Buffer Pricing (2026)

Buffer charges per social channel connected, not per seat — so the $5 and $10 sticker prices are really per-channel-per-month rates (billed yearly) that multiply fast once you're managing more than one account. It's a usage-metric dressed up as tiered pricing, which makes the actual cost scale with how much of the internet you're posting to, not how many people are on your team.

From $5/mo 3 plans per-seat Free plan Free trial Best Buffer alternatives → Buffer's competitors →
Free
$0/mo per seat
Essentials Popular
$5/mo per seat
Team
$10/mo per seat
Verified Aug 24, 2026 Official pricing page
Screenshot of Buffer's pricing page showing its plans and prices
Their pricing page, captured Aug 24, 2026

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Free

$0/mo
  • 10 scheduled posts per channel - refill anytime
  • 100 ideas
  • 1 user account
  • AI Assistant
  • Insights
  • API access
  • Community inbox
  • World-class customer support

Essentials

Popular
$5/mo per seat
  • Unlimited scheduled posts per channel
  • Unlimited ideas
  • 1 user account
  • AI Assistant
  • Advanced analytics
  • API access
  • Community inbox
  • Hashtag manager
  • First comment scheduling
  • World-class customer support

Team

$10/mo per seat
  • Unlimited scheduled posts per channel
  • Unlimited ideas
  • Unlimited team members
  • AI Assistant
  • Advanced analytics
  • API access
  • Community inbox
  • Hashtag manager
  • First comment scheduling
  • Access levels
  • Content approval workflows
  • World-class customer support

Does Buffer have a free plan?

Yes: the Free plan is free forever, not a time-limited trial. When you outgrow it, paid plans start at $5/mo. Paid tiers also come with a free trial (14 days).

What the free plan includes

  • 10 scheduled posts per channel - refill anytime
  • 100 ideas
  • 1 user account
  • AI Assistant
  • Insights
  • API access
  • Community inbox
  • World-class customer support

AI Pricing Analysis

Pricing Model

Buffer charges per social channel connected, not per seat — so the $5 and $10 sticker prices are really per-channel-per-month rates (billed yearly) that multiply fast once you're managing more than one account. It's a usage-metric dressed up as tiered pricing, which makes the actual cost scale with how much of the internet you're posting to, not how many people are on your team.

Tier Strategy

Free is the training-wheels plan for solo creators dipping a toe into scheduling. Essentials fits an individual or freelancer running a handful of channels who wants basic analytics and no collaborators, while Team kicks in the moment a second person needs access or approval workflows enter the picture — that's the real trigger, not channel count.

Competitive Positioning

Buffer sits firmly in budget territory compared to Hootsuite or Sprout Social, whose entry points run 3-5x higher — this is the low-commitment option for solopreneurs and small brands who want clean UX without an enterprise price tag. They're clearly optimizing for volume and self-serve signups, not landing big marketing departments.

Growth Lever

The real expansion lever is channel count, since every new Instagram or LinkedIn account you connect adds to the bill regardless of tier. Team collaboration features (multi-user access, approval flows) are the secondary push that forces solo users into the next tier once they hire help or bring on a client.

Want the strategist's read on the live page? Read the AI teardown of Buffer's pricing page →

Buffer Pricing FAQ

How much does Buffer cost?
Paid plans start at $5/mo, going up to $10/mo for larger teams. You can get started on the free plan before committing.
Is there a free plan?
Yes. The "Free" plan is free forever, not just a trial. You get 10 scheduled posts per channel - refill anytime, 100 ideas, 1 user account — plus 5 more features. It's enough to evaluate the product before upgrading.
Can I try it before paying?
Yes — there's a free trial that lasts 14 days.
How does the pricing work?
Buffer charges per social channel connected, not per seat — so the $5 and $10 sticker prices are really per-channel-per-month rates (billed yearly) that multiply fast once you're managing more than one account. It's a usage-metric dressed up as tiered pricing, which makes the actual cost scale with how much of the internet you're posting to, not how many people are on your team.
Is there a discount for annual billing?
Save 2 months with yearly billing.
Which plan makes sense for me?
Free is the training-wheels plan for solo creators dipping a toe into scheduling. Essentials fits an individual or freelancer running a handful of channels who wants basic analytics and no collaborators, while Team kicks in the moment a second person needs access or approval workflows enter the picture — that's the real trigger, not channel count.

More Social Media pricing

All Social Media pricing →

Comparing Buffer to something specific? Try Buffer vs Agorapulse, Buffer vs Awario, or Buffer vs Brand24. Or see the best Buffer alternatives, ranked.

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