Buffer vs Later (2026 comparison)
Buffer and Later are both social media management tools. Buffer is best for solo creators and small teams wanting a simple, affordable per-channel scheduling tool (free plan for up to 3 channels and 10 scheduled posts; paid Essentials from about $5 per channel per month billed annually ($6 monthly), Team from about $10 per channel per month billed annually ($12 monthly)). Later is best for creators and small brands focused on Instagram and visual content, with a genuine free plan to start on (free plan for one social set with a limited number of scheduled posts a month (documented on Later's own help centre, separate from its 14-day paid trial); paid Starter from about $18.75 per month billed annually ($25 monthly), 1 user, 1 social set, 30 posts per profile a month).
Pricing and features verified against each vendor's published information on 2026-09-18. Sources linked below.
At a glance
| Feature | Buffer | Later |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing from | Free plan for up to 3 channels and 10 scheduled posts; paid Essentials from about $5 per channel per month billed annually ($6 monthly), Team from about $10 per channel per month billed annually ($12 monthly) | Free plan for one social set with a limited number of scheduled posts a month (documented on Later's own help centre, separate from its 14-day paid trial); paid Starter from about $18.75 per month billed annually ($25 monthly), 1 user, 1 social set, 30 posts per profile a month |
| Best for | solo creators and small teams wanting a simple, affordable per-channel scheduling tool | creators and small brands focused on Instagram and visual content, with a genuine free plan to start on |
| Founded | 2010 | 2014 |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android | Web, iOS, Android |
Quick verdict
Choose Buffer for solo creators and small teams wanting a simple, affordable per-channel scheduling tool. Choose Later for creators and small brands focused on Instagram and visual content, with a genuine free plan to start on. Both are compared on published information only, so confirm current pricing at each source below.
More options
Sources
FAQ
- Is Buffer or Later cheaper?
- As published, Buffer starts at Free plan for up to 3 channels and 10 scheduled posts; paid Essentials from about $5 per channel per month billed annually ($6 monthly), Team from about $10 per channel per month billed annually ($12 monthly) and Later starts at Free plan for one social set with a limited number of scheduled posts a month (documented on Later's own help centre, separate from its 14-day paid trial); paid Starter from about $18.75 per month billed annually ($25 monthly), 1 user, 1 social set, 30 posts per profile a month. Verify current pricing at each vendor.
- Does Buffer have a free plan?
- Yes, Buffer has a free plan as of 2026-09-18.