Buffer
Metricool
| Feature | Buffer | Metricool |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free / from $6/mo | Free / from $22/mo |
| Free Plan | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Rating | 4.4 / 5 | 4.4 / 5 |
| Best For | solopreneurs, small-businesses, creators, freelancers | marketing-agencies, social-media-managers, small-businesses, digital-marketers |
| Founded | 2010 | 2016 |
| Scheduling | ✓ | ✓ |
| Analytics | ✓ | ✓ |
| Ai Assistant | ✓ | ✗ |
| Start Page | ✓ | ✗ |
| Multi Platform | ✓ | ✗ |
| Approval Workflows | ✓ | ✗ |
| Hashtag Manager | ✓ | ✗ |
| Inbox | ✗ | ✓ |
| Smartlinks | ✗ | ✓ |
| Competitor Analysis | ✗ | ✓ |
| Ad Tracking | ✗ | ✓ |
✓ Buffer Pros
- Clean and intuitive interface
- Affordable per-channel pricing
- AI Assistant for post suggestions
- Start page (link-in-bio) included
✗ Buffer Cons
- Analytics less detailed than Sprout Social
- Limited engagement/inbox features
- No social listening
✓ Metricool Pros
- Comprehensive analytics across platforms
- Ad campaign tracking (Meta, Google)
- SmartLinks for bio pages
- Competitor analysis built in
✗ Metricool Cons
- Interface can feel busy
- Limited reporting customization
- Some features only in higher plans
The Verdict
Buffer is built for solopreneurs and small businesses, with a focus on scheduling and analytics. Metricool targets marketing agencies and social media managers and leads with scheduling and analytics.
On pricing, Buffer is the clear winner for budget-conscious users — starting at $6/mo compared to $22/mo for Metricool. That $16/mo difference adds up quickly for growing teams.
Both offer free plans, so you can test each with your real workflow before committing to a subscription.
Feature-wise, Buffer offers broader built-in capabilities (7 features vs 6), while Metricool takes a more focused approach — which can mean a simpler, faster onboarding experience.
Both tools are a solid fit for small businesses — in those cases, the decision often comes down to workflow style and how your team prefers to organize work.
This is a genuinely close comparison. If you can, sign up for both free trials (where available) and run a one-week test with your actual team tasks before deciding.