Metricool and Buffer are both popular choices for scheduling social media posts, managing accounts, and tracking performance. Both offer permanent free plans, support team collaboration, and appeal to businesses looking for affordable social media management software.
However, their pricing models work differently. Metricool charges by brand, while Buffer charges by connected social media channel. That distinction can make one platform considerably cheaper than the other, depending on how many brands, profiles, and team members you manage.
Their feature sets also serve different needs. Metricool offers more advanced analytics, competitor tracking, advertising management, and client reporting. Buffer focuses on simplicity, AI-assisted content creation, and straightforward scheduling.
So, which one should you choose?
This comparison examines Metricool vs Buffer pricing, scheduling tools, analytics, AI features, integrations, team collaboration, and supported social networks. It also includes practical cost examples to help you identify which platform offers better value for your business.
Metricool vs Buffer: Quick Verdict
- Metricool pricing: The Free plan covers one brand. Starter begins at $20/month for five brands with annual billing, while Advanced starts at $53/month for 15 brands. Larger plans are available for up to 50 brands.
- Buffer pricing: Essentials starts at $5/month per channel and Team at $10/month per channel on annual billing. Volume discounts apply as you add more channels.
- Free plans: Metricool allows one brand and 20 scheduled posts per month. Buffer allows three channels with 10 scheduled posts per channel.
- Team collaboration: Metricool requires Advanced to add team members, while Buffer includes unlimited team members on its Team plan.
- X/Twitter pricing: Metricool charges an additional $10/month per connected X account on paid plans. Buffer includes X within its standard channel pricing.
- Analytics: Metricool offers more extensive reporting, competitor tracking, and advertising analytics. Buffer provides simpler performance reports and unlimited analytics history on paid plans.
- AI content creation: Buffer includes unlimited AI Assistant usage on paid plans. Metricool uses monthly AI credits, with limits depending on the subscription.
- Best overall fit: Metricool is generally better for agencies managing several client brands. Buffer is a practical choice for solo creators and small teams managing a limited number of social channels.
Metricool vs Buffer at a Glance
| Feature | Metricool | Buffer |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Per brand, with network connection limits | Per connected social channel |
| Free plan | Yes: 1 brand and 20 posts/month | Yes: 3 channels and 10 posts per channel |
| Starting paid price | $20/month for 5 brands, billed annually | $5/month for 1 channel on Essentials, billed annually |
| Team members | None on Free or Starter; unlimited on Advanced and Custom | 1 on Essentials; unlimited on Team |
| X/Twitter access | $10/month per connected account as an add-on | Included in standard channel pricing |
| AI content tools | 5–35 credits per brand/month, depending on tier | Unlimited on every paid plan |
| Competitor tracking | Yes, 5–100 competitors depending on tier | Not offered |
| Approval workflows | Advanced and Custom | Team |
| Reporting | PDF/PPT exports and Data Studio connector on Advanced and above | Branded reports and custom analytics on Essentials and above |
| API access | Advanced and Custom only | All plans, including Free |
| Free trial | Not stated on pricing page; permanent free plan available | 14 days |
Pricing: Per Brand vs Per Channel
Pricing is one of the most important differences between Metricool and Buffer. The platforms count your social media presence differently, so comparing their starting prices alone can be misleading.
How Metricool Pricing Works
Metricool offers four main subscription options: Free, Starter, Advanced, and Custom.
Starter and Advanced are available in different tiers depending on how many brands you manage.
| Plan | Annual billing (per month) | Monthly billing | Brand limit | Team members |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | $0 | 1 | None |
| Starter | $20 | $25 | Up to 5 | None |
| Starter | $36 | $45 | Up to 10 | None |
| Advanced | $53 | $67 | Up to 15 | Unlimited |
| Advanced | $85 | $107 | Up to 25 | Unlimited |
| Advanced | $159 | $210 | Up to 50 | Unlimited |
| Custom | Contact sales | Contact sales | Custom | Unlimited |
Metricool advertises annual savings of up to 24%. The prices shown exclude VAT, which is calculated separately at checkout.
A brand in Metricool’s pricing model represents one business or client identity. You can connect one profile per supported social network to that brand. For example, connecting Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok, and YouTube for the same business still counts as one brand rather than five separate brands.
