Top Buffer Alternatives I’m Considering for 2024

Last Updated on January 18, 2024 by Ewen Finser

If you have used Buffer in the past, but are looking for something better to manage your socials, you’ve come to the right place!

I’ve used Buffer off and on for the last 10 years, almost since it’s inception.

It’s certainly a good social media management option to have and the free plan can work for some limited use cases, but most of our brands quickly outgrew Buffer and needed something more bespoke.

So What’s Wrong with Buffer Anyway?

Here’s some of the reasons I’ve considered (and you might as well) for seeking a Buffer alternative:

• Not ideal for managing visual platforms like Instagram or TikTok
• Limited functionality on free or basic plans
• Lack of certain features such as social media listening or RSS feeds
• The need for more comprehensive analytics
• The need for better collaboration features for teams
• Higher cost for managing multiple social media accounts

In this article, I’ll explore 11 of the best alternatives to Buffer that offer robust features, competitive pricing, and excellent customer support.

For each alternative, I’ll highlight why it’s better than Buffer, followed by a detailed overview of its pros, cons, and pricing.

1. Later: Ideal for Instagram and TikTok Management

Why it’s Better than Buffer: Later focuses on Instagram and TikTok, offering specific features for these platforms that Buffer lacks.

I’ve listed Later #1 because it’s one of the most common reasons I see to switch from Buffer, which doesn’t support a similar level of visual planning and integration.

Key Advantages

• Analytics for Instagram Stories and TikTok demographics
• Linkin.bio page management for both Instagram and TikTok
• Visual planner for scheduling posts
• Strong integration with Linkin.bio (rather than trying to reinvent the wheel here)

Drawbacks

• Limited support for other networks outside Instagram and TikTok

Further Read:

• Later vs Hootsuite
• Later vs Buffer Compared Directly

2. Sendible: For Managing Multiple Social Media Accounts

Why it’s Better than Buffer: Sendible is great for agencies managing multiple social media accounts. It provides a rich feature set with better value for managing numerous accounts.

Key Advantages

• Effective management and scheduling of posts across multiple social accounts
• Advanced team collaboration tools
• White-label client dashboards for agencies

Drawbacks

• Does not support Pinterest or Mastodon
• Does not include AI writing capabilities

Sendible Alternatives Compared:

• Sendible vs Hootsuite Compared Directly
• Sendible vs Buffer

3. Social Champ: Top Buffer Affordable Alternative

Why it’s Better than Buffer: Social Champ offers similar automation features to Buffer at a more affordable price. It supports up to 100 social accounts and provides comprehensive tracking of the performance of all social accounts.

Key Advantages

• Clean and easy-to-use content dashboard
• Bulk upload for scheduling months’ worth of content in one go
• AI assistant for sentiment analysis of posts
• Category-based post scheduling to keep things organized

Drawbacks

• Content calendar lacks a visual planner
• No native link-in-bio page builder

4. Hootsuite: Ideal Buffer Alternative for Large Companies

Why it’s Better than Buffer: Hootsuite is a comprehensive social media management platform ideal for large companies. It offers advanced team management capabilities and a greater variety of features than Buffer.

Key Advantages

• Bulk scheduling, content curation, and campaign management
• Advanced analytics and social media advertising capabilities
• A social media dashboard that consolidates all platforms

Drawbacks

• The interface can be complex and overwhelming for beginners
• More expensive compared to other alternatives

Hootsuite Alternatives Compared:

• Hootsuite vs SocialBee
• Hootsuite vs Hubspot
• Hootsuite vs Sendible
• Hootsuite vs Post Planner
• Hootsuite vs Agorapulse
• Hootsuite vs SocialPilot
• Hootsuite vs SocialOomph
• Hootsuite vs Buffer

5. Sprout Social: Excellent Customer Relationship Management

Why it’s Better than Buffer: Sprout Social is a comprehensive social media management tool that excels in social customer relationship management (CRM), a feature missing in Buffer.

Key Advantages

• Powerful social CRM features to manage customer interactions
• Detailed social media analytics and reporting capabilities
• Social listening and employee advocacy tools

Drawbacks

• More expensive than other alternatives
• Steeper learning curve for new users

6. Agorapulse: Top Choice for Inbox Management

Why it’s Better than Buffer: Agorapulse shines with its powerful inbox management capabilities, a feature that Buffer lacks.

Key Advantages

• Unified social inbox for managing/replying to messages
• Robust team collaboration features
• Detailed analytics and reporting capabilities

Drawbacks

• Does not support Pinterest
• More expensive compared to other alternatives

7. SocialBee: Best for Social Media Publishing/Scheduling

Why it’s Better than Buffer: SocialBee stands out with its AI-driven Social Media Copilot and category-based scheduling, making it a top Buffer alternative for social media publishing and scheduling.

I personally use SocialBee for it’s unified dashboard for multiple accounts, ideal for agencies or operators with multiple brands under one roof.

Key Advantages

• Innovative category-based scheduling system
• AI-powered Social Media Copilot
• Post caption generator
• Unified planning for multiple accounts

Drawbacks

• Doesn’t support Mastodon
• No link-in-bio page builder

8. CoSchedule: Great for Content Planning and Marketing

Why it’s Better than Buffer: CoSchedule is a comprehensive tool that goes beyond social media management to include content planning and marketing, a feature not found in Buffer.

Key Advantages

• Robust content planning and marketing tools
• Built-in email subject line tester and headline generator
• Assign tasks to team members and set up recurring tasks

Drawbacks

• Only supports Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Pinterest
• No native link-in-bio page builder

9. Zoho Social: Superior Analytics

Why it’s Better than Buffer: Zoho Social stands out with its comprehensive analytics capabilities, which are more in-depth than Buffer.

Key Advantages

• Comprehensive social media analytics
• Easy-to-use content dashboard
• Bulk scheduling and content curation
• Easy solution if you already use the Zoho product suit for other purposes

Drawbacks

• Limited post customization options across social channels
• Interface can be complex for beginners

10. Loomly: Content Creation and Scheduling

Why it’s Better than Buffer: Loomly offers robust content creation and scheduling features, making it a standout Buffer alternative.

Key Advantages

• Audience targeting tools
• Approval workflows
• Automated post optimization tips

Drawbacks

• Creating and scheduling posts can be cumbersome
• Requires external tools for effective team communication

So Which Hootsuite Competitor to Choose?

Today there are so many great social media management options available, relative to when I got started almost a decade ago.

That said, it’s now much more difficult to determine EXACTLY which tool is right for you and your business. So, I’ve considered some common use cases here and added a specific recommendation for each:

• Looking for something more affordable & VISUAL first? Go with Later here as the better solution for businesses leveraging Instagram (best in class tool), TikTok, and Pinterest.
• Want to manage MANY accounts more affordably? Go with Sendible here as the better platform for agencies and brand portfolios (using many different platforms).