Choosing between Buffer or Planable depends on one fundamental question: do you need simple solo scheduling, or structured team collaboration with approval workflows? Both tools handle social media publishing, but they approach it from completely different angles. In this 2026 comparison, we lay out the differences so you can make a confident decision.
Buffer is a per-channel scheduler built for solo creators who want simplicity above all else. Planable is a per-workspace collaboration platform designed for teams that need structured content approvals and visual previews. We break down where simplicity ends and collaboration begins — and what each approach actually costs. Comparing the full market? Browse all social media scheduling alternatives.
Buffer vs Planable at a Glance
Here's a quick side-by-side overview before we dive deeper:
| Category | Buffer | Planable |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $6/mo per channel | $39/workspace/mo |
| Free Plan | Yes (3 channels, 10 posts/channel) | Yes (50 lifetime posts) |
| Platforms Supported | 11 | 9 |
| Unlimited Scheduling | Yes (paid plans) | No (60-150 posts/mo on paid plans) |
| AI Tools | AI Assistant (captions) | AI writer, AI hashtag generator |
| AI Image Generation | No | No |
| Canva Integration | No | Yes (native) |
| Team Collaboration | Team plan ($12/mo/channel) | All plans (unlimited users) |
| Approval Workflows | Team plan only | Basic+ (multi-level on Enterprise) |
| Analytics | Basic to Advanced | Paid add-on ($14/workspace/mo) |
| G2 Rating | 4.3/5 (1,023 reviews) | 4.6/5 (937 reviews) |
| Trustpilot Rating | 2.1/5 (93 reviews) | 4.5/5 (69 reviews) |
| Best For | Solo creators, freelancers | Teams and agencies needing approvals |
Buffer Overview
Buffer launched in 2010 as one of the first social media scheduling tools and has maintained its reputation for simplicity. It uses a per-channel pricing model where each social account you connect adds to your monthly cost.
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 remains popular with solo creators and freelancers who want a clean interface without enterprise complexity. If you are exploring the broader landscape, see our guide to the best social media scheduling tools. Read real user reviews of Buffer from G2 and Trustpilot.
Planable Overview
Planable is a content collaboration platform built around visual previews and approval workflows. Unlike most scheduling tools, Planable includes unlimited users on every plan — even the free tier — making it a strong fit for teams and agencies.
Planable supports 9 platforms: Facebook, Instagram, X/Twitter (paid plans only), LinkedIn, TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest, Google Business, and Threads.
Key features:
- Feed, Calendar, Grid, and List content views
- Drag-and-drop content calendar
- Approval workflows (2-3 types, multi-level on Enterprise)
- Real-time commenting and version history
- Client review via shareable link (no login needed)
- Native Canva integration
- AI writer/caption generator and AI hashtag generator
- Mockup previews and Universal Content (blogs/newsletters)
- Unlimited media storage and mobile app
Planable excels at content collaboration and client-facing workflows where visual sign-off matters. Read real user reviews of Planable from G2 and Trustpilot.
Pricing Comparison
Buffer and Planable use fundamentally different pricing models — per-channel vs per-workspace — which means the cost comparison shifts depending on your team size and account count.
Buffer Pricing
Buffer charges per channel with a generous free tier. See the full Buffer pricing breakdown for details.
| 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, collaboration |
Example costs:
- 5 channels on Essentials = $30/month
- 10 channels on Team = $120/month
- 20 channels on Team = $240/month
Planable Pricing
Planable charges per workspace with post limits on each tier. See the full Planable pricing breakdown for details.
