In the fast-paced world of social media, staying on top of your game is crucial.
And that’s where social media scheduling tools come in. Two big names often pop up in this space: Buffer and Later.
Both promise to streamline your social media management, but which one is the right fit for you?
In this blog post, we’ll dive deep into the Buffer vs Later debate, comparing their features, pricing, and overall user experience.
By the end, you’ll have a clear picture of which platform aligns best with your social media goals and budget. Let’s get started!
Buffer vs Later: Overview
Before diving into the nitty-gritty, let’s get a quick overview of what Buffer and Later bring to the table.
We’ve extensively tested both tools, scheduling posts and exploring their features. This hands-on experience informs our unbiased comparison.
Are you looking for a simple yet powerful social media tool? Buffer is here to help you.
Pricing: It has a free plan. Paid plan starts at $6/month
Key Features:
- Publishing Calendar
- Analytics & Reporting
- Engagement Tools
Later: Visualize & Schedule Your Social Success. Take your social media to the next level with Later!
Pricing: It has a free plan. Paid plan starts at $18/month
Key Features:
- Visual Planner
- Linkin bio
- Hashtag Suggestions
What is Buffer?
Buffer's like your trusty sidekick for social media. It helps you plan posts, keep an eye on how they're doing, and even chat with your followers – all in one place.
It's great for folks who want a simple, no-fuss way to manage their social presence.
Ready to save time on social media? Buffer can help you reclaim up to 6 hours per week. Try it free for 14 days and see the difference!
Key Benefits
- Queue up your posts: Schedule content across multiple platforms in advance.
- Track your performance: Get insights into what's working and what's not with detailed analytics.
- Engage with your audience: Reply to comments and messages directly from Buffer.
Pricing
- Free: For casual users (Connect up to 3 channels)
- Essentials: $6/month: Unlock more features (For one channel)
- Team: $12/month: Collaborate with your team and more (For one channel)
- Agency $120/month: Custom access (For 10 channels)
What is Later?
Later is all about making your social media look amazing. Think of it as your visual planner.
It helps you arrange your posts so your feed looks cohesive, plus it has tools to drive traffic and sales.
If you're a brand focused on aesthetics and engagement, Later's your go-to.
Ready to save your 5 hours every week on social media? Later, it helped millions of brands do just that. See if it works for you with a free trial today.
Key Benefits
- Visual Content Calendar: Drag-and-drop posts for a picture-perfect feed.
- Linkin bio: Turn your Instagram feed into a clickable landing page.
- Hashtag Suggestions: Find the best hashtags to boost your reach.
- Instagram Stories Scheduling: Plan and schedule your Stories in advance.
Pricing
- Free: Great for individuals and small businesses, but limited features for 14 days.
- Starter: Starts at $16.67/month. Best for solopreneurs with basic scheduling and analytics.
- Growth: Starts at $30/month. Ideal for growing businesses with more features like Linkin bio and hashtag suggestions.
- Advanced: Starts at $53.33/month. Perfect for larger teams with advanced analytics and collaboration features.
Pros
Cons
Buffer vs Later: Feature Comparison
Now that we've got the basics down let's see how these two social media management tools stack up against each other feature by feature.
This will help you decide which one best suits your social media strategy.
Supported Social Media Platforms
- Buffer: Connects with major platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.
- Later: Primarily focuses on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and TikTok, with Twitter support in beta.
Verdict: If you need to manage multiple social media platforms beyond the core ones, Buffer might be a better choice.
Post Scheduling & Publishing
- Buffer: Offers a queue-based system for scheduling posts at optimal times. You can also create custom schedules.
- Later: Provides a visual calendar for planning and scheduling your social media content.
Verdict: Later's visual calendar is a win for those who want a clear overview of their social media efforts.
Analytics & Reporting
- Buffer: Provides basic analytics on post-performance, audience engagement, and overall account growth.
