Buffer vs Hootsuite: Pricing Comparison (2026)
Buffer starts at $6/mo. Hootsuite starts at $99/mo. Buffer is $93/mo cheaper on the entry tier than Hootsuite.
Social media scheduling and analytics from a fully-remote 80-person company known for radical transparency (publishes salaries, revenue publicly). Positioned as the alternative to Hootsuite for small businesses and creators. Distinctive for its calm, no-upsell culture. Priced $6-$120/mo across four tiers. Losing ground to Hootsuite (enterprise) and Later (Instagram-first) but still profitable and cash-generative.
The category-defining social media management platform, founded 2008 in Vancouver. Positioned as the enterprise-grade alternative to Sprout Social with deeper analytics + governance for regulated industries (banks, government, healthcare). Restructured 2026 into 'Hootsuite Social OS' with 5 modular products (Perch/Nest/Lumen/Wisdom/Parliament) and 4-tier subscription (Standard/Professional/Advanced/Enterprise). Wisdom AI included in every plan. Priced $99-$399/user/mo published, Enterprise custom. Under private equity ownership since 2019 (Vector Capital majority stake since 2024).
All plans compared
| # | Plan | Buffer monthly | Buffer annual | Hootsuite monthly | Hootsuite annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Free / Standard | 0 | 0 | 99 | 99 |
| 2 | Essentials / Professional | 6 | 5 | 199 | 199 |
| 3 | Team / Advanced | 12 | 10 | 399 | 399 |
| 4 | Enterprise | — | — | custom | custom |
What each is best for
Social media scheduling and analytics from a fully-remote 80-person company known for radical transparency (publishes salaries, revenue publicly). Positioned as the alternative to Hootsuite for small businesses and creators. Distinctive for its calm, no-upsell culture. Priced $6-$120/mo across four tiers. Losing ground to Hootsuite (enterprise) and Later (Instagram-first) but still profitable and cash-generative.
The category-defining social media management platform, founded 2008 in Vancouver. Positioned as the enterprise-grade alternative to Sprout Social with deeper analytics + governance for regulated industries (banks, government, healthcare). Restructured 2026 into 'Hootsuite Social OS' with 5 modular products (Perch/Nest/Lumen/Wisdom/Parliament) and 4-tier subscription (Standard/Professional/Advanced/Enterprise). Wisdom AI included in every plan. Priced $99-$399/user/mo published, Enterprise custom. Under private equity ownership since 2019 (Vector Capital majority stake since 2024).
At a glance
| Buffer | Hootsuite | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Entry price | $6/mo | $99/mo |
| Enterprise available | — | Yes |
| Pricing model | Per Seat | — |
| Last verified | August 12, 2026 | August 12, 2026 |
| Full pricing | View full pricing | View full pricing |
Pricing last verified August 12, 2026. Tracked daily.