A comprehensive, feature-by-feature comparison of Buffer and Hootsuite to help you choose the best social media management tool in 2026.
Buffer leads in 1 categories while Hootsuite leads in 7, with 4 ties. Both are capable tools, but for the best value with AI-powered features and a free plan, consider Planify as a modern alternative to both.
See how Buffer and Hootsuite stack up across 12 key features
| Feature | Buffer | Hootsuite |
|---|---|---|
| AI-Powered Scheduling | Better | |
| AI Content Assistant | ||
| Analytics & Reporting | ||
| Team Collaboration | ||
| Bulk Scheduling | Better | |
| RSS Feed Automation | Better | |
| Content Calendar | ||
| Link in Bio | Better | |
| Social Inbox | Better | |
| Custom Reporting | Better | |
| Hashtag Suggestions | Better | |
| Media Library | Better |
The biggest differences between Buffer and Hootsuite that will affect your decision
Buffer offers link in bio while Hootsuite does not. This gives Buffer an edge for users who need this capability.
Hootsuite offers ai-powered scheduling while Buffer does not. This gives Hootsuite an edge for users who need this capability.
Hootsuite offers bulk scheduling while Buffer does not. This gives Hootsuite an edge for users who need this capability.
Hootsuite offers rss feed automation while Buffer does not. This gives Hootsuite an edge for users who need this capability.
Buffer starts at $6/channel/mo vs Hootsuite at $99/mo
Starting at $6/channel/moFree plan available
Starting at $99/mo30-day free trial
Here's our recommendation based on your needs
Common questions about Buffer vs Hootsuite
Both tools are beginner-friendly. Buffer has a simpler interface but fewer features. Planify offers more features in its free tier including AI-powered scheduling and analytics, making it better value for beginners who want to grow.
Yes! Simply connect your social accounts to Planify and start scheduling. Your existing Buffer posts remain unaffected, so you can run both side-by-side during your transition.
Hootsuite starts at $99/mo which is 5x more expensive than Planify Pro ($19/mo). For small-to-medium businesses, Planify offers comparable features at a fraction of the cost. Hootsuite is only worth it for large enterprises needing social listening.
For most teams, yes. Planify offers team collaboration, multi-account management, analytics, and AI features. The main things you'd miss are social listening and some enterprise integrations.
It depends on your needs. Buffer is best for solo creators who need simple scheduling for 1-3 accounts, while Hootsuite is best for large enterprises with dedicated social media teams and big budgets. We recommend trying Planify as an alternative that combines the best of both with AI-powered features and a free plan.
Yes, switching between social media management tools is straightforward. Simply connect your social accounts to the new platform and start scheduling. Your existing posts on the old platform remain unaffected during the transition.
Learn more about Buffer and Hootsuite
Planify combines the best of both worlds with AI-powered scheduling, a generous free plan, and support for 7+ platforms including Bluesky and Threads.