Metricool vs Buffer: which should you choose?
Quick answer: Metricool is built for analytics & reporting, while Buffer suits solo creators & freelancers. For most users Metricool is the stronger default, but Buffer can be the better fit depending on your budget and use case.
If you're weighing Metricool against Buffer, the right answer depends on your priorities. Below we compare them on pricing, strengths and the use cases each one fits, then give a clear verdict.
Side-by-side
| Metricool | Buffer | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | scheduling & analytics | scheduling & publishing |
| What it's known for | Combined scheduler plus deep analytics and competitor/ad reporting, with one of the most generous free plans in the niche. | Clean, beginner-friendly scheduler and link-in-bio (Start Page) loved by creators and small teams who want simplicity over feature bloat. |
| Pricing | Free plan; Starter from ~$22/mo; Advanced ~$54/mo; Custom/agency tiers higher (billed annually). | Free plan (3 channels); Essentials from ~$5/channel/mo; Team ~$10/channel/mo (billed annually). Add channels a la carte. |
| Best audience | Data-driven marketers and agencies wanting analytics plus a strong free tier. | Solo creators, freelancers and beginners cross-posting on a budget. |
| Best for | Analytics & reporting, Generous free tier, Tracking ads + organic together | Solo creators & freelancers, Beginners wanting simplicity, Cross-posting on a budget |
| Entry price | Free | Free |
| Biggest strength | Best-in-class analytics for the price range. | Genuine forever-free plan (3 channels, 10 scheduled posts each). |
| Main caveat | Free plan excludes LinkedIn; X requires a paid add-on. | Per-channel pricing scales expensively for many accounts. |
Features compared
Beyond the spec sheet, these are the capabilities that define each tool:
Metricool key features
- Combined scheduler and deep analytics
- Organic + paid (ads) reporting in one place
- Competitor tracking (up to 100 profiles)
- Customizable PDF/PPT reports and Looker Studio connector
Buffer key features
- Scheduling and publishing with a clean calendar and queue
- Free, unlimited AI Assistant for captions and ideas
- Start Page link-in-bio landing pages
- Community inbox plus comment insights (turn comments into posts)
Pricing tiers side by side
Metricool plans
| Plan | Price | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | 1 brand, ~20-50 posts/mo, no LinkedIn/X |
| Starter | ~$22/mo | Up to 5 brands; 10-brand option higher |
| Advanced | ~$54/mo | Up to 15 brands, full analytics, API access |
| Custom | Custom | Enterprise / agency |
Buffer plans
| Plan | Price | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | 3 channels, 10 scheduled posts per channel, AI Assistant |
| Essentials | ~$5/channel/mo | Unlimited scheduling, advanced analytics |
| Team | ~$10/channel/mo | Unlimited users, approval workflows, custom permissions |
Tiers compiled from the vendors' published plans and independent reviews; prices are approximate and change often, so confirm current figures (and your region's taxes) on each vendor's site.
Strengths compared
Where Metricool wins
A scheduler with genuinely best-in-class analytics that tracks paid and organic together.
- Best-in-class analytics for the price range.
- One of the most generous free plans in the niche.
That makes it the stronger pick for data-driven marketers and agencies wanting analytics plus a strong free tier.
Where Buffer wins
The cleanest, most approachable scheduler for solo creators and small teams who want simplicity over feature bloat.
- Genuine forever-free plan (3 channels, 10 scheduled posts each).
- Simple, beginner-friendly interface.
That makes it the stronger pick for solo creators, freelancers and beginners cross-posting on a budget.
Verdict: choose by fit
Both are good at the job, so let your priorities decide.
- Choose Metricool if you fit its core audience — data-driven marketers and agencies wanting analytics plus a strong free tier.
- Choose Buffer if you fit its core audience — solo creators, freelancers and beginners cross-posting on a budget.
FAQ
Is Metricool better than Buffer?
Metricool is the stronger default for most users, but Buffer can be the better fit depending on your budget and use case.
What is the main difference between Metricool and Buffer?
Metricool is a scheduler with genuinely best-in-class analytics that tracks paid and organic together. Buffer is the cleanest, most approachable scheduler for solo creators and small teams who want simplicity over feature bloat.
Which is cheaper, Metricool or Buffer?
Both Metricool and Buffer offer a free tier, so the real comparison is the paid plans above — pick based on the storage, features and limits you actually need.
Sources
Facts above are drawn from these independent reviews and the vendors' own pages for Metricool and Buffer: