Buffer and Loomly both target simplicity-minded social media managers, but their pricing models and team features pull them in different directions. Buffer charges per channel and is built for solo creators. Loomly bundles accounts and users into flat tiers and adds approval workflows for teams. If you're choosing between Buffer or Loomly for your social media workflow, the right pick depends on your team size and budget.
Two tools built for simplicity — but at very different price points and with very different team features. In this 2026 comparison, we break down what each actually delivers for creators, small teams, and growing brands. Need a wider view? Browse all social media scheduling alternatives.
Buffer vs Loomly at a Glance
Here's a quick side-by-side overview before we dive deeper:
| Category | Buffer | Loomly |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $6/mo per channel | $65/mo (Starter) |
| Free Plan | Yes (3 channels) | Yes (3 accounts, 5 posts/mo) |
| Platforms Supported | 11 | 11 |
| Unlimited Scheduling | Yes (paid plans) | Yes (paid plans) |
| AI Tools | AI Assistant (captions) | AI caption suggestions |
| AI Image Generation | No | No |
| Bulk Scheduling | CSV import | Yes |
| Team Collaboration | Team plan ($12/mo/channel) | Starter+ (3 users) |
| Approval Workflows | Team plan only | Starter+ |
| Analytics | Basic to Advanced | Basic |
| G2 Rating | 4.3/5 (1,023 reviews) | 4.6/5 (1,793 reviews) |
| Trustpilot Rating | 2.1/5 (93 reviews) | 1.7/5 (26 reviews) |
| Best For | Solo creators, freelancers | Small-mid teams needing approval workflows |
Buffer Overview
Buffer is one of the longest-running social media scheduling tools, launched in 2010. It focuses on a clean, minimal interface for scheduling posts, managing a content calendar, and viewing analytics.
Buffer supports 11 platforms: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, X/Twitter, TikTok, YouTube, Google Business Profile, Threads, Bluesky, and Mastodon.
Key features:
- Post scheduling with queue management
- AI Assistant for generating captions and post ideas
- Hashtag manager and first comment scheduling
- Basic community inbox
- Start Page (link-in-bio builder)
- Content calendar
Buffer is popular among solo creators and freelancers who want a no-frills scheduling experience without a steep learning curve. For a deeper look, see what users say about Buffer on G2 and Trustpilot.
Loomly Overview
Loomly is a social media management platform designed around visual content calendars and team approval workflows. It positions itself as a collaborative content planning tool for marketing teams.
Loomly supports 11 platforms: Facebook, Instagram, X/Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Google Business Profile, YouTube, TikTok, Snapchat, Threads, and Bluesky.
Key features:
- Visual content calendar with drag-and-drop
- Approval workflows with custom roles
- AI caption suggestions
- Bulk scheduling
- Social inbox
- Canva, Google Drive, and Unsplash integration
- Link shortener with analytics
- Best time to post recommendations
- Post ideas and trending content suggestions
- Hashtag manager
Loomly is best suited for small to mid-size businesses and marketing teams that need structured content planning with built-in approval workflows. For more details, see what users say about Loomly.
Pricing Comparison
Pricing is where Buffer and Loomly diverge most. They use completely different pricing models — per-channel vs tiered flat pricing. For context on how these models compare across the industry, see our best social media scheduler guide.
Buffer Pricing
Buffer uses per-channel pricing. Each social account you connect adds to your monthly cost. We break this down further in our Buffer pricing guide.
| Plan | Price | Channels | Users | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0/mo | 3 | 1 | 10 posts/channel, basic analytics |
| Essentials | $6/mo per channel | Unlimited | 1 | Unlimited posts, advanced analytics, hashtag manager |
| Team | $12/mo per channel | Unlimited | Unlimited | Approval workflows, permissions, team collaboration |
Example costs:
- 5 channels on Essentials = $30/month
- 10 channels on Team = $120/month
- 25 channels on Team = $300/month
Loomly Pricing
Loomly uses tiered flat pricing that bundles accounts and users together. Annual billing saves roughly 25%.
