Buying guide · 3 tools researched · prices checked 10 Oct 2026
Best Social Media Management software, by situation
We researched 3 Social Media Management tools, including Buffer, Metricool, and Simplified. There is no single best option: find the situation closest to yours, see what it costs, and check the trade-off against the runner-up.
Our picks
-
01 Simple scheduling for a few social accounts
Buffer
Buffer is easy to budget for a solo publisher with a small number of accounts because paid pricing is tied to channels rather than posts. The Free tier supports three channels but limits scheduled posts to ten per channel. Collaboration and approvals are available on Team, making that the meaningful agency comparison.
- What it costs
- Five channels on Essentials at the annual rate cost US$25 per month equivalent, or US$300 yearly, before tax.
- Skip it if
- Agencies needing many channels at one flat fee or approvals on Essentials
- Runner-up
- metricool
-
02 Multi-brand social reporting for agencies
Metricool
Metricool is useful for social managers who need planning, competitor analysis and client reporting together. Its free plan is workable for one brand, but it excludes LinkedIn and X and keeps only 30 days of analytics. Agencies need Advanced for roles, approval workflows and the API.
- What it costs
- Five brands on the displayed Starter tier cost €16 per month equivalent, or €192 over 12 months, before tax and add-ons.
- Skip it if
- Teams needing LinkedIn or X on Free, or approvals and API on Starter
- Runner-up
- buffer
-
03 Branded social campaigns with approvals
Simplified
Simplified is appealing when campaign drafts, designs and publishing currently move through several disconnected tools. The deciding question is whether your team will use that connected workflow often enough to justify Starter. Campaign credits make the allowance more restrictive than an unlimited-content interpretation would suggest.
- What it costs
- A marketer using five eligible social-batch campaigns each month would budget US$79/month, or US$948 over 12 monthly payments, before tax. An email sequence and an ad set for the same launch can require additional campaign credits.
- Skip it if
- You only need occasional AI writing or require unlimited campaigns and specialist editing depth
- Runner-up
- Canva
How the options compare
| Compare |  Buffer |
Metricool |  Simplified |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Creators and small teams scheduling a few social accounts | Social managers and agencies reporting across several brand accounts | Lean marketing teams running recurring branded social campaigns with a human approval step |
| Starting price | Free; Essentials US$5/channel/month billed yearly | Free; Starter from €16/month for up to five brands | US$79/month for Starter (advertised monthly price) |
| Free plan / trial | Free forever for up to three channels | Free plan for one brand | Starter trial advertised; exact duration not verified |
| Pricing model | Per-channel subscription; Team adds collaboration without charging by seat | Subscription by brand capacity; monthly and annual rates vary | Subscription with campaign and creative allowances; team limits vary by plan |
| Biggest limitation | Adding channels increases the bill even if the same team manages them | Free excludes LinkedIn and X; Advanced is needed for team approvals and API | A campaign credit covers one defined output type, so a multi-format launch can consume more than one credit. |
| Price checked |
Prices are taken from each vendor's own pricing page on the dates shown. Taxes and add-ons may apply; confirm before you buy.
Every Social Media Management tool we've profiled
- BufferFree; Essentials US$5/channel/month billed yearlyCreators and small teams scheduling a few social accounts
- MetricoolFree; Starter from €16/month for up to five brandsSocial managers and agencies reporting across several brand accounts
- SimplifiedUS$79/month for Starter (advertised monthly price)Lean marketing teams running recurring branded social campaigns with a human approval step
