Buffer vs. Hootsuite: Which Social Media Management Tool Should You Choose?

Summary: A comprehensive analysis and comparison of Buffer and Hootsuite. From features and drawbacks to pricing and detailed features. 

What has been updated from the old blog post:

1. Additional content for the ‘What is Hootsuite’ section. Renamed the section to. ‘Exploring Hootsuite’
2. Added Exploring Buffer section

What is a Social Media Management Tools ?

Having a social media presence is essential for any business today. Whether it’s Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or Twitter, an active presence on these platforms can make a huge difference.

But managing multiple accounts and posting manually can be time-consuming and overwhelming. With time being precious, it’s important to streamline this process. Using the best social media management app can help save time, increase efficiency, and boost your online presence.

If you are a business looking to enhance your social media strategy, leveraging Digital Marketing Services can help you implement advanced tools, streamline processes, and drive engagement across multiple platforms.

Why Choose Social Media Management Tools?

Tools like Buffer and Hootsuite have simplified social media management by offering an integrated platform for scheduling and publishing content across multiple platforms. Both are excellent options, each with its own set of features, benefits, and unique value propositions.

While Buffer and Hootsuite share similar functions, such as scheduling and managing posts across various social media channels, they also have notable differences that can influence which tool works best for your business needs.

In this blog, we will examine social media management Tools (Buffer vs. Hootsuite) and the pros and cons of using Hootsuite and Buffer, then execute a feature comparison between the two social media management tools to help you identify the one that works best for you. Let’s begin.

What is Hootsuite? Features and Benefits

Source: oko

Hootsuite is a social media management platform that offers tools to help people and organizations better manage their social media presence. It provides a single dashboard where users can schedule posts, interact with their audience, and monitor their social media profiles. Here are some of the most important components and features of Hootsuite:

1. Multi-platform management 

Hootsuite integrates with a number of social networking networks, including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

2. Scheduling and publishing

Users can schedule posts ahead of time, allowing for strategic content planning across many social media networks.

3. Social media monitoring

Hootsuite offers a centralized dashboard for tracking social media activity. Users can track mentions, comments, and messages from several platforms in a single location.

4. Analytics and reporting

The platform provides analytics tools for tracking the success of social media efforts. Users may examine data like as engagement, reach, and other critical performance indicators.

5. Team collaboration

Hootsuite is designed to enhance cooperation among team members. Users may delegate duties, share access to social media accounts, and work together to create content.

6. Content curation

Users can discover and curate content within the platform, making it easier to find and share relevant content with their audience.

7. Social listening

Hootsuite allows users to monitor keywords, hashtags, and particular subjects, offering insights into social media conversations.

8. App integration

Hootsuite seamlessly connects with a variety of third-party programs and tools, allowing users to connect to other platforms.

9. Security features

To further safeguard user accounts, the platform provides security measures such as two-factor authentication.

10. Ad campaign management

Hootsuite offers tools for organizing and tracking paid advertising campaigns on social media networks in addition to organic content.

11. Mobile accessibility

Hootsuite provides mobile applications for iOS and Android smartphones, allowing users to manage their social media accounts while on the move.

12. URL shortening

The platform offers a URL shortening service, allowing users to post links on sites such as Twitter under character constraints.

13. Training and certification

Hootsuite provides training and certification programs to assist users in becoming adept in social media management and fully utilizing the platform’s features.

14. Compliance tools

Hootsuite features solutions to assist users in meeting regulatory obligations, which is especially relevant in businesses with strict compliance standards.

Pros & Cons of Hootsuite

Hootsuite stands out as one of the best social media management tools, even in its free version. It offers excellent functionalities and integrates with ten major social media platforms, making it incredibly versatile. Despite being free, it still provides a robust set of features that help users schedule, manage, and track social media activity efficiently—making it one of the most powerful tools in the market.

Read on to uncover the potential benefits and drawbacks of using a tool like Hootsuite.

Pros of Hootsuite

1. Unique app directory

Unlike other integrated social media management platforms, Hootsuite features a unique app directory providing access to more than 100 apps, including Google Drive, SoundCloud, YouTube, and SalesForce that are not available in the default list.

2. Access to many social networks

From Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter to Foursquare, WordPress, and lesser-known sites like Mixi; Hootsuite gives you access to uncountable social media platforms in one single integrated platform.

