Buffer and Metricool take very different approaches to social media management. Buffer focuses on simple scheduling and clean UX, while Metricool leans into analytics, competitor tracking, and reporting. Both are popular among creators and small teams — but for different reasons.
In this comparison, we break down Buffer vs Metricool across pricing, features, platform support, user reviews, and real-world fit — so you can pick the tool that matches your workflow. Looking at more tools? Browse all social media scheduling alternatives.
Buffer vs Metricool at a Glance
Here's a quick side-by-side overview before we dive deeper:
| Category | Buffer | Metricool |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $6/mo per channel | $0/mo (free plan) |
| Free Plan | Yes (3 channels, 10 posts each) | Yes (1 brand, 50 posts/mo) |
| Platforms Supported | 11 | 9+ |
| Unlimited Scheduling | Yes (paid plans) | Yes (Starter+, Fair Use) |
| AI Tools | AI Assistant (captions) | AI social media assistant |
| AI Image Generation | No | No |
| Competitor Analysis | No | Yes (5-100 competitors) |
| Team Collaboration | Team plan ($12/mo/channel) | Advanced plan ($54/mo) |
| Approval Workflows | Team plan only | Advanced plan only |
| Analytics | Basic to Advanced | 3 months to Unlimited history |
| Canva Integration | No | Yes (Starter+) |
| G2 Rating | 4.3/5 (1,023 reviews) | 4.5/5 (83 reviews) |
| Trustpilot Rating | 2.1/5 (93 reviews) | 4.2/5 (519 reviews) |
| Best For | Creators who want simple scheduling | Analytics-driven teams and agencies |
Buffer Overview
Buffer is one of the oldest social media scheduling tools, launched in 2010. It focuses on simplicity — a clean interface for scheduling posts, managing a basic 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 across many platforms. For a deeper look, see what users say about Buffer on G2 and Trustpilot.
Metricool Overview
Metricool is a social media analytics and scheduling platform built around data. It combines publishing tools with deep competitor analysis, reporting, and a link-in-bio builder — making it a strong choice for data-driven teams and agencies.
Metricool supports 9+ platforms: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, X/Twitter, TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest, Threads, Google Business Profile, and Twitch.
Key features:
- Competitor analysis (5-100 profiles)
- Customizable PDF and PPT reports
- AI social media assistant
- Link-in-bio builder (multiple profiles)
- Google Drive and Canva integration
- Unlimited analytics history (Starter+)
- Looker Studio connector and API (Advanced)
Metricool targets agencies and analytics-focused teams that need deep reporting, competitor tracking, and brand-based pricing. Read real user reviews of Metricool from G2 and Trustpilot.
Pricing Comparison
Buffer and Metricool use completely different pricing models — Buffer charges per channel, Metricool charges per brand.
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
Metricool Pricing
Metricool uses per-brand pricing that scales with the number of brands you manage. See the full Metricool pricing breakdown for details.
| Plan | Price | Brands | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0/mo | 1 | 50 posts/mo, 5 competitors, 3-month analytics |
| Starter | From $22/mo | Up to 10 | Unlimited posts, 100 competitors, PDF/PPT reports, Canva |
| Advanced | From $54/mo | Up to 50 | Team management, approvals, API, Looker Studio |
| Custom | Custom | Unlimited | White label, dedicated manager |
Example costs:
- 5 brands on Starter = $22/month
- 10 brands on Starter = $38/month
- 15 brands on Advanced = $54/month
- 50 brands on Advanced = $172/month
Price Verdict
It depends on your use case. For a solo creator managing a few accounts, Buffer's free plan (3 channels) is the cheapest option. For agencies managing multiple brands, Metricool's brand-based pricing is more efficient — 5 brands for $22/month vs 5 channels at $30/month on Buffer.
However, Metricool's costs scale steeply for agencies managing many brands (50 brands = $172/month). Buffer's per-channel pricing is more predictable but adds up just as fast at scale.
Both offer generous free plans, which is a major advantage over enterprise tools.
