Starts atFree plan · paid from $5/mo
- Free planup to 3 channels, 10 scheduled posts per channel
- Free trial14 days on paid plans
Head-to-head
Buffer vs Publer: which scheduler fits a Shorts or TikTok creator?
At a glance
Starts atFreemium; Professional from $5/mo, Business from $10/mo (1 account), 20% off yearly
- Free planno Twitter/X; published posts stored 24 hours
- Free trial14 days
Publer is a little cheaper on paper: Professional is $4/month per social account, billed yearly. Buffer Essentials is $5/month per channel, or $60 per channel billed yearly. Both have a free plan for 3 accounts with 10 scheduled posts each. Publer adds more for the money, like first comments and post recycling on higher plans.
Quick verdict
Side-by-side comparison
| Detail | Buffer | Publer |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Up to 3 channels, 10 scheduled posts per channel, 30 days of insights | 3 social accounts (not X), 10 scheduled posts per account, 25 drafts, 24-hour post history |
| Entry paid plan | Essentials: $5/month per channel, or $60 per channel billed yearly | Professional: $4/month per account, billed yearly |
| Next plan up | Team: $10/month per channel, or $120 per channel billed yearly | Business: $8/month per account, billed yearly |
| Monthly billing | Shown as above | Shown in local currency only (checked 16 Oct 2026) |
| Free trial | 14 days on paid plans | Professional: 7 days. Business: 14 days |
| Post limits on paid plans | Unlimited (5,000 per channel fair use) | Unlimited scheduling and drafts |
| Users | Essentials: 1. Team: unlimited | Plan owner included; extra members cost more |
| Volume deal | Cheaper per channel above 10 (rate not stated on Buffer's pricing page, checked 16 Oct 2026) | Every 10th social account is free |
What you pay for 3 platforms
Say you post to TikTok, YouTube Shorts and Instagram. On Buffer Essentials billed yearly that is $60 x 3 = $180 a year. On Publer Professional billed yearly it is $4 x 3 x 12 = $144 a year. Publer says VAT is not included and offers a 14-day money back guarantee.
Free plan differences
Publer's free plan cannot connect X and only keeps published posts for 24 hours. Buffer's free plan keeps 30 days of insights. Both let you queue 10 posts per account, and you can add more once one goes out.
Which one for a Shorts creator?
- Just starting, 3 platforms or fewer: either free plan. Pick Buffer if you post to X.
- Posting daily on a budget: Publer Professional.
- Want analytics and best times to post: Publer Business.
- Small team sharing the work: Buffer Team, unlimited users.
Common questions
Does Buffer have a free plan?
Yes. Buffer pricing: Freemium, from $5/channel. Prices change, so check the official site.
Does Publer have a free plan?
Yes. Publer pricing: Freemium; Professional from $5/mo, Business from $10/mo (1 account), 20% off yearly. Prices change, so check the official site.
Which is better, Buffer or Publer?
Pick Buffer if you want a simple, clean scheduler and a free plan that also connects X. Pick Publer if you want the lowest yearly price and extras like first comments and unlimited media storage.
Related: Buffer vs Hootsuite, Buffer vs Later, Buffer alternatives, tools to schedule posts, free social media schedulers.
Sources: buffer.com/pricing, publer.com/plans. Checked on 15 October 2026. Based on published plans, not a hands-on test.