Buffer vs Hootsuite
Both schedule posts across many networks. They differ most in price, in who they are built for, and in how much team tooling you get.
Updated
The difference in one line
Buffer is priced per channel and starts free. Hootsuite is priced per user, starts at $99 a month billed yearly, and has no free plan.
Hootsuite adds brand listening, competitor benchmarks and custom reports. Buffer keeps the queue simple and adds a community inbox on every plan.
Side by side
| Tool | Price for one person | X | Scheduling via official API | AI drafts in your voice | Chrome extension | Free trial | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buffer | Free for 3 channels. Essentials is $6 per channel a month ($12 for LinkedIn and X), or $5 per channel billed yearly. | YesProfiles and pages | Yes | YesOfficial LinkedIn marketing partner | PartlyAI assistant on every plan; you set the tone yourself | YesShare and schedule from any page | 14 days on paid plans, plus a free plan |
| Hootsuite | Standard is $99 per user a month, billed yearly, for up to 10 social accounts. | YesProfiles and pages | Yes | YesPublishes through each network's API | PartlyAI drafts on every plan; voice learning not stated | PartlyStore listing last updated 2015 | 14 days, no card |
Prices in USD at the time of writing, checked 30 Sep 2026 on each vendor's own pages (see Sources). "Official API" is marked yes only where the vendor says so in public, or for GrowedditX, where we can see the code. Prices change: check the vendor's site before you buy.
Each tool, honestly
Buffer
Free for 3 channels. Essentials is $6 per channel a month ($12 for LinkedIn and X), or $5 per channel billed yearly.
- Eleven networks, including Instagram, TikTok, Threads, Bluesky and YouTube Shorts
- A real free plan: 3 channels with 10 queued posts each
- Official API partner with Meta, LinkedIn and X, and a community inbox on every plan
- Priced per channel, and upgrading bills every channel, including the ones that were free
- The AI assistant changes tone on request but does not say it learns your voice
- Approvals and access controls are on the Team plan ($12 per channel)
Choose Buffer if you manage several networks or brand pages and want a simple queue with a free start.
Hootsuite
Standard is $99 per user a month, billed yearly, for up to 10 social accounts.
- A unified inbox for messages and comments across networks
- Brand and competitor listening on Standard and up
- Custom reports, approvals and SSO for larger teams on higher plans
- No free plan, and the entry plan is $99 per user a month billed yearly
- Approvals need Advanced at $399 per user a month
- Trials cap posting at 10 to 20 posts a day per organisation
Choose Hootsuite if you run social for a brand or a team and need an inbox, listening and reports in one place.
Or GrowedditX, if you post on LinkedIn and X
Buffer and Hootsuite are built to publish brand content across many networks. If you post as yourself on LinkedIn and X, GrowedditX writes both from one draft in your voice, schedules them through the official APIs, and gives you a daily list of posts worth replying to. Growth is $79 a month.
It does not cover company pages or other networks, so brand teams are better served by one of the two above.
Prices and plans are on the pricing page.
Questions
Is Buffer cheaper than Hootsuite?
For one person, yes. Buffer is free for 3 channels, and Essentials is $6 per channel a month. Hootsuite Standard is $99 per user a month billed yearly, checked 30 Sep 2026.
Which is better for teams?
Hootsuite has more team tooling: unified inbox, listening, custom reports and approvals on higher plans. Buffer's Team plan adds approvals and access controls at a lower price.
Do both support LinkedIn and X?
Yes. Both support LinkedIn profiles and pages and X.
Do both offer a free trial?
Buffer offers 14 days on paid plans and a free plan. Hootsuite offers 14 days without a card.
Sources
- Buffer pricing · checked 30 Sept 2026
- Buffer pricing, plain text version · checked 30 Sept 2026
- Buffer API partners · checked 30 Sept 2026
- Buffer AI assistant · checked 30 Sept 2026
- Buffer in the Chrome Web Store · checked 30 Sept 2026
- Hootsuite plans · checked 30 Sept 2026
- Hootsuite Standard plan · checked 30 Sept 2026
- Hootsuite help: how Hootsuite works with social networks · checked 30 Sept 2026
- Hootsuite help: connect a LinkedIn account · checked 30 Sept 2026
- Hootsuite in the Chrome Web Store · checked 30 Sept 2026