Choosing the right social media management tool can make or break your content strategy. Whether you are deciding between Buffer or Sendible, these two popular options target different users with different needs. In this 2026 comparison, we put them head to head on pricing, features, platform support, and real user reviews so you can make an informed decision.
Buffer keeps scheduling simple with per-channel pricing and a clean interface. Sendible bundles scheduling, an inbox, and client management into agency-ready tiers. We break down whether Buffer's approachable simplicity or Sendible's operational depth is the better fit — and what each actually costs as you grow. Comparing the full market? Browse all social media scheduling alternatives.
Buffer vs Sendible at a Glance
| Category | Buffer | Sendible |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | Free (3 channels, 10 posts/channel) | $29/mo (Creator) |
| Free Plan | Yes (limited) | No (14-day free trial) |
| Platforms Supported | 11 | 10 |
| Unlimited Scheduling | Essentials ($6/mo per channel) | All plans |
| AI Tools | AI Assistant (captions) | AI Assist (OpenAI-powered, all plans) |
| AI Image Generation | No | No |
| Bulk Scheduling | CSV import | CSV bulk scheduling |
| Team Collaboration | Team plan ($12/mo per channel) | Traction+ ($89/mo) |
| Approval Workflows | Team plan | Traction+ ($89/mo) |
| Analytics | Essentials+ | All plans (250+ report modules) |
| G2 Rating | 4.3/5 (1,023 reviews) | 4.5/5 (899 reviews) |
| Trustpilot Rating | 2.1/5 (93 reviews) | 2.3/5 (8 reviews) |
| Best For | Solo creators and freelancers | Agencies and teams |
Buffer Overview
Buffer is one of the longest-running social media scheduling tools on the market, known for its clean, no-frills interface. It supports 11 platforms including Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, X/Twitter, TikTok, YouTube, Google Business, Threads, Bluesky, and Mastodon — one of the widest platform lists available.
Key features include an AI Assistant for generating captions, a hashtag manager, first comment scheduling, Start Page (a link-in-bio tool), a visual content calendar, and CSV bulk import. Buffer's strength lies in its simplicity: you pick your channels, queue your posts, and let the tool handle the rest.
Buffer's free plan is a genuine differentiator — you can schedule content to three channels without entering a credit card. The Essentials plan unlocks unlimited posts at $6/month per channel, and the Team plan adds approval workflows at $12/month per channel. This per-channel model keeps costs low for users with just a few accounts, but the math shifts quickly as you add more channels.
Buffer is best suited for solo creators, freelancers, and small businesses that want a straightforward social media management tool without the complexity of agency features. For a deeper look, check out our Buffer review and alternatives. Read real user reviews of Buffer from G2 and Trustpilot.
Sendible Overview
Sendible is a social media management platform built with agencies and teams in mind. It supports 10 platforms: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X/Twitter, LinkedIn, Google Business, YouTube, WordPress, Threads, and Bluesky. Notably, Sendible does not support Pinterest.
Key features include unlimited scheduling on all plans, AI Assist powered by OpenAI, a Priority Inbox with sentiment analysis, approval workflows (Traction and above), white-label dashboards (Advanced+ with a $240/mo add-on), Canva/Google Drive/Pexels/Giphy integrations, bulk scheduling via CSV, Smart Queues, RSS auto-posting, over 250 report modules, and client dashboards. Sendible also enforces daily sending limits to protect account health.
Sendible's pricing structure bundles profiles and users into each tier, so you do not pay per channel or per user until you exceed your plan's caps. The Creator plan ($29/mo) covers a single user with 6 profiles, while the Traction plan ($89/mo) jumps to 4 users and 24 profiles with team collaboration features included.
Sendible is best suited for agencies and teams that need client management, white-label reporting, and unified inbox tools. For more details, see our Sendible review and alternatives. Read real user reviews of Sendible from G2 and Trustpilot.
Pricing Comparison
Buffer Pricing
See the full Buffer pricing breakdown for details.
| Plan | Price | Channels | Key Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0/mo | 3 channels | 10 posts per channel |
| Essentials | $6/mo per channel | Unlimited | Unlimited posts, 1 user |
| Team | $12/mo per channel | Unlimited | Unlimited posts, approval workflows |
Buffer uses per-channel pricing, which starts cheap but scales up fast. Managing 10 channels on the Team plan costs $120/month. The free plan is limited to 10 scheduled posts per channel at any given time, which may feel restrictive for businesses posting daily.
