kitio.aiBuffer vs Lately
A side-by-side look at pricing plans, free tiers, features, pros and cons, updated for 2026. Buffer has the lower starting price: about $6 a month, against $19 for Lately.
At a glance
Best for
Pricing model
Starting price
Free plan
Made by
Based in
Rating
Key features
- Post scheduling
- AI Assistant
- Engagement inbox
- Analytics
- Start Page
- Content repurposing
- Brand voice model
- Video and audio clipping
- Employee advocacy
- Approval workflows
| Feature | Buffer | Lately |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Simple social scheduling with an AI writing assistant | AI that turns long content into social posts in your voice |
| Category | Marketing | Marketing |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Paid |
| Starting price | $6/mo | $19/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | No |
| Made by | Buffer | Lately |
| Based in | United States | United States |
| Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Key features |
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Pricing compared
Buffer has the lower starting price: about $6 a month, against $19 for Lately.
Free plan
Cheapest paid plan
Top plan
Free trial
3 plans
Free
Free
- Up to 3 channels
- 10 scheduled posts per channel
- 100 ideas
Essentials
$6/mo
- Per channel
- Unlimited scheduled posts
- 1 user
Team
$12/mo
- Per channel
- Unlimited team members
- Unlimited scheduled posts
3 plans
Starter
$19/mo
- 1 user seat
- Repurpose longform content
- Basic scheduling and analytics
- $14/mo billed annually
Growth
$239/mo
- Unlimited user seats
- Repurpose text, audio and video
- Full calendar with AI scheduling
- $199/mo billed annually
Enterprise
Custom
- Custom voice models
- Unlimited social channels
- Pricing per package
Prices in USD, checked Oct 28, 2026 or later. Plans change often, so confirm on each tool's site before you buy.
Pros and cons
Buffer
- Very easy to use
- Low per-channel pricing
- Useful free plan
- Fewer enterprise features
- Costs add up with many channels
Lately
- Gets many posts from one asset
- Learns brand voice
- Compliance controls
- Pricing not public
- Output needs review
Which one should you choose?
Choose Buffer if you want:
- Very easy to use
- Low per-channel pricing
- Useful free plan
Watch out: fewer enterprise features.
Choose Lately if you want:
- Gets many posts from one asset
- Learns brand voice
- Compliance controls
Watch out: pricing not public.
Buffer vs Lately FAQ
What is the difference between Buffer and Lately?
Buffer: Simple social scheduling with an AI writing assistant. Lately: AI that turns long content into social posts in your voice. Both are marketing tools.
Is Buffer or Lately cheaper?
Buffer has the lower starting price: about $6 a month, against $19 for Lately.
Do Buffer and Lately have free plans?
Buffer: Yes. Lately: No.
Who makes Buffer?
Buffer is made by Buffer, based in United States.
Who makes Lately?
Lately is made by Lately, based in United States.
Which should I choose, Buffer or Lately?
Choose Buffer if you value very easy to use and low per-channel pricing. Choose Lately if you value gets many posts from one asset and learns brand voice.