3. All-in-one interface

Hootsuite has an easy-to-use, all-in-one interface that is neatly organized using tabs and streams. Using streams, you can segregate content within each social network. You can have one stream for posts, another for the home page, and yet another for direct messages.

4. Posting/publication interface

Publish content anywhere, anytime. In Hootsuite, you can easily browse over to the ‘Compose message’ or ‘Send to’ fields, click on the social media website you would like to post on and schedule the content for publication.

5. Advertising feature

Executing your organization’s social media management strategy becomes effortless with Hootsuite’s advertising feature. You can bring your marketing visions to life by deploying its ad creation and management capabilities.

Cons of Hootsuite

1. Confusing interface

While the multiple app success is a boon for many, it can also prove to be incredibly confusing and overwhelming to work with. The presence of too many social networks and profiles on the interface can throw you off if you’re not well-versed with the platform.

2. Optimal platform usage is challenging

Amongst others, Hootsuite offers various features such as app directories, analytics, contact integrations, and assignments. Understanding all of its features may take time and prolong optimal usage of this platform.

3. Increasing costs

Adding more than one member to your team and accessing several analytics reports and apps in the app directory may require additional payment. As a result, the overall cost of using this platform may increase over and above the monthly subscription charge.

What is Buffer? Features and Benefits

Source: pcmag

Buffer is a social media management application that assists people and organizations in scheduling and managing social media postings across many platforms.

It was launched in 2010 and has since grown in popularity as a solution for optimizing social media operations. Here are some of the most important components and features of Buffer:

1. Multi-platform scheduling

Buffer allows you to schedule posts for social networking networks such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.

2. Content calendar

An interactive content calendar allows users to monitor and control their planned posts, offering a visual snapshot of their social media marketing strategy.

3. Browser extension

Buffer also provides a browser plugin that allows users to publish content to their posting queue while exploring the web.

4. Analytics and insights

Buffer offers simple analytics tools that allow users to monitor the performance of their posts in terms of interaction, reach, and other crucial metrics.

5. Team collaboration

Buffer enables team members to work together on social media management. Team members can be assigned roles and rights by users.

6. Content suggestions

Buffer offers content recommendations, assisting users in discovering relevant articles and topics to share with their audience.

7. RSS feed integration

Users can link their RSS feeds to Buffer, allowing them to share blog posts and other information automatically as part of their social networking strategy.

8. Custom posting schedule

Buffer users can set their own publishing schedule depending on when their target audience is most engaged on social media.

9. Mobile app

Buffer provides a mobile app for both iOS and Android that allows users to manage their social media accounts while on the move.

10. Pablo image creator

Buffer offers a tool called Pablo, which allows users to create attractive photos for social media postings by utilizing capabilities such as text overlay and image manipulation.

11. URL shortening

The website offers URL shortening services, allowing users to post links on networks such as Twitter under character constraints.

12. Third-party apps integration

Buffer interfaces with a variety of third-party programs, enhancing its capabilities and enabling users to connect with other tools.

13. Browser bookmarks

Users can simply add information to their Buffer queue using browser bookmarks, which simplifies the curation and sharing process.

14. Pause and resume posting

Users can stop and restart their publishing schedule using Buffer, providing them control over when and how often material is posted.

Pros & Cons of Buffer

While there are many free social media scheduling tools available, none quite compare to Buffer. With its free version, you can schedule and publish posts on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter—more than enough for small organizations with a limited social media presence. Buffer’s simplicity and efficiency make it a great choice for businesses looking to streamline their social media management without the need for advanced features.

But don’t let us decide for you. Read on to learn the pros and cons of using Buffer.

Pros of Buffer

Great for Analytics: Buffer Analytics helps you track your best and worst-performing posts based on engagement, reach, and post type. You can also export this data for further analysis.

1. Easy link tracking

Tracking traffic generated from social media shares using bit.ly links, and buff.ly & j.mp files is effortless with Buffer.

2. Simple UI

You don’t have to be a distinguished social media manager to know how buffers work. The platform has an incredibly user-friendly interface that makes it incredibly easy to work with.

3. Easy scheduling

One-click is all it takes to schedule content and share posts on different social media platforms, including Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Pinterest, and Google+.

4. Free image creation tool

Buffer has an in-built image creation tool called Pablo, which is a great add-on feature for people looking for quick creatives to post alongside their content.

5. Multiple post scheduling/day

Schedule multiple social media posts in one day for different social media platforms becomes a hassle-free possibility with Buffer’s paid version.

