Buffer vs Later
Buffer scores 5.7 to Later's 5.5 among the AI social media management tools we rate, and is the better pick for 3 of the 4 kinds of buyer below.
Buffer wins, 5.7 to 5.5
Later costs $25 a month for five profiles, cheaper than Buffer's $30, but Buffer publishes to X and Bluesky and Later lists neither. Buffer also has a free plan and an API, both missing on Later.
Pick Buffer if you need X or Bluesky publishing, an API, or a free plan.
Pick Later if you post to Instagram or Pinterest and want single sign-on.
Best for
Who each one suits, decided on the criteria that matter to that buyer and the checked facts where the two differ.
- Reports in your own or your client's branding: Buffer yes, Later no
- API: Buffer yes, Later no
- But Later leads on single sign-on: Later yes, Buffer no
- Free plan: Buffer yes, Later no
- But Later leads on monthly cost for 5 social profiles: $25 against $30
- Turns links, articles or videos into posts: Buffer yes, Later no
- Networks it publishes to: Facebook, instagram, x, linkedin, tiktok, youtube, pinterest, threads, bluesky, mastodon, google_business against Facebook, instagram, tiktok, threads, youtube, pinterest, linkedin, snapchat
- But Later leads on writes in your brand voice: Later yes, Buffer no
- Tracks competitors' accounts: Later yes, Buffer no
- Tracks mentions beyond your own accounts: Later yes, Buffer no
- Finds or manages influencers: Later yes, Buffer no
How they score
Both are scored the same way, against the other AI social media management tools we rate, from facts on each vendor's own pages. Buffer leads on 4 of 6 criteria.
Where they differ
Every point where the two vendors' published facts disagree, with a link to where each fact was read. "Not published" means the vendor does not say either way.
Published by only one of them
Where they match (13)
Pricing, plan by plan
Every plan each vendor publishes, monthly and yearly where both are offered.
Buffer
Later
For everything else about each tool, read the full Buffer review and Later review.
Buffer vs Later: common questions
Which is better, Buffer or Later?
Buffer scores 5.7 and Later 5.5 out of 10 among the AI social media management tools we rate. Buffer is ahead on publishing, pricing, agencies and teams and privacy and support. Later is ahead on aI content and listening and competitors.
Is Buffer or Later cheaper?
Buffer's cheapest paid plan is $6/mo (Essentials, per channel) and Later's is $25/mo (Starter). Compare what each plan includes below before going on price alone.
Do Buffer and Later have a free plan?
Buffer does and Later does not.
What can Buffer do that Later cannot?
On the facts both vendors publish: free plan, turns links, articles or videos into posts, reports in your own or your client's branding and aPI.
What can Later do that Buffer cannot?
On the facts both vendors publish: writes in your brand voice, single sign-on, tracks competitors' accounts, tracks mentions beyond your own accounts and finds or manages influencers.