This structure can be particularly useful for agencies that manage multiple clients.
The important limitation is team access.
Metricool’s Free and Starter plans do not include team members. Even if you manage only one brand, you need Advanced if another person needs their own login.
For example, a two-person team managing one brand would need the Advanced plan, starting at $53/month with annual billing, rather than the $20/month Starter plan.
That means the cost of Metricool can increase significantly when you move from individual use to team collaboration.
How Buffer Pricing Works
Buffer uses a per-channel pricing model. Its Essentials and Team plans charge according to the number of connected social media accounts.
The first channel starts at $5/month for Essentials and $10/month for Team with annual billing. Monthly billing costs more, while volume discounts reduce the per-channel price as you add accounts.
| Connected channels | Essentials monthly | Essentials yearly | Team monthly | Team yearly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $6/month | $5/month | $12/month | $10/month |
| 5 | $30/month | $25/month | $60/month | $50/month |
| 10 | $60/month | $50/month | $120/month | $100/month |
| 25 | $120/month | $100/month | $180/month | $150/month |
Unlike Metricool, Buffer Team includes unlimited team members without an additional per-seat charge.
The total subscription cost depends on the number of connected channels, not how many employees or colleagues need access.
For example, a team of five people managing 10 channels would pay approximately $100/month on the annual Team plan. Adding more users does not increase that amount.
Real-World Cost Comparisons
The pricing difference becomes clearer when you consider common business situations.
Scenario 1: One person managing one brand across five social networks
Metricool Starter costs $20/month on annual billing and includes up to five brands. If all five social profiles belong to one business, you use only one brand slot.
Buffer Essentials costs approximately $25/month on annual billing for five channels.
In this situation, Metricool’s Starter plan costs less, although it includes capacity for additional brands. Buffer charges more because each connected social account is billed separately.
Scenario 2: One person managing five separate brands
Metricool Starter costs $20/month for up to five brands on annual billing.
Buffer charges based on the total number of connected channels. If each brand has two social profiles, that means 10 channels and an annual Team subscription of approximately $100/month.
Metricool is likely to offer better value for this type of multi-brand setup, particularly when each brand has only a few connected profiles.
Scenario 3: A team of three managing one brand
Metricool requires Advanced as soon as a second team member needs access. The 15-brand Advanced plan costs $53/month on annual billing, regardless of whether you manage one brand or 15.
Buffer Team costs approximately $30/month on annual billing for three channels, with all three users included.
For a small team managing one brand across three channels, Buffer is considerably cheaper.
Scenario 4: An agency managing 15 brands with five employees
Metricool Advanced costs $53/month on annual billing for up to 15 brands and includes unlimited team members.
Buffer charges by channel. Even if each brand has only one connected channel, 15 channels cost approximately $150/month on the annual Team plan. Adding more social networks for each client increases the cost further.
For an agency managing many separate brands, Metricool’s per-brand model can provide substantial savings.
Don’t forget the X/Twitter add-on.
Metricool charges $10/month for each connected X account on its paid plans. If you manage five X profiles, that adds $50/month to your subscription.
Buffer includes X within its normal per-channel pricing, with no separate X-specific add-on.
If X is an important part of your publishing strategy, include this additional Metricool cost when comparing plans.
Which Pricing Model Is Better?
The answer depends on how your accounts are organised.
- Metricool is generally more affordable when you manage several separate brands with relatively few profiles per brand.
- Buffer can be cheaper for a small team managing a limited number of channels.
- Metricool offers unlimited team members on Advanced, making it attractive for larger agency teams.
- Buffer offers a lower-cost route to team collaboration through its Team plan.
- Metricool’s X/Twitter add-on can increase the actual subscription cost beyond the advertised plan price.
Metricool vs Buffer: Feature Comparison
Both tools cover the essential tasks involved in social media management, but their strengths are different. Metricool focuses more on analytics and multi-brand management, while Buffer prioritises ease of use and AI-assisted content creation.
1. Analytics and Reporting
Metricool has a clear advantage when it comes to reporting and competitor analysis.
