Buffer vs Planly
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 $15 for Planly.
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
- Post scheduling
- Analytics
- Approval flow
- AI content assistant
- Link-in-bio pages
- Multi-channel support
| Feature | Buffer | Planly |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Simple social scheduling with an AI writing assistant | Social media scheduler with analytics and an AI content assistant |
| Category | Marketing | Marketing |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Free trial |
| Starting price | $6/mo | $15/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | No, 14-day trial |
| Made by | Buffer | Planly |
| Based in | United States | – |
| Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Key features |
|
|
Both offer: Post scheduling, Analytics.
Pricing compared
Buffer has the lower starting price: about $6 a month, against $15 for Planly.
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
4 plans
Individual
$15/mo
- 100 scheduled posts
- 4 channels
- 1 user
- 100 AI credits
Team
$40/mo
- Unlimited scheduling
- 8 channels
- 4 users
- 500 AI credits
Agency
$80/mo
- 16 channels
- 8 users
- 1,000 AI credits
- Approval flow
Enterprise
Contact sales
- Priority support
- Flexible pricing
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
Planly
- Wide channel coverage
- Approval flow for client work
- Trial to test first
- Individual plan caps at 100 scheduled posts
- Extra users and channels cost more
- Limited AI credits on lower tiers
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 Planly if you want:
- Wide channel coverage
- Approval flow for client work
- Trial to test first
Watch out: individual plan caps at 100 scheduled posts.
Buffer vs Planly FAQ
What is the difference between Buffer and Planly?
Buffer: Simple social scheduling with an AI writing assistant. Planly: Social media scheduler with analytics and an AI content assistant. Both are marketing tools.
Is Buffer or Planly cheaper?
Buffer has the lower starting price: about $6 a month, against $15 for Planly.
Do Buffer and Planly have free plans?
Buffer: Yes. Planly: No, 14-day trial.
Who makes Buffer?
Buffer is made by Buffer, based in United States.
Who makes Planly?
Planly is made by Planly.
Which should I choose, Buffer or Planly?
Choose Buffer if you value very easy to use and low per-channel pricing. Choose Planly if you value wide channel coverage and approval flow for client work.