| Plan | Price (Monthly) | Social Accounts | Users | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0/mo | 3 | 1 | 5 posts/month |
| Starter | $65/mo | 12 | 3 | Unlimited posts, approval workflows, AI captions |
| Beyond | $332/mo | 60 | Unlimited | Advanced features, custom roles, branded reports |
| Enterprise | Custom | Custom | Custom | Dedicated support, SSO, custom integrations |
Example costs:
- Small team (12 accounts) = $65/month (Starter)
- Growing team (60 accounts) = $332/month (Beyond)
- The jump from Starter to Beyond is a $267/month cliff
Price Verdict
It depends on your scale. Buffer starts cheaper for solo users — $6/month per channel vs Loomly's $65/month Starter. At 10 channels on Buffer's Team plan ($120/month), you're still paying less than Loomly's Starter, but without the same team features. However, Loomly's biggest pricing problem is the $267 gap between Starter ($65) and Beyond ($332) — there's no middle option. Buffer's per-channel model scales more gradually, but costs pile up quickly past 15-20 channels.
Feature Comparison
Scheduling & Publishing
| Feature | Buffer | Loomly |
|---|---|---|
| Unlimited scheduling | Yes (paid plans) | Yes (paid plans) |
| Bulk scheduling | CSV import | Yes |
| Best time to post | No | Yes |
| First comment scheduling | Yes (Essentials+) | No |
| Content calendar | Yes | Yes (visual, drag-and-drop) |
| Post queue management | Yes | No |
| Draft saving | Yes | Yes |
| Post ideas/trends | No | Yes |
Winner: Loomly. Loomly offers best-time-to-post recommendations, post ideas, and a more visual content calendar. Buffer counters with first comment scheduling and queue management, but Loomly's scheduling toolkit is broader overall. For a deeper dive into scheduling workflows, see our guide on how to schedule social media posts effectively.
AI Tools
| Feature | Buffer | Loomly |
|---|---|---|
| AI caption generation | Yes (AI Assistant) | Yes (AI suggestions) |
| AI image generation | No | No |
| AI post ideas | Yes | No |
| AI content rewriting | Yes | No |
Winner: Buffer. Both offer AI caption generation, but Buffer's AI Assistant is more flexible — it includes post ideas and content rewriting. Loomly's AI is limited to caption suggestions. Neither offers AI image generation. Explore how AI is reshaping social media workflows in our AI social media tools roundup.
Analytics & Reporting
| Feature | Buffer | Loomly |
|---|---|---|
| Basic analytics | All plans | All paid plans |
| Advanced analytics | Essentials+ | Beyond only |
| Custom reports | No | No |
| Export reports | Yes | Beyond only |
| Competitor benchmarking | No | No |
Winner: Buffer. Buffer provides more accessible analytics starting on the Essentials plan. Loomly's analytics are relatively basic across all tiers, and advanced reporting requires the expensive Beyond plan ($332/month).
Team Collaboration
| Feature | Buffer | Loomly |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple users | Team plan | Starter+ (3 users) |
| Approval workflows | Team plan | Starter+ |
| Custom roles | Team plan | Beyond only |
| User permissions | Team plan | Starter+ |
| Saved replies | No | No |
Winner: Loomly. Loomly includes approval workflows and team collaboration on its $65/month Starter plan for up to 3 users — no per-channel cost. Buffer requires the Team plan at $12/channel/month, which adds up fast. Loomly was designed with team approvals as a core feature. Learn more about setting up an efficient social media approval workflow.
Content & Creative Tools
| Feature | Buffer | Loomly |
|---|---|---|
| Canva integration | No | Yes |
| Google Drive import | No | Yes |
| Unsplash integration | No | Yes |
| Link shortener | No | Yes (with analytics) |
| Hashtag manager | Yes | Yes |
| Link-in-bio builder | Yes (Start Page) | No |
Winner: Loomly. Loomly integrates with Canva, Google Drive, and Unsplash directly in the workflow. Buffer has a link-in-bio builder (Start Page), but lacks the creative integrations Loomly offers. If Canva is central to your design workflow, see our guide on using Canva for social media.
Platform Support
| Platform | Buffer | Loomly |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | Yes | |
| Yes | Yes | |
| X/Twitter | Yes | Yes |
| Yes | Yes | |
| TikTok | Yes | Yes |
| YouTube | Yes | Yes |
| Yes | Yes | |
| Threads | Yes | Yes |
| Bluesky | Yes | Yes |
| Google Business | Yes | Yes |
| Mastodon | Yes | No |
| Snapchat | No | Yes |
Winner: Tie. Both support 11 platforms with significant overlap. Buffer covers Mastodon; Loomly covers Snapchat. Choose based on which niche platform matters to you.
