Buffer bills per channel: $6 a month for each account, or $5 billed yearly. SocialMate Pro is $8 a month flat, and it posts to Discord and Telegram, which Buffer doesn't.
Buffer
Polished scheduler, priced per channel
SocialMate
One flat price, plus Discord and Telegram
Per-channel pricing adds up
Buffer Essentials is $6 a month per channel, or $5 billed yearly. Seven accounts comes to $42 a month, or $35 billed yearly. SocialMate Pro is $8 a month for up to 5 accounts on each platform.
Discord and Telegram
Buffer doesn't publish to Discord or Telegram. If your community lives there, SocialMate schedules to both, on the free plan.
The free plans are shaped differently
Buffer's free plan holds 10 queued posts per channel across 3 channels. SocialMate's free plan allows 250 posts a month scheduled up to 2 weeks ahead, 1 account on each platform, plus bulk scheduling and 50 AI credits a month.
When Buffer is the better pick
If you need Instagram, Facebook, Threads, Pinterest or YouTube Shorts, use Buffer. SocialMate doesn't post to those.
How limited is Buffer's free plan?
Buffer's free plan connects up to 3 channels and holds 10 scheduled posts per channel at a time, refilling as they go out. It includes Buffer's AI Assistant, a comment inbox and 30 days of basic analytics. SocialMate's free plan allows 1 account on each platform (X needs Pro), 250 posts a month scheduled up to 2 weeks ahead, and 50 AI credits a month.
How much does Buffer cost for several accounts?
Buffer bills per channel. Essentials is $6 a month per channel billed monthly, or $5 billed yearly, and Team is $12 or $10. Rates drop past 10 channels. SocialMate Pro is $8 a month flat ($80 a year) for up to 5 accounts on each platform, and Agency is $29 a month for up to 10 per platform plus 5 client workspaces.
Does SocialMate post to Instagram or Facebook?
No. SocialMate posts to Bluesky, Discord, Telegram, Mastodon, LinkedIn, TikTok and X (X on Pro and up). Buffer supports Instagram, Facebook, Threads, Pinterest and YouTube Shorts, so if you need those, Buffer is the better fit.
Is SocialMate actually free?
Yes. The free plan includes 250 posts a month, 50 AI credits a month, bulk scheduling (10 posts per batch), link in bio, a hashtag manager, competitor tracking for 3 accounts, RSS import and evergreen recycling. No credit card required.
SocialMate's free plan gives you 250 posts a month, bulk scheduling and 15+ AI tools across 6 platforms, with X on Pro. No credit card required.
Create free account →No card required · Free forever