Buffer vs Sprout Social

Two Organic social tools side by side: what each does, what it costs and who it suits.

The verdict Side by side Plans and pricing Who each is for Other options

The verdict

On the data we hold, Buffer comes out ahead. Here is why, point by point.

What the data says

Both cover 11 of the 11 features we compared.
Only Buffer has a free plan to start on.
Buffer starts lower, at $5/mo against $79/mo.
Both have an API and an MCP server, so either works with AI employees.
In our Organic social ranking, Buffer places 6 and Sprout Social 3 of 14.

Side by side

Buffer and Sprout Social compared
15 points compared	Buffer	Sprout Social
Starts at	$5/mo	$79/mo
Free plan	Yes	No
API	Yes	Yes
MCP server	Yes	Yes
AI content assistant	Yes	Yes
AI post drafting	Yes	Yes
Analytics & reporting	Yes	Yes
Best time to post	Yes	Yes
Bulk post upload	Yes	Yes
Link in bio page	Yes	Yes
Multi-network publishing	Yes	Yes
Post approval workflow	Yes	Yes
Post scheduling & queues	Yes	Yes
Team collaboration	Yes	Yes
Unified social inbox	Yes	Yes
Links	Visit	Visit

Plans and pricing

Buffer

FreeUp to 3 channels, 10 scheduled posts per channel, 1 user, includes API access.Free
EssentialsPer channel; $6 monthly or $5 per month billed yearly; unlimited scheduled posts and 1 user.$6/mo
TeamPer channel; $12 monthly or $10 per month billed yearly; unlimited team members and approval workflows.$12/mo

Sprout Social

EssentialsPer seat; $99 per month billed monthly, $79 per month billed annually.$99/mo/seat
StandardPer seat; $199 per month billed annually, monthly price not shown.$2,388/yr/seat
ProfessionalPer seat; $299 per month billed annually, monthly price not shown.$3,588/yr/seat
AdvancedPer seat; $399 per month billed annually, monthly price not shown.$4,788/yr/seat

Prices as the vendors list them. They change often; the final price is on their sites.

Who each is for

Choose Buffer if…

Creators, small businesses and agencies that want to plan, schedule and publish social posts across several channels from one calendar, with light analytics and a shared inbox.

Visit Read the review

Choose Sprout Social if…

Mid-market and enterprise marketing teams managing several brands or many profiles that need publishing, a shared inbox, listening and reporting in one social platform with collaboration workflows.

Visit Read the review

Other options worth a look

ToolClient acquisition
Metricool
Schedule social posts, analyse engagement, and manage paid campaigns across multiple platforms in one place.
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From €16/mo yearlyFree plan
Sign up on Metricool
ToolClient acquisition
Hootsuite
Schedules posts, monitors conversations and reports on performance across multiple social media networks.
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From $99/mo yearly
Sign up on Hootsuite
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Later
Schedules and publishes visual content across Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Pinterest, LinkedIn and more.
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From $18.75/mo yearlyAffiliate link
Sign up on Later
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Publer
Schedules, publishes and analyses social media content across multiple platforms from one calendar.
Organic social
From $5/moFree plan
Sign up on Publer
ToolClient acquisition
SocialPilot
Schedule, publish and manage social media across multiple channels and analyse performance from one dashboard.
Organic social
From €16.15/mo yearly
Sign up on SocialPilot
ToolClient acquisition
Taplio
Create, schedule and analyse LinkedIn posts with AI to build your personal brand and generate leads.
Organic social
From $32/mo yearlyAffiliate link
Sign up on Taplio