- Later: Offers more in-depth analytics, including best times to post, hashtag performance, and audience demographics.
Verdict: If you crave detailed insights to fine-tune your social media marketing, Later's analytics might edge out Buffer's.
Team Collaboration
- Buffer: Includes team collaboration features like assigning tasks, approving content, and commenting on posts.
- Later: Offers team collaboration on higher-priced plans, allowing for seamless workflows.
Verdict: Both cater to teams, but Later's collaboration features are tied to specific plans.
Visual Planning
- Buffer: Offers a basic calendar view but lacks the drag-and-drop functionality of Later.
- Later: Shines with its visual planner, allowing you to preview your feed and arrange posts for aesthetic appeal.
Verdict: Later is the clear winner for visually planning your social media accounts, especially on Instagram.
Additional Features
- Buffer: Provides a browser extension for easy sharing and a social inbox for managing conversations.
- Later: Offers Linkin bio for a shoppable Instagram feed and hashtag suggestions for improved reach.
Verdict: Both tools have unique features catering to different needs. Consider which ones align better with your social media goals.
Pricing & Plans
- Buffer: Offers a simple free plan with limited features, plus paid plans starting at $6/month per social media channel.
- Later: It has a free plan with even more limitations, and paid plans start at $18/month.
Verdict: Buffer is generally more affordable, especially for small and medium businesses or those managing multiple social media channels.
In the end, the ideal social media management tool depends on your specific needs & budget.
If you prioritize visual planning and Instagram-focused features, Later is a strong contender.
However, if you're looking for a versatile and budget-friendly option, Buffer might be the better fit.
No matter which platform you choose, both Buffer and Later can empower you to streamline your social media marketing efforts & achieve your business goals.
So, take your pick and start scheduling those posts!
What to Consider When Choosing a Social Media Management Platform?
- Your social media goals: Are you focused on brand awareness, engagement, or driving sales?
- Your budget: What can you simply afford to spend on a social media management tool?
- Your preferred platforms: Which social media platforms are most important for your business?
- Your team size: Do you need collaboration features for multiple users?
- Your desired features: Which features are essential for your workflow, such as visual planning, analytics, or social listening?
Key Insights:
- Ease of use: Consider how intuitive the platform is and how quickly you can get up and running.
- Customer support: Look for a platform with responsive & helpful customer support in case you encounter any kind of issues.
- Future growth: Choose a tool that can scale with your business as your social media needs evolve.
Final Verdict (Our Pick)
While both Buffer and Later are strong contenders in the social media management arena, our pick leans towards Buffer.
Its versatility in handling multiple social media accounts, user-friendly interface, and budget-friendly pricing make it a great choice for businesses of all sizes.
If your focus is primarily on visual planning and Instagram, Later might be a better fit.
However, for a well-rounded platform that covers the essentials of scheduling, analytics capabilities, and social media monitoring, Buffer delivers.
Remember, the best social media platform for you depends on your specific needs and social media strategies.
Consider your goals, budget, and desired features carefully before making your decision.
With the right tool in your arsenal, social media managers can streamline their efforts and achieve greater success.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I try Buffer and Later before committing to a paid plan?
Yes, both Buffer and Later offer free plans with limited features, allowing you to simply test them out and see which one suits your needs best.
Is it possible to schedule Instagram Reels using Buffer or Later?
Absolutely! Both platforms support scheduling Instagram Reels, making it easier to plan and publish your video content.
Can I simply manage multiple social media accounts from one place using these tools?
Yes, both Buffer and Later enable you to connect & manage multiple social media accounts from a single dashboard, streamlining your workflow.
Do Buffer and Later offer social listening or monitoring features?
Buffer includes basic social listening capabilities in its higher-tier plans, while Later primarily focuses on scheduling and publishing.
Which platform is better for small businesses with a limited budget?
Buffer generally offers more affordable pricing plans, making it a suitable option for small businesses looking for cost-effective social media management.