Feature Comparison
Scheduling & Publishing
| Feature | Buffer | Metricool |
|---|---|---|
| Unlimited scheduling | Yes (paid plans) | Yes (Starter+, Fair Use) |
| Post limits (free) | 10 posts/channel | 50 posts/month |
| Best time to post | No | No |
| First comment scheduling | Yes (Essentials+) | No |
| Content calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Bulk scheduling | CSV import | No |
| Draft saving | Yes | Yes |
Winner: Buffer — truly unlimited scheduling with no Fair Use restrictions, plus first comment scheduling and CSV bulk import. Metricool's "unlimited" publishing on Starter+ is subject to a Fair Use Policy.
AI Tools
| Feature | Buffer | Metricool |
|---|---|---|
| AI caption generation | Yes (AI Assistant) | Yes (AI assistant) |
| AI image generation | No | No |
| AI post ideas | Yes (unlimited on paid) | Yes |
Winner: Tie. Both include AI caption generation. Buffer offers unlimited AI usage on paid plans; Metricool includes an AI assistant across plans.
Analytics & Reporting
This is where Metricool pulls ahead significantly.
| Feature | Buffer | Metricool |
|---|---|---|
| Basic analytics | All plans | All plans |
| Analytics history | Limited | 3 months (free) to Unlimited |
| Competitor analysis | No | Yes (5-100 competitors) |
| Custom reports | No | Yes (Advanced) |
| PDF/PPT reports | No | Yes (Starter+) |
| Looker Studio connector | No | Yes (Advanced) |
| API access | No | Yes (Advanced) |
Winner: Metricool — and it's not close. Competitor analysis with up to 100 profiles, unlimited analytics history, PDF/PPT export, Looker Studio, and API access. Buffer's analytics are basic by comparison.
Team Collaboration
| Feature | Buffer | Metricool |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple users | Team plan | Advanced plan |
| Approval workflows | Team plan | Advanced plan |
| Role management | Team plan | Advanced plan |
| Client management | No | Advanced plan |
Winner: Metricool for agencies — client management and role-based access on the Advanced plan. Buffer covers basic team features (approvals, permissions) on the Team plan at $12/channel/month.
Integrations & Creative Tools
| Feature | Buffer | Metricool |
|---|---|---|
| Canva integration | No | Yes (Starter+) |
| Google Drive import | No | Yes (Starter+) |
| Link in Bio | Yes (Start Page) | Yes (multiple profiles) |
| Looker Studio | No | Yes (Advanced) |
| API (Zapier, Make) | No | Yes (Advanced) |
Winner: Metricool — Canva integration, Google Drive, Looker Studio, and API access give it a significant edge in integrations. Buffer only has its Start Page link-in-bio builder.
Platform Support
| Platform | Buffer | Metricool |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | Yes | |
| Yes | Yes | |
| X/Twitter | Yes | Yes (add-on on some plans) |
| Yes | Yes (Starter+) | |
| TikTok | Yes | Yes |
| YouTube | Yes | Yes |
| Yes | Yes | |
| Threads | Yes | Yes |
| Google Business | Yes | Yes |
| Bluesky | Yes | No |
| Mastodon | Yes | No |
| Twitch | No | Yes |
Winner: Buffer — supports 11 platforms vs Metricool's 9+. Buffer includes Bluesky and Mastodon. However, Metricool notably includes Twitch support and requires an add-on for X/Twitter on some plans.
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, and sync issues with social platforms.
Metricool Reviews
G2: 4.5/5 (83 reviews) — Users highlight multi-platform support, centralized management, and ease of use. Complaints mention poor customer support, scheduling issues, and the platform being expensive at scale.
Trustpilot: 4.2/5 (519 reviews) — Notably high Trustpilot rating. Users consistently praise Metricool's customer service responsiveness, ease of use, and the intuitive interface. Metricool replies to 100% of negative reviews.
