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Compare Buffer and Sprout Social 
At a Glance
Market Segments
Small-Business (70.9% of reviews)
Small-Business (45.4% of reviews)
Entry-Level Pricing
Free
Starting at $199.00 1 user/per month (billed annually)
Buffer
Star Rating
(1,010)4.3 out of 5
Market Segments
Small-Business (70.9% of reviews)
Entry-Level Pricing
Free
Browse all 4 pricing plansSprout Social
Star Rating
(4,184)4.4 out of 5
Market Segments
Small-Business (45.4% of reviews)
Entry-Level Pricing
Starting at $199.00 1 user/per month (billed annually)
Free Trial is available
Browse all 4 pricing plansSummary
AI Generated Summary
AI-generated. Powered by real user reviews.
- Users report that Sprout Social excels in its Content Calendar feature, scoring 9.1, which allows for seamless scheduling and planning of posts, while Buffer's similar feature scores slightly higher at 9.2, indicating a more user-friendly experience.
- Reviewers mention that Sprout Social's Social Analytics capabilities are robust, particularly in Post Performance analysis with a score of 8.8, whereas Buffer's overall social analytics score is lower at 7.9, suggesting it may lack some depth in this area.
- G2 users highlight that Buffer offers a Free Entry Level Price, making it accessible for small businesses, while Sprout Social starts at $199.00, which may be a barrier for some users looking for budget-friendly options.
- Users on G2 report that Sprout Social's Quality of Support is rated at 8.7, indicating a strong support system, while Buffer's support is rated slightly lower at 8.5, suggesting that users may find Sprout Social more reliable in times of need.
- Reviewers mention that Sprout Social's Approval Workflows feature scores 8.1, which is beneficial for teams needing content approval, while Buffer's score of 8.6 indicates a more streamlined process for content collaboration.
- Users say that Sprout Social's Sentiment Analysis feature, scoring 7.6, is less effective compared to Buffer's offerings, which may provide more insightful data for brands looking to gauge audience sentiment.
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Pricing
Entry-Level Pricing
Buffer
Free
Free
For individuals and businesses getting started with social media.
- 3 social accounts in total
- Publish to Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google Business Profiles, Mastodon, Pinterest
- 10 scheduled posts per social account
Sprout Social
Standard
Starting at $199.00
1 user/per month (billed annually)
- 5 social profiles
- All-in-one social inbox
- Social content calendar
Free Trial
Buffer
Free Trial is available
Sprout Social
Free Trial is available
Ratings
Meets Requirements
8.6
888
8.5
3,755
Ease of Use
9.2
894
8.8
3,795
Ease of Setup
9.2
313
8.7
2,337
Ease of Admin
9.1
307
8.8
1,707
Quality of Support
8.5
635
8.7
3,351
Has the product been a good partner in doing business?
8.8
267
8.8
1,670
Product Direction (% positive)
8.1
868
8.9
3,691
Features by Category
Social Analytics
Not enough data
7.9(won by default)
1955
Not enough data
7.9(won by default)
2135
Not enough data
8.8(won by default)
2296
Not enough data
7.4(won by default)
1616
Not enough data
7.3(won by default)
1634
Not enough data
7.6(won by default)
1387
Not enough data
7.3(won by default)
1327
Reports & Dashboards
Not enough data
8.1(won by default)
2163
Not enough data
8.6(won by default)
2232
Not enough data
8.5(won by default)
2073
Not enough data
Feature Not Available
Agentic AI - Social Media Analytics
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Content & Collaboration
9.2
130
9.0
1981
8.7
113
7.9
1793
8.3
93
8.2
1837
8.6
94
8.1
1756
8.8
103
8.4
1860
8.5
87
Feature Not Available
Social Management
7.9
654
8.6
2974
9.3
775
8.9
2965
8.4
630
8.2
2623
8.4
681
8.5
2928
Feature Not Available
Feature Not Available
8.7
87
8.0
1706
8.6
13
7.6
1300
Agentic AI - Social Media Management
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Monitoring & Listening
Not enough data
8.6
1475
Not enough data
7.1
1017
Not enough data
8.3
777
Not enough data
8.0
761
Not enough data
7.9
739
Not enough data
8.0
766
Agentic AI - Social Media Listening Tools
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Data Management & Analysis
Not enough data
7.5
783
Not enough data
8.7
1540
Not enough data
8.2
806
Not enough data
7.9
715
Generative AI
Not enough data
7.4
542
Not enough data
7.3
534
Process
Not enough data
8.6
1111
Not enough data
8.1
908
Not enough data
7.8
672
Channels
Not enough data
Feature Not Available
Not enough data
9.0
1165
Not enough data
Feature Not Available
Not enough data
Feature Not Available
Not enough data
Feature Not Available
Insight
Not enough data
7.5
798
Not enough data
8.6
1091
Not enough data
Feature Not Available
Not enough data
Feature Not Available
Categories
Categories
Shared Categories
Buffer and Sprout Social are categorized as Social Media Management
Unique Categories
Buffer has no unique categories
Sprout Social is categorized as Social Customer Service, Social Media Analytics, Social Media Suites, and Social Media Listening Tools
Reviews
Reviewers' Company Size
Buffer
Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
Enterprise(> 1000 emp.)