| Plan | Price | Posts | Social Pages | Users | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | 50 lifetime | 4 | Unlimited | Basic features, no X/Twitter publishing |
| Basic | $39/workspace/mo | 60/mo | 4 | Unlimited | Approval workflows, all platforms |
| Pro | $59/workspace/mo | 150/mo | 10 | Unlimited | More posts, more pages |
| Enterprise | Custom | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Multi-level approvals, custom features |
Add-ons: Analytics $14/workspace/mo, Engagement inbox $9/workspace/mo
Example costs:
- 1 workspace on Basic = $39/month (+ $14 for analytics = $53)
- 2 workspaces on Pro = $118/month (+ $28 for analytics = $146)
- 3 workspaces on Pro with both add-ons = $177/month (+ $69 for add-ons = $246)
Price Verdict
Buffer is cheaper for solo users and small accounts. A freelancer managing 5 channels pays $30/month on Buffer vs $39/month minimum on Planable. However, Planable includes unlimited users on every plan, while Buffer charges $12/channel for team features. For teams managing 10+ channels needing collaboration, costs converge quickly. Planable's post limits (60-150/mo) and paid analytics add-on add hidden costs that Buffer avoids.
Feature Comparison
Scheduling & Publishing
| Feature | Buffer | Planable |
|---|---|---|
| Unlimited scheduling | Yes (paid plans) | No (60-150 posts/mo) |
| Content calendar | Yes | Yes (drag-and-drop) |
| Multiple views | Calendar only | Feed, Calendar, Grid, List |
| Bulk scheduling | CSV import | No |
| First comment scheduling | Yes (Essentials+) | No |
| Post queue management | Yes | No |
| Mockup previews | No | Yes |
Winner: Planable for visual content planning with four view types and mockup previews. Buffer wins on unlimited post volume and bulk scheduling.
AI Tools
| Feature | Buffer | Planable |
|---|---|---|
| AI caption generation | Yes (AI Assistant) | Yes (AI writer) |
| AI image generation | No | No |
| AI hashtag generation | No | Yes |
| AI post ideas | Yes | No |
| AI content rewriting | Yes | Yes |
Winner: Tie. Both provide AI caption generation. Planable adds AI hashtag generation while Buffer offers AI post ideas. Neither includes AI image generation. For a deeper look at AI-powered options, see our roundup of AI social media tools.
Analytics & Reporting
| Feature | Buffer | Planable |
|---|---|---|
| Basic analytics | All paid plans | Paid add-on ($14/workspace/mo) |
| Post performance | Yes | Add-on only |
| Export reports | Yes | Add-on only |
| Competitor benchmarking | No | No |
Winner: Buffer. Analytics are included in Buffer's paid plans, while Planable charges an additional $14/workspace/month. For teams needing performance data, this add-on cost compounds across workspaces. Explore our guide to social media analytics tools for more options.
Team Collaboration
| Feature | Buffer | Planable |
|---|---|---|
| Unlimited users | Team plan ($12/channel) | All plans (including free) |
| Approval workflows | Team plan | Basic+ (2-3 types) |
| Multi-level approvals | No | Enterprise only |
| Real-time commenting | No | Yes |
| Client review links | No | Yes (no login needed) |
| Version history | No | Yes |
| User permissions | Team plan | All plans |
Winner: Planable. This is Planable's core strength. Unlimited users on every plan, real-time commenting, client review links without login, and version history make it the clear winner for team and agency workflows. Learn more about setting up an effective social media approval workflow.
Platform Support
| Platform | Buffer | Planable |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | Yes | |
| Yes | Yes | |
| X/Twitter | Yes | Paid plans only |
| Yes | Yes | |
| TikTok | Yes | Yes |
| YouTube | Yes | Yes |
| Yes | Yes | |
| Google Business | Yes | Yes |
| Threads | Yes | Yes |
| Bluesky | Yes | No |
| Mastodon | Yes | No |
Winner: Buffer — supports 11 platforms vs Planable's 9. Buffer includes Bluesky and Mastodon, and X/Twitter publishing works on all plans including free. Planable restricts X/Twitter to paid plans and lacks Bluesky and Mastodon support entirely.
What Real Users Say
Buffer Reviews
G2: 4.3/5 (1,023 reviews) — Users consistently praise Buffer's clean interface and ease of use. Common complaints include limited analytics depth, rising per-channel costs at scale, and occasional scheduling glitches.
Trustpilot: 2.1/5 (93 reviews) — Lower rating driven by complaints about customer support response times, posts failing to publish, and sync issues with social platforms.
