Buffer
Social media publishing, analytics, and engagement for busy teams
Head to head, verified 2026-09-03
Buffer vs Publer
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.
- Publer is the cheaper entry point at $5 per month, against $6 for Buffer.
- Both have a free plan.
- Buffer supports 11 of the 16 networks tracked here. Publer supports 12.
- Only Publer supports Telegram.
- Both offer a documented public API.
- Buffer and Publer ship an MCP server so AI agents can operate the scheduler directly.
- Both target creators and small business.
- Publer also leans toward agencies.
- On G2, Buffer rates 4.3 from 1010 reviews and Publer rates 4.7 from 486 reviews.
Side by side
| Buffer | Publer | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $6/mo | $5/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | 14 days | 14 days |
| Networks | 11 of 16 | 12 of 16 |
| Public API | Yes | Yes |
| MCP server | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | No | No |
| Self hosted | No | No |
| Best for | Creators, Small business | Agencies, Creators, Small business |
| G2 rating | 4.3 (1010) | 4.7 (486) |
| Founded | 2010 | 2012 |
| Headquarters | Not published | Tirana, Albania |
Network support
| Network | Buffer | Publer |
|---|---|---|
| X (Twitter) | Yes | Yes |
| Yes | Yes | |
| Yes | Yes | |
| Yes | Yes | |
| Threads | Yes | Yes |
| Bluesky | Yes | Yes |
| Mastodon | Yes | Yes |
| TikTok | Yes | Yes |
| YouTube | Yes | Yes |
| Yes | Yes | |
| Google Business Profile | Yes | Yes |
| No | No | |
| Telegram | No | Yes |
| Discord | No | No |
| Snapchat | No | No |
| Tumblr | No | No |
Features
| Feature | Buffer | Publer |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes |
| Link in bio | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile app | Yes | Yes |
| White label | Not advertised | Yes |
| 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 |
Publer
| Free | Free | Up to three social accounts and limited scheduling |
| Professional | $5/mo | Unlimited scheduling and all supported networks |
| Business | $10/mo | AI, analytics, reports, and team collaboration |
Strengths and limits
Buffer strengths
- Simple publishing workflow
- Free plan
- Per-channel scaling
Buffer limits
- Per-channel pricing
- Advanced features require higher tiers
Publer strengths
- Low entry price
- Broad network support
- Bulk scheduling
Publer limits
- Extra accounts increase cost
- Advanced reporting is plan-dependent
Buffer vs Publer questions
Is Buffer cheaper than Publer?
Buffer has a free plan. Paid plans start at $6 per month. Publer has a free plan. Paid plans start at $5 per month.
Which supports more social networks, Buffer or Publer?
Buffer supports X, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, Bluesky, Mastodon, TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest and Google Business. Publer supports X, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, Bluesky, Mastodon, TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest, Google Business and Telegram.
Does Buffer or Publer have an API?
Both publish API documentation. Buffer: https://developers.buffer.com/. Publer: https://docs.publer.io/.
Can an AI agent use Buffer or Publer?
Buffer and Publer documents an MCP server or agent integration. Hey Tasky is built around that workflow, with a review step before anything publishes.
Keep comparing
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