Sprout Social
Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
Enterprise(> 1000 emp.)
Small-Business
(50 or fewer emp.)
Mid-Market
(51-1000 emp.)
Enterprise
(> 1000 emp.)
Reviewers' Industry
Marketing and Advertising
23.3%
Computer Software
7.4%
Information Technology and Services
6.0%
Internet
5.3%
Non-Profit Organization Management
4.2%
Other
53.7%
Marketing and Advertising
21.0%
Non-Profit Organization Management
6.2%
Higher Education
4.9%
Information Technology and Services
3.8%
Computer Software
3.4%
Other
60.7%
Most Helpful Reviews
Buffer
Most Helpful Favorable Review
Andrew M.
Verified User in Information Technology and Services
I think the integration with chrome plus the scheduling based on when my networks are most active is the bast aspect. With integration with platforms like tweriod and socialbro to determine what the best time to engage a network is, it's pretty much...
Most Helpful Critical Review
Kelly O.
Verified User in Marketing and Advertising
I don’t like how sometimes it is hard to control the way things appear across multiple social media platforms, notably posts with links.
Sprout Social
Most Helpful Favorable Review
Stephany S.
Verified User in Gambling & Casinos
The incredibly clean UI makes this tool a breeze to use for daily social media monitoring. Up to 50 different channels can be added to the platform, making it very easy for a community manager to respond quickly for multiple brands. Teams also have the...
Most Helpful Critical Review
Mateusz P.
Verified User in Sporting Goods
Firstly, the features are a bit lacking. Sprout Social pulls @mentions and #hashtags into the feed but photo tags and other social media tags are not pulled in by Sprout Social requiring you to log into each social media channel and check. Secondly, the...
Andrew M.
Verified User in Information Technology and Services
I think the integration with chrome plus the scheduling based on when my networks are most active is the bast aspect. With integration with platforms like tweriod and socialbro to determine what the best time to engage a network is, it's pretty much...
Stephany S.
Verified User in Gambling & Casinos
The incredibly clean UI makes this tool a breeze to use for daily social media monitoring. Up to 50 different channels can be added to the platform, making it very easy for a community manager to respond quickly for multiple brands. Teams also have the...
Kelly O.
Verified User in Marketing and Advertising
I don’t like how sometimes it is hard to control the way things appear across multiple social media platforms, notably posts with links.
Mateusz P.
Verified User in Sporting Goods
Firstly, the features are a bit lacking. Sprout Social pulls @mentions and #hashtags into the feed but photo tags and other social media tags are not pulled in by Sprout Social requiring you to log into each social media channel and check. Secondly, the...
Alternatives
Discussions
Can I have tabs open for multiple companies at a time?
4 comments
MM
I have one Buffer account with multiple clients on that one account, so I just click on which platform/client I want to work on within that (so just one...Read more
Which platforms are next on the Buffer integration roadmap?
2 comments
GP
Buffer has a new feature to offer: Shop Grid.
It is a landing page made specifically for your Instagram profile, where you can direct people back to your...Read more
LinkedIn workarounds
2 comments
ED
When a data source like Facebook or LinkedIn removes an API (the way the data is shared from their warehouse to someone else’s, like Buffer’s, and the way...Read more
Is there a place of education for users?
6 comments
EC
I'm sorry, but the text you provided is a URL, which does not contain any content in an unknown language for translation. If you have a specific text in an...Read more
How can I access a more affordable reasonably priced membership with Sprout Social
3 comments
RS
Feel free to chat us directly at Sprout and we can get you in touch with a team member who can walk through your specific use case for you and the best...Read more
Is Sprout Social legit?
3 comments
JG
Definitely! Very useful and intuitive platform to manage and analyze social media.Read more
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