Buffer vs Loomly 2026: Which One Should You Pick?
TL;DR - Quick Answer
11 min readSee which tool is better for you. We compare pricing, features, and ease of use.
Quick answer: Buffer is simpler and cheaper (free plan available). Loomly has better team collaboration (starts at $42/month).
Neither has AI content generation. See our full Buffer review and Loomly review for details.
Why compare? Get more for less with SocialRails
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Quick Comparison
Pricing Side-by-Side
Buffer Pricing
Example: 10 channels on Team = $120/month
Loomly Pricing
You're a solo content creator managing 5 social accounts. Which is cheaper?
💡 Tip: Think carefully before selecting your answer!
Cost Comparison by Scenario
Solo Creator (5 accounts)
Small Team (3 people, 10 accounts)
Growing Team (6 people, 15 accounts)
Pattern: Buffer wins for solo. Loomly wins for teams. Also compare Loomly vs SocialPilot for team-focused tools.
Features That Matter
Scheduling
Buffer:
- Queue-based posting
- Best time suggestions
- Browser extension
- Mobile apps
Loomly:
- Visual calendar
- Drag-and-drop
- Bulk scheduling
- Post ideas included
Winner: Tie. Both solid, different approaches.
Team Collaboration
Buffer:
- Team plan required
- Basic approve/reject
- Comments on posts
- No custom roles
Loomly:
- Built into all plans
- Multi-level approvals
- Version history
- Custom roles (Advanced+)
Winner: Loomly. Much stronger collaboration.
Your marketing team of 4 needs approval workflows. Posts should go through manager review before publishing. Which tool?
💡 Tip: Think carefully before selecting your answer!
Content Creation
Buffer:
- Basic AI assistant
- Post suggestions
- Hashtag suggestions
Loomly:
- Post ideas (holidays, events)
- RSS feed import
- Content inspiration
Neither has full AI content generation. Both give ideas, neither writes posts for you.
Analytics
Buffer:
- Post performance
- Audience insights
- Engagement tracking
- Clean dashboard
Loomly:
- Post analytics
- Engagement metrics
- Advanced analytics (Standard+)
- White-label reports (Advanced+)
Winner: Tie. Both adequate. Loomly has more depth on higher plans.
Platform Support
Buffer: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/X, LinkedIn, Pinterest, TikTok, YouTube, Mastodon, Bluesky, Threads
Loomly: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/X, LinkedIn, Pinterest, TikTok, YouTube, Snapchat, Google Business
Winner: Buffer. More platforms, including newer ones.
You want to post to Threads and Bluesky. Which tool supports both?
💡 Tip: Think carefully before selecting your answer!
Pros and Cons
Buffer Pros
- ✅ Free plan available
- ✅ Very easy to use
- ✅ More platforms
- ✅ Great browser extension
Buffer Cons
- ❌ Per-channel pricing adds up
- ❌ Basic team features
- ❌ No multi-level approvals
- ❌ No video templates
Loomly Pros
- ✅ Strong collaboration
- ✅ Multi-level approvals
- ✅ Better team pricing
- ✅ Post ideas included
Loomly Cons
- ❌ No free plan
- ❌ No AI content generation
- ❌ Fewer platforms
- ❌ Steeper learning curve
Who Should Use Which?
Pick Buffer if you:
- Work solo
- Want a free option
- Need simple scheduling
- Value ease of use
- Need Threads/Bluesky support
Pick Loomly if you:
- Have a team of 3+
- Need approval workflows
- Want content ideas
- Need white-label reports
- Budget is $40-200/month
Neither Has AI Content Generation
Both tools help with ideas, but neither writes posts for you.
If you need AI content:
Final decision: You're a freelance social media manager handling 5 clients (15 accounts total). You work alone. Buffer or Loomly?
💡 Tip: Think carefully before selecting your answer!
Best Alternative: SocialRails
Neither Buffer nor Loomly has AI content generation. If that matters:
Try SocialRails free →Quick Answers
Is Buffer or Loomly cheaper? Buffer is cheaper for solo users (free plan). Loomly is cheaper for teams of 3+.
Which has better collaboration? Loomly. Multi-level approvals, version history, custom roles.
Does either have AI content? Buffer has a basic AI assistant. Loomly has none. Neither writes full posts.
Which supports more platforms? Buffer. Includes Threads, Bluesky, Mastodon that Loomly doesn't have.
Can I migrate between them? Yes. Export scheduled content from one, recreate in the other. Takes 1-2 hours.
Summary
Buffer: Best for solo creators wanting simplicity and a free plan.
Loomly: Best for teams needing approval workflows and collaboration.
Neither: Has full AI content generation.
Best alternative: SocialRails at $29-99/month with unlimited AI content and video templates.
Done comparing? Try SocialRails instead
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