Comparisons

Viraly vs Buffer 2026: AI Power vs Simple Scheduling

Matt
Matt
8 min read

TL;DR - Quick Answer

7 min read

See which tool is better for you. We compare pricing, features, and ease of use.

Viraly: Best for users who want AI caption generation and fixed monthly pricing. (Full Viraly review)

Buffer: Best for users who want simplicity and unlimited posts per channel. (Full Buffer review)

AI-focused users pick Viraly. Simplicity seekers pick Buffer.

Better alternative

Why compare? Get more for less with SocialRails

Post images, videos & carousels to 9 platforms. AI helps with captions.

These tools
$19/month
Basic AI
SocialRails
$29/month flat
Unlimited AI
Unlimited AI content
Image, video & carousel
9 platforms
Start free trial

Cancel anytime

30-Second Answer

FactorWinner
Price (few channels)Buffer
Price (many channels)Viraly
AI featuresViraly
SimplicityBuffer
Post limitsBuffer
Platform supportViraly
Free planTie

Pricing Comparison

Viraly

PlanMonthlyProfilesPosts/Month
Free$0310
Influencer$195200
Business$4915500
Agency$9950Unlimited

Buffer

PlanMonthlyChannelsPosts
Free$0310/channel
Essentials$6/channelUnlimitedUnlimited
Team$12/channelUnlimitedUnlimited
Agency$12010 includedUnlimited

Key difference: Viraly has flat pricing with post limits. Buffer charges per channel with unlimited posts.


Where Each Tool Wins

Buffer Wins: Simplicity

Simplicity FactorViralyBuffer
InterfaceGoodExcellent
Learning curveModerateNearly zero
Queue systemGoodIntuitive
Mobile appGoodExcellent
Browser extensionBasicPolished

Buffer is the easiest scheduling tool to use.


Viraly Wins: AI Features

AI FeatureViralyBuffer
Caption generationYesNo
Hashtag suggestionsYesBasic
Content ideasYesNo
Brand voice matchingYesNo
AI AssistantYesBasic

Viraly includes AI features that Buffer lacks.


Viraly Wins: Platform Support

PlatformViralyBuffer
InstagramYesYes
TikTokYesYes
FacebookYesYes
X/TwitterYesYes
LinkedInYesYes
PinterestYesYes
ThreadsYesYes
BlueskyYesNo
MastodonYesYes
YouTubeYesYes

Viraly supports Bluesky. Buffer does not.


Buffer Wins: Unlimited Posts

Plan LevelViraly PostsBuffer Posts
Entry paid200/monthUnlimited
Mid tier500/monthUnlimited
Top tierUnlimitedUnlimited

Buffer offers unlimited posts on all paid plans. Viraly has post limits until Agency tier.


Feature Comparison

FeatureViralyBuffer
Starting price$0$0
Paid starting$19/mo flat$6/channel
AI contentYesBasic
Post limitsYes (until Agency)No
AnalyticsGoodGood
Link in bioYesYes
Content recyclingYesNo
Team featuresBusiness+Team+

Cost Comparison by Use Case

Light User (3 channels, moderate posting)

ToolMonthly Cost
Buffer Essentials$18 (3 x $6)
Viraly Influencer$19

Winner: Buffer - $1/month cheaper with unlimited posts.

Growing Creator (5 channels, heavy posting)

ToolMonthly Cost
Buffer Essentials$30 (5 x $6)
Viraly Business$49

Winner: Buffer - $19/month cheaper for 5 channels.

Agency (10+ channels, need AI)

ToolMonthly Cost
Buffer Essentials$60 (10 x $6)
Viraly Agency$99

Winner: Buffer on price, but Viraly has better AI and 50 profiles included.


Who Should Pick What

Choose Viraly if you:

  • Want AI caption generation
  • Need help writing content
  • Manage many profiles (15+)
  • Want fixed monthly pricing
  • Need Bluesky support
  • Value AI over simplicity

Choose Buffer if you:

  • Prioritize ease of use
  • Want unlimited posts
  • Manage few channels (under 10)
  • Prefer per-channel pricing
  • Want the cleanest interface
  • Do not need AI features

Neither Is Perfect

Both tools lack:

MissingViralyBuffer
Social listeningNoNo
Advanced analyticsBasicBasic
Video editingNoNo
Team workflowsBasicBasic

Better Alternative

Want AI AND unlimited posts?

FeatureViralyBufferSocialRails
Price$19/mo$30/mo (5ch)$29/mo
Posts200/moUnlimitedUnlimited
AI contentYesBasicUnlimited
Profiles55Unlimited
Video templatesNoNo350+
Try SocialRails free

Quick Answers

Which is cheaper? Depends on channels. Buffer is cheaper for 1-5 channels. Viraly can be cheaper for 10+ channels.

Which has AI features? Viraly. Buffer has basic AI for repurposing, not content creation.

Which is simpler to use? Buffer. It is the easiest social scheduling tool available.

Which has unlimited posts? Buffer on all paid plans. Viraly limits posts until Agency ($99/mo).

Which supports more platforms? Viraly (includes Bluesky). Buffer covers most but not Bluesky.


Bottom Line

Viraly: Best for users who want AI-powered content creation and manage many profiles with fixed monthly pricing.

Buffer: Best for simplicity seekers who want unlimited posts with clean, easy-to-use scheduling.

Best alternative: SocialRails at $29/month with unlimited posts, unlimited AI, and video templates.

3-day free trial

Done comparing? Try SocialRails instead

Post images, videos & carousels to 9 platforms. AI helps with captions. One flat price.

$29
per month
AI content
9
platforms
Start free trial

Comparisons:

Reviews and Pricing:

Alternatives:

Was this article helpful?

Let us know what you think!

#SocialMedia#ContentStrategy#DigitalMarketing

📚 Continue Learning

More articles to boost your social media expertise