Buffer alternatives
Buffer's free plan covers up to 3 channels and 10 scheduled posts per channel. Past that, you pay. Social Champ, SocialBu, Zoho Social and Sendible change the shape of that step: different channel limits, different trials. Zoho Social lists 6 channels on its free edition. Limits are below, so you can compare before you move.
Key takeaways
- Buffer's free plan: up to 3 channels, 10 scheduled posts per channel.
- Buffer's paid plan lists unlimited scheduled posts per channel. We print no prices.
- Social Champ, SocialBu and Zoho Social each list a free plan. Sendible lists a trial only.
- Social Champ warns that pay-as-you-go pricing applies to every connected account, free ones included.
Buffer and its alternatives at a glance
| Tool | Free plan (with limit) | Free trial of paid plans | Our page |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buffer (the one you are replacing) | Yes: up to 3 channels, 10 scheduled posts per channel | Yes, 14 days | Buffer |
| Social Champ | Yes: 3 social accounts, 15 scheduled posts | Yes | Social Champ |
| SocialBu | Yes: 3 social accounts, 10 lifetime posts | Yes, 7 days | SocialBu |
| Zoho Social | Yes (free edition): 1 brand with 6 channels, 1 team member | Yes, 15 days, no card | Zoho Social |
| Sendible | No free plan listed; trial only | Yes, 14 days | Sendible |
We list no prices on this page, because they change.
What happens when I outgrow Buffer's free plan?
Buffer's free plan lets you connect up to 3 channels and hold 10 scheduled posts per channel. Once you need a fourth channel or a fuller queue, you move to a paid plan. Buffer's paid plan lists unlimited scheduled posts per channel. The alternatives below change the shape of that step: different limits, different trials.
Does Buffer's free plan expire?
Buffer's free plan stays "Free forever" on its pricing page, within its limits: up to 3 channels and 10 scheduled posts per channel. The posts figure is a queue size, so the page says you can refill it anytime. Nothing expires. What ends is your room to grow, not your access to the plan.
Which Buffer alternative lets me keep more than 3 channels free?
Zoho Social, if you want more than 3 channels without paying. Its free edition lists 1 brand that includes 6 channels: one X profile, one Instagram profile, one Facebook page, one LinkedIn company page, one LinkedIn profile and one Google Business Profile. It also lists 1 team member. Buffer, Social Champ and SocialBu each list 3.
Is there a free Buffer alternative?
Yes. Social Champ, SocialBu and Zoho Social each list a free plan. Social Champ lists 3 social accounts and 15 scheduled posts. SocialBu lists 3 social accounts and 10 lifetime posts, which is a total, not a refilling queue. Zoho Social lists 1 brand with 6 channels. Sendible lists no free plan, only a trial.
Which Buffer alternative has the longest free trial?
Zoho Social, with 15 days and no credit card. Buffer and Sendible each list 14 days. SocialBu lists 7 days. Social Champ lists a free trial, but its pricing page gives no length, so we print no number. It says it will email you before the trial ends. Check each page for current terms.
What should I check before moving off Buffer's free plan?
Check the pay-as-you-go terms first. Social Champ says that if you pick pay-as-you-go, the subscription cost applies to every connected account once you move to a paid plan, including the three used on the Free tier. Its pricing page also says plans range from 3 accounts on Free to 30 on Agency.
Good to know
- Free plans change. The limits above come from each vendor's pricing page on 13 October 2026.
- A free plan is not the same as a free trial. A trial ends; a free plan stays, within its limits.
- The three "free" limits are not the same kind of limit: Buffer counts scheduled posts per channel, Social Champ counts scheduled posts, SocialBu counts lifetime posts.
- We did not test posting, analytics or reliability.
Read more
- Buffer · Social Champ · SocialBu · Zoho Social · Sendible
- Leaving Sendible instead? See Sendible alternatives.
- Best social media scheduler extensions for Chrome · All alternatives pages · How we choose
Sources
Official pricing pages, last checked 13 October 2026.
These are third-party products, not built by Xplorekit. We link to the official pricing pages and our own directory pages. We don't show ratings or user counts because we can't verify them.