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 $20/mo
Free plan
Tie
Both have one
Higher rating
Metricool
4.4 against 4.5
Same job?
Yes
Both are Social Media tools
Side by side
Compared on
Buffer
Metricool
Our rating
4.4
4.5Better
Starts at
$5/moBetter
$20/mo
Free plan
Yes
Yes
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)
Free$0
StarterFrom $25/mo, or $20/mo billed yearly (5 brands); $45 or $36 for 10 brands
AdvancedFrom $67/mo, or $53/mo billed yearly (15 brands); up to $210 or $159 for 50 brands
CustomQuote 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
Combined organic scheduling and paid ad performance tracking
Meta and Google ad campaign monitoring alongside organic analytics
Free tier for standard use
Operating since 2015
Cross-channel reporting connecting organic and paid performance
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
Combines organic and paid performance data most competitors keep separate
Free tier available for standard use
Cross-channel reporting simplifies total social performance understanding
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
More features require a paid plan
Paid ad management depth may not match dedicated ad-platform tools
Combined scope adds complexity for a team only wanting organic scheduling
Company
Buffer, founded 2010
Metricool, founded 2015
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 Metricool?
In our reviews Buffer scores 4.4 and Metricool scores 4.5. The better pick depends on the job. Buffer: One of the category's original tools, still known for radical simplicity. Metricool: Combines organic scheduling, analytics, and paid ad management in one dashboard.
Which is cheaper, Buffer or Metricool?
Buffer has the lower starting price: from $5/mo for Buffer and from $20/mo for Metricool.
Buffer
Metricool
