Buffer and Hootsuite are two leading social media management platforms. Both help schedule posts, track performance, and manage multiple accounts. Here's how they compare.

Quick Comparison

Feature	Buffer	Hootsuite
Starting Price	$6/month	$99/month
Free Plan	Yes (3 accounts)	Yes (2 accounts)
Supported Platforms	8+	35+
Team Members	Starts at 3	Starts at 1
Best For	Small businesses, simple scheduling	Large teams, advanced features

Platform Overview

Buffer

Buffer focuses on simplicity and ease of use. It's designed for small to medium businesses that want straightforward social media scheduling without complex features.

Key Strengths:

Clean, intuitive interface
Affordable pricing
Strong Instagram support
Good analytics
Easy content planning

Hootsuite

Hootsuite is a full-featured platform built for larger organizations and social media professionals who need advanced tools and integrations.

Key Strengths:

Extensive platform support
Advanced team collaboration
Detailed analytics and reporting
Social listening capabilities
Custom integrations

Pricing Comparison

Buffer Pricing

Free Plan: 3 social accounts, 10 posts per account
Essentials: $6/month (3 accounts, 1 user)
Team: $12/month (8 accounts, 3 users)
Agency: $120/month (25 accounts, 6 users)

Hootsuite Pricing

Free Plan: 2 social accounts, 5 posts
Professional: $99/month (10 accounts, 1 user)
Team: $249/month (20 accounts, 3 users)
Enterprise: Custom pricing (50+ accounts, unlimited users)

Winner: Buffer - Significantly more affordable for small businesses

Buffer Supports:

Facebook (Pages and Groups)
Instagram (Feed and Stories)
Twitter
LinkedIn (Personal and Company)
Pinterest
TikTok
YouTube
Shopify

Hootsuite Supports:

Facebook (Pages, Groups, Events)
Instagram (Feed, Stories, Reels)
Twitter
LinkedIn (Personal, Company, Showcase)
YouTube
Pinterest
TikTok
WhatsApp Business
And 25+ other platforms

Winner: Hootsuite - Much broader platform support

User Interface and Ease of Use

Buffer Interface

Clean, minimal design
Easy to learn for beginners
Simple posting workflow
Mobile app mirrors web version
Calendar view is straightforward

Hootsuite Interface

More complex dashboard
Steeper learning curve
Multiple viewing options
Customizable streams
Advanced filtering options

Winner: Buffer - Much easier to use, especially for beginners

Content Scheduling Features

Buffer Scheduling

Queue-based posting system
Optimal timing suggestions
Visual content calendar
Bulk scheduling via CSV
Instagram first comment scheduling
Stories scheduling
Video scheduling

Hootsuite Scheduling

Flexible scheduling options
Bulk upload capabilities
Auto-scheduling based on best times
Content approval workflows
RSS feed integration
Evergreen content recycling
Advanced queue management

Winner: Tie - Both offer solid scheduling with different approaches

Analytics and Reporting

Buffer Analytics

Post performance metrics
Audience growth tracking
Engagement rate analysis
Click tracking
Story analytics
Simple PDF reports
Custom date ranges

Hootsuite Analytics

Advanced performance metrics
Custom report builder
Team performance tracking
Competitor analysis
ROI measurement
Automated reporting
Export to multiple formats

Winner: Hootsuite - More detailed analytics and reporting options

Team Collaboration

Buffer Team Features

User roles and permissions
Content approval process
Team member tagging
Shared content calendar
Comment assignment
Client access

Hootsuite Team Features

Advanced user permissions
Assignment and approval workflows
Team performance metrics
Client reporting access
Message assignment
Collaborative content creation

Winner: Hootsuite - Better team collaboration tools

Customer Support

Buffer Support

Email support (all plans)
Live chat (paid plans)
Help center with guides
Video tutorials
Community forum
Response within 24 hours

Hootsuite Support

Email support (all plans)
Phone support (higher plans)
Live chat (Team+ plans)
Training and certification
Account management (Enterprise)
Priority support options

Winner: Hootsuite - More support channels and options

Mobile Apps

Buffer Mobile

iOS and Android apps
Full scheduling capabilities
Photo editing tools
Push notifications
Offline content creation
Story scheduling

Hootsuite Mobile

iOS and Android apps
Complete dashboard access
Social listening on mobile
Team collaboration features
Advanced scheduling
Message management

Winner: Tie - Both offer solid mobile experiences

Integrations and API

Buffer Integrations

Zapier (1000+ app connections)
Canva
IFTTT
Pablo by Buffer
Basic API access
RSS feeds

Hootsuite Integrations

250+ direct integrations
Zapier connections
Custom app directory
Robust API access
Adobe Creative Suite
Google Analytics
CRM integrations

Winner: Hootsuite - Far more integration options

Basic mention tracking
Hashtag monitoring
Simple engagement tracking
Limited to supported platforms

Advanced social listening
Keyword and hashtag monitoring
Sentiment analysis
Competitor tracking
Brand mention alerts
Crisis management tools

Winner: Hootsuite - Much better social listening capabilities

Content Creation Tools

Buffer Content Tools

Pablo image editor
Content suggestions
Hashtag suggestions
Link shortening
Basic image editing
Video thumbnail selection

Hootsuite Content Tools

Content library
Image and video editing
Template creation
Content curation
Asset management
Brand kit integration

Winner: Hootsuite - More advanced content creation features

Which Tool Should You Choose?

Choose Buffer If:

You're a small business or individual
You want simple, easy-to-use tools
Budget is a primary concern
You need basic scheduling and analytics
You prefer clean, minimal interfaces
You manage 8 or fewer social accounts

Choose Hootsuite If:

You're a large business or agency
You need advanced features and integrations
You manage many social media accounts
You require detailed analytics and reporting
Your team needs collaboration features
You want social listening capabilities

Alternative: SocialRails

Both Buffer and Hootsuite are solid choices, but consider SocialRails for:

Better pricing: More affordable than both options
All-in-one solution: Scheduling, analytics, and content creation
User-friendly: Easier than Hootsuite, more features than Buffer
Great support: Responsive customer service
Growing platform support: Regular addition of new social networks

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Buffer better than Hootsuite?

Buffer is better for small businesses wanting simple tools at low prices. Hootsuite is better for larger teams needing advanced features and integrations.

Which is cheaper, Buffer or Hootsuite?

Buffer is significantly cheaper. Buffer starts at $6/month while Hootsuite starts at $99/month.

Can I switch from Buffer to Hootsuite or vice versa?

Yes, both platforms allow you to export your data and switch. However, there's no direct migration tool.

Do Buffer and Hootsuite offer free plans?

Yes, both offer free plans. Buffer allows 3 social accounts with 10 posts each. Hootsuite allows 2 accounts with 5 total posts.

Which has better Instagram features?

Buffer has slightly better Instagram features, including easier Stories scheduling and better visual planning tools.

Final Recommendation

For most small businesses: Choose Buffer for its simplicity and affordability.

For larger organizations: Choose Hootsuite for its advanced features and extensive integrations.

For the best value: Consider SocialRails, which offers a middle ground between the two with competitive pricing and growing features.

The right choice depends on your specific needs, team size, and budget. Start with free trials to test both platforms before making a decision.

Start Free Trial - Try SocialRails risk-free

TL;DR - Quick Answer

Buffer vs Hootsuite: Which Social Media Tool Is Better in 2025?