Its paid plans include:
- Unlimited analytics history
- PDF and PowerPoint report exports
- Automated monthly report delivery
- Customisable reporting templates
- Competitor tracking
- Data Studio (Looker Studio) integration on Advanced and above
Metricool’s competitor tracking supports between five and 100 competitors, depending on the plan.
These features are useful for agencies that need to prepare regular client reports, compare social media performance, and monitor competitors.
Buffer also provides useful analytics, including advanced performance reports, branded reports, and custom analytics on Essentials and Team.
However, Buffer does not offer a Data Studio-style reporting connector, the same PDF/PPT export workflow, or competitor tracking.
Which platform has better analytics?
Metricool is the stronger choice for agencies, marketers, and businesses that need detailed reporting and competitor benchmarking.
Buffer is suitable for users who want to understand how their content performs without managing complex reporting dashboards.
2. AI Content Creation Tools
Buffer has an advantage in AI usage because it does not impose monthly credit limits on its paid plans.
Its AI Assistant helps users:
- Generate social media captions
- Develop post ideas
- Improve existing content
- Create content suggestions for different platforms
Metricool offers an AI Social Media Assistant, but its usage is limited by monthly credits.
| Metricool plan | AI credits per brand/month |
|---|---|
| Free | 5 |
| Starter | 20 |
| Advanced | 35 |
| Custom | Unlimited |
AI Alt Text generation also consumes credits on Free and Starter, but not on Advanced and Custom.
This means users who regularly generate captions, ideas, and other social content may need to monitor their Metricool credit allowance.
Which platform is better for AI content creation?
Buffer is the more flexible option for frequent AI-assisted content creation because its paid plans include unlimited AI Assistant usage.
Metricool can still be useful for occasional AI assistance, but its credit limits are worth considering if you publish frequently across multiple brands.
3. Team Collaboration and Approval Workflows
Both platforms offer collaboration features, but they make them available at different price points.
Metricool requires Advanced before you can add team members. Once subscribed, you get unlimited team access, along with:
- Role management
- Client management
- Post approval workflows
- Team collaboration
This makes Metricool suitable for agencies that need to organise access across multiple client brands.
Buffer requires the Team plan to unlock unlimited users and approval workflows.
Its collaboration features include:
- Unlimited team members
- Content approval workflows
- Custom access controls
Buffer’s Team plan is a more affordable way to introduce collaboration, particularly for small teams managing only a few channels.
Metricool offers more detailed client and role management, while Buffer provides a simpler team setup.
Which platform is better for teams?
Buffer is usually more affordable for small teams that need multiple users and basic approval workflows.
Metricool is more suitable for agencies that need to manage multiple clients and organise team permissions in greater detail.
4. Integrations and Automation
Both platforms connect with external tools, but their integration options serve somewhat different workflows.
Metricool integrations include:
- Google Drive
- Canva
- Adobe Express
- Zapier
- Make
- Looker Studio
- WordPress
- Shopify
- Squarespace
- Wix
- Joomla
Metricool also offers Flows as an additional automation feature. The cited pricing is $12/month for 2,500 monthly executions.
Buffer integrations include:
- Canva
- Zapier
- Google Drive
- Dropbox
- OneDrive
- IFTTT
- Make
- Microsoft Power Automate
- n8n
- ChatGPT
- Claude
- Grok
- Perplexity
Buffer lists 25 app integrations, including connections through automation platforms.
API access is another important difference:
- Buffer offers API access on every plan, including Free.
- Metricool reserves API access for Advanced and Custom.
If you need custom integrations or want to connect your social media workflow with AI agents and automation tools, Buffer’s API availability across all plans is a useful advantage.
5. Supported Social Media Networks
The platforms support many of the same social networks, but each has a few unique options.
Metricool supports:
- Threads
- X/Twitter (paid add-on)
- Bluesky
- TikTok
- YouTube
- Twitch
- Google Business Profile
Metricool also supports advertising management for Facebook Ads, Google Ads, and TikTok Ads.
Buffer supports:
- TikTok
- X
- YouTube
- Threads
- Google Business Profile
- Bluesky
- Mastodon
Buffer also offers Start Page, its own link-in-bio tool.