Cons of Buffer

1. Failed publications

You might find that your scheduled posts might bounce, resulting in failed postings. This problem may be because of the social platform itself. However, it becomes extremely challenging to troubleshoot this problem, making manual posting a lucrative approach.

2. No tool for tracking mentions

Social media is all about engagement and quick responses. Since Buffer does not monitor mentions, time-appropriate engagement is not possible with this platform, requiring you to directly access relevant social media platforms.

3. Minimal app integrations

The choice of publication on social media sites is a bit limited with Buffer.

Buffer vs. Hootsuite: A Detailed Comparison

Whether you choose Buffer or Hootsuite primarily depends on what features and functionalities you are looking for in your social media management software.

While some organizations will prefer a simple social media managing software with essential functions, enterprise-level businesses with multiple social accounts might desire a more expansive and versatile social media management software for their requirements.

Here’s a table showcasing the unique features of both platforms:

Supported Networks & Social Media Platforms

Here, we will evaluate the number of social media channels you can manage with both tools.

1. Buffer

Using Buffer’s free version, you can publish content on four platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Using the Pro version, you can integrate eight social media accounts and publish content on these platforms.

2. Hootsuite

Major social media apps like FB, IG, Twitter, Linkedin, Pinterest, etc., are natively integrated. Moreover, you can integrate multiple premium apps by paying extra. Use Hootsuite if you want to manage all social media in one place.

3. The verdict

In terms of the number of supported networks offered by both platforms, Hootsuite emerges as the versatile platform with more options. However, if your online presence is limited to the social networks supported by Buffer, it does not make sense to use a complicated tool like Hootsuite.

Additional Read: Advantages & Disadvantages of Social Media

Scheduling and Publishing

The publication and scheduling features of both social media post tools will be assessed here.

1. Buffer

Scheduling content in advance of publishing it right away is possible with Buffer. You can also post content to multiple channels at once.

2. Hootsuite

In addition to advanced scheduling and real-time publication, Hootsuite also offers other features like retweeting, favoriting, or responding to content. It is also one of the best apps for managing Instagram – making Hootsuite a highly potential platform for social media managers.

3. The verdict

When we consider the publishing and scheduling features of both these social media planning tools, Buffer and Hootsuite show similar capabilities.

Plugins & Extensions

A comparison of the list of additional tools, apps, and applications these platforms integrate with.

1. Buffer

Buffer offers a long list of third-party app integrations, tools, and add-ons. Of the 29 extensions that you can use with Buffer, popular apps like Zapier, Sharpring, WordPress, CoSchedule, PicMonkey, etc., clearly stand out.

2. Hootsuite

The Hootsuite App Directory currently hosts approximately 140 extensions and apps that you can use within Hootsuite. These applications help you track, monitor, and manage multiple from within the Hootsuite interface. Hootsuite’s main plugin Hootlet allows you to share content from anywhere on the web.

3. The verdict

Offering more plugins and extensions than Buffer, Hootsuite stands as the leading platform w.r.t. the number of plugins and extensions offered.

Security

Here we will assess and compare the sign-in and platform security of Buffer and Hootsuite.

1. Buffer

Buffer’s 2-step authentication via an SMS text and a Google Authenticator app tightens up security and deflects unauthorized sign-ins. Only you and the people you have approved can access your buffer account. Additionally, you can easily revoke sessions and APIs that you do not recognize to restrict access from devices you don’t remember using.

2. Hootsuite

Hootsuite supports SSO (single sign-on) that allows automatic log-in from a company device, thus preventing unauthorized access from unrecognized personal devices. Features like a double approval system for content publication and HTTPS setting control for securing user access and passwords keep the Hootsuite platform safe from security breaches.

3. The verdict

Both Buffer and Hootsuite offer unmatched sign-in and platform security that helps small and enterprise-level teams manage their social media effectively.

Team Working Management

In this section, we will assess the team management functionalities that are offered by both platforms.

1. Buffer

Considered ideal for smaller organizations, Buffer allows you to share your Buffer account with your team members. You can choose which social media accounts they have access to, allow them full posting rights, or even approve their posts before publication.

2. Hootsuite

Hootsuite is ideal for larger organizations and offers better options for team collaborations. You can create Team Members, Teams (groups of team members), and Organizations (groups of teams) on this platform. You can also give outside agencies access to one set of social media handles while your in-house team continues to manage the rest.

3. The verdict

Hootsuite is ideal for big businesses, whereas Buffer is suited for smaller organizations.

