Buffer
Social media publishing, analytics, and engagement for busy teams
Head to head, verified 2026-09-03
Buffer vs Sprout Social
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 $79 for Sprout Social.
- Buffer has a free plan. Sprout Social does not.
- Buffer supports 11 of the 16 networks tracked here. Sprout Social supports 9.
- Only Buffer supports Mastodon and Google Business.
- Both offer a documented public API.
- Buffer ships an MCP server so AI agents can operate the scheduler directly.
- Buffer also leans toward creators and small business.
- Sprout Social also leans toward agencies, enterprise and teams.
- On G2, Buffer rates 4.3 from 1010 reviews and Sprout Social rates 4.4 from 3928 reviews.
Side by side
| Buffer | Sprout Social | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $6/mo | $79/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | No |
| Free trial | 14 days | 30 days |
| Networks | 11 of 16 | 9 of 16 |
| Public API | Yes | Yes |
| MCP server | Yes | Not documented |
| Open source | No | No |
| Self hosted | No | No |
| Best for | Creators, Small business | Agencies, Enterprise, Teams |
| G2 rating | 4.3 (1010) | 4.4 (3928) |
| Founded | 2010 | 2010 |
| Headquarters | Not published | Chicago, United States |
Network support
| Network | Buffer | Sprout Social |
|---|---|---|
| X (Twitter) | Yes | Yes |
| Yes | Yes | |
| Yes | Yes | |
| Yes | Yes | |
| Threads | Yes | Yes |
| Bluesky | Yes | Yes |
| 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 | No |
| Tumblr | No | No |
Features
| Feature | Buffer | Sprout Social |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Not advertised |
| 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 |
Sprout Social
| Essentials | $79/mo | Publishing across five profiles and collaborative calendar |
| Standard | $199/mo | Smart Inbox, monitoring, and review management |
| Professional | $299/mo | Unlimited profiles, competitor insights, and approvals |
| Advanced | $399/mo | API access, sentiment analysis, and advanced reporting |
Strengths and limits
Buffer strengths
- Simple publishing workflow
- Free plan
- Per-channel scaling
Buffer limits
- Per-channel pricing
- Advanced features require higher tiers
Sprout Social strengths
- Deep analytics
- Smart Inbox
- Enterprise capabilities
Sprout Social limits
- High per-user cost
- Advanced features are expensive
Buffer vs Sprout Social questions
Is Buffer cheaper than Sprout Social?
Buffer has a free plan. Paid plans start at $6 per month. Sprout Social has no free plan. Paid plans start at $79 per month.
Which supports more social networks, Buffer or Sprout Social?
Buffer supports X, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, Bluesky, Mastodon, TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest and Google Business. Sprout Social supports X, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, Bluesky, TikTok, YouTube and Pinterest.
Does Buffer or Sprout Social have an API?
Both publish API documentation. Buffer: https://developers.buffer.com/. Sprout Social: https://sproutsocial.com/pricing/.
Can an AI agent use Buffer or Sprout Social?
Buffer 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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