Buffer vs Sprout Social: Pricing Comparison 2026
Side-by-side pricing comparison of Buffer and Sprout Social. See all plans, features, and costs at a glance.
Bottom line: Buffer starts at $14/mo, making it $185/mo cheaper than Sprout Social ($199/mo). Buffer offers a free plan.
Last updated: March 16, 2026
Buffer vs Sprout Social: Quick Pricing Facts
| Feature | Buffer | Sprout Social |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $14/mo | $199/mo |
| Number of Plans | 3 | 4 |
| Free Tier | Yes | No |
| Pricing Model | freemium | per-seat |
| Annual Discount | N/A | N/A |
Buffer is the more affordable option, starting at $14/mo compared to Sprout Social's $199/mo. Both are Other tools with 7 combined pricing plans and 19 features compared. At comparable tiers, the monthly price difference is $299.
Buffer stands out with a free plan for getting started. Buffer uses freemium pricing while Sprout Social uses per-seat pricing, which may affect your total cost at scale.
Review the detailed tier-by-tier comparison above to see exactly which features are included at each price point and find the best fit for your Other needs.
| Pricing Plans |  Buffer Try it free |  Sprout Social Try it free |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | FreePopular $0/monthCheapest | Standard $199/month Includes
|
| Tier 2 | EssentialsPopular $14/monthCheapest | ProfessionalPopular $299/month Includes
|
| Tier 3 | TeamPopular $14/monthCheapest | Advanced $399/month Includes
|
| Tier 4 | — | Enterprise Custom pricing Includes
|
Swipe to compare plans →
Buffer
Buffer offers a free plan, starts at $185/mo lower ($14/mo vs $199/mo).
Based on pricing data only. Review the full comparison below for your specific needs.
Best value: Buffer
Try Buffer freeWhich Should You Choose?
Choose Buffer if:
- •You want lower per-user costs—Buffer starts at $14/mo, saving $185/mo compared to Sprout Social at $199/mo
- •You need a free plan with core features—Buffer offers no-cost access with no credit card required
- •You prefer Buffer's freemium model with its 3-tier structure
Choose Sprout Social if:
- •You need 4 pricing tiers for flexible team sizing—more options mean less overpaying for features you don't need
- •You want more features built-in—Sprout Social offers 19 additional features across its plans
- •Your team needs custom enterprise pricing—Sprout Social offers negotiated terms for large deployments
Buffer is the more affordable choice [1], starting at $14/mo compared to Sprout Social's $199/mo. For a 50-person team on paid plans, this translates to Buffer saving approximately $9250/month. Buffer offers 3 pricing tiers compared to Sprout Social's 4, giving you more granular control over scaling costs as your team grows. Across all tiers, Buffer provides 0 total features versus 19 for Sprout Social, offering a more focused toolset depending on your specific needs. For budget-conscious teams seeking predictable costs, Buffer delivers superior value. Sprout Social may justify its premium for specialized needs, but most organizations will find Buffer the smarter financial choice.
Frequently Asked Questions: Buffer vs Sprout Social
Which is cheaper, Buffer or Sprout Social?
How many pricing plans does Buffer have vs Sprout Social?
Does Buffer or Sprout Social offer a free plan?
What is the most popular Buffer plan?
What is the most popular Sprout Social plan?
Does Buffer or Sprout Social offer custom enterprise pricing?
What pricing models do Buffer and Sprout Social use?
Sources
- Buffer Official Pricing— Vendor pricing page
- Sprout Social Official Pricing— Vendor pricing page
Track Price Changes
Get notified when pricing changes for these tools.