Buffer vs Sprout Social
Buffer rates 4.5/5 and starts at Free. Sprout Social rates 4.4/5 and starts at $199/mo. Buffer is the cheaper entry point. Buffer is the higher rated. Only Buffer has a free tier.
Buffer rates higher (4.5/5 vs 4.4/5). Buffer is cheaper to start (Free vs $199/mo). Buffer suits Creators & small businesses, while Sprout Social is aimed at Brands & agencies.
Buffer vs Sprout Social at a glance
| Measure | Buffer | Sprout Social |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5/5 | 4.4/5 |
| Reviews | 6,100 | 4,200 |
| Starting price | Free | $199/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | No |
| Public API | Yes | Yes |
| Integrations listed here | 5 | 5 |
Feature & pricing comparison
| Comparison | ||
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5 | 4.4 |
| Starting price | Free | $199/mo |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Paid |
| API available | ||
| Best for | Creators & small businesses | Brands & agencies |
| Scheduling & queue | ||
| Per-channel pricing | ||
| Basic analytics | ||
| Landing page builder | ||
| AI assistant | ||
| Smart inbox | ||
| Advanced analytics | ||
| Social listening | ||
| Scheduling | ||
| Approval workflows | ||
| Visit | Visit |
Pricing side by side
Buffer
Full pricing →| Plan | Price | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | — |
| Essentials | $6/mo | $72 |
| Team | $12/mo | $144 |
Sprout Social
Full pricing →| Plan | Price | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | $199/mo | $2,388 |
| Professional | $299/mo | $3,588 |
| Advanced | $399/mo | $4,788 |
Which should you choose?
Choose Buffer if…
- Very easy to use matters to you.
- Cheap per-channel pricing matters to you.
- Good free plan matters to you.
- Expensive would be a problem.
Choose Sprout Social if…
- Best-in-class reporting matters to you.
- Powerful inbox matters to you.
- Strong listening 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
Sprout Social
Pros
- Best-in-class reporting
- Powerful inbox
- Strong listening
Cons
- Expensive
- Per-user pricing adds up
Frequently asked questions
Is Buffer better than Sprout Social?+
Buffer rates higher (4.5/5 vs 4.4/5). Buffer is cheaper to start (Free vs $199/mo). Buffer suits Creators & small businesses, while Sprout Social is aimed at Brands & agencies.
Which is cheaper, Buffer or Sprout Social?+
Buffer — it starts at Free, versus $199/mo for Sprout Social.
Do Buffer or Sprout Social have a free plan?+
Buffer has a free tier; Sprout Social does not (though trials may be available).
Which is better rated, Buffer or Sprout Social?+
Buffer, at 4.5/5 across 6,100 reviews, versus 4.4/5 for Sprout Social.
What is Buffer best for, and what is Sprout Social best for?+
Buffer is aimed at Creators & small businesses (solo creators, small business posting). Sprout Social is aimed at Brands & agencies (brand social teams, agencies).