StoryChief vs Buffer 2026: Which One Should You Pick?
TL;DR - Quick Answer
11 min readSee which tool is better for you. We compare pricing, features, and ease of use.
Quick answer: Buffer is simpler and cheaper (free plan available). StoryChief is for content marketing teams publishing blogs + social content.
Neither has unlimited AI content generation. See our full Buffer review and StoryChief review for details.
Why compare? Get more for less with SocialRails
Post images, videos & carousels to 9 platforms. AI helps with captions.
Cancel anytime
Quick Comparison
Pricing Side-by-Side
Buffer Pricing
Example: 10 channels on Team = $120/month
StoryChief Pricing
Example: 3-person team on Team Social = €87/month
You're a solo content creator managing 5 social accounts. Which is cheaper?
💡 Tip: Think carefully before selecting your answer!
Cost Comparison by Scenario
Solo Creator (5 accounts)
Small Team (3 people, 10 accounts)
Content Marketing Team (3 people + blogs)
Pattern: Buffer wins for social-only. StoryChief wins for content marketing.
Features That Matter
Scheduling
Buffer:
- Queue-based posting
- Best time suggestions
- Browser extension
- Mobile apps
StoryChief:
- Visual calendar
- Multi-channel distribution
- Blog scheduling
- Content briefings
Winner: Buffer for simplicity. StoryChief for content marketing workflows.
Blog Publishing
Buffer:
- No blog features
- Social-only focus
- Link sharing only
StoryChief:
- Full blog publishing
- SEO optimization
- Multi-channel distribution
- CMS integrations
Winner: StoryChief. Buffer doesn't compete here.
Your company publishes 2 blog posts weekly and wants to distribute them to social media. Which tool?
💡 Tip: Think carefully before selecting your answer!
Team Collaboration
Buffer:
- Team plan required
- Basic approve/reject
- Comments on posts
- No content briefings
StoryChief:
- Built into Team plans
- Multi-level approvals
- Content briefings
- Version history
- Custom user roles
Winner: StoryChief. Much stronger collaboration features.
AI Content
Buffer:
- AI assistant for ideas
- Basic suggestions
- No full content generation
StoryChief:
- 1,000-8,000 AI credits/month
- Content generation
- SEO suggestions
- Rephrasing tools
Winner: StoryChief (more AI, but credit-limited). Neither has unlimited AI.
Platform Support
Buffer: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/X, LinkedIn, Pinterest, TikTok, YouTube, Mastodon, Bluesky, Threads
StoryChief: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/X, LinkedIn, Pinterest, YouTube, Medium, WordPress, and 1000+ integrations
Winner: Buffer for newer platforms. StoryChief for blog integrations.
You want to post to Threads and Bluesky. Which tool supports both?
💡 Tip: Think carefully before selecting your answer!
Pros and Cons
Buffer Pros
- Free plan available
- Very easy to use
- More social platforms
- Great browser extension
- Simple pricing
Buffer Cons
- No blog publishing
- Per-channel pricing adds up
- Basic team features
- No content marketing tools
StoryChief Pros
- Full blog publishing
- Strong collaboration
- SEO optimization
- Content marketing suite
- Multi-channel distribution
StoryChief Cons
- No free plan
- Per-user pricing adds up
- Overkill for social-only
- Steeper learning curve
- Limited newer social platforms
Who Should Use Which?
Pick Buffer if you:
- Only need social scheduling
- Want a free option
- Value simplicity
- Need Threads/Bluesky support
- Are budget-conscious
Pick StoryChief if you:
- Publish blogs regularly
- Need content marketing tools
- Have a content team
- Want SEO optimization
- Need approval workflows
Neither Has Unlimited AI Content
Both tools have AI features, but neither offers unlimited content generation.
If you need unlimited AI:
Final decision: You're a B2B company with a 4-person marketing team publishing 8 blogs/month + daily social posts. Buffer or StoryChief?
💡 Tip: Think carefully before selecting your answer!
Best Alternative: SocialRails
Neither Buffer nor StoryChief has unlimited AI content. If that matters:
Try SocialRails free →Quick Answers
Is Buffer or StoryChief cheaper? Buffer is cheaper for social-only use. StoryChief's per-user pricing adds up for teams.
Which has blog publishing? StoryChief only. Buffer is social-only.
Does either have unlimited AI? No. Buffer has basic AI. StoryChief has credit-limited AI.
Which supports more social platforms? Buffer. Includes Threads, Bluesky, Mastodon.
Can I migrate between them? Yes, but they solve different problems. Buffer for social. StoryChief for content marketing.
Summary
Buffer: Best for social-only scheduling with simplicity and a free plan.
StoryChief: Best for content marketing teams publishing blogs + social content.
Neither: Has unlimited AI content generation.
Best alternative: SocialRails at $29-99/month with unlimited AI content and video templates.
Done comparing? Try SocialRails instead
Post images, videos & carousels to 9 platforms. AI helps with captions. One flat price.
Related
Tool Reviews:
Alternatives Guides:
More Comparisons:
Pricing Guides:
Was this article helpful?
Let us know what you think!