Sprout Social vs Buffer
By Itai Varochik | Updated 2026
Quick Verdict
Overall Winner: Sprout Social (4.5/5)
We tested Sprout Social and Buffer side-by-side. Sprout Social comes out ahead overall, but Buffer may be better for specific use cases.
Score Breakdown
| Criteria | Sprout Social | Buffer |
|---|---|---|
| Features | 9.5/10 | 7/10 |
| Ease of Use | 8.5/10 | 9.5/10 |
| Value for Money | 6.5/10 | 9/10 |
| Customer Support | 9/10 | 8/10 |
| Overall | 8.5/10 | 8/10 |
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Sprout Social | Buffer |
|---|---|---|
| Publishing | Yes | No |
| Analytics | Yes | Yes |
| Social CRM | Yes | No |
| Listening | Yes | No |
| Advocacy | Yes | No |
| Scheduling | No | Yes |
| AI Assistant | No | Yes |
| Link in Bio | No | Yes |
| Team Collaboration | No | Yes |
| Drafts & Queues | No | Yes |
| Custom Scheduling | No | Yes |
Pricing Comparison
Sprout Social: From $249/mo
Buffer: Free – $120/mo
Sprout Social Pros & Cons
Pros
- Best social CRM features
- Advanced social listening
- Beautiful reporting and analytics
Cons
- Most expensive option
- Overkill for small teams
Buffer Pros & Cons
Pros
- Dramatically cheaper than Hootsuite ($6/channel)
- Dead-simple interface
- Generous free plan
- Per-channel pricing scales fairly
- Fast, frictionless scheduling
Cons
- No social inbox for messages/comments
- Basic analytics only
- No ad management
- Limited TikTok/YouTube features
- Free plan limited to 10 posts per channel
Key Specifications
| Spec | Sprout Social | Buffer |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5/5 | 4.3/5 |
| Pricing | From $249/mo | Free – $120/mo |
| Year Founded | 2010 | 2010 |
| Headquarters | Chicago, IL | Remote-first |
| Employees | 1,400+ | 90+ |
| Best For | Enterprise social media | Solo creators |
| Free Plan | No | Yes (3 channels) |
Our Verdict
Sprout Social wins overall. Choose Sprout Social if you value Mid-to-large marketing teams. Choose Buffer if you prioritize Solo creators and small businesses managing their own social media.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sprout Social better than Buffer?
Based on our testing, Sprout Social scores higher with a rating of 4.5/5 compared to Buffer's 4.3/5. However, the best choice depends on your specific needs.
What is the main difference between Sprout Social and Buffer?
Sprout Social is known for: Premium social media management with CRM, listening, and advanced analytics.. Buffer is known for: Simple, affordable social media scheduling tool for solopreneurs, creators, and small businesses..
Which is cheaper, Sprout Social or Buffer?
Sprout Social pricing: From $249/mo. Buffer pricing: Free – $120/mo.
Can I use Sprout Social and Buffer together?
While both tools serve similar purposes in the Social Media Tools category, some users do use complementary features from both platforms.
What are the pros of Sprout Social?
Best social CRM features. Advanced social listening. Beautiful reporting and analytics
What are the pros of Buffer?
Dramatically cheaper than Hootsuite ($6/channel). Dead-simple interface. Generous free plan
Which social media tools should I choose?
Choose Sprout Social if you value Mid-to-large marketing teams. Choose Buffer if you prioritize Solo creators and small businesses managing their own social media.