ideas, and use the AI Assistant and insights. Its channel list covers LinkedIn, Threads, Pinterest, Bluesky, YouTube, X, Google Business Profile, Instagram, Substack, Mastodon, TikTok and Facebook.
- Per-channel plans, so you add only what you post to.
- First comment scheduling and a hashtag manager on Team.
- API access, even on the free plan.
Why Hootsuite works for busy teams
Hootsuite starts where Buffer's free plan stops. Standard manages up to 10 social accounts from one calendar with unlimited scheduling, AI posts and images, one inbox for messages and brand and competitor monitoring. Professional adds unlimited accounts, inbox automation, trend forecasts up to 90 days ahead and custom reports.
- Monitoring of your brand and competitors.
- Automated inbox replies and workflows from Professional.
- Approvals and message routing on Advanced.
Working as a team
Once a second person joins, the plans pages show where each tool expects you to grow. Buffer's Team plan adds unlimited team members, access levels and content approval workflows, so a freelancer can let a client sign off posts. Hootsuite's Advanced plan adds content approvals, assigns and auto-routes messages to the right person, and measures team performance. For two or three people, Buffer's approach is lighter; for a team that splits publishing and customer care, Hootsuite's routing earns its place.
Testing each one fairly
Buffer's free plan lets you test the real thing for as long as you like, within 3 channels and 10 queued posts per channel. Hootsuite's trial is a different animal: its plans page notes daily posting limits of 10 to 20 posts per organisation during the trial and no bulk scheduling. If your test is uploading a month of posts in one go, Hootsuite's trial won't show you that; plan a smaller test.
Which one suits which business
Buffer suits a solo founder, coach, shop owner or small team posting to a handful of channels who wants a calm queue and nothing more. Hootsuite suits agencies, community managers and brands juggling many accounts, lots of messages and stakeholders who want reports. My guide to the post scheduling tool for a solo business owner goes deeper on the solo side.
Curious why Buffer is built this way? Read my look at Buffer's marketing strategy.
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My advice on Buffer or Hootsuite
Start on Buffer's free plan if you post to three channels or fewer; you'll know within a fortnight whether a queue is all you need. If you're already answering messages across several brands, or a client wants monthly reports, go straight to a Hootsuite trial and test the inbox, not just the calendar.
Do you make a social media scheduling tool? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place in comparisons like this one.
Frequently asked questions
Is Buffer free?
Yes. Buffer's free-forever plan connects up to 3 channels with 10 scheduled posts per channel, 100 ideas, 1 user and its AI Assistant.
Does Hootsuite have a free plan?
No. Hootsuite offers a free 14-day trial on its Standard, Professional and Advanced plans, with no credit card required.
Which social networks does Buffer support?
Buffer lists LinkedIn, Threads, Pinterest, Bluesky, YouTube, X, Google Business Profile, Instagram, Substack, Mastodon, TikTok and Facebook.
How many accounts does Hootsuite's entry plan manage?
Hootsuite Standard manages up to 10 social accounts from one calendar; Professional manages unlimited accounts.
