Metricool vs Buffer (2026): Pricing and Features Compared
Updated: October 17, 2026 · 3 min read
Metricool and Buffer are two of the tools small businesses and freelancers look at most. Both have a free plan and both are affordable. They differ in what they charge for and in how much weight they give to analytics. Prices were taken from both tools' sites in October 2026. The IZY Social team wrote this post.
Free plans
Buffer's free plan connects 3 channels with up to 10 scheduled posts per channel at a time, and keeps 30 days of insights.
Metricool's free plan covers 1 brand. You can connect that brand's Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest and Threads accounts, but not LinkedIn or X. You get 20 scheduled posts a month, analysis of 5 competitors and 30 days of analytics.
If you use LinkedIn, Buffer is the better free start. If you want to connect many accounts for one brand, Metricool's free plan goes further.
Paid plans and how they're priced
Buffer charges per channel: Essentials is $5 per channel per month and Team is $10. Metricool charges per brand: Starter is $20 a month billed yearly for up to 5 brands, and Advanced is $53 a month billed yearly for up to 15 brands.
- One brand, 5 channels, one person: Buffer Essentials is $25 a month; Metricool Starter is $20 a month billed yearly.
- Three brands, 12 channels, one person: Buffer Essentials is $60 a month; Metricool Starter is still $20.
- Team and approvals, 5 channels: Buffer Team is $50 a month; Metricool Advanced is $53 a month billed yearly.
Analytics and reports
This is Metricool's strength: competitor analysis, ad account insights, unlimited analytics history from Starter up, and PDF and PowerPoint reports. Advanced adds custom report templates and a Looker Studio connector. Buffer unlocks advanced analytics and reports on Essentials and branded reports on Team, but has no competitor analysis or ad insights.
Teams and approvals
Buffer's Team plan has unlimited members, approval workflows and permissions. Metricool puts team and client management, roles and post approvals on Advanced. The prices are close; Buffer's grows with channels and Metricool's with brands.
Ease of use
Buffer is simpler, and you can connect an account and start posting in minutes. Metricool has more menus and reports and takes a little longer to learn, but people who live in analytics want that depth.
Which one fits whom?
- Simple scheduling for a few channels, LinkedIn included: Buffer.
- Several brands, or reports and competitor analysis matter: Metricool.
- Working solo with lots of channels: Metricool usually costs less because it charges per brand.
Both free plans have no end date. Schedule a few posts for the same week in each and see which one you work faster in.
A third option: IZY Social
IZY Social, our own tool for small businesses and agencies, is priced per plan: the Business plan covers Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and YouTube, and the Corporate Brand and agency plans add LinkedIn, Pinterest, Threads and X for all 8 platforms. AI writes posts in your brand's voice, and agency plans get client approvals through one link. There's a 14-day free trial. For more options, see Metricool alternatives and Buffer alternatives.
Frequently asked questions
Is Metricool or Buffer cheaper?
It depends on how many channels you have. With a few channels Buffer is usually cheaper; with many channels or several brands Metricool is, because Buffer charges per channel and Metricool per brand.
Which free plan is better?
Buffer if you use LinkedIn, since Metricool's free plan doesn't include it. Metricool if you want to connect many accounts for one brand, since it doesn't cap the number of accounts.
Which is better for analytics?
Metricool. It offers competitor analysis, ad insights, unlimited history and PDF and PowerPoint reports.