Comparisons

SocialBee vs Buffer 2025: Which Scheduler Should You Pick?

Matt
Matt
8 min read

TL;DR - Quick Answer

9 min read

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

SocialBee: Content recycling, category scheduling ($29/month). (Full SocialBee review) Buffer: Simple scheduling with free plan. (Full Buffer review)

Here's how to decide.

Create content, post everywhere

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

Start your free trial

30-Second Answer

FactorWinner
PriceBuffer (free plan)
Content recyclingSocialBee
SimplicityBuffer
AI contentTie
Evergreen strategySocialBee
Quick startBuffer

Pricing Breakdown

SocialBee

PlanCostUsersProfiles
Bootstrap$29/mo15
Accelerate$49/mo110
Pro$99/mo325

Buffer

PlanCostUsersChannels
Free$013
Essentials$6/channel1Unlimited
Team$12/channelUnlimitedUnlimited

🤔 Quick Knowledge Check

Solo creator with 5 accounts. Monthly cost for each tool?


Cost by Scenario

ScenarioSocialBeeBufferWinner
3 channels$29/moFreeBuffer
5 channels$29/mo$30/moSocialBee
10 channels$49/mo$60/moSocialBee
Team (3 users, 10 channels)$99/mo$120/moSocialBee

Pattern: Buffer wins under 3 channels. SocialBee wins at scale.


Where Each Tool Wins

SocialBee Wins: Content Recycling

This is SocialBee's killer feature.

How it works:

  1. Create content once
  2. Assign to categories
  3. Set posting schedule per category
  4. Content recycles automatically

What you get:

  • Evergreen posts repeat indefinitely
  • Category balance (mix tips, promos, quotes)
  • Post variations
  • Expiration dates

Buffer: No recycling. Every post is one-time only.


🤔 Quick Knowledge Check

You have 40 evergreen blog posts to promote repeatedly. Which tool automates this?


Buffer Wins: Simplicity

Buffer is the simplest scheduler available.

What you get:

  • Queue-based posting
  • Browser extension
  • Mobile apps
  • 5-minute setup

Learning curve: Almost none.

SocialBee: Requires category planning upfront. 1-2 hour setup.


Tie: AI Content

SocialBee:

  • AI Copilot
  • Caption generation
  • Post ideas
  • Variations

Buffer:

  • AI Assistant
  • Caption suggestions
  • Ideas
  • Basic generation

Both have capable but limited AI.


Feature Comparison

FeatureSocialBeeBuffer
Starting price$29/moFree
Content recyclingYesNo
AI contentAI CopilotAI Assistant
Category schedulingYesNo
RSS automationYesNo
Browser extensionYesYes
Mobile appsYesYes
Learning curveModerateEasy

Who Should Pick What

Choose SocialBee if you:

  • Have evergreen content to recycle
  • Want category-based organization
  • Post frequently (3+ times/day)
  • Need RSS automation
  • Value long-term automation over simplicity

Choose Buffer if you:

  • Only need 3 channels
  • Want the simplest tool
  • Post occasionally
  • Don't have evergreen content
  • Prefer quick setup

🤔 Quick Knowledge Check

You're a consultant who posts educational tips daily. Same tips work year-round. Best choice?


🤔 Quick Knowledge Check

You manage 10 channels and post 100x/month. Total annual cost?


The Recycling Advantage

SocialBee's recycling in action:

Setup:

  • 50 educational tips
  • 20 promotional posts
  • 30 curated articles

Schedule:

  • Tips: 2x daily
  • Promos: 1x daily
  • Articles: 1x daily

Result:

  • 120 posts/month on autopilot
  • Content never runs out
  • Zero daily effort

With Buffer, you'd schedule 120 posts manually every month.


Better Alternative

Want AI content AND video templates?

FeatureSocialBeeBufferSocialRails
Price$29/mo$6/channel$29/mo
AI contentAI CopilotBasicUnlimited
Video templatesNoNo350+
Content recyclingYesNoNo
Best forEvergreenSimpleCreation
Try SocialRails free

Quick Answers

Is SocialBee cheaper than Buffer? Depends. Buffer is free for 3 channels. SocialBee is cheaper for 5+ channels.

Which has content recycling? SocialBee only. Buffer posts are one-time.

Which is easier? Buffer. Simplest interface, fastest setup.

Does Buffer have categories? No. SocialBee's category system is unique.

Which has better AI? Tie. Both have basic AI assistants.


Bottom Line

SocialBee: Best for evergreen content recycling. Category scheduling automates your strategy.

Buffer: Best for simple, occasional posting. Free plan for small use.

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

Create content, post everywhere

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

Start your free trial

SocialBee:

Buffer:

More Comparisons:

Best Schedulers:

Was this article helpful?

Let us know what you think!

#SocialMedia#ContentStrategy#DigitalMarketing

📚 Continue Learning

More articles to boost your social media expertise