Sprout Social vs Buffer
Side-by-side from the Top 11 ranking of The 11 Best Social Media Scheduling Tools. Last verified June 5, 2026.
The short answer
Buffer ranks higher on Top 11 (#1 vs #2) for Small business owners and social media managers choosing scheduling tools (Buffer vs Hootsuite vs Later). The best for its elegant simplicity, clean interface, and excellent value, perfect for small businesses.
At a glance
| Sprout Social | Buffer | |
|---|---|---|
| Top 11 rank | #2 / The 11 Best Social Media Scheduling Tools | #1 / The 11 Best Social Media Scheduling Tools |
| Score (out of 9.4) | 9 | 9.2 |
| Best for | Powerful analytics and reporting | Simplicity and value |
| Pricing | $$$$ ($249 to $499+/mo) | $ ($6 to $120/mo) |
| HQ | Chicago, USA | Remote |
| Founded | 2010 | 2010 |
Sprout Social
The best for its enterprise-grade analytics, reporting, and team collaboration features.
sproutsocial.comBuffer
The best for its elegant simplicity, clean interface, and excellent value, perfect for small businesses.
buffer.comMethodology and scoring weights live at /methodology. No vendor pays for placement — see about.