Review Verdict
Metricool wins on user satisfaction. It scores higher on both G2 (4.5 vs 4.3) and significantly higher on Trustpilot (4.2 vs 2.1). The Trustpilot gap is striking — Metricool's 4.2/5 from 519 reviews is one of the highest in the social media scheduling space, while Buffer's 2.1/5 suggests ongoing customer support issues.
Who Should Use Buffer?
If Buffer sounds right but you want to explore other options first, check out our best alternatives to Buffer.
Buffer is the better choice if you:
- Are a solo creator who wants the simplest possible scheduling tool
- Need to schedule across 11 platforms including Bluesky and Mastodon
- Want unlimited AI usage without restrictions
- Prefer per-channel pricing starting at $6/month (or free)
- Need first comment scheduling for Instagram engagement
Who Should Use Metricool?
If Metricool is on your shortlist, you may also want to see our top alternatives to Metricool before committing.
Metricool is the better choice if you:
- Are an agency or data-driven team that needs deep analytics and reporting
- Want competitor analysis tracking up to 100 profiles
- Need PDF/PPT report generation for clients
- Want Canva and Google Drive integration built in
- Need API access and Looker Studio for custom dashboards
- Manage multiple brands and want per-brand pricing
A Better Alternative to Both
If Buffer's analytics feel too basic and Metricool's creative tools feel too limited, there's a middle ground.
PostPlanify combines clean scheduling with AI image generation, Canva integration, and team features — at a flat monthly rate.
| Feature | Buffer | Metricool | PostPlanify |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $6/mo/channel | $0/mo (free) | $19/mo flat |
| AI Caption Generation | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| AI Image Generation | No | No | Yes |
| Canva Integration | No | Yes | Yes |
| Google Drive Import | No | Yes | Yes |
| Competitor Analysis | No | Yes | No |
| Approval Workflows | $12/mo/channel | $54/mo | $99/mo (Premium) |
| Unlimited Team Members | Team plan | Advanced plan | $99/mo (Premium) |
| Platforms Supported | 11 | 9+ | 9 |
| Unlimited Scheduling | Paid plans | Starter+ (Fair Use) | All paid plans |
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.
FAQ
Is Buffer cheaper than Metricool?
For solo creators, Buffer's free plan (3 channels) and $6/month Essentials plan are slightly cheaper than Metricool's free plan (1 brand) and $22/month Starter. For agencies managing multiple brands, Metricool's per-brand pricing can be more cost-efficient than Buffer's per-channel model.
Does Metricool have a free plan?
Yes. Metricool offers a free plan with 1 brand, 50 posts per month, 5 competitor profiles, 3 months of analytics, and an AI assistant. Buffer also has a free plan with 3 channels and 10 posts per channel.
Which has better analytics — Buffer or Metricool?
Metricool has significantly better analytics. It includes competitor analysis (up to 100 profiles), unlimited analytics history, PDF/PPT report generation, Looker Studio integration, and API access. Buffer's analytics are basic by comparison.
Can I switch from Buffer to Metricool?
Yes. You can reconnect your social accounts to Metricool and start scheduling. The transition is straightforward. The main difference you'll notice is Metricool's stronger analytics and reporting but less emphasis on pure scheduling simplicity.
Which supports more social media platforms?
Buffer supports 11 platforms (including Bluesky and Mastodon). Metricool supports 9+ platforms (including Twitch and Google Business). Buffer has wider coverage, but Metricool uniquely supports Twitch.
Is Metricool good for agencies?
Yes. Metricool's brand-based pricing, competitor analysis, customizable reports, and client management tools make it well-suited for agencies. However, costs scale up for 15+ brands. Both Metricool and PostPlanify offer better agency value than Buffer.
Does Buffer have competitor analysis?
No. Buffer does not offer competitor analysis or benchmarking. If you need these features, Metricool includes them starting from the free plan (5 competitors) up to 100 competitors on Starter+.
Which has better customer support — Buffer or Metricool?
Based on Trustpilot ratings, Metricool (4.2/5 from 519 reviews) has significantly better customer support satisfaction than Buffer (2.1/5 from 93 reviews). Metricool responds to 100% of negative reviews within 48 hours.
