Buffer vs Later
Buffer rates 4.5/5 and starts at Free. Later rates 4.4/5 and starts at Free. Buffer is the higher rated.
Verdict
Buffer rates higher (4.5/5 vs 4.4/5). Buffer suits Creators & small businesses, while Later is aimed at Creators & small brands.
Buffer vs Later at a glance
| Measure | Buffer | Later |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5/5 | 4.4/5 |
| Reviews | 6,100 | 3,300 |
| Starting price | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Public API | Yes | No |
| Integrations listed here | 5 | 5 |
Feature & pricing comparison
| Comparison | ||
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5 | 4.4 |
| Starting price | Free | Free |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| API available | ||
| Best for | Creators & small businesses | Creators & small brands |
| Scheduling & queue | ||
| Per-channel pricing | ||
| Basic analytics | ||
| Landing page builder | ||
| AI assistant | ||
| Visual content calendar | ||
| Link in bio | ||
| Best-time-to-post | ||
| Hashtag suggestions | ||
| Media library | ||
| Visit | Visit |
Pricing side by side
Buffer
Full pricing →| Plan | Price | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | — |
| Essentials | $6/mo | $72 |
| Team | $12/mo | $144 |
Later
Full pricing →| Plan | Price | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | — |
| Starter | $25/mo | $300 |
| Growth | $45/mo | $540 |
Which should you choose?
Pick Buffer if you prioritize Creators & small businesses
Pick Later if you prioritize Creators & small brands
Choose Buffer if…
- Very easy to use matters to you.
- Cheap per-channel pricing matters to you.
- Good free plan matters to you.
- Post limits per plan would be a problem.
Choose Later if…
- Great visual planning matters to you.
- Strong for Instagram matters to you.
- Link-in-bio included matters to you.
- Lighter analytics would be a problem.
Buffer
Pros
- Very easy to use
- Cheap per-channel pricing
- Good free plan
Cons
- Lighter analytics
- No social inbox on low tiers
Later
Pros
- Great visual planning
- Strong for Instagram
- Link-in-bio included
Cons
- Post limits per plan
- Lighter analytics
Frequently asked questions
Is Buffer better than Later?+
Buffer rates higher (4.5/5 vs 4.4/5). Buffer suits Creators & small businesses, while Later is aimed at Creators & small brands.
Which is cheaper, Buffer or Later?+
Buffer starts at Free and Later starts at Free.
Do Buffer or Later have a free plan?+
Both offer a free tier, so you can trial either without paying.
Which is better rated, Buffer or Later?+
Buffer, at 4.5/5 across 6,100 reviews, versus 4.4/5 for Later.
What is Buffer best for, and what is Later best for?+
Buffer is aimed at Creators & small businesses (solo creators, small business posting). Later is aimed at Creators & small brands (instagram-first brands, creators).