Comparison · checked 26 September 2026
Buffer vs Hootsuite
Buffer is cheaper to start: $5 per channel per month, billed annually against $99 per user per month, billed annually.
At 10 channels the gap changes: Buffer comes to $50 a month against Hootsuite's $99.
Buffer has a free plan; Hootsuite does not.
Buffer charges per channel, while Hootsuite charges per user, which matters most as you add channels or teammates.
| Buffer | Hootsuite | Hookpost | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cheapest paid plan | $5 per channel per month, billed annually | $99 per user per month, billed annually | ₹599 per month flat |
| Pricing model | per channel | per user | Flat tiers, no per-channel fee |
| Free plan | 3 channels, 10 scheduled posts per channel (refills as posts publish) | No free plan (14-day trial) | 2 channels, 30 posts a month |
| Public API | Yes | Yes | Yes (Standard and above) |
| MCP server / AI agents | Yes | Yes | Yes (Standard and above) |
| Open source | No | No | Yes, AGPL-3.0 |
| Prices in rupees (India) | No, USD | Yes, localised | Yes, with UPI Autopay |
| Networks | Bluesky, Facebook, Google Business Profile, Instagram, LinkedIn, Mastodon, Pinterest, Substack, Threads, TikTok, X, YouTube | Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Threads, X, TikTok, Bluesky, YouTube, Pinterest, WhatsApp, Google Business Profile | X, LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook Pages, Bluesky, Discord, Slack, Telegram, WordPress, Dev.to and more (Instagram and Threads awaiting Meta approval) |
Sources, read 26 September 2026: buffer.com/pricing, buffer.com/mcp, hootsuite.com/plans, hootsuite.com/integrations/mcp, developer.hootsuite.com/docs/using-rest-apis, help.hootsuite.com/hc/en-us/articles/204585410-Add-social-networks. Prices change; confirm on the vendor's page before you buy.
Where Hookpost fits
If you are in India, post mainly to X, LinkedIn, YouTube or community channels, and would rather pay one flat rupee price than a fee per channel, Hookpost is worth a look. It is open source, has a free plan, and ships an MCP server so an AI assistant can schedule for you. If you need Instagram today, choose Buffer or Hootsuite for now: Hookpost's Instagram connection is waiting on Meta approval (Facebook Pages work today).
Questions
- Is Buffer cheaper than Hootsuite?
- On the cheapest paid plan, yes: Buffer starts at $5 per channel per month, billed annually and Hootsuite at $99 per user per month, billed annually. Check how each one counts channels and users before comparing totals.
- Does Buffer or Hootsuite have a free plan?
- Buffer: 3 channels, 10 scheduled posts per channel (refills as posts publish). Hootsuite: No free plan (14-day trial).
- Is there a cheaper alternative to Buffer and Hootsuite?
- Hookpost has a free plan (2 channels, 30 posts a month) and a flat ₹599 a month plan for 5 channels, billed in rupees with UPI Autopay. It publishes to X, LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook Pages, Bluesky, Discord, Telegram and more; Instagram and Threads are waiting on Meta approval.
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