Buffer vs Later (2025 Comparison)
Buffer offers a comprehensive suite of features for managing multiple social media accounts. With robust analytics and team collaboration tools, it's ideal for businesses looking to optimize their social media strategy.
- Comprehensive analytics and reporting.
- Supports multiple social media platforms.
- Robust team collaboration features.
- Interface can be overwhelming.
- Limited visual content planning.
Free plan?
YesStarting price
$5 per month
Later focuses on visual content scheduling with its intuitive drag-and-drop calendar and excellent media library organization. It's perfect for businesses and influencers who prioritize visual content on platforms like Instagram.
- Intuitive drag-and-drop calendar.
- Strong focus on visual content.
- Excellent media library organization.
- Basic analytics features.
- Limited team collaboration tools.
Free plan?
YesStarting price
$16.67 per monthWhat is Buffer?
Buffer is a social media management tool that helps users schedule posts, track the performance of their content, and manage multiple social media accounts from one platform. It simplifies the process of maintaining a consistent online presence, allowing users to plan and publish content at optimal times. With Buffer, you can easily analyze engagement metrics and adjust your strategy to improve your social media performance. It's particularly beneficial for businesses and individuals looking to streamline their social media efforts and maximize their reach.
What is Later?
Later is a visual social media scheduling tool that focuses on Instagram, but also supports other platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. It allows users to plan and schedule posts using a drag-and-drop calendar, making it easy to visualize your content strategy. Later's media library helps you organize and store your photos and videos, while its analytics feature provides insights into your audience's engagement. This tool is ideal for businesses and influencers who rely heavily on visual content and want to optimize their posting schedule for maximum impact.
Pros and Cons of Buffer vs Later
Pros & Cons of Buffer
- Buffer offers detailed analytics and reporting features that allow users to track engagement metrics and optimize their social media strategy. This is particularly beneficial for businesses looking to improve their content performance.
- Buffer's ability to manage multiple social media accounts from one platform makes it a versatile tool for businesses with a diverse online presence. This feature streamlines the process of maintaining a consistent brand image across platforms.
- Buffer's team collaboration features allow multiple users to manage social media accounts efficiently, making it ideal for businesses with larger teams. This ensures seamless coordination and communication among team members.
- Buffer's interface, while feature-rich, can be overwhelming for new users. The abundance of options and settings may require a learning curve to navigate effectively, which could be a drawback for those seeking simplicity.
- Buffer's visual content planning capabilities are not as strong as some competitors, which may be a limitation for businesses that rely heavily on visual content. Users may need to supplement Buffer with additional tools for visual planning.
Pros & Cons of Later
- Later's drag-and-drop calendar makes it easy for users to plan and schedule posts visually. This feature is particularly appealing for those who prefer a more visual approach to content planning and scheduling.
- Later's emphasis on visual content makes it an excellent choice for businesses and influencers who rely heavily on platforms like Instagram and Pinterest. Its features are tailored to optimize visual content performance.
- Later's media library allows users to organize and store photos and videos efficiently, making it easy to access and manage visual content. This feature is particularly beneficial for businesses with a large volume of visual assets.
- Later's analytics features, while useful, may not be as comprehensive as some competitors. Users seeking in-depth insights into their social media performance may need to supplement Later with additional analytics tools.
- Later's team collaboration tools are not as robust as some competitors, which may be a limitation for businesses with larger teams. Users may need to rely on additional tools to facilitate seamless collaboration.
Buffer vs Later: At A Glance
Value to Price
Buffer offers a comprehensive suite of features at a competitive price, making it a great value for businesses looking to manage multiple social media accounts efficiently. Its pricing structure is straightforward, allowing users to choose a plan that fits their needs without hidden costs. Later, while slightly more affordable, offers fewer features in its basic plans, which might require users to upgrade for additional functionalities. If you're looking for a tool that offers more features for your investment, Buffer is the better choice.
