Buffer vs Snowball
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 Snowball.
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
- Tweet and thread editor
- AI writing assistant
- Post scheduling queue
- Auto-repost and auto-plug
- Account analytics
| Feature | Buffer | Snowball |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Simple social scheduling with an AI writing assistant | Write, schedule and automate posts to grow an X account |
| Category | Marketing | Marketing |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Free trial |
| Starting price | $6/mo | $19/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | No, 3-day trial |
| Made by | Buffer | Snowball |
| Based in | 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 Snowball.
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
- Tweet and thread editor
- AI writing assistant
- Publish and schedule
- Account analytics
Creator
$39/mo
- Unlimited personalized AI
- Reply with AI
- Advanced automations
- Priority support
Pro
$69/mo
- Everything in Creator
- Best quality generated content
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
Snowball
- Writing, scheduling and analytics in one tool
- Automation for reposts and product plugs
- Template library for ideas
- Trial requires a credit card
- Built for X only
- Unlimited AI is subject to fair use
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 Snowball if you want:
- Writing, scheduling and analytics in one tool
- Automation for reposts and product plugs
- Template library for ideas
Watch out: trial requires a credit card.
Buffer vs Snowball FAQ
What is the difference between Buffer and Snowball?
Buffer: Simple social scheduling with an AI writing assistant. Snowball: Write, schedule and automate posts to grow an X account. Both are marketing tools.
Is Buffer or Snowball cheaper?
Buffer has the lower starting price: about $6 a month, against $19 for Snowball.
Do Buffer and Snowball have free plans?
Buffer: Yes. Snowball: No, 3-day trial.
Who makes Buffer?
Buffer is made by Buffer, based in United States.
Who makes Snowball?
Snowball is made by Snowball.
Which should I choose, Buffer or Snowball?
Choose Buffer if you value very easy to use and low per-channel pricing. Choose Snowball if you value writing, scheduling and analytics in one tool and automation for reposts and product plugs.