Head to head

AuthoredUp vs Buffer

Same facts, side by side: starting price, free tier, MCP, API and what each one is actually built for.

AuthoredUp

$19.95/mo Free trial

LinkedIn post editor with drafts, scheduling and analytics. Individual is $19.95/mo, or $16.63/mo billed yearly, and you can start free with no card.

Where AuthoredUp fits

Individuals formatting and scheduling LinkedIn posts
Small teams sharing drafts across three or more profiles
Users who want Claude to read drafts via MCP
Agencies that need a custom Growth plan

Buffer

$5/channel/mo Free tier 14 day free trial

Social media scheduler with a free three-channel plan. Paid Essentials is $5/channel/mo billed yearly ($60 per channel per year).

Where Buffer fits

Creators scheduling LinkedIn and other networks from one queue
Teams that want MCP on the free plan
Developers using the Buffer API
Small brands that want low per-channel pricing

At a glance

Detail	AuthoredUp	Buffer
Starting price	$19.95/mo	$5/channel/mo
Free tier	–No	✓Yes
Free trial	Yes	14 day free trial
MCP server	✓Yes	✓Yes
Public API	✓Yes	✓Yes
Listed under	Personal brand	Personal brand

Where they pull apart

AuthoredUp

Stands out: A hosted MCP server and a REST API come with trial and paid accounts, so AI assistants can read your posts, stats and drafts.

Watch out: Business costs $14.95 per profile per month with a three-profile minimum. The free trial has no stated length, and there is no free-forever plan.

Not the right fit for

Sales teams that need LinkedIn connection sequences
Users who want a free-forever plan

Buffer

Stands out: MCP is included on the free plan, so Claude or ChatGPT can draft and queue posts without a paid seat.

Watch out: The $5 figure is per channel on yearly billing; monthly costs more. Free caps you at 10 scheduled posts per channel and one user.

Not the right fit for

Newsrooms that need a full social suite beyond scheduling
Users who only want LinkedIn commenting, not a multi-network queue

Pros and cons

AuthoredUp

Individual plan $19.95/mo, no card to start
Hosted MCP server and REST API included
Free seats for managers and ghostwriters

No free-forever plan
Business needs at least three profiles
No LinkedIn outreach or sequences

Buffer

Free plan for three channels
Essentials $5/channel/mo billed yearly
MCP included on the free plan

Free allows only 10 scheduled posts per channel
Price is per channel, so costs add up
Not a LinkedIn lead-gen sequencer

What each one costs

AuthoredUp

$19.95/mo

Individual is $19.95/mo for one LinkedIn profile, or $16.63/mo billed yearly ($199.50/yr). Business is $14.95 per profile per month ($12.46 billed yearly) with a three-profile minimum. The custom Growth plan is billed annually with a 10-profile minimum. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 19 Sep 2026

Buffer

$5/channel/mo

The Free plan covers three channels. Essentials is $5/channel/mo and Team $10/channel/mo billed yearly ($60 and $120 per channel per year); monthly billing costs about 20% more. Paid plans include a 14-day free trial. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 19 Sep 2026

Common questions

Is AuthoredUp cheaper than Buffer?

Buffer starts lower, at $5/channel/mo against $19.95/mo for AuthoredUp. That is the entry plan on each side, so the real number depends on seats and the tier you land on.

Can you try AuthoredUp or Buffer for free?

Buffer carries a free tier on our listing. AuthoredUp offers a free trial. Buffer offers a 14 day free trial.

Does AuthoredUp or Buffer have an MCP server?

AuthoredUp and Buffer ship a first party MCP server, so an AI assistant can work the product directly.

Not the pair you wanted?

All AuthoredUp alternatives All Buffer alternatives Every Personal brand tool

Editorial listings, never paid rankings. Prices checked 19 Sep 2026. Confirm current terms on the vendor site. Spot an error?