Planable Reviews
G2: 4.6/5 (937 reviews) — Users highlight the visual content preview, collaboration features, and intuitive approval workflows. Common complaints include post limits on lower tiers and analytics being a paid add-on.
Trustpilot: 4.5/5 (69 reviews) — Strong rating with users praising the collaboration experience and client review features. Some mention per-workspace pricing gets expensive for agencies managing many brands.
Review Verdict
Planable leads on both platforms — 4.6/5 on G2 vs Buffer's 4.3/5, and 4.5/5 on Trustpilot vs Buffer's 2.1/5. The gap on Trustpilot is particularly notable, suggesting Planable delivers a more consistent user experience and better support.
Review counts and ratings are as of February 2026 and are updated periodically.
Who Should Use Buffer?
If Buffer sounds right but you want to explore alternatives, check our best alternatives to Buffer. See how Buffer compares against Hootsuite, Later, Metricool, Sendible, and Tailwind. For small business owners evaluating their options, our guide to social media management for small business covers what to look for in a scheduling tool.
Buffer is the better choice if you:
- Are a solo creator or freelancer who doesn't need team features
- Want the simplest possible scheduling interface with minimal learning curve
- Need to publish on Bluesky or Mastodon (Planable doesn't support these)
- Prefer unlimited post scheduling without monthly caps
- Want analytics included in your plan without paying add-on fees
- Need a low starting price ($6/mo per channel)
- Value broad platform coverage over deep collaboration features in a Buffer or Planable decision
Who Should Use Planable?
If Planable interests you but you want to compare more options, browse all social media scheduling alternatives. Also see how Planable compares with Hootsuite, Later, Loomly, Sendible, and Sprout Social. Agencies managing multiple clients should also read our guide to social media management for agencies.
Planable is the better choice if you:
- Run a team or agency that needs structured approval workflows
- Want unlimited users on every plan including the free tier
- Need client-facing review links where clients can approve without creating an account
- Value visual content previews with mockup views across multiple formats
- Prefer a native Canva integration for designing posts without leaving the platform
- Need real-time commenting and version history on every piece of content
- Prioritize team collaboration over broad platform reach in this Planable vs Buffer comparison
Final Verdict
Buffer is the better choice if you are a solo creator or freelancer who needs simple, affordable scheduling across many platforms without team complexity.
Planable is the better choice if you run a team or agency that relies on structured approval workflows, real-time collaboration, and client-facing content reviews.
For most small-to-mid-size teams, the decision comes down to whether collaboration or cost efficiency matters more. Buffer keeps things lean and broad; Planable goes deep on teamwork but charges per workspace with analytics as an add-on. If neither tool fully meets your needs, PostPlanify offers unlimited scheduling, AI tools, and team collaboration at a flat monthly rate with no per-channel or per-workspace fees -- see how it compares.
Scheduling + Collaboration Without Workspace Fees
Buffer is too basic for teams needing approvals. Planable charges per workspace with analytics as a paid add-on. PostPlanify includes unlimited scheduling, AI tools, Canva integration, and team collaboration starting at $19/month — no per-workspace fees, no analytics surcharges.
| Feature | Buffer | Planable | PostPlanify |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $6/mo/channel | $39/workspace/mo | $19/mo flat |
| Unlimited Scheduling | Paid plans | No (60-150 posts/mo) | All paid plans |
| AI Caption Generation | Yes | Yes | Yes (unlimited) |
| AI Image Generation | No | No | Yes |
| Canva Integration | No | Yes (native) | Yes |
| Google Drive Import | No | No | Yes |
| Approval Workflows | $12/mo/channel | Basic+ ($39+/mo) | $99/mo (Premium) |
| Analytics | Included (paid plans) | Add-on ($14/workspace/mo) | $99/mo (Premium) |
| Unlimited Users | $12/mo/channel | All plans | $99/mo (Premium) |
| Platforms Supported | 11 | 9 | 9 |
PostPlanify starts at $19/month with unlimited scheduling and AI tools included. The Premium plan at $99/month adds unlimited accounts, unlimited team members, approval workflows, and analytics — no per-channel fees like Buffer, no per-workspace fees like Planable, and no analytics surcharges. See all plans on the PostPlanify pricing page.
