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Hootsuite vs Buffer

Pricing, networks, publishing, AI and team features side by side. A green highlight marks a row where one tool has a feature the other doesn't.

Feature

Hootsuite

From $99 /user/mo · billed yearly

Buffer

From $5 /channel/mo

Pricing

Starting priceAs each vendor lists it: some charge per user or per channel.

Hootsuite: $99/user/month (billed yearly)

Buffer: $5/channel/month

Free plan

Hootsuite: No

Buffer: Yes (advantage Buffer)

Yearly discount

Hootsuite: 20%

Buffer: 17%

Networks

Networks you can publish to

Hootsuite: 9 networks

Buffer: 12 networks (advantage Buffer)

LinkedIn

Hootsuite: Yes

Buffer: Yes

X

Hootsuite: Yes

Buffer: Yes

Instagram

Hootsuite: Yes

Buffer: Yes

Facebook

Hootsuite: Yes

Buffer: Yes

Threads

Hootsuite: Yes

Buffer: Yes

TikTok

Hootsuite: Yes

Buffer: Yes

YouTube

Hootsuite: Yes

Buffer: Yes

Pinterest

Hootsuite: Yes

Buffer: Yes

Google Business Profile

Hootsuite: No

Buffer: Yes (advantage Buffer)

Bluesky

Hootsuite: No

Buffer: Yes (advantage Buffer)

Mastodon

Hootsuite: No

Buffer: Yes (advantage Buffer)

Publishing

Content calendar

Hootsuite: Yes

Buffer: Yes

Posting queue

Hootsuite: Yes

Buffer: Yes

Bulk or CSV upload

Hootsuite: Yes (advantage Hootsuite)

Buffer: No

Best time to post

Hootsuite: Yes

Buffer: Yes

Recurring posts

Hootsuite: Yes (advantage Hootsuite)

Buffer: No

AI

AI writing

Hootsuite: Not listed

Buffer: Yes

Team & agency

Approval workflow

Hootsuite: Yes (advantage Hootsuite)

Buffer: No

Client approvals

Hootsuite: Yes (advantage Hootsuite)

Buffer: No

White-label

Hootsuite: Yes (advantage Hootsuite)

Buffer: No

Roles and permissions

Hootsuite: Yes

Buffer: Yes

Unified inbox

Hootsuite: Yes (advantage Hootsuite)

Buffer: No

Social listening

Hootsuite: Yes (advantage Hootsuite)

Buffer: No

Prices in USD, checked October 2026 on each vendor's own site. "Not listed" means our data doesn't cover it, not that the tool lacks it. Plans change, so check the vendor's page before you buy.