Free-plan desk Buffer free plan limits
3 channels, 10 scheduled posts per channel, 1 user. Buffer Free works for a solo creator posting a few times a week. The cap is on the queue, not on posts per month: publish one and you can schedule another.
The limits at a glance
What's included on Free
- Scheduling to up to 3 connected channels
- 100 content ideas and post templates
- One user account
What needs a paid plan
- Unlimited scheduled posts per channel (Essentials)
- Unlimited ideas (Essentials)
- Unlimited team members, approvals and access levels (Team)
- More than 3 channels
What the paid plans cost
Per-channel or per-account prices, from the verified plan list on our Buffer pricing page.
| Plan | Billed monthly | Billed annually (per month) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essentials | $6 | $5 | Per channel: $6 monthly or $5/mo billed yearly ($60/channel/yr). 1 user account. |
| Team | $12 | $10 | Per channel: $12 monthly or $10/mo billed yearly ($120/channel/yr). Unlimited team members, approvals, access levels. |
How Buffer Free compares
| Tool | Free plan? | What the free tier allows |
|---|---|---|
| Buffer | Yes | Free forever: up to 3 channels, 10 scheduled posts per channel, 1 user, 100 ideas. |
| Hootsuite | No | No free plan on the plans page. Free 14-day trial; trial accounts have daily posting limits. |
| Later | No | No free plan on the pricing page. 14-day free trial. |
| Sprout Social | No | No free plan. Free 30-day trial. |
| Metricool | Yes | Free forever: 1 brand, 20 scheduled posts/month, 30 days of analytics (LinkedIn and Twitter/X not on Free). |
| Publer | Yes | Free forever: 3 social accounts (except X), 1 user, 10 scheduled posts per account, 24-hour post history. |
| SocialBee | No | No free plan. 14-day free trial, 30-day money-back guarantee. |
| Planable | Yes | First 50 posts free, no time limit, no credit card (a free allowance, not an ongoing plan). |
| Agorapulse | Yes | 30-day free trial, no card. Pricing FAQ says you can keep using a free plan — limits Not listed on the pricing page. |
| SocialPilot | No | No free plan. 14-day free trial, no credit card. |
| Loomly | No | No free plan; free trial offered (length Not listed on the pricing page). 50% lifetime nonprofit discount. |
| Sendible | No | No free plan. 14-day free trial, no card. |
- Buffer pricing page — checked 2026-10-29
Vendors change free plans without notice. Confirm on the vendor page before you rely on a limit. See our affiliate disclosure.
Buffer free plan FAQ
How many posts can you schedule on Buffer's free plan?
Buffer Free allows 10 scheduled posts per channel at any one time across up to 3 channels, refilled as posts publish (Buffer pricing page, checked 2026-10-29).
Is there a monthly post limit on Buffer Free?
No monthly cap is listed. The limit is 10 queued posts per channel, which refills when a post goes out.
How much is Buffer after the free plan?
Essentials is $5 per channel per month billed yearly ($6 monthly) and Team is $10 per channel per month yearly ($12 monthly) with unlimited team members.
Can a team share Buffer Free?
No. Free and Essentials include 1 user account; Team adds unlimited team members.