A comprehensive, feature-by-feature comparison of Buffer and Publer to help you choose the best social media management tool in 2026.
Buffer leads in 0 categories while Publer leads in 5, with 7 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 Publer stack up across 12 key features
| Feature | Buffer | Publer |
|---|---|---|
| AI-Powered Scheduling | Better | |
| AI Content Assistant | ||
| Analytics & Reporting | ||
| Team Collaboration | ||
| Bulk Scheduling | Better | |
| RSS Feed Automation | Better | |
| Content Calendar | ||
| Link in Bio | ||
| Social Inbox | ||
| Custom Reporting | ||
| Hashtag Suggestions | Better | |
| Media Library | Better |
The biggest differences between Buffer and Publer that will affect your decision
Publer offers ai-powered scheduling while Buffer does not. This gives Publer an edge for users who need this capability.
Publer offers bulk scheduling while Buffer does not. This gives Publer an edge for users who need this capability.
Publer offers rss feed automation while Buffer does not. This gives Publer an edge for users who need this capability.
Publer offers hashtag suggestions while Buffer does not. This gives Publer an edge for users who need this capability.
Buffer starts at $6/channel/mo vs Publer at $12/mo
Starting at $6/channel/moFree plan available
Starting at $12/moFree plan available
Here's our recommendation based on your needs
Common questions about Buffer vs Publer
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.
Publer Pro is $12/mo vs Planify Pro at $19/mo. However, Planify's free plan offers 30 posts vs Publer's 10. Planify includes more advanced AI features and a more polished interface at both tiers.
Yes, Publer offers a free plan with 3 accounts and 10 scheduled posts. Planify's free plan is more generous with 30 posts/month and AI features included.
It depends on your needs. Buffer is best for solo creators who need simple scheduling for 1-3 accounts, while Publer is best for budget-conscious users wanting multi-platform scheduling. 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 Publer
Planify combines the best of both worlds with AI-powered scheduling, a generous free plan, and support for 7+ platforms including Bluesky and Threads.