Buffer vs Later: Which Social Media Management Tool is Better?

Are you feeling overwhelmed by managing your business’s social media? Don’t worry – you’re not alone!

With so many different tools available, it can be hard to choose the best one for your business. 

As a business owner, I understand the importance of managing and automating your social media management. And, I spent hours researching and trying out several different social media management tools.

In this blog post, we’ll look at two of the most popular social media management tools: Buffer and Later. We’ll compare their features, benefits, and ease of use so that you can make the right decision that fits your business’s needs.

So, let’s dive in and find out which one will help you stay on top of your social media accounts!

Brief Overview: Buffer vs Later

First, I’ll give you a quick overview of Buffer and Later:

Buffer

Buffer is a user-friendly social networking management tool that enables businesses to share content quickly across various social platforms. It streamlines post-scheduling, ensures a consistent online presence, and provides robust analytics to track performance.

Key Selling Points:

• Queue posts effortlessly for multiple social media platforms from a single dashboard.
• Preset publishing times
• Key performance indicators with detailed analytics and generate reports to share with your team or clients.
• Allows you to add the first comment with hashtags right when your post goes live.
• Invite team members, assign access levels, and review posts together before publishing.

Later

Later focuses on visual content, offering a more intuitive approach for businesses looking to plan, schedule, and analyze their social media. It is trendy among brands that rely heavily on imagery and visuals for their social presence.

Key Selling Points:

• Drag-and-drop functionality makes it easy to plan the look of your social media feed.
• Linkin.bio that drives more traffic and tracks sales from your Instagram
• Calculate your optimal posting times for the highest engagement based on your past performance
• User-generated Content (UGC) tools and saved captions
• Hashtag suggestions

Quick Verdict: Buffer vs Later

Buffer is the epitome of simplicity, meeting efficiency. It’s ideal for businesses and professionals who need a straightforward, no-nonsense approach to scheduling content across various platforms.

Supporting this claim is Buffer’s intuitive interface, making it easy for you to onboard and navigate through the tool’s features without a steep learning curve. Its robust scheduling capabilities allow for a seamless process, from drafting to posting, eliminating the fuss associated with manual posting.

With Buffer, you gain a centralized control hub for all your social media content. This hub ensures that your content strategy is consistent and timely, which helps you keep your audience engaged and grow your digital footprint.

Later transforms social media management into a visually driven experience. It’s perfect for brands for whom aesthetics are crucial, like influencers, visual content creators, and businesses that thrive on image-heavy platforms like Instagram.

The reason behind this is Later’s emphasis on visual content planning. The platform offers a unique visual content calendar and drag-and-drop functionality, which are game-changers for planning appealing social feeds.

It allows brands to craft and preview their visual story before it goes live. Additionally, features like Linkin.bio make it an indispensable tool for driving and tracking sales directly from Instagram, essentially turning feeds into shoppable galleries.

With Later, businesses can not only organize their visual content more interactively but also harness the power of aesthetics for better engagement and conversion.

Product Overview: Buffer vs Later

What is it?

Buffer is a comprehensive social media management tool that allows businesses to schedule posts, track performance, and manage multiple accounts across various social networks. It provides an intuitive user interface and powerful analytics tools.

Later is a marketing automation platform specifically designed for visually-centric platforms like Instagram. It offers features such as a visual content calendar, auto-publishing, and easy post organization.

Who is it for?

Buffer is perfect for businesses or individuals who manage multiple social media accounts across different platforms. Whether you’re a small business owner, a digital marketer, or a social media influencer, Buffer’s suite of social media management tools can help streamline your process.

Later is ideal for businesses or individuals focusing heavily on visual content, especially on Instagram. If you’re a blogger, a fashion brand, a photographer, or anyone who relies on visual storytelling, Later can significantly enhance your social media presence.

What makes it special?

Buffer stands out with its robust scheduling tools and analytics features. Its ability to manage multiple social networks from one place makes it a versatile tool. Additionally, Buffer offers a browser extension for easy content sharing, making it unique in the market.

Later differentiates itself with its visually-oriented features. Its visual content calendar and drag-and-drop feature for organizing posts make managing visual content a breeze. Moreover, its Linkin.bio feature helps drive traffic from Instagram, offering a unique advantage.

What does it do?

Buffer provides an all-in-one platform for scheduling posts, tracking social media performance, and managing multiple accounts. It supports a variety of platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram, allowing you to maintain a consistent presence across all these networks.