Ease of Use
Later shines in terms of ease of use with its intuitive drag-and-drop calendar, making it simple for users to plan and schedule posts visually. This feature is particularly beneficial for those who prefer a more visual approach to content planning. Buffer, while user-friendly, requires a bit more navigation to access its full range of features. If you prioritize a straightforward and visually appealing interface, Later is the tool for you.
Functionality
Buffer provides a robust set of functionalities, including advanced analytics and team collaboration features, which are essential for businesses looking to optimize their social media strategy. Later, while offering solid scheduling capabilities, lacks some of the advanced features found in Buffer. If you need a tool with comprehensive functionality to support a growing social media presence, Buffer is the superior option.
Scalability
Buffer is designed to scale with your business, offering plans that accommodate growing teams and increasing social media demands. Its ability to handle multiple accounts and users makes it ideal for businesses planning to expand their social media efforts. Later, while scalable, may require more frequent plan upgrades as your needs grow. If scalability is a priority, Buffer is the better choice.
Integrations
Later excels in integrations, particularly with visual platforms like Instagram and Pinterest, making it a great choice for businesses focused on visual content. Buffer, while offering a wide range of integrations, is more suited for those looking to manage a broader range of social media platforms. If your focus is on visual content and seamless integration with visual platforms, Later is the tool for you.
Customer Support
Buffer offers reliable customer support with various resources, including a comprehensive help center and responsive support team. Later provides decent support but may not be as prompt in addressing issues, especially for users on lower-tier plans. If having access to responsive customer support is crucial, Buffer is the better option.
Security
Both Buffer and Later prioritize security, ensuring user data is protected with industry-standard measures. Buffer's security features are slightly more robust, offering additional layers of protection for businesses handling sensitive information. If security is a top concern, Buffer provides a more secure environment.
Overall Rating
Buffer scores higher overall due to its comprehensive features, scalability, and strong customer support, making it a well-rounded choice for businesses of all sizes. Later, while excellent for visual content scheduling, may not offer the same level of functionality and support. If you're looking for a versatile and reliable social media management tool, Buffer is the better option.
Buffer vs Later: A Detailed Breakdown of Key Features
Post Scheduling
Buffer excels in post scheduling with its ability to manage multiple accounts and schedule posts across various platforms. Its intuitive interface makes it easy to plan and publish content at optimal times. Later, while also strong in scheduling, offers a more visual approach with its drag-and-drop calendar, which is particularly appealing for Instagram-focused users. If you prefer a more visual scheduling tool, Later might be the better choice for you.
Analytics
Buffer provides comprehensive analytics that allow users to track engagement metrics and adjust their social media strategy accordingly. This feature is crucial for businesses looking to optimize their content performance. Later offers basic analytics, which may not be as detailed as Buffer's, but still provides valuable insights for visual content. If in-depth analytics are important to you, Buffer is the superior option.
Team Collaboration
Buffer supports team collaboration with features that allow multiple users to manage social media accounts efficiently. This is ideal for businesses with larger teams. Later also offers collaboration tools, but they may not be as robust as Buffer's. If you need a tool that facilitates seamless team collaboration, Buffer is the better choice.
Media Library
Later's media library is a standout feature, allowing users to organize and store photos and videos for easy access. This is particularly beneficial for businesses that rely heavily on visual content. Buffer offers a media library as well, but it may not be as visually oriented as Later's. If managing visual content is a priority, Later is the tool for you.
Content Calendar
Later's content calendar is highly visual and user-friendly, making it easy to plan and schedule posts. This feature is especially useful for users who prefer a more visual approach to content planning. Buffer also offers a content calendar, but it may not be as visually appealing as Later's. If a visual content calendar is important to you, Later is the better option.
Social Media Monitoring
Buffer provides social media monitoring tools that help users track mentions and engage with their audience. This feature is essential for businesses looking to maintain a strong online presence. Later offers basic monitoring capabilities, which may not be as comprehensive as Buffer's. If social media monitoring is a priority, Buffer is the superior choice.