Sendible Pricing
See the full Sendible pricing breakdown for details.
| Plan | Price | Profiles | Users |
|---|---|---|---|
| Creator | $29/mo | 6 | 1 |
| Traction | $89/mo | 24 | 4 |
| Scale | $199/mo | 49 | 7 |
| Advanced | $299/mo | 100 | 20 |
| Enterprise | $750/mo | 400 | 80 |
Sendible uses tiered pricing that bundles multiple profiles and users into each plan. The jump from Creator to Traction is significant ($29 to $89) but includes team collaboration and client dashboards.
All Sendible plans include unlimited scheduling and AI Assist, so even the entry-level Creator plan offers more publishing power than Buffer's free tier.
Price Verdict
Buffer is cheaper for individuals and small setups. The free plan and low per-channel pricing make it accessible for solo users. However, once you manage more than a handful of channels with team features, Buffer's per-channel model adds up quickly. At the 10-channel mark on the Team plan, you are paying $120/month — more than Sendible's Traction plan with 4 users and 24 profiles at $89/month. Sendible offers better value for teams managing multiple client accounts, since profiles and users are bundled together rather than priced individually.
Feature Comparison
We tested both tools across five core categories. Here is how they compare feature by feature.
Scheduling & Publishing
| Feature | Buffer | Sendible |
|---|---|---|
| Unlimited Scheduling | Essentials+ | All plans |
| Bulk Scheduling | CSV import | CSV bulk scheduling |
| Content Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Smart Queues | No | Yes |
| RSS Auto-Posting | No | Yes |
| First Comment | Yes | Yes |
| Post Recycling | No | Smart Queues |
Winner: Sendible. Smart Queues, RSS auto-posting, and unlimited scheduling on every plan give Sendible more publishing flexibility out of the box. Buffer covers the basics well, but power users will quickly feel the limits. For more on scheduling strategies, see our guide on how to schedule social media posts.
AI Tools
| Feature | Buffer | Sendible |
|---|---|---|
| AI Caption Generation | AI Assistant | AI Assist (OpenAI-powered) |
| AI Image Generation | No | No |
| AI-Powered Analytics | No | No |
| Included On | All plans | All plans |
Winner: Tie. Both offer AI-powered caption generation on all plans. Neither provides AI image generation. Sendible's OpenAI integration may offer slightly more advanced output, but in practice both tools generate serviceable captions for most use cases. Explore our roundup of AI social media tools for platforms that offer more advanced AI capabilities.
Analytics & Reporting
| Feature | Buffer | Sendible |
|---|---|---|
| Post Analytics | Essentials+ | All plans |
| Report Modules | Basic | 250+ modules |
| Custom Reports | Limited | Yes |
| Client Dashboards | No | Traction+ |
| Export Options | CSV | PDF, CSV |
Winner: Sendible. With 250+ report modules and dedicated client dashboards, Sendible's analytics are far more comprehensive than Buffer's basic reporting. Buffer's analytics work for tracking individual post engagement but fall short for campaign-level or client social media reporting.
Team Collaboration
| Feature | Buffer | Sendible |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-User Access | Team plan | Traction+ (4 users) |
| Approval Workflows | Team plan | Traction+ |
| Client Management | No | Traction+ |
| White-Label | No | Advanced+ ($240/mo add-on) |
| Unified Inbox | No | Priority Inbox (all plans) |
Winner: Sendible. Approval workflows, client management, white-label options, and a Priority Inbox with sentiment analysis make Sendible the clear choice for team and agency workflows. Buffer's Team plan adds basic approvals, but it lacks the depth agencies typically require.
Platform Support
| Platform | Buffer | Sendible |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | Yes | |
| Yes | Yes | |
| X/Twitter | Yes | Yes |
| Yes | Yes | |
| TikTok | Yes | Yes |
| YouTube | Yes | Yes |
| Yes | No | |
| Threads | Yes | Yes |
| Bluesky | Yes | Yes |
| Google Business | Yes | Yes |
| Mastodon | Yes | No |
| WordPress | No | Yes |
Winner: Buffer. Buffer supports 11 platforms including Pinterest and Mastodon, while Sendible covers 10 with WordPress but lacks Pinterest — a notable gap for visual brands. If your strategy is platform-diverse, Buffer gives you more reach.
What Real Users Say
We looked at both G2 (a professional review platform) and Trustpilot (a consumer review platform) to get a balanced picture of user sentiment for each tool.
