Buffer vs Sprout Social2026
Buffer
Social Media Management
Simple, clean social media scheduling and analytics — the most popular Hootsuite alternative.
Sprout Social
Social Media Management
Enterprise social media management platform with deep analytics, social listening, and CRM integration.
Our Verdict
Buffer has the pricing advantage with a free tier.
Choose Buffer if…
teams at the small to mid-sized businesses stage and budget-conscious buyers who want to start for free or at lower cost
Choose Sprout Social if…
teams at the mid-market companies stage and teams that need more power and don't mind paying for it
Side-by-Side Comparison
Green highlight = advantage on that metric.
| Feature | Buffer | Sprout Social |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Pricing model | Freemium | Subscription |
| Starting price | $6/mo | $249/mo |
| Free tier | ||
| Free trial | 30 days | |
| Ratings & Reviews | ||
| User rating | No reviews yet | No reviews yet |
| Features & Capabilities | ||
| Best for | small to mid-sized businesses | mid-market companies |
| Tracked features | 4 | 9 |
| Company | ||
| Founded | 2010 | 2010 |
| Verified listing | ||
Pricing
Buffer
FreemiumSprout Social
SubscriptionBuffer
$6/moSprout Social
$249/moBuffer
Sprout Social
Buffer
Sprout Social
30 daysRatings & Reviews
Buffer
No reviews yetSprout Social
No reviews yetFeatures & Capabilities
Buffer
small to mid-sized businessesSprout Social
mid-market companiesBuffer
4Sprout Social
9Company
Buffer
2010Sprout Social
2010Buffer
Sprout Social
Key Differences
Buffer
Freemium✓
Sprout Social
Subscription
Buffer
$6/mo✓
Sprout Social
$249/mo
Buffer
Not available
Sprout Social
✓30 days
Buffer
4 tracked features
Sprout Social
✓9 tracked features
Buffer is best for…
Strengths
- Clean simple interface
- Transparent per-channel pricing
- Free plan for 3 channels
- Good analytics on paid plans
Sprout Social is best for…
Strengths
- Best-in-class social analytics and reporting
- Social listening across the web
- CRM-connected social data
- Smart Inbox for all message management
Pricing Comparison
Buffer
From $6/mo
Free for 3 channels. Essentials from $6/month per channel.
Sprout Social
From $249/mo
Standard plan from $249/seat/month billed annually.
Pricing information is verified periodically. Visit each vendor's pricing page for current rates and plan details.
Feature Comparison
Both tools
- Social Scheduling
- Social Analytics
- Content Calendar
- API Access
Only in Sprout Social
- Social Listening
- Approval Workflows
- Dashboard & Reporting
- CSAT Surveys
- Team Collaboration
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the main difference between Buffer and Sprout Social?
- Buffer has the pricing advantage with a free tier. Choose Buffer if you need it for teams at the small to mid-sized businesses stage and budget-conscious buyers who want to start for free or at lower cost. Choose Sprout Social if you need it for teams at the mid-market companies stage and teams that need more power and don't mind paying for it.
- Is Buffer cheaper than Sprout Social?
- Buffer is cheaper at From $6/mo vs From $249/mo. Note that pricing tiers vary — check each vendor's current pricing page for up-to-date details.
- Can I switch from Buffer to Sprout Social?
- Yes — most teams can migrate from Buffer to Sprout Social with a data export/import process. Check whether both tools support CSV or API data export before starting. Sprout Social offers a free trial, so you can test it before cancelling Buffer.
- Does Buffer or Sprout Social offer a free trial?
- Sprout Social offers a free trial of 30 days. Buffer does not currently offer a free trial.