Compare/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.

Starting price

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

DetailAuthoredUpBuffer
Starting price$19.95/mo$5/channel/mo
Free tier–No✓Yes
Free trialYes14 day free trial
MCP server✓Yes✓Yes
Public API✓Yes✓Yes
Listed underPersonal brandPersonal 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 4 Nov 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 4 Nov 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 4 Nov 2026. Confirm current terms on the vendor site. Spot an error?