What Real Users Say
Buffer Reviews
G2: 4.3/5 (1,023 reviews) — Users praise Buffer's clean interface, ease of use, and efficient scheduling. Common complaints include limited analytics, rising costs at scale, and outdated UI.
Trustpilot: 2.1/5 (93 reviews) — Lower rating driven by complaints about customer support, scheduling glitches, posts not publishing, and sync issues with social platforms.
Loomly Reviews
G2: 4.6/5 (1,793 reviews) — Users consistently praise the visual calendar, approval workflows, and intuitive interface. Common complaints include limited analytics, the pricing gap between Starter and Beyond, and basic reporting.
Trustpilot: 1.7/5 (26 reviews) — Very negative, driven by complaints about Loomly's 2025 pricing restructure. Users report significant price increases and reduced feature access on existing plans.
Review Verdict
Loomly leads on G2 with a 4.6/5 rating from a larger review base (1,793 vs 1,023) compared to Buffer's 4.3/5. However, Loomly's Trustpilot score is alarmingly low at 1.7/5 — worse than Buffer's already-poor 2.1/5. The Trustpilot gap reflects Loomly's controversial 2025 pricing restructure, which angered long-time customers. The small sample size (26 reviews) means this may not represent the full picture, but it's a red flag worth noting.
Review counts and ratings are as of February 2026 and are updated periodically.
Who Should Use Buffer?
If Buffer sounds right for you but you want to explore other options first, check out our best alternatives to Buffer. You can also see how Buffer compares to Hootsuite, Later, Publer, SocialPilot, and Metricool.
In this Buffer vs Loomly breakdown, Buffer is the better choice if you:
- Are a solo creator or freelancer on a tight budget
- Need a simple, clean interface with minimal learning curve
- Want per-channel pricing that starts at $6/month
- Value first comment scheduling and queue management
- Don't need team approval workflows or visual content calendars
- Want support for Mastodon (which Loomly doesn't cover)
If you're a small business evaluating your options, our guide to social media management for small business can help you decide what features matter most.
Who Should Use Loomly?
If Loomly is on your shortlist, you may also want to see our top alternatives to Loomly before committing. Also compare Loomly with Hootsuite, Sprout Social, SocialBee, and Later.
When weighing Buffer or Loomly for team use, Loomly is the better choice if you:
- Are a small to mid-size marketing team that needs content approvals
- Want a visual content calendar with drag-and-drop scheduling
- Need Canva, Google Drive, and Unsplash integrations in your workflow
- Value best-time-to-post suggestions and post idea inspiration
- Can work within the Starter plan's limits (12 accounts, 3 users)
- Need support for Snapchat (which Buffer doesn't cover)
For tips on building a structured content plan, check out our guide to creating a social media content calendar.
Final Verdict
Buffer is the better choice if you are a solo creator or freelancer who wants affordable, no-frills scheduling with a clean interface and per-channel pricing that starts low.
Loomly is the better choice if you run a small to mid-size marketing team that relies on visual content calendars, built-in approval workflows, and creative integrations like Canva and Unsplash.
For most small teams and growing brands, Loomly offers stronger collaboration features, but its pricing cliff between Starter and Beyond is a serious concern. Buffer scales more gradually but lacks team depth. If neither tool fully meets your needs, PostPlanify offers flat pricing with unlimited scheduling, AI image generation, and no per-channel fees — see how it compares.
Clean Scheduling That Scales Without Surprises
Buffer charges per channel — manageable at first, but costs multiply fast. Loomly's Starter plan is $65/month, and the next step up is $332/month — a $267 cliff. PostPlanify avoids both traps with flat monthly pricing: $19/month for 3 accounts, $99/month for unlimited everything. No per-channel math, no pricing cliffs.
| Feature | Buffer | Loomly | PostPlanify |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $6/mo/channel | $65/mo | $19/mo flat |
| Unlimited Accounts | Scales per channel | $332/mo (Beyond) | $99/mo (Premium) |
| AI Caption Generation | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| AI Image Generation | No | No | Yes |
| Canva Integration | No | Yes | Yes |
| Google Drive Import | No | Yes | Yes |
| Approval Workflows | $12/mo/channel | $65/mo (Starter) | $99/mo (Premium) |
| Analytics | Basic to Advanced | Basic | All paid plans |
| Platforms Supported | 11 | 11 | 9 |
PostPlanify starts at $19/month for 3 accounts with unlimited scheduling and AI tools included. The Premium plan at $99/month includes unlimited accounts, unlimited team members, approval workflows, and analytics. See all plans on the PostPlanify pricing page.
