Publer vs Buffer: which scheduler fits you in 2026?

Figures from each vendor's own pricing page, checked on 15 October 2026:

Sources: Publer plans, checked 15 October 2026; Buffer pricing (machine-readable version, with volume rates and FAQ), checked 15 October 2026

Publer, for posting alone; it depends once you want analytics. At yearly billing:

Publer says yearly billing gives a 20% discount, and Buffer's FAQ says the same. Buffer's monthly rates fall above 10 channels: $4 each for channels 11 to 25, $3 for 26 to 50, then $1 on Essentials or $2 on Team.

• 3 accounts, no X: both free.
• 3 accounts including X: Buffer Free covers it; Publer Professional is $12 a month.
• 1 person, 10 accounts, scheduling only: Publer Professional $36 a month (9 paid accounts); Buffer Essentials $50 a month.
• 1 person, 10 accounts, with analytics: Buffer Essentials $50 a month; Publer Business $72 a month.
• 3 people, 5 accounts, with approvals: Buffer Team $50 a month, members included; Publer Professional $20 a month plus 2 extra members.

Sources: Publer plans, checked 15 October 2026; Buffer pricing (machine-readable version, with volume rates and FAQ), checked 15 October 2026

Publer packs a lot into its Professional plan:

• Unlimited scheduling and drafts, first comments and threads, unlimited workspaces and unlimited RSS automations.
• Bulk scheduling from a CSV file or a multi-media uploader, plus recurring posts, auto-share and auto-delete.
• Watermarks, automatic signatures and an unbranded link in bio for Instagram.
• More networks: Telegram and WordPress alongside Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, Threads, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Mastodon, Google Business, YouTube and Bluesky.
• Post recycling, hashtag analysis and competitor analysis on Business.

Source: Publer plans, checked 15 October 2026

Buffer keeps more in its cheaper plans:

• X on the free plan, where Publer needs a paid plan for X.
• Analytics with unlimited history and exportable reports from Essentials, without a higher tier.
• A community inbox for replying to comments on every plan.
• Unlimited team members and approvals on Team, so adding a colleague doesn't add cost.
• 30 days of insights on the free plan, where Publer's free plan keeps published posts for 24 hours and leaves analytics to Business.

Sources: Buffer pricing (machine-readable version, with volume rates and FAQ), checked 15 October 2026; Publer plans, checked 15 October 2026

Both free plans cover 3 accounts with 10 scheduled posts each, and both free a slot when a post goes out. The differences: Buffer's includes X and 30 days of insights; Publer's leaves X out, keeps published posts for 24 hours, and lets you try most paid features without a card. On Pinterest, Publer's free plan only connects accounts with at least 100 followers or a claimed website.

Both offer 50% off for nonprofits and charities.

Sources: Publer plans, checked 15 October 2026; Buffer pricing (machine-readable version, with volume rates and FAQ), checked 15 October 2026

• Choose Publer if you schedule to many accounts and want the lowest per-account price, with bulk tools and recycling.
• Choose Publer if you post to Telegram or WordPress as well as social networks.
• Choose Buffer if you want analytics included from the first paid plan, or X on a free plan.
• Choose Buffer if a small team needs access: Team includes unlimited members.

Publer and Buffer both schedule posts you've already made. Zolyp, which we make, makes them: it plans the week, writes and designs each post against your Brand Brain, and publishes to Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Google Business, X, TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest, and Threads after you approve. If you only need a cheap queue, either of these costs less. Lite is $9 a month per brand for scheduling posts you make yourself; the plans that create the posts start at $29 a month, with team members included and a 3-day free trial, no card required.