Compare/Head to head

Buffer vs SocialBu

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

Starting price

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

SocialBu

$22/mo Free tier 7 day free trial

Social media scheduler with a free plan. Paid Starter is $22/mo billed yearly or $29/mo monthly, and every paid plan starts with a 7-day trial.

Where SocialBu fits

  • Solo marketers trying a free scheduler
  • Small businesses managing up to 8 accounts
  • Agencies managing up to 50 accounts
  • Teams posting to Threads, Bluesky and YouTube

At a glance

DetailBufferSocialBu
Starting price$5/channel/mo$22/mo
Free tier✓Yes✓Yes
Free trial14 day free trial7 day free trial
MCP server✓Yes✓Yes
Public API✓Yes✓Yes
Listed underPersonal brandPersonal brand

Where they pull apart

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

SocialBu

Stands out: Covers 12 networks, including Threads, Bluesky, Mastodon and Google Business Profile, with a free entry plan.

Watch out: Free is 3 accounts and 10 lifetime posts. Starter caps at 8 accounts and 750 posts a month; automation and social listening sit on higher plans.

Not the right fit for

  • Anyone who needs more than 10 free posts
  • Teams that need social listening on the entry plan

Pros and cons

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

SocialBu

  • Free plan plus 7-day paid trial
  • Supports 12 social networks
  • MCP server for AI assistants
  • Free plan is 10 lifetime posts
  • Starter caps at 8 accounts
  • Listening and automation on upper plans

What each one costs

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

SocialBu

$22/mo

Free covers 3 accounts and 10 lifetime posts. Starter is $22/mo billed yearly or $29/mo monthly for up to 8 accounts; Agency is $149/mo yearly or $199/mo monthly for up to 50 accounts. Yearly billing saves about 25%, and paid plans start with a 7-day trial. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 4 Nov 2026

Common questions

Is Buffer cheaper than SocialBu?
Buffer starts lower, at $5/channel/mo against $22/mo for SocialBu. That is the entry plan on each side, so the real number depends on seats and the tier you land on.
Can you try Buffer or SocialBu for free?
Buffer and SocialBu carry a free tier on our listing. Buffer offers a 14 day free trial. SocialBu offers a 7 day free trial.
Does Buffer or SocialBu have an MCP server?
Buffer and SocialBu ship a first party MCP server, so an AI assistant can work the product directly.

Not the pair you wanted?

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Editorial listings, never paid rankings. Prices checked 4 Nov 2026. Confirm current terms on the vendor site. Spot an error?