Buffer vs Metricool
Buffer bills per channel; Metricool bills brand brackets. That’s why the winner flips with team size — see the bills below.
Costed for three teams
| Team shape | Buffer | Metricool | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solo creator · 3 channels · 1 user | $0/mo Free | $0/mo Free | Tie |
| Solo creator · 3 channels · 1 user (monthly billing) | $0/mo Free | $0/mo Free | Tie |
| Small business · 8 channels · 3 users | $80/mo Team | $53/mo Advanced (15 brands) | Metricool |
| Small business · 8 channels · 3 users (monthly billing) | $96/mo Team | $67/mo Advanced (15 brands) | Metricool |
| Agency · 5 clients · 30 channels · 4 users | $300/mo Team | $53/mo Advanced (15 brands) | Metricool |
| Agency · 5 clients · 30 channels · 4 users (monthly billing) | $360/mo Team | $67/mo Advanced (15 brands) | Metricool |
At a glance
| Feature | Buffer | Metricool |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing unit | Per channel | Brand brackets |
| Cheapest paid (annual) | $5/channel | $20 |
| Cheapest paid (monthly) | $6/channel | $25 |
| Entry plan includes | Essentials: per channel · 1 user | Starter (5 brands): 5 brands/sets · users Not listed |
| Forever free | Yes | Yes |
| Trial | 14 days | Not listed |
| Add-ons | No add-ons on the pricing page; cost scales with every connected channel. | Twitter/X is an add-on (price Not listed on the plan cards). |
All plans
Buffer
| Plan | Mo | Yr/mo | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | $0 | per channel · 3 profiles · 1 user |
| Essentials | $6 | $5 | per channel · 1 user |
| Team | $12 | $10 | per channel · unlimited users |
Metricool
| Plan | Mo | Yr/mo | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | $0 | 1 brand/sets · users Not listed |
| Starter (5 brands) | $25 | $20 | 5 brands/sets · users Not listed |
| Starter (10 brands) | $45 | $36 | 10 brands/sets · users Not listed |
| Advanced (15 brands) | $67 | $53 | 15 brands/sets · unlimited users |
| Advanced (25 brands) | $107 | $85 | 25 brands/sets · unlimited users |
| Advanced (50 brands) | $210 | $159 | 50 brands/sets · unlimited users |
| Custom | — | — | unlimited profiles · unlimited users |
Gotchas
Buffer
- Every connected channel is billed — 10 channels on Team is $100/mo (yearly) before tax.
- Essentials is 1 user only; approvals and extra people require Team.
- Volume discounts for large channel counts are not printed on the plan cards.
Metricool
- Twitter/X is a paid add-on — its price is not printed on the plan cards.
- Starter team-member allowance is not spelled out; Advanced shows Unlimited.
- Annual saves “up to 24%”.
FAQ
Is Buffer cheaper than Metricool?
It depends on the pricing unit. Buffer bills per channel; Metricool bills brand brackets. For 8 channels, 3 users, 1 brand, annual billing: Buffer $80/mo on Team vs Metricool $53/mo on Advanced (15 brands).
Do Buffer and Metricool have free plans?
Buffer: Free forever: up to 3 channels, 10 scheduled posts per channel, 1 user, 100 ideas. Metricool: Free forever: 1 brand, 20 scheduled posts/month, 30 days of analytics (LinkedIn and Twitter/X not on Free).
Which one scales better as my team grows?
Per-user tools multiply with every teammate; per-channel tools multiply with every profile; bundle and workspace tools jump in brackets. Enter your exact shape in the calculator on the social scheduling hub.