Later focuses on providing a platform for visually-focused social media management. It allows you to plan and schedule your posts with a visual content calendar, auto-publish posts, and drive traffic from Instagram with its Linkin.bio feature.

Quick Comparison: Buffer vs Later

Key Features	Buffer	Later
#1) Pricing	Winner
#2) Free Plan	Winner
#3) Design & Functionality		Winner
#4) Scheduling Features		Winner
#5) Social Channels & Integrations	Winner
#6) Analytics Tools		Winner
#7) AI & Automation Tools		Winner
#8) Mobile App		Winner
#9) Customer Support	Winner
Overall		Winner

Feature Comparison: Buffer vs Later

Let’s do an in-depth analysis of Later’s and Buffer’s features so you can make the right decision for you and your business.

#1) Pricing

When it comes to affordability, Buffer makes an immediate impression. The platform offers a very competitive starting price for its paid plans with its Essentials Plan, coming in at just $6 per month, providing access to one social channel. This plan is particularly attractive for individuals or small businesses that need a more cost-effective solution for social media management.

On the other hand, Later’s paid plan pricing is on the higher end, with its Starter Plan beginning at $25 per month. This plan includes one social set and access for one user.

It’s designed if you require more comprehensive features right from the start, potentially offering more value for businesses looking to scale their social media efforts. It’s also available in Growth and Advanced Plans, offering unlimited users and unlimited team members and customization.

In terms of sheer cost-effectiveness, Buffer holds the edge because of its lower entry point, making it more accessible to a broader range of users, especially those on a tight budget or with simpler social media needs. However, it’s important to note that Later’s starting package has more advanced features.

Verdict: For pricing, Buffer is the winner. 

#2) Free Plans

Later provides you with a 14-day free trial period, allowing them to test any premium plans. This brief period is comprehensive, giving you access to all the functionalities without any upfront commitment, which is excellent for small businesses or individuals unsure of their needs.

Buffer, on the other hand, takes a different approach by offering a free plan with no time limit. This “Free Forever” plan permits connection to up to 3 social accounts, which is incredibly beneficial if you need only minimal features or are just starting out with social media management tools and do not wish to invest money yet.

Overall, Buffer is the better free option if you are in the early stages of your social media or on a very tight budget. However, Later’s free approach wants to give you a taste of the full experience, eventually leading to an upgrade. Therefore, for the better free plan, Buffer takes the lead.

Verdict: For the free plan, Buffer is the winner.

#3) Design & Functionality

Buffer boasts a clean, intuitive design that makes it easy to navigate and manage your social media accounts. It allows you to schedule posts, track performance, and manage multiple accounts across various social networks with ease. Additionally, Buffer’s browser extension for easy content sharing is a distinguishing feature.

Later, on the other hand, is designed with a focus on visual content management. Its user-friendly interface includes a visual content calendar and a drag-and-drop feature for organizing unlimited posts, making it great for a platform like Instagram.

While both products offer robust functionality, Later’s visually intuitive design is often more appealing to more users who frequently work with image-heavy content and prefer a social media management tool where you can visualize your posts in a more cohesive, aesthetic manner. The drag-and-drop functionality is a standout feature that streamlines the social media management process, especially for visual platforms.

Verdict: For design and functionality, Later is the winner.

#4) Scheduling Features

Buffer provides a robust scheduling feature, which allows you to plan and schedule your social media posts across multiple platforms. It also offers a custom time slot feature that enables you to post at the most optimal times for your audience. Additionally, it allows the creation of a posting schedule unique to each social platform.

Later, on the other hand, specializes in visual scheduling. Its Visual Planner lets you see exactly how their Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest feed will look before the posts go live. It also offers a media library where you can store your files and auto-publish to Instagram, a feature not all social media management tools provide.

In terms of scheduling features, both tools offer unique benefits. Buffer’s scheduling feature is robust and versatile, making it suitable for managing multiple platforms. However, Later’s visual scheduling and auto-publishing features are more beneficial if your primary focus is on visually oriented platforms like Instagram.

Verdict: For scheduling features, Later is the winner.

#5) Social Channels & Integrations

Buffer supports various social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Instagram. It also integrates with other tools and apps such as Zapier, RSS feeds, and more, making it easy to streamline your social media management tool workflow.

Later supports the major social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest, but places a particular emphasis on Instagram. It offers Instagram-specific features like Linkin.bio integration and Instagram Stories scheduling. However, it does not have as many integrations as Buffer.