Buffer Reviews
G2: 4.3/5 (1,023 reviews) — Users consistently praise Buffer's simplicity and clean interface. It ranks well for ease of use, but some reviewers note the lack of advanced features like social listening and inbox management.
Trustpilot: 2.1/5 (93 reviews) — The Trustpilot score is notably lower, with complaints about customer support responsiveness and limitations on the free plan. Some users report frustration with feature removals over time.
Sendible Reviews
G2: 4.5/5 (899 reviews) — Sendible earns strong marks for its agency features, client management, and reporting. Users highlight the Priority Inbox and approval workflows as standout capabilities.
Trustpilot: 2.3/5 (8 reviews) — With only 8 reviews, this is too small a sample to draw meaningful conclusions. The limited Trustpilot presence may simply reflect that Sendible's user base skews toward agencies who rely on G2 for reviews.
Review Verdict
Sendible leads on G2 with a 4.5 rating versus Buffer's 4.3, backed by substantial review counts on both sides. Trustpilot scores are low for both tools, though Sendible's 8-review sample makes its score statistically unreliable. Overall, Sendible's reviews reflect satisfaction among agency users, while Buffer's reviews reflect appreciation for simplicity with some frustration about depth.
It is worth noting that both platforms have very different user bases reviewing them. Buffer's reviews come primarily from solo users and small teams, while Sendible's reviews come from agency professionals. The context behind each review matters as much as the score itself.
Review counts and ratings are as of February 2026 and are updated periodically.
Who Should Use Buffer?
If you are considering Buffer, also explore our Buffer alternatives page and see how Buffer stacks up against Hootsuite, Later, Metricool, Publer, CoSchedule, and SocialBee.
Buffer is an ideal social media scheduler for users who value simplicity over feature depth:
- Solo creators who want a dead-simple scheduling tool
- Freelancers managing a small number of social channels
- Users who need Pinterest or Mastodon support
- Small businesses on a tight budget who can start with the free plan
- Content creators who value a clean, distraction-free interface
- Anyone who wants to start free and pay only for what they use
Who Should Use Sendible?
If you are considering Sendible, also explore our Sendible alternatives page and see how Sendible compares to Hootsuite, Sprout Social, Later, Agorapulse, and SocialBee.
Sendible is the stronger social media management platform for teams that need operational depth and client-facing features:
- Agencies managing multiple client accounts from one dashboard
- Teams that need approval workflows and role-based permissions
- Businesses requiring white-label reports for client deliverables
- Users who want a unified inbox with sentiment analysis
- Organizations that rely on RSS feeds and social media automation
- Teams that need 250+ analytics report modules
Final Verdict
Buffer is the better choice if you are a solo creator, freelancer, or small business that needs a simple, affordable scheduler with broad platform support and a free plan to get started.
Sendible is the better choice if you are an agency or growing team that needs client management, white-label reporting, a unified inbox with sentiment analysis, and 250+ analytics modules.
For most small to mid-sized teams, Sendible offers better long-term value once you need collaboration features, since its bundled pricing beats Buffer's per-channel model at scale. If neither tool fully meets your needs, PostPlanify offers AI-powered scheduling, Canva integration, and team collaboration starting at $19/month flat with no per-channel or per-user fees — see how it compares.
Agency Power Without Agency Pricing
Buffer is refreshingly simple — but too basic once you need team workflows and approvals. Sendible's agency features start at $89/month. PostPlanify gives you unlimited scheduling, AI tools, team collaboration, and Canva integration starting at $19/month — without forcing you into an agency-priced tier.
| Feature | Buffer | Sendible | PostPlanify |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | Free (limited) | $29/mo | $19/mo |
| Unlimited Scheduling | $6/mo per channel | All plans | All paid plans |
| AI Caption Generation | Yes | Yes (OpenAI) | Yes (unlimited) |
| AI Image Generation | No | No | Yes |
| Canva Integration | No | Yes | Yes |
| Google Drive Import | No | Yes | Yes |
| Approval Workflows | $12/mo per channel | $89/mo (Traction) | $99/mo (Premium) |
| Analytics | $6/mo per channel | All plans | $99/mo (Premium) |
| Platforms Supported | 11 | 10 | 9 |
PostPlanify's $19/month Starter plan includes unlimited scheduling, AI captions, AI image generation, and Canva integration — features that Buffer charges per channel for and Sendible reserves for higher tiers. The $99/month Premium plan adds unlimited accounts, unlimited team members, approval workflows, and analytics — all without per-channel or per-user pricing.
