Buffer vs Later (2026): Which Social Media Scheduler Should You Use?

A feature-by-feature comparison of Buffer and Later covering pricing, free tiers, Instagram tools, and team features to help you pick the right social scheduler.

Updated 2026-09 · 2026

Buffer

Simple social media scheduling for small teams

Free (3 channels) / $6channel/month (Essentials plan)

Strengths

+Generous free plan (3 channels, 1 user, 10 scheduled posts per channel)
+Simple, clean interface with a shallow learning curve
+Affordable per-channel pricing that scales predictably

Weaknesses

-No visual Instagram grid preview like Later
-Bulk/CSV scheduling locked behind paid plans
-Analytics are basic on lower-tier plans

Best for

Solo creators and small teams who want a straightforward, budget-friendly scheduler across many networks.

Later

Visual social media scheduling for Instagram, TikTok, and beyond

Free (1 user, 10 posts/platform/month) / $16.67month, billed annually (Starter plan)

Strengths

+Best-in-class visual Instagram grid planner with drag-and-drop
+Built-in Linkin.bio tool for turning posts into shoppable links
+Strong TikTok and short-form video scheduling

Weaknesses

-Free plan caps posts at 10 per platform per month
-Multi-user plans get expensive faster than Buffer
-Analytics depth is limited below the Growth plan

Best for

Instagram- and TikTok-first brands and creators who need strong visual planning and a link-in-bio page.

Feature Comparison

Feature	Buffer	Later
Free plan channels	3 channels, 1 user	3 social sets, 1 user
Free plan post limit	10 scheduled posts per channel	10 posts per platform per month
Instagram grid preview	Basic calendar view	Visual drag-and-drop grid preview
Link-in-bio tool	Start Page (free)	Linkin.bio (free tier available)
TikTok scheduling	Supported	Supported
Analytics	Basic free, deeper on paid tiers	Basic free, deeper on Growth+ plans
Team collaboration	Team plan required for multi-user	Growth plan required for multi-user
Approval workflows	Team/Agency plans only	Growth/Advanced plans only
Browser extension	Yes	Chrome extension available
Entry paid price	$6/channel/month (Essentials)	$16.67/month billed annually (Starter)
Bulk scheduling	Paid plans via CSV upload	Available on paid plans
Mobile app	iOS and Android	iOS and Android

The Verdict

Buffer wins on price and simplicity if you just need reliable cross-platform scheduling without a lot of visual planning. Later is worth the extra cost if Instagram and TikTok are your primary channels and you need a proper visual grid planner plus link-in-bio built in. For a small team on a tight budget managing several networks, Buffer is the safer default; for a visually-driven brand, Later pays for itself.

How to switch from Buffer to Later

1Export your scheduled posts and post history from Buffer using the CSV export option under Settings > Export (or from each channel's Analytics tab); this covers captions, dates, and links but not images, so download your media library separately.
2Sign up for Later and reconnect the same social accounts (Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Pinterest, LinkedIn, X) through Later's account connection wizard.
3Upload your saved images and videos into Later's Media Library, then manually recreate your upcoming scheduled posts from the exported Buffer CSV since there's no direct Buffer-to-Later import.
4Rebuild your Buffer Start Page as a Later Linkin.bio page, re-adding your links, buttons, and shoppable tags.
5Reconnect third-party integrations like Zapier, Canva, and Google Drive inside Later's Integrations settings, and test one automation end-to-end before relying on it.
6Once everything checks out, invite your team to Later, set their roles and permissions, and cancel your Buffer subscription to avoid double billing.

Buffer vs Later: common questions

How do I export my data from Buffer before switching to Later?+

Buffer lets you export scheduled posts as a CSV from Settings > Export, or from the Analytics tab for post history. This gives you captions, dates, and links, but not your actual images or videos, so download your media assets separately before canceling.

What do I lose moving from Buffer to Later?+

You'll lose your Buffer Start Page setup and any custom domain tied to it, along with Buffer's historical analytics data since it doesn't transfer. You'll also need to manually rebuild any Buffer-connected Zapier or IFTTT automations inside Later.

Is Later's free plan enough for a small team?+

No — Later's free plan is limited to one user and 10 posts per platform per month, which is too restrictive for most teams. You'll likely need the Growth plan (around $30/month billed annually) to get multiple users and unlimited posts.

Does Later integrate with the same tools as Buffer?+

Both integrate with Canva, Google Drive, Dropbox, and Zapier, so most core workflows transfer fine. Later adds native Linkin.bio and Later Influence, while Buffer's integration list leans more toward simple publishing add-ons like its Start Page.

How does the cost compare over a year, Buffer vs Later?+

For a single user managing a few channels, Buffer's Essentials plan is generally cheaper per channel than Later's Starter plan. Once you need multiple team members, Later's Growth plan bundles unlimited posts and several accounts, which can end up cheaper than paying Buffer's per-channel Team pricing — run both calculators with your actual channel and seat count before deciding.