When comparing the two regarding social channels and integrations, Buffer stands out due to its broad support for various platforms and numerous integrations. However, if your primary focus is Instagram, the Later’s features are more appealing.

Verdict: For social channels and integrations, Buffer takes the lead due to its wider range of supported platforms and integrations.

#6) Analytics Capabilities

Buffer offers “Buffer Analyze,” a feature designed for social media analytics. This functionality provides you with valuable insights into the performance of your content across different platforms. It includes data on engagement metrics, the success of posts based on their timing, the demographics of the audience, and the growth of followers, helping you understand what resonates with your audience.

Later also brings robust analytics reporting to the table. You can track your performance data, including engagement rates, click-through rates, follower growth, and more. One of Later’s standout features is its visual content performance data. This data lets you see which specific posts and content types perform and resonate best with your audience.

Both Buffer and Later provide comprehensive data that can help you refine your social media strategies. However, Later’s visual-centric analytics offer an extra layer of insight, particularly beneficial for platforms like Instagram, where imagery is crucial. By providing clear, valuable insights into what types of content are performing best, Later offers a more intuitive approach for strategists who rely heavily on visual content.

Verdict: For robust analytics, Later provides deep insights with its visual-centric analytics.

#7) AI & Automation Tools

Buffer maintains a streamlined approach to social media management, focusing on simplifying the user experience. Its AI is a bit limited, focusing primarily on the optimal timing of posts to ensure they reach the widest possible audience. While effective, Buffer’s content automation tools are designed for businesses or individuals who prefer a more hands-on approach to their social media strategies.

On the other hand, Later capitalizes on more advanced AI and automation with features such as the Caption Writer that aids in creating compelling captions, an innovative content creation tool that streamlines the creation process, and a highly intuitive hashtag suggestion feature. These tools are not only time-saving but also enhance content quality and relevance, catering to ongoing social media trends and audience preferences.

In this category, Later stands out due to its intelligent features for content strategy and audience engagement. By automating and optimizing more tedious or complex aspects of social media management, Later helps you focus more on creative content generation and broader strategic planning. Its forward-thinking tools, particularly around content creation and hashtag suggestions, offer a more sophisticated, data-driven approach to social media marketing.

Verdict: For AI & automation tools, Later due to its content strategy and audience engagement features.

#8) Mobile App

Buffer’s mobile app offers a user-friendly interface that allows you to efficiently manage your social accounts on the go. The app equips you with the ability to schedule posts, analyze performance, and manage all connected accounts.

On the other hand, Later also provides a well-constructed mobile app. This app enables you to visually plan and schedule your Instagram posts directly from your phones. What sets Later’s mobile app apart is its unique feature called “Linkin.bio.” This feature lets you link individual Instagram posts to specific products or pages.

In the mobile app category, Later takes a slight edge. While both apps effectively translate desktop functionalities to a mobile environment, Later’s app stands out with its additional features tailored for Instagram marketing and a visually intuitive approach to content scheduling. This focus enhances its appeal, especially if you rely heavily on visual content and want to manage your social media marketing efforts directly from your smartphone.

Verdict: For mobile apps, Later has the better overall app for iOS and Android.

#9) Customer Support

Buffer offers robust customer support options, including a comprehensive knowledge base, email support, and a community forum. You have reported that the support team is responsive and helpful in resolving issues.

On the other hand, Later also provides solid customer support, with a detailed help center, email support, and social media assistance. 

Comparing the two, Buffer has a slight edge due to the responsiveness of its support team. While both platforms offer multiple avenues for support, the feedback regarding Buffer’s support team is more positive.

Verdict: For customer support, Buffer takes the lead with its responsive and helpful support team.

Final Thoughts on Buffer vs Later

After a lot of research and hours testing out Buffer and Later, both platforms bring unique strengths to social media management.

Buffer shines in its streamlined simplicity, perfect for individuals or businesses who appreciate an intuitive interface for straightforward social media scheduling.

However, Later pushes the boundaries by offering innovative features tailored for visually-centric platforms, particularly Instagram. With its advanced content planning tools, sophisticated analytics, and a robust mobile app, Later provides a comprehensive solution for serious content marketers who need to stay a step ahead in the fast-paced digital landscape.

Based on my experience and research, I recommend Later if you are ready to take your social media strategy to the next level.

Its features are designed to cater to the nuanced needs of modern marketing, providing the insights and automation necessary for impactful online engagement.

Ready to optimize your social media strategy? Start with Later today!