Buffer vs Hootsuite vs Later: Pricing (Nov 2026)
Short answer: Buffer charges per channel ($6 a month each on Essentials), Hootsuite per user ($99 a month per user on Standard, annual billing) and Later per social set ($25 a month for one profile on each network). For 5 accounts on different networks, Later Starter is cheapest at $25, Buffer costs $30 and Hootsuite $99. Buffer is the only one with a free plan.
By the TimeToPost team. Last reviewed 2026-11-01.
Every price below was read on the Buffer, Hootsuite and Later pricing pages on 1 November 2026, in US dollars before tax. Each tool also has its own page: Buffer alternatives, Hootsuite alternatives and Later alternatives.
Plans and prices
The three tools use three different pricing units, so the entry price alone is misleading.
| Buffer | Hootsuite | Later | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing unit | Per channel | Per user | Per social set (1 profile per network) and user |
| Entry plan, billed monthly | Essentials $6/channel | Standard from $99/user (annual billing rate) | Starter $25 |
| Entry plan, billed yearly | $5/channel a month | Annual billing is the listed rate | $18.75 a month |
| Accounts on entry plan | Pay per channel | Up to 10 | 8 profiles, 1 per platform |
| Posts on entry plan | Unlimited (fair use 5,000 per channel) | Not stated on the plans page | 30 per profile a month |
| Approvals from | Team, $12/channel a month | Not detailed on the plans page | Growth, $50 a month |
| Free plan | 3 channels, 10 queued posts each | None | None |
| Trial | 14 days | 14 days, 10 to 20 posts a day | 14 days |
| Extras on entry plan | API, 1 user | Inbox, listening, benchmarking | Link in Bio, best time for Instagram, Facebook, TikTok |
What 5 accounts cost on each
For a typical small brand with 5 accounts on 5 different networks and one person posting, billed monthly:
| Tool and plan | Monthly cost | What changes the price |
|---|---|---|
| Later Starter | $25 | A second account on one network forces Growth at $50 |
| Buffer Essentials | $30 (5 x $6) | Each new channel adds $6; approvals need Team at $60 |
| Hootsuite Standard | $99 (annual billing rate) | Each teammate adds a seat; more than 10 accounts needs Professional at $199 |
| TimeToPost Starter | $12 | 30 posts a month; Pro at $49.99 is unlimited |
Change the setup and the order changes. With two Instagram accounts Later moves to $50 and Buffer becomes cheaper; with a client who approves posts Buffer moves to Team at $60; with a second teammate Hootsuite doubles to $198.
Which one fits which team
- Buffer fits a solo marketer or creator on a handful of channels who wants a free plan to start and unlimited posts later.
- Hootsuite fits a team that answers messages, monitors mentions and benchmarks competitors daily, and can pay per seat.
- Later fits one brand that lives on Instagram and TikTok and wants visual planning and Link in Bio.
- TimeToPost fits anyone running many accounts or clients who approve posts, on X, LinkedIn, Threads, Bluesky, Instagram and more, but not Facebook.
How we checked
We read buffer.com/pricing, hootsuite.com/plans and later.com/pricing on 1 November 2026, switching between monthly and yearly billing where the page offers both, and copied each figure as published. Hootsuite publishes its US prices as starting rates on annual billing, so no separate month-to-month figure is shown here. The alternatives overview covers five more schedulers.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheapest: Buffer, Hootsuite or Later?
For 5 accounts on different networks, billed monthly: Later Starter at $25, then Buffer Essentials at $30, then Hootsuite Standard at $99 per user (annual billing). Buffer is the only one of the three with a free plan.
Which of the three includes approvals on the cheapest plan?
None. Buffer puts approvals on Team ($12 per channel a month) and Later on Growth ($50 a month). TimeToPost includes client approvals on its $12 Starter plan.
Do Buffer, Hootsuite and Later have free trials?
Yes, all three have 14-day trials on paid plans. Hootsuite trial accounts are limited to 10 to 20 posts a day and cannot bulk schedule.
Which one should a solo creator pick?
Buffer Free or Essentials for a few channels, Later Starter for one brand focused on Instagram and TikTok. Hootsuite is priced for teams that use its inbox and listening.
Want a flat price instead? TimeToPost is $12 a month for unlimited accounts with client approvals. Your first post is free.
Start free