Pricing Comparison of Buffer and Later
To assist you in making an informed choice, we’ve outlined the pricing plans and essential features of Buffer and Later. This comparison will highlight the best option for managing your social media presence.
Buffer Pricing Plans
- Access to planning and publishing tools for content.
- Build a customized landing page effortlessly.
- Utilize AI Assistant for content ideas and repurposing.
- Schedule up to 10 posts per channel.
- Analytic reports to track social media performance.
- Access to 2000 content ideas with AI Assistant.
- Unlimited scheduling of posts per channel.
- Custom schedules and tailored posts for each channel.
- Draft collaboration tools for team efficiency.
- Approval workflow tools for seamless content management.
- Custom access and permissions for team members.
- Unlimited scheduling and tailored posts for each channel.
- Custom access and permissions for agency clients.
- Agency-friendly pricing for cost-effective management.
- Unlimited scheduling and tailored posts for each channel.
- Comprehensive analytic reports for all channels.
Later Pricing Plans
- Instagram best time to post feature for optimal engagement.
- Visual Instagram planner for organized content scheduling.
- Instagram Reels auto publishing for consistent content delivery.
- Hashtag suggestions to enhance post visibility.
- Full analytics with up to one year of data.
- 30 AI feature credits for enhanced content creation.
- Customizable Link in Bio pages for personalized branding.
- Team and brand management tools for efficient collaboration.
- Unlimited posts for unrestricted content sharing.
- 50 AI feature credits for advanced content strategies.
- Team collaboration tools for seamless teamwork.
- Brand collab tools for creators to enhance partnerships.
- 100 AI feature credits for innovative content solutions.
- Content approval workflows for streamlined processes.
- Prioritized support for quick issue resolution.
- Team and brand management tools for effective oversight.
- 200 AI feature credits for extensive content creation.
- Single sign-on with enterprise authorization for security.
- Social listening for strategic insights.
- 1:1 social listening onboarding for personalized guidance.
Our Rating Methodology
We thoroughly evaluate each social media management tool, focusing on key aspects like functionality, ease of use, and scalability. By analyzing user reviews and testing features, we ensure our recommendations meet diverse needs. Each factor is weighted by importance to deliver a reliable final rating, helping you make informed decisions.
Buffer or Later: Which One Matches Your Business Needs?
Choose Buffer If You Need ...
- Comprehensive social media management
If you need a tool that offers a comprehensive suite of features for managing multiple social media accounts, Buffer is the better choice. Its robust analytics and team collaboration tools make it ideal for businesses looking to optimize their social media strategy.
- Advanced analytics and reporting
If you require in-depth analytics and reporting features to track engagement metrics and improve your social media performance, Buffer is the superior option. Its detailed insights help businesses make data-driven decisions.
Choose Later If You Need ...
- Visual content scheduling
If you prioritize visual content scheduling and need an intuitive drag-and-drop calendar, Later is the tool for you. Its focus on visual platforms like Instagram makes it perfect for businesses and influencers who rely heavily on visual content.
- Organized media library
If you need a tool with an excellent media library for organizing and storing photos and videos, Later is the better choice. Its media library organization is particularly beneficial for businesses with a large volume of visual assets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which tool is better for managing multiple social media accounts?
Which tool offers better analytics and reporting features?
Which tool is more user-friendly for visual content scheduling?
Which tool offers better media library organization?
Which tool is more scalable for growing businesses?
Which tool offers better customer support?
Anastasia Belyh
Anastasia Belyh is a senior tech writer with over 15 years of experience in marketing, sales, and business software. Having worked in investment banking, management consulting, and founded multiple companies, her in-depth knowledge and hands-on expertise make her software reviews authoritative, trustworthy, and highly practical for business decision-makers.
