Buffer vs Metricool Pricing (2026)

Which one is cheaper?

Buffer starts lower at $5/mo, compared to $25/mo for Metricool.

Can I use either one for free?

Both offer free plans, so you can try each without paying. Start with whichever fits your workflow better and upgrade when you hit the limits.

How do they charge?

Different approach here. Buffer uses per-seat pricing, while Metricool goes with hybrid. That changes the math depending on your team size and usage.

Which one is a better deal?

Depends on what you need. Buffer: This is the budget-friendly, self-serve end of the social media management category — cheap enough for solopreneurs to swipe a card without a sales call, unlike Sprout Social or Hootsuite which chase mid-market and enterprise budgets. Buffer's clearly optimizing for volume over ACV. Metricool: Metricool undercuts Sprout Social and Hootsuite badly on price while still offering multi-brand management, making it the value pick for agencies and freelancers who'd otherwise get priced out of enterprise-grade tools. It's not chasing enterprise logos with the Advanced tier — Custom pricing exists mostly to capture bigger agencies before they walk to a pricier competitor.

Still deciding? See the best Buffer alternatives or the best Metricool alternatives, ranked with verified pricing.