The key differences are:
- Buffer supports Mastodon, which Metricool does not list.
- Metricool supports Twitch, which Buffer does not list.
- Metricool offers Facebook Ads, Google Ads, and TikTok Ads management.
- Buffer does not offer advertising campaign management.
If your business manages paid and organic social campaigns together, Metricool’s advertising features may be useful.
6. Free Plan Comparison
Both platforms offer permanent free plans, but their restrictions are different.
Metricool Free includes:
- One brand
- 20 scheduled posts per month
- Five tracked competitors
- 30-day analytics history
- No LinkedIn access
- No X/Twitter access
- No team members
Buffer Free includes:
- Three connected channels
- 10 scheduled posts per channel
- Up to 30 scheduled posts across three channels
- Unlimited AI Assistant usage
- Basic analytics with 30-day history
- Access to supported networks, including X
- No credit card required
Buffer’s free plan is more flexible for users who want to manage several social accounts without paying.
Metricool’s free plan is useful for testing its analytics and brand-based organisation, but the 20-post monthly limit and network restrictions make it less practical for regular publishing across several platforms.
Which platform has the better free plan?
Buffer offers more usable publishing capacity for someone who wants to manage multiple social channels at no cost.
Metricool may be worth testing if you specifically want to explore its reporting and competitor-analysis features.
Which Platform Is Easier to Use?
Buffer is designed around a straightforward social media publishing workflow. Its interface applies a consistent process across connected channels, making it relatively easy for new users to understand.
You can connect your accounts, prepare content, schedule posts, and review performance without navigating a large reporting environment.
Metricool offers more features, particularly for agencies and marketers who need analytics, competitor tracking, advertising data, and client reporting. That added functionality creates a more detailed interface and a steeper initial learning curve.
The choice depends on what you need from your dashboard.
Buffer is a better fit if:
- You are a solo creator or freelancer.
- You manage one brand across a few social networks.
- You want to schedule posts quickly.
- You prefer a simple interface.
- You do not need extensive competitor reporting.
Metricool is a better fit if:
- You manage several client brands.
- You prepare regular performance reports.
- You need competitor tracking.
- You manage paid and organic campaigns.
- You want a central dashboard for multiple clients.
If your main goal is to publish consistently without spending time learning advanced reporting tools, Buffer is generally easier to get started with.
If you manage client accounts and need professional reports, Metricool’s additional complexity can be worthwhile.
Metricool vs Buffer: Pros and Cons
Metricool
Advantages
- Per-brand pricing can be cost-effective for multi-brand agencies.
- Unlimited team members are included on Advanced and Custom.
- Detailed analytics and competitor tracking.
- PDF and PowerPoint report exports.
- Advertising management for Facebook Ads, Google Ads, and TikTok Ads.
- Permanent free plan available.
- Supports a wide range of social networks.
Disadvantages
- No team member access on Free or Starter.
- X/Twitter requires a separate $10/month-per-account add-on on paid plans.
- AI usage is limited by credits on Free, Starter, and Advanced.
- API access is restricted to Advanced and Custom.
- Advanced is a significant price increase for users who only need a second login.
- VAT is calculated separately at checkout.
Buffer
Advantages
- Unlimited AI Assistant usage on every paid plan.
- Unlimited team members on Team without additional seat charges.
- API access available on all plans, including Free.
- Permanent free plan with three channels.
- Simple and consistent interface.
- Supports a broad range of social networks.
- Includes X within standard channel pricing.
Disadvantages
- No competitor tracking.
- No dedicated social listening feature.
- No advertising campaign management.
- Per-channel pricing can become expensive when managing many separate brands.
- Reporting features are less extensive than Metricool’s agency-focused toolkit.
Metricool vs Buffer: Final Verdict
Metricool and Buffer are both capable social media management platforms, but they offer better value in different situations.
Choose Metricool if you manage multiple brands or work with several clients.
Its per-brand pricing can be much more economical than paying separately for every connected social channel. Advanced also includes unlimited team members, competitor tracking, and more detailed reporting tools.
For agencies that need client dashboards, performance reports, and advertising analytics, Metricool offers a broader set of management features.
