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Software · head to head

Buffer vs Metricool

Buffer logo

Buffer

Software

Build your audience organically on social media

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Metricool logo

Metricool

Software

All-in-one platform to plan, publish, and analyze social media content

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Buffer the free plan allows 3 connected channels and 10 scheduled posts per channel; Metricool full Twitter/X analytics and post approval workflows are locked behind the Advanced plan.
  • They diverge on capability: Buffer covers Post scheduling, Metricool covers Content Planner.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Buffer and Metricool actually diverge.

Attributes where Buffer and Metricool differ
AttributeBufferMetricool
Pricing modelUnknownfreemium
PlatformsWeb, iOS, Androidweb, ios, android, api
Founded2010Unknown

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Buffer

  • Post scheduling
  • Content calendar
  • Analytics dashboard
  • Link shortening
  • Hashtag manager
  • First comment
  • Instagram Stories
  • Shop Grid

Only in Metricool

  • Content Planner
  • Analytics & Competitor Analysis
  • Automated Reporting
  • Unified Inbox
  • Ads Management
  • SmartLinks
  • AI Assistant

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Buffer

  • Social media schedulingnot Metricool
  • Content planningnot Metricool
  • Performance analyticsnot Metricool
  • Team collaborationnot Metricool
  • Client managementnot Metricool

Metricool

  • Scheduling posts across multiple social networksnot Buffer
  • Tracking competitor social performancenot Buffer
  • Automating client and team reportsnot Buffer
  • Managing paid social ad campaignsnot Buffer
  • Building a link-in-bio landing pagenot Buffer

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Buffer

  • The free plan allows 3 connected channels and 10 scheduled posts per channel
  • Essentials at $5 a month covers a single user; team members need the Team plan at $10 a month
  • Approval workflows and custom permissions are Team tier only
  • API access is rationed by plan, from 3,000 monthly requests on free to 15,000 on Team
  • Content ideas are capped at 100 on the free plan

Metricool

  • Full Twitter/X analytics and post approval workflows are locked behind the Advanced plan.
  • Unlimited scheduling on paid plans is still capped by an undisclosed fair use policy.
  • Free plan is limited to a single brand and 20 posts per month.
  • API access is only available on the top Advanced tier.

Pricing, plan by plan

Buffer

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 3 connected accounts
    • 10 scheduled posts per channel per month
    • 100 content ideas
  • Essentials$5/month
    • Unlimited scheduled posts
    • Per-channel pricing
    • Advanced analytics
  • Team$10/month
    • Unlimited team members
    • Unlimited scheduled posts
    • Content approval workflows

Metricool

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 1 brand
    • 20 posts/month
    • 5 competitor profiles
  • Starter$20/month
    • Up to 10 brands
    • Unlimited publishing (fair use)
    • 100 competitor profiles
  • Advanced$53/month
    • Up to 50 brands
    • Team management and post approval
    • Full Twitter/X analytics

Which should you pick?

Choose Buffer if

  • You need post scheduling.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want content calendar.
Buffer review

Choose Metricool if

  • You need content planner.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on web, ios, android, api.
  • You also want analytics & competitor analysis.
Metricool review

Questions people ask

Is Buffer or Metricool better?
Neither clearly leads. Buffer starts at Free and Metricool at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Buffer or Metricool?
Buffer starts at Free and Metricool at Free.
Does Buffer or Metricool run on more platforms?
Buffer runs on Web, iOS, Android. Metricool runs on web, ios, android, api.
Can I use Buffer for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Buffer best used for?
Buffer is most often used for social media scheduling, content planning, performance analytics, team collaboration. Of those, social media scheduling and content planning are not what Metricool is typically brought in for.
What can Buffer do that Metricool cannot?
Buffer covers Post scheduling, Content calendar, Analytics dashboard, Link shortening. Metricool covers Content Planner, Analytics & Competitor Analysis, Automated Reporting, Unified Inbox.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Buffer: Does Buffer's free plan include all social media platforms?

The free plan supports 3 connected accounts across any of Buffer's 11 supported platforms (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, LinkedIn, X, YouTube, Threads, Pinterest, Google Business Profile, Bluesky, Mastodon) with up to 10 scheduled posts per channel per month.

Source
Metricool: Is there a free plan, and what are its limits?

Metricool's Free plan supports 1 brand, up to 20 posts per month, 5 competitor profiles, and 30 days of analytics history.

Source
Buffer: Can I schedule Instagram Stories with Buffer?

No. Instagram Stories cannot be auto-published. Buffer sends a mobile notification to manually post stories, as Instagram does not provide an API for automated Story scheduling.

Source
Metricool: What does Metricool cost?

Starter runs from about $20/month and Advanced from about $53/month (billed annually, with monthly billing also available); a Custom tier is available on request.

Source
Buffer: What is Buffer's per-channel pricing model?

Buffer charges per social media account (channel) rather than per user. Channels 1-10 cost standard rates ($5 Essentials or $10 Team), with additional channels beyond 10 discounted per channel.

Source
Metricool: How is usage metered?

Plans limit the number of connected brands and competitor profiles; scheduling is unlimited on paid plans but subject to a fair use policy.

Source
Buffer: Does Buffer have a mobile app and what platforms does it support?

Yes, Buffer offers iOS and Android apps for mobile management. The iOS app supports Mastodon and YouTube comment features, while Android support for these features is in development. Android community access works on the six most recent major Android versions.

Source
Buffer: What discount does Buffer offer for annual billing?

Buffer offers a 20% discount for annual billing across all paid plans, plus an additional 50% discount on paid plans for nonprofit organizations.

Source
Buffer: Can Buffer integrate with content creation and storage tools?

Yes. Buffer integrates with 24 tools including Canva, Google Drive, Dropbox, Unsplash for media, Zapier and Make for automation, WordPress for publishing, and Claude, ChatGPT, and Perplexity for AI-assisted content creation.

Source
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