Whether you are outgrowing Buffer's simplicity or looking for a more affordable alternative to Sendible's agency tiers, PostPlanify bridges the gap. See all plans on the PostPlanify pricing page. Start your free trial today.
Try PostPlanify free for 7 days
FAQ
Is Buffer or Sendible better for small businesses?
Buffer is generally better for small businesses due to its free plan, low per-channel pricing, and simple interface. Sendible's features are built for agencies and teams, making it overkill for a one-person operation. If you only manage a few social profiles, Buffer's free or Essentials plan will cover your needs at a lower cost.
Does Sendible have a free plan?
No. Sendible does not offer a permanent free plan, but it does provide a 14-day free trial on all tiers so you can test the platform before committing. Buffer, on the other hand, offers a free plan with 3 channels and 10 posts per channel that you can use indefinitely. If you want to start managing social media without any financial commitment, Buffer is the more accessible option. For teams that need more features than Buffer's free plan, Sendible's trial period lets you evaluate whether the upgrade is worthwhile.
Can Buffer handle multiple clients?
Buffer does not have dedicated client management features. While you can manage multiple channels, there are no client dashboards, white-label reports, or client-specific workspaces. If you manage social accounts for other businesses, Sendible is the better choice for client management workflows.
Does Sendible support Pinterest?
No. Sendible does not support Pinterest, which is a notable gap for brands that rely on visual discovery platforms. Buffer supports Pinterest on all plans, including the free tier. If Pinterest is a meaningful part of your social strategy, this is a dealbreaker for Sendible.
Which tool has better analytics?
Sendible offers significantly more robust analytics with 250+ report modules, client dashboards, and custom reporting. Buffer's analytics are basic and best suited for tracking individual post performance. If generating monthly client reports is part of your workflow, Sendible will save you significant manual effort.
Is Buffer cheaper than Sendible?
For individuals, yes. Buffer's free plan and $6/month per channel pricing is more affordable for small setups. However, managing 10+ channels on Buffer's Team plan can exceed Sendible's Traction plan cost. At the 10-channel mark on the Team plan, you are already paying $120/month — more than Sendible's Traction plan at $89/month with 4 users and 24 profiles.
Which platform has better AI features?
Both tools offer AI-powered caption generation on all plans, and neither offers AI image generation. Sendible uses OpenAI for its AI Assist feature, which may produce slightly more nuanced output, while Buffer's AI Assistant is built in-house and focuses on caption drafting and post ideas. In practice, the AI capabilities are comparable for everyday social media content creation. If AI image generation is important to your workflow, neither tool delivers — consider alternatives like PostPlanify that include AI-generated images alongside captions.
Can I switch from Buffer to Sendible easily?
Both tools support CSV import and export, which makes migration manageable. However, you will need to reconnect all social accounts manually and rebuild any saved content queues or hashtag groups. Plan for a transition period of a few days to fully configure Sendible's Priority Inbox, Smart Queues, and reporting dashboards.
Does Buffer offer white-label reporting?
No. Buffer does not offer any white-label or client branding options. If you need to present reports under your own brand to clients, Sendible's Advanced plan and above includes a white-label add-on for $240/month. This is a key differentiator for agencies choosing between the two platforms.
Is Sendible worth it in 2026?
Sendible is worth it if you are an agency or team managing multiple client accounts and need robust reporting, a unified inbox, and client dashboards. The Traction plan at $89/month bundles 4 users and 24 profiles, which is strong value compared to paying per channel or per user on competing platforms. However, if you are a solo creator or small business with only a few social profiles, Sendible's feature set is overkill and its lack of a free plan makes it less accessible. For solo users, Buffer or PostPlanify offer better starting points.
What is the best alternative to Sendible?
The best alternative to Sendible depends on what drew you to it. For agency features like white-label reporting and client management, Agorapulse and Sprout Social are strong competitors. For a more affordable option with AI tools and Canva integration, PostPlanify offers team collaboration starting at $19/month. If you primarily need simple scheduling without agency overhead, Buffer is a lighter and cheaper option. See our complete list of social media management tools for a full comparison.
Does Sendible offer a free trial?
Yes. Sendible offers a 14-day free trial on all plans, giving you access to the full feature set of whichever tier you choose. No credit card is required to start the trial. This is more generous than many competitors that restrict trial access to lower-tier features. However, Sendible does not offer a permanent free plan, so you will need to subscribe after the trial ends. If you want a tool you can use free indefinitely, Buffer's free plan with 3 channels is the better option.