Choose Buffer if you manage one brand or a smaller number of social channels.
Its simpler pricing model, unlimited AI Assistant usage on paid plans, and unlimited users on Team make it a practical option for creators, freelancers, and small marketing teams.
Buffer is also a better starting point if you want to manage social media without paying for advanced analytics or advertising features.
The most important factor is how your social accounts are structured. Metricool charges by brand, while Buffer charges by channel. Calculate your actual number of brands, connected profiles, and team members before deciding which subscription is more affordable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Metricool or Buffer Cheaper?
It depends on how many brands and channels you manage.
Metricool is generally more affordable for agencies managing several separate brands because it charges by brand and includes unlimited team members on Advanced.
Buffer can be cheaper for solo users and small teams managing one brand across a few social networks. Its Team plan includes unlimited users, and its per-channel pricing can be easier to budget for smaller setups.
Does Metricool or Buffer Have a Better Free Plan?
Buffer offers a more flexible free plan for social media publishing.
It includes three connected channels and 10 scheduled posts per channel, with access to supported networks including X.
Metricool’s free plan is limited to one brand and 20 scheduled posts per month. It also excludes LinkedIn and X/Twitter access.
If you want to manage multiple social accounts without paying, Buffer is generally the better choice.
Do I Need to Pay Extra for X/Twitter on Metricool or Buffer?
Metricool charges an additional $10/month for each connected X account on its paid plans.
Buffer includes X within its standard per-channel pricing, so there is no separate X-specific fee.
If you manage several X profiles, include Metricool’s additional charges when comparing the total subscription cost.
Which Platform Is Better for Competitor Analysis?
Metricool is the better option for competitor tracking.
It offers competitor analytics across its plans, with the number of tracked competitors varying by subscription tier. Paid plans can support up to 100 tracked competitors.
Buffer does not offer a competitor-tracking feature.
Does Metricool or Buffer Charge Per Team Member?
Neither platform charges a direct additional seat fee once you subscribe to a plan that supports team access, but their requirements differ.
Metricool requires Advanced, starting at $53/month on annual billing, before you can add team members. It then allows unlimited team members.
Buffer unlocks unlimited users on Team, which starts at approximately $10/month for one channel with annual billing.
Which Platform Has Better AI Content Tools?
Buffer offers unlimited AI Assistant usage on every paid plan, making it suitable for users who regularly generate captions, ideas, and content suggestions.
Metricool uses monthly AI credits. The allowance ranges from five credits on Free to 35 on Advanced, with unlimited credits available on Custom.
If you rely heavily on AI for daily social media content, Buffer offers more flexibility.
Can Metricool or Buffer Manage Advertising Campaigns?
Metricool supports advertising management for Facebook Ads, Google Ads, and TikTok Ads.
Buffer does not include advertising campaign management.
If you want to manage paid advertising alongside organic social media activity, Metricool has the advantage.
Which Is Easier to Learn: Metricool or Buffer?
Buffer is generally easier to learn because its interface focuses on a straightforward publishing and scheduling workflow.
Metricool has more advanced reporting, competitor analysis, and multi-brand management features. These capabilities make the interface more detailed, so new users may need more time to become familiar with it.
Does Either Platform Offer API Access on Its Free Plan?
Buffer provides API access on every plan, including Free.
Metricool restricts API access to Advanced and Custom subscriptions.
If you need to build custom integrations or connect your social media workflow to other applications, Buffer offers more accessible API access.
Is Metricool or Buffer Better for a Five-Person Team?
The answer depends on how many brands and channels the team manages.
A five-person team using Metricool Advanced for up to 15 brands pays approximately $53/month on annual billing, regardless of the number of team members.
A five-person team using Buffer Team and managing 10 channels pays approximately $100/month on annual billing. All five users are included.
Metricool may be more economical for an agency managing multiple client brands. Buffer can be more practical for a team managing fewer channels that values unlimited AI usage and a simpler publishing workflow.
Read Also:
I am the author of this blog from Saandip Kumar Jha from Aitechtonic.com. Through this website, I give website blog AI & Tech News updates which I have learned and understood from my experience.
Discover more from AiTechtonic - AI & Informative News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.