Core pricing difference
| Metricool | Buffer | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing unit | Managed brand | Connected channel |
| Paid entry | Starter $20/mo for up to 5 brands, annual | Essentials $5/channel/mo, annual |
| Approval tier | Advanced from $53/mo, annual | Team $10/channel/mo, annual |
| Team access | Team/client management on Advanced | Unlimited team members on Team |
| API | Advanced | Available on paid Buffer plans, with plan-based limits |
| Full white label | Custom | Not positioned as a full white-label client platform |
Example: five clients with four channels each
That is 20 channels. Buffer Team at its published annual rate would be $200/month. Metricool Advanced can cover up to 15 brands at $53/month on annual billing, so brand-based pricing is dramatically cheaper in this specific setup. The comparison changes if you only manage a handful of total channels.
Buffer is simpler when collaboration is mostly internal
Buffer Team includes unlimited team members, access levels and content approval workflows. If you do not need client management, Looker Studio or agency-style brand reporting, that simplicity can be a benefit rather than a limitation.
Metricool is stronger when reporting and analytics drive the purchase
Metricool Starter already includes PDF/PPT reports and unlimited analytics history. Advanced adds custom report templates, Looker Studio and API access alongside approvals.
Which one fits your agency?
Count the thing each vendor charges for. If every client brings four or five channels, per-channel pricing can compound quickly. If you have very few channels, Buffer's structure stays easy to understand and scale down.
Affiliate disclosure: ToolPick may earn a commission if you sign up for Metricool through links on this page. This does not increase your price and does not change our editorial judgment.
Use our agency cost calculator to compare the two using your client and channel counts.