Skip the pricing math — try PostPlanify free
FAQ
Is Buffer cheaper than Loomly?
For solo users, yes. Buffer's free plan offers 3 channels with 10 posts each, and paid plans start at $6/month per channel. Loomly's free plan is more limited (5 posts/month total), and the first paid tier is $65/month. For a single user managing 5 channels, Buffer costs $30/month vs Loomly's $65/month.
Does Loomly have a free plan?
Yes. Loomly offers a free plan with 3 social accounts, 1 user, and 5 posts per month. While it is useful for exploring the platform's interface and approval workflows, the 5-post cap makes it impractical for any real publishing. Buffer's free plan is slightly more generous with 3 channels and 10 posts per channel. If you need a truly usable free tier for day-to-day scheduling, Buffer is the better starting point.
Which has better AI tools — Buffer or Loomly?
Buffer's AI Assistant is more versatile, offering caption generation, post ideas, and content rewriting. Loomly's AI is limited to caption suggestions. Neither tool offers AI image generation. If AI is a priority, both are behind more advanced tools like PostPlanify.
Can I switch from Buffer to Loomly?
Yes. You can disconnect your social profiles from Buffer and reconnect them to Loomly without losing access to those accounts. Loomly's visual calendar and post idea features make the transition straightforward, and its drag-and-drop interface helps you organize content quickly. The main adjustment is moving from per-channel pricing to tiered pricing, so make sure Loomly's Starter plan covers your account count and team size before committing.
Which supports more social media platforms?
Both support 11 platforms with near-identical coverage. Buffer covers Mastodon but not Snapchat. Loomly covers Snapchat but not Mastodon. The remaining 10 platforms — Instagram, Facebook, X/Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest, Threads, Bluesky, and Google Business Profile — are shared by both. Choose based on which niche platform your target audience actively uses.
Which is better for small business teams?
Loomly edges ahead for teams thanks to built-in approval workflows on the $65/month Starter plan (up to 3 users). Buffer requires the Team plan at $12/channel/month for approvals, which can cost more depending on channel count. However, if your team has more than 3 members, Loomly forces a jump to the $332/month Beyond plan.
Does Loomly have a social inbox?
Yes. Loomly includes a social inbox for managing comments and messages across your connected platforms. However, it is more basic than dedicated inbox tools and lacks features like saved replies or advanced filtering. Buffer also offers a basic community inbox with similar limitations. If engagement management is a priority, neither tool fully replaces a dedicated social inbox — but both cover lightweight comment monitoring.
Why is Loomly's Trustpilot score so low?
Loomly's 1.7/5 Trustpilot rating (from 26 reviews) is largely driven by backlash from a 2025 pricing restructure. Long-time users reported significant price increases and reduced features on existing plans. The small review count means this may not reflect the broader user experience, but it signals concerns about Loomly's pricing direction.
Is Loomly worth it in 2026?
Loomly remains a solid option for small marketing teams that need built-in approval workflows and a visual content calendar at a reasonable price. The $65/month Starter plan covers 12 accounts and 3 users, which is competitive for teams. However, the steep jump to $332/month for the Beyond plan and the backlash over its 2025 pricing restructure are worth considering. If your team is small and fits within Starter limits, Loomly delivers good value. If you anticipate growth, evaluate whether the pricing cliff will become a problem.
What is the best alternative to Buffer?
The best alternative depends on your needs. For teams needing approval workflows, Loomly and PostPlanify are strong options. For agencies managing many client accounts, SocialPilot offers bulk scheduling and white-label reports. For creators who want AI-powered content generation including image creation, PostPlanify stands out with unlimited AI tools starting at $19/month. See our full list of Buffer alternatives for more options.
Does Loomly offer a free trial?
Yes. In addition to its limited free plan (3 accounts, 5 posts/month), Loomly offers a 15-day free trial of its paid plans so you can test approval workflows, the full content calendar, and AI caption suggestions before committing. No credit card is required to start the trial. Buffer also offers a free plan that serves as a permanent trial with 3 channels and basic features, though it lacks the team collaboration tools available in Loomly's paid tiers.
