Buffer vs Hootsuite (2026): Pricing, Features & Which to Choose

Who comes out ahead

Based only on the facts in our directory. The right pick still depends on the job you need done.

Lower starting price
Buffer
From $5/mo against from $99/mo
Free plan
Buffer
Only Buffer has one
Higher rating
Buffer
4.4 against 4.1
Same job?
Yes
Both are Social Media tools

Side by side

Compared on	Buffer	Hootsuite
Our rating	4.4Better	4.1
Starts at	$5/moBetter	$99/mo
Free plan	YesBetter	No
Category	Social Media	Social Media
Plans	Free$0 Essentials$6 per channel/mo, or $5 billed yearly ($60/yr) Team$12 per channel/mo, or $10 billed yearly ($120/yr)	Standard$99 per user/mo, billed annually Professional$199 per user/mo, billed annually Advanced$399 per user/mo, billed annually EnterpriseQuote only
Key features	Among the first tools to popularize the social-scheduling category itself Deliberately simple, clean interface maintained across years of growth Free tier for a limited number of channels Operating since 2010 Per-channel pricing structure	Extensive App Directory with hundreds of third-party integrations Operating since 2008, the category's original enterprise pioneer No free plan, paid access only Deep enterprise-scale team and permission management Multi-platform scheduling and unified analytics
Pros	Long-standing reputation for simplicity even as competitors add complexity Free tier available for a limited number of channels Approachable learning curve for solo creators and small teams	Extensive integration ecosystem built over more than fifteen years Longest operating history of any tool in this category Strong enterprise-scale team and permission controls
Cons	Less feature depth than larger suites built for bigger organizations Per-channel pricing can add up for accounts managing many channels Fewer built-in listening or CRM-style features than competitors like Agorapulse	No free plan to test before committing Among the higher prices in this category Interface can feel dated compared to newer, more streamlined competitors
Company	Buffer, founded 2010	Hootsuite Inc., founded 2008

Prices come from each vendor's pricing page, last checked 2026-09-24. Check the vendor before you buy.

FAQ

Questions people ask

Is Buffer better than Hootsuite?

In our reviews Buffer scores 4.4 and Hootsuite scores 4.1. The better pick depends on the job. Buffer: One of the category's original tools, still known for radical simplicity. Hootsuite: The category's original enterprise pioneer, with an extensive app ecosystem.

Which is cheaper, Buffer or Hootsuite?

Buffer has the lower starting price: from $5/mo for Buffer and from $99/mo for Hootsuite.

Do Buffer and Hootsuite have free plans?

Only Buffer has a free plan.

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