Buffer
Social media publishing, analytics, and engagement for busy teams
Head to head, verified 2026-09-03
Buffer vs Later
Price, free plans, the 16 networks we track, API and MCP support, and pros and cons, side by side. All numbers come from the vendors' own pages.
The short version
Generated from the data, not from opinion. Each line is a fact you can check on the profile pages.
- Buffer is the cheaper entry point at $6 per month, against $18.75 for Later.
- Buffer has a free plan. Later does not.
- Buffer supports 11 of the 16 networks tracked here. Later supports 8.
- Only Buffer supports X, Bluesky, Mastodon and Google Business.
- Only Later supports Snapchat.
- Only Buffer offers a documented public API.
- Buffer ships an MCP server so AI agents can operate the scheduler directly.
- Both target creators and small business.
- Later also leans toward teams.
- On G2, Buffer rates 4.3 from 1010 reviews and Later rates 4.5 from 308 reviews.
Side by side
| Buffer | Later | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $6/mo | $18.75/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | No |
| Free trial | 14 days | 14 days |
| Networks | 11 of 16 | 8 of 16 |
| Public API | Yes | Not published |
| MCP server | Yes | Not documented |
| Open source | No | No |
| Self hosted | No | No |
| Best for | Creators, Small business | Creators, Small business, Teams |
| G2 rating | 4.3 (1010) | 4.5 (308) |
| Founded | 2010 | 2014 |
| Headquarters | Not published | Not published |
Network support
| Network | Buffer | Later |
|---|---|---|
| X (Twitter) | Yes | No |
| Yes | Yes | |
| Yes | Yes | |
| Yes | Yes | |
| Threads | Yes | Yes |
| Bluesky | Yes | No |
| Mastodon | Yes | No |
| TikTok | Yes | Yes |
| YouTube | Yes | Yes |
| Yes | Yes | |
| Google Business Profile | Yes | No |
| No | No | |
| Telegram | No | No |
| Discord | No | No |
| Snapchat | No | Yes |
| Tumblr | No | No |
Features
| Feature | Buffer | Later |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduling | Yes | Yes |
| Visual calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Analytics | Yes | Yes |
| Unified inbox | Yes | Yes |
| AI writing | Yes | Yes |
| Approval workflow | Yes | Yes |
| Bulk upload | Yes | Yes |
| RSS automation | Yes | Not advertised |
| Link in bio | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile app | Yes | Yes |
| White label | Not advertised | Not advertised |
| Team collaboration | Yes | Yes |
Plans
Buffer
| Free | Free | Publishing and basic tools; limited channels |
| Essentials | $6/mo | Publishing and analytics, priced per channel |
| Team | $12/mo | Team collaboration and publishing, priced per channel |
Later
| Starter | $18.75/mo | One social set and core planning and scheduling |
| Growth | $37.50/mo | More social sets, collaboration, analytics, and publishing |
| Advanced | $82.50/mo | Advanced team and analytics capabilities |
Strengths and limits
Buffer strengths
- Simple publishing workflow
- Free plan
- Per-channel scaling
Buffer limits
- Per-channel pricing
- Advanced features require higher tiers
Later strengths
- Strong visual planner
- Link-in-bio tools
- Broad visual-network support
Later limits
- Some plans limit posts or profiles
- Visual-first workflow may not fit every team
Buffer vs Later questions
Is Buffer cheaper than Later?
Buffer has a free plan. Paid plans start at $6 per month. Later has no free plan. Paid plans start at $18.75 per month.
Which supports more social networks, Buffer or Later?
Buffer supports X, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, Bluesky, Mastodon, TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest and Google Business. Later supports LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest and Snapchat.
Does Buffer or Later have an API?
Buffer has a documented public API. Later does not document one.
Can an AI agent use Buffer or Later?
Buffer documents an MCP server or agent integration. Hey Tasky is built around that workflow, with a review step before anything publishes.
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