Later vs Buffer
Which social media tool is right for you? Compare features, pricing, and user reviews to make the best choice.
Later
Creators, shops and small brands that plan their marketing around the Instagram grid and want scheduling, link in bio and Instagram analytics in one tool.
Buffer
Creators and small businesses that post to Instagram plus several other networks and want the lowest cost per account, with a free plan for up to 3 channels.
Side by side
| Later | Buffer | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | From $18.75/month billed yearly (14-day trial) | Free; paid from $5/channel/month billed yearly |
| G2 Rating | 4.5 (384 reviews) | 4.3 (1,041 reviews) |
| Best For | Creators, shops and small brands that plan their marketing around the Instagram grid and want scheduling, link in bio and Instagram analytics in one tool. | Creators and small businesses that post to Instagram plus several other networks and want the lowest cost per account, with a free plan for up to 3 channels. |
Pros and cons
Later
Pros
- Every Instagram format, grid preview and Link in Bio on the entry plan
- One Social Set covers 8 networks for one price
- Best times to post per format: Feed, Reels and Stories
Cons
- Starter caps posts at 30 per profile per month
- Inbox, approvals and product tagging need Growth
- No ongoing no-cost plan, only a 14-day trial
Buffer
Pros
- Usable free plan for 3 channels
- Clear per-channel pricing from $5/month
- Unlimited team members on Team
Cons
- First comment and hashtag manager not on the free plan
- No Instagram grid preview found on Buffer's pages
- Inbox handles comments, not Instagram DMs
Related comparisons
Best Instagram Scheduling Tools
Later is the best Instagram scheduling tool for most creators and brands: every format auto-publishes, and the feed preview, Link in Bio and per-format best times are on the $18.75/month entry plan. Pick Planoly if grid planning and selling from your bio matter most.
Best Social Media Management Tools
Sprout Social is the best social media management tool for teams that publish, engage and report together, thanks to its Smart Inbox, reporting on every plan and approvals on Professional. Pick Buffer or Metricool if per-seat pricing is out of budget.
Best Social Media Scheduling Tools
Publer is the best social media scheduler for most solo creators and small teams: the lowest cost per account here, with X, approvals and bulk scheduling on its cheapest paid plan. Pick Buffer for the simplest pricing and unlimited users, or Metricool for analytics.