Later vs Buffer
Both sit in social media. Here is how they differ on the things you can actually check.
On price: Buffer starts $13.75 a month cheaper than Later ($5 against $18.75, 73% less) on its Essentials tier. Both figures were read from the vendors' own pricing pages on the dates shown below.
Later
later.com
Repositioned from visual social planning to influencer marketing: it runs creator campaigns and a creator network for brands, with the social scheduling and visual planner it was originally known for still part of the platform.
Buffer
buffer.com
Queue-based publishing across the major networks with a clean interface, basic analytics and a free tier for three channels.
| Later | Buffer | |
|---|---|---|
| Entry price | $18.75/mo | $5/mo |
| Entry plan | Starter | Essentials |
| Paid annually | $18.75/mo | $5/mo |
| Price checked | 21 Sept 2026 | 21 Sept 2026 |
| Pricing model | Free plan | Free plan |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Category | Social Media | Social Media |
| Around since | 2014 | 2010 |
Every price here was read from the vendor's own pricing page, most recently on 21 Sept 2026. Entry tier only — vendors change pricing without notice.
Later vs Buffer, answered
- Is Later cheaper than Buffer?
- No — Buffer is the cheaper entry point, at $5 a month against Later's $18.75, 73% less. Later's figure is its annual rate — the vendor publishes no month-to-month price we could read. Buffer's figure is its annual rate — the vendor publishes no month-to-month price we could read.
- Do Later or Buffer have a free plan?
- Both do. Later and Buffer each publish an ongoing free tier rather than a time-limited trial.
- What is the difference between Later and Buffer?
- Later: Repositioned from visual social planning to influencer marketing: it runs creator campaigns and a creator network for brands, with the social scheduling and visual planner it was originally known for still part of the platform. Buffer: Queue-based publishing across the major networks with a clean interface, basic analytics and a free tier for three channels.
