Comparisons

Buffer vs Loomly 2025: Which One Should You Pick?

Matt
Matt
8 min read

TL;DR - Quick Answer

11 min read

See which tool is better for you. We compare pricing, features, and ease of use.

Quick answer: Buffer is simpler and cheaper (free plan available). Loomly has better team collaboration (starts at $42/month).

Neither has AI content generation. See our full Buffer review and Loomly review for details.

Create content, post everywhere

Let AI do the work. Ideas, posts, images, carousels. Scheduled in seconds.

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Quick Comparison

FeatureBufferLoomly
Starting priceFree$42/month
Best forSolo creatorsTeams
Free plan✅ 3 channels
Approval workflowsBasic✅ Multi-level
AI contentBasic assistant
Learning curveVery easyModerate

Pricing Side-by-Side

Buffer Pricing

PlanCostChannelsUsers
Free$031
Essentials$6/channelUnlimited1
Team$12/channelUnlimitedUnlimited

Example: 10 channels on Team = $120/month

Loomly Pricing

PlanCostAccountsUsers
Base$42/month102
Standard$80/month206
Advanced$175/month3514

🤔 Quick Knowledge Check

You're a solo content creator managing 5 social accounts. Which is cheaper?


Cost Comparison by Scenario

Solo Creator (5 accounts)

ToolMonthly Cost
Buffer Essentials$30
Loomly Base$42
DifferenceBuffer saves $12/month

Small Team (3 people, 10 accounts)

ToolMonthly Cost
Buffer Team$120
Loomly Base$42
DifferenceLoomly saves $78/month

Growing Team (6 people, 15 accounts)

ToolMonthly Cost
Buffer Team$180
Loomly Standard$80
DifferenceLoomly saves $100/month

Pattern: Buffer wins for solo. Loomly wins for teams. Also compare Loomly vs SocialPilot for team-focused tools.


Features That Matter

Scheduling

Buffer:

  • Queue-based posting
  • Best time suggestions
  • Browser extension
  • Mobile apps

Loomly:

  • Visual calendar
  • Drag-and-drop
  • Bulk scheduling
  • Post ideas included

Winner: Tie. Both solid, different approaches.


Team Collaboration

Buffer:

  • Team plan required
  • Basic approve/reject
  • Comments on posts
  • No custom roles

Loomly:

  • Built into all plans
  • Multi-level approvals
  • Version history
  • Custom roles (Advanced+)

Winner: Loomly. Much stronger collaboration.


🤔 Quick Knowledge Check

Your marketing team of 4 needs approval workflows. Posts should go through manager review before publishing. Which tool?


Content Creation

Buffer:

  • Basic AI assistant
  • Post suggestions
  • Hashtag suggestions

Loomly:

  • Post ideas (holidays, events)
  • RSS feed import
  • Content inspiration

Neither has full AI content generation. Both give ideas, neither writes posts for you.


Analytics

Buffer:

  • Post performance
  • Audience insights
  • Engagement tracking
  • Clean dashboard

Loomly:

  • Post analytics
  • Engagement metrics
  • Advanced analytics (Standard+)
  • White-label reports (Advanced+)

Winner: Tie. Both adequate. Loomly has more depth on higher plans.


Platform Support

Buffer: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/X, LinkedIn, Pinterest, TikTok, YouTube, Mastodon, Bluesky, Threads

Loomly: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/X, LinkedIn, Pinterest, TikTok, YouTube, Snapchat, Google Business

Winner: Buffer. More platforms, including newer ones.


🤔 Quick Knowledge Check

You want to post to Threads and Bluesky. Which tool supports both?


Pros and Cons

Buffer Pros

  • ✅ Free plan available
  • ✅ Very easy to use
  • ✅ More platforms
  • ✅ Great browser extension

Buffer Cons

  • ❌ Per-channel pricing adds up
  • ❌ Basic team features
  • ❌ No multi-level approvals
  • ❌ No video templates

Loomly Pros

  • ✅ Strong collaboration
  • ✅ Multi-level approvals
  • ✅ Better team pricing
  • ✅ Post ideas included

Loomly Cons

  • ❌ No free plan
  • ❌ No AI content generation
  • ❌ Fewer platforms
  • ❌ Steeper learning curve

Who Should Use Which?

Pick Buffer if you:

  • Work solo
  • Want a free option
  • Need simple scheduling
  • Value ease of use
  • Need Threads/Bluesky support

Pick Loomly if you:

  • Have a team of 3+
  • Need approval workflows
  • Want content ideas
  • Need white-label reports
  • Budget is $40-200/month

Neither Has AI Content Generation

Both tools help with ideas, but neither writes posts for you.

If you need AI content:

ToolAI FeaturesPrice
SocialRailsUnlimited AI content + 350 video templates$29-99/month
HootsuiteOwlyWriter AI$99+/month

🤔 Quick Knowledge Check

Final decision: You're a freelance social media manager handling 5 clients (15 accounts total). You work alone. Buffer or Loomly?


Best Alternative: SocialRails

Neither Buffer nor Loomly has AI content generation. If that matters:

FeatureBufferLoomlySocialRails
Starting priceFree$42/month$29/month
Team of 5$60+/month$80/month$49/month
AI contentBasic✅ Unlimited
Video templates✅ 350+
Learning curveEasyModerate15 minutes
Try SocialRails free →

Quick Answers

Is Buffer or Loomly cheaper? Buffer is cheaper for solo users (free plan). Loomly is cheaper for teams of 3+.

Which has better collaboration? Loomly. Multi-level approvals, version history, custom roles.

Does either have AI content? Buffer has a basic AI assistant. Loomly has none. Neither writes full posts.

Which supports more platforms? Buffer. Includes Threads, Bluesky, Mastodon that Loomly doesn't have.

Can I migrate between them? Yes. Export scheduled content from one, recreate in the other. Takes 1-2 hours.


Summary

Buffer: Best for solo creators wanting simplicity and a free plan.

Loomly: Best for teams needing approval workflows and collaboration.

Neither: Has full AI content generation.

Best alternative: SocialRails at $29-99/month with unlimited AI content and video templates.

Create content, post everywhere

Let AI do the work. Ideas, posts, images, carousels. Scheduled in seconds.

Start your free trial

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