Ease-of-Use & Dashboard Experience

We will deep dive into the ease-of-use functionality and dashboard experience of both platforms.

1. Buffer

The clean and organized layout and easy-to-operate user interface make the user experience a delight with this platform. Even a beginner with no experience in using or managing tools will be able to use Buffer without much guidance.

2. Hootsuite

That Hootsuite offers more integrations and app integrations also means a more crowded dashboard. Getting to the content creation pages alone takes longer. All things considered, Hootsuite is not as easy to use as it can potentially be.

3. The verdict

When compared to Buffer, Hootsuite is more complicated and harder to operate. So if you’re looking for a platform that is easy to use, we’d recommend Buffer.

Ad-hoc Posting Options

Ad-hoc posting can be defined as the option to post on the spot. Since social media is about creating trends and swiftly following up, we will now evaluate both platforms’ ad hoc posting functionality.

1. Buffer

You can use Buffer’s Chrome plugins to share or post content directly from your browser. Posting is made simpler; all you have to do is click on the content to post it.

2. Hootsuite

Similar to Buffer, you can post content using the Chrome plugin.

3. The verdict

Many blogs come with a native ‘share via buffer’ integration that makes it effortlessly easy for users to share content easily.

Advertising

An analysis of the advertising features of both platforms will be considered here.

1. Buffer

As of now, Buffer does not have an advertising functionality. You cannot create or manage advertisements using this platform.

2. Hootsuite

This is one of the only social media management tools that allow you to run advertisements. You can create and manage ad campaigns across multiple social media platforms using one integrated dashboard.

3. The verdict

If you want an all-in-one dashboard that allows you to manage your social accounts and run advertisements, then Hootsuite is the ideal social media management platform for you.

Conversation Management Options

In this section, we will compare the option for in-app response options provided by both platforms.

1. Buffer

Buffer has a unique app called Buffer Reply that allows its users to respond to social conversations and resolve customer requests quickly. You can respond to support requests and social conversations from one collaborative inbox. Moreover, its unique Slack integration facilitates chat notifications when you receive a message or reply on your social accounts.

2. Hootsuite

Coming to Hootsuite, you can easily create a unique tab with a column for your Twitter mentions, Facebook messages, and YouTube comments – and reply to all of them from one spot. However, most users have found Hootsuite.

3. The verdict

Buffer is an ideal choice for managing social media conversations in one integrated platform. The Buffer Reply is easy to operate and facilitates seamless communication.

Pricing

We will now evaluate both social media management tools from the pricing perspective:

Buffer (The paid plans in Buffer have 3 options you can choose from, namely:)

Pro Plan: $15/month i.e. approximately ₹1,120/month. It includes 1 user access, 8 social channels, and 100 scheduled posts.

Premium Plan: $65/month i.e. approximately ₹4,860/month. It includes 2 user access, 8 social channels, and 2,000 scheduled posts.

Business Plan: $99/month i.e. approximately ₹7,400/month. It includes 6 user access, 25 social channels, and 2,000 scheduled posts.

Hootsuite: Hootsuite offers 4 plans with different pricing.

• Pro Plan: ₹1,260/month. It includes up to 10 social media profiles, unlimited scheduling, and one user access.
• Team Plan: ₹6,600/month. It includes everything in the Pro plan, 20 social media profiles, unlimited scheduling, and up to three users.
• Business Plan: ₹45,000/month. It gives access to 5+ users, 35 social media profiles, and many add-on benefits.
• Enterprise Plan: The price is not available on the website. After requesting a demo, the pricing information will be communicated to you.

The verdict: Analyzing both platforms from the pricing POV, Buffer proves to be considerably cheaper and more budget-friendly than Hootsuite.

Buffer vs Hootsuite – Which one to go for?

In this blog, we have done a comprehensive analysis and comparison of Hootsuite and Buffer. Looking at both tools closely, we suggest that you go for Hootsuite if you are an established and enterprise-level business with a vibrant social media presence.

Multiple app integrations and analytics are some of the options this platform offers to its users. On the contrary, if you are a startup, and looking to promote your business with social media marketing with negligible social media requirements, Buffer will more than suffice.

We hope that you have enjoyed this blog. Let us know what you think about this blog by leaving a response in the comments below. We look forward to hearing from you.

If you’re looking for social media marketing services, shoot us an email at enquiry@techmagnate.com to learn about our unique services. Our team will get in touch with you as soon as possible.