Comparisons

Cheaper Than Postiz: Save on AI Social Media Tools (2026)

Matt
Matt
8 min read

TL;DR - Quick Answer

7 min read

Quick tool comparison. Features, pricing, and what works best for your needs.

Cheaper Than Postiz: Save on AI Social Media Tools

Postiz starts at $23/month for 5 channels with AI features. That's competitive, but there are cheaper options—or better value at similar prices.

Create content, post everywhere

Create posts, images, and carousels with AI. Schedule to 9 platforms in seconds.

Start your free trial

Quick Comparison

ToolPriceAI ContentChannelsBest For
Postiz$23/moLimited5Open-source fans
BufferFree-$6/chBasic3 freeSimplicity
SocialRails$29/moUnlimited27Best AI value
Later$25/moLimited1 setVisual brands
MetricoolFree-$22/moNo5 freeAnalytics

Cheapest Options

Buffer — Free for 3 Channels

Price: Free (3 channels) or $6/channel

The simplest, cheapest option.

FeaturePostizBuffer
Free planNo3 channels
AI contentYesBasic
Ease of useModerateVery easy
Open sourceYesNo

Best for: Solo creators wanting free or minimal cost.

Savings: $276/year vs Postiz Standard.

Buffer Pricing →

Metricool — Free Analytics

Price: Free (5 profiles) or $22/month

Free plan with solid analytics.

FeaturePostizMetricool
Free planNo5 profiles
AI contentYesNo
AnalyticsBasicAdvanced
Competitor trackingNoYes

Best for: Analytics-focused users on a budget.

Savings: $276/year vs Postiz Standard.

Metricool Pricing →

Later — Visual Planning

Price: $25/month

Similar price, visual focus.

FeaturePostizLater
Price$23/mo$25/mo
Grid previewNoYes
AI contentYesLimited
Link in bioNoLinkin.bio

Best for: Instagram-first visual brands.

Extra cost: $24/year more, but specialized for Instagram.

Later Pricing →
Quick Quiz
Easy

You have zero budget and need to schedule posts to 3 social accounts. Which option works?

💡 Tip: Think carefully before selecting your answer!


Best Value Option

SocialRails — Unlimited AI for $29/month

$6 more than Postiz, but unlimited AI content and 350+ video templates.

FeaturePostiz StandardSocialRails
Price$23/mo$29/mo
AI content50 imagesUnlimited
Video templatesLimited350+
Setup timeHours15 minutes
Self-hostingYesNo (managed)

Extra cost: $72/year Value gained: Unlimited AI generation + video templates

The math: If unlimited AI saves 2 hours/week, that's $2,600/year in time (at $25/hr). Paying $72 extra for $2,600 in savings is excellent ROI.

Try SocialRails free →

Self-Hosting: Free Postiz

Postiz is open-source. Self-host for $0/month.

What you need:

  • VPS server ($5-20/month)
  • Docker knowledge
  • Time for maintenance
  • Technical skills

True cost: $60-240/year in server costs + your time.

Best for: Developers who value control over convenience.


Quick Quiz
Medium

You want AI content generation but Postiz's 50 images/month feels limiting. Best move?

💡 Tip: Think carefully before selecting your answer!


Cost Comparison Table

ToolSolo/Year15 Accounts/YearAI Included
Buffer (free)$0$1,080Basic
Metricool (free)$0$264No
Postiz Standard$276$588Limited
Later Starter$300$960Limited
SocialRails$348$348Unlimited
Postiz Agency$948$948More

When Postiz Is Worth It

Stay with Postiz if you:

  • Want open-source flexibility
  • Can self-host to save money
  • Need BlueSky/Mastodon support
  • Value transparency over convenience
  • Are comfortable with technical setup

When to Switch

Switch to cheaper alternatives if you:

  • Need a free plan (Buffer, Metricool)
  • Want unlimited AI without limits (SocialRails)
  • Prefer simpler setup (Buffer)
  • Focus on Instagram visuals (Later)
  • Don't need open-source

Quick Answers

Cheapest Postiz alternative? Buffer is free for 3 channels. Metricool is free for 5 profiles.

Best value alternative? SocialRails at $29/month has unlimited AI vs Postiz's limited AI at $23/month.

Can I use Postiz for free? Yes, self-host the open-source version. Requires technical skills and server costs.

Is $6 more for SocialRails worth it? If you create content regularly, yes. Unlimited AI saves hours weekly.


Bottom Line

Cheaper options:

  • Buffer — Free for 3 channels
  • Metricool — Free for 5 profiles
  • Self-host Postiz — Free (with server costs)

Better value at similar price:

  • SocialRails — $29/mo with unlimited AI

The math: Postiz is affordable, but unlimited AI tools deliver better time savings even at slightly higher prices.

Create content, post everywhere

Create posts, images, and carousels with AI. Schedule to 9 platforms in seconds.

Start your free trial

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