Buffer vs Hootsuite: Overview
Hootsuite has been at the top of the content scheduling game for quite some time, but in recent months they’ve had some competition. The most successful of them is Buffer. Buffer doesn’t have all of the same tools as Hootsuite, but it’s known for its simplicity and pricing. Hootsuite’s plans are more costly, with reason, while Buffer is much more affordable.
So, which content scheduling tool is right for you? It’s a hard choice, and that’s what I’m here to help you figure out. I broke this comparison down into 3 bite-sized categories, which will discuss the pros and cons of each, so you’ll know exactly what you’re looking for.
1: Ease of Use
Buffer is primarily for posting and scheduling, so it has a very clean and simple interface, but this is one of the categories that Hootsuite falls short in. However, the reason for Hootsuite’s messy dashboard is a result of the abundance of tools. This doesn’t mean they have a bad interface; it just takes more time to learn.
For small business owners and freelancers, Buffer will work great, but for large corporations, Hootsuite has much better team capabilities.
2: Pricing
Hootsuite and Buffer both offer a number of plans that allow you to customize their involvement in your social media. Hootsuite’s plans are more expensive, but contain more features (which will be described under the next topic). On the other hand, Buffer is much more affordable, and contains all the tools you’ll likely need, at least for small businesses.
Hootsuite’s Pricing Plans:
Buffer’s Pricing Plans:
3: Features & Functionality
Buffer was developed for primarily scheduling and posting but has evolved and is continuing to do so. Hootsuite is the exact opposite, with loads of features and less frequent changes. For example, Hootsuite lets you create and manage ads, which is the only content scheduling software that I know does this.
While both tools provide analytics, Buffer only shows you basic insights, which isn’t much more than what Instagram tells you. However, Hootsuite provides detailed analytics that let you improve your timing and engagement.
Buffer vs Hootsuite: Final Thoughts
Both of these tools are incredibly useful for boosting your performance on Instagram, but now comes the question: which one should you pick? Personally, I would recommend Buffer to anyone with a tight budget, who only needs posting/scheduling, or has a small team. I would recommend Hootsuite to anyone whose ready to invest more, wants a broad array of tools, or has a large team.
If you’re ready to take your social media presence to the next level, but don’t have the time, get in touch with an expert marketing strategist who will tailor a plan for your business, so you can sit back while we create eye-catching and develop an engaged audience.