Try PostPlanify free for 7 days
FAQ
Is Buffer or Planable better for solo creators?
Buffer is better for solo creators. Its per-channel pricing starts at $6/month, it includes unlimited scheduling on paid plans, and analytics are built in without add-on charges. Planable's collaboration features — approval workflows, client review links, real-time commenting — are designed for teams and are overkill for a single user. The $39/workspace/month starting price is harder to justify without a team to share the workload, especially when Buffer covers more platforms at a lower cost.
Does Planable have a free plan?
Yes, but it is limited. Planable's free plan allows 50 total lifetime posts — not monthly — which means you will burn through the allowance quickly if you manage multiple channels. It supports 4 social pages and unlimited users, but does not include X/Twitter publishing. Once you hit 50 posts, you must upgrade to a paid plan to continue publishing. The free tier is best used as a trial to test Planable's collaboration and preview features before committing.
Which has better approval workflows — Buffer or Planable?
Planable is significantly stronger for approvals. It offers 2-3 approval workflow types on paid plans, multi-level approvals on Enterprise, real-time commenting, and client review links that require no login. Buffer's approval workflows are limited to the Team plan and lack commenting or client-facing features.
Can Planable replace Buffer for scheduling?
Planable can handle scheduling, but it imposes post limits — 60/month on Basic and 150/month on Pro. If you publish frequently across multiple channels, Buffer's unlimited scheduling on paid plans may be more practical. Planable's strength is collaboration, not high-volume publishing.
Does Buffer support Canva integration?
No. Buffer does not have native Canva integration. Planable includes a built-in Canva integration that lets you design visuals without leaving the platform. PostPlanify also offers Canva integration on all paid plans.
Which tool has better user reviews?
Planable has stronger reviews overall — 4.6/5 on G2 (937 reviews) and 4.5/5 on Trustpilot (69 reviews). Buffer scores 4.3/5 on G2 (1,023 reviews) but only 2.1/5 on Trustpilot (93 reviews). Planable users report higher satisfaction with collaboration features and support.
Is Planable worth it for agencies?
Planable is worth considering for agencies that need approval workflows and client collaboration. However, per-workspace pricing adds up quickly — three workspaces on Pro with analytics costs $246/month. Agencies should compare this against flat-rate options like PostPlanify at $99/month for unlimited accounts.
Which supports more social media platforms?
Buffer supports 11 platforms including Bluesky, Mastodon, and Google Business Profile. Planable supports 9 platforms and restricts X/Twitter to paid plans only. Neither supports WordPress. Buffer has the wider platform reach.
Is Planable worth it in 2026?
Planable is worth it in 2026 if your workflow depends on team collaboration, visual content approvals, and client review links. The unlimited-users-on-every-plan model makes it cost-effective for agencies with large teams. However, the per-workspace pricing and paid analytics add-on can push costs higher than expected. Solo users and small teams with straightforward scheduling needs will generally find better value with Buffer or a flat-rate alternative like PostPlanify.
What is the best alternative to Buffer?
The best alternative to Buffer depends on your priorities. If you need team collaboration and approval workflows, Planable is a strong option. If you want a flat-rate tool with unlimited scheduling, AI image generation, and Canva integration, PostPlanify starts at $19/month. For Pinterest-focused strategies, Tailwind is worth exploring. See our full list of Buffer alternatives for a detailed comparison of each option.
Does Buffer offer a free trial?
Buffer offers a free plan rather than a time-limited trial. The free plan includes 3 channels and up to 10 scheduled posts per channel at any time, with basic analytics and access to the AI Assistant. This lets you test Buffer indefinitely without a credit card. If you need unlimited scheduling, the Essentials plan starts at $6/month per channel. Planable also has a free tier, but it caps you at 50 lifetime posts total.
