Buffer alternative
Looking for a Buffer alternative?
A long-running social media scheduler for individuals and small teams, priced per channel. If you mostly post from code or an AI assistant, here’s how SocialHelper compares, and when Buffer is still the better choice.
| Feature | SocialHelper | Buffer |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free in early access | $5 per channel a month |
| Free option | Free, no account or post limits (X excluded) | Free plan, 3 channels |
| API | Every plan | Every plan, capped per 30 days |
| MCP server | Yes, plus sign-in for ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini | Listed |
The short version
Which one fits you?
Both post to social media. They’re built for different jobs, so the right one depends on how you work.
Choose SocialHelper if
- You post mostly from code or an AI assistant, and want API requests limited per minute rather than counted per 30 days.
- You want Search Console, Google Analytics and Google Ads reports where your agent posts.
- You need more than 10 scheduled posts per channel without paying per channel during early access (X excepted).
Where Buffer is ahead
- A polished dashboard, mobile apps and a long track record.
- Ideas board, community inbox and content approval for teams.
- A free plan that’s fine for a few channels.
Stay with Buffer if your team plans posts by hand in a dashboard and uses its ideas board, inbox and approval workflow.
Side by side
SocialHelper and Buffer compared.
Buffer’s column is from buffer.com, checked on October 17, 2026.
| Feature | SocialHelper | Buffer |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | SocialHelper is a REST API and MCP server that lets developers, vibe coders and AI agents post to their own social accounts and pull marketing data from the tools they use, through one integration. | A long-running social media scheduler for individuals and small teams, priced per channel. |
| Price | Free during early access, with no limits on accounts, posts or team members. Posting to X is the exception: X charges per post, so it comes with paid plans. Paid plans will come later, with notice before anyone is charged. | Free for up to 3 channels; Essentials $5 and Team $10 per channel a month, less per channel above 10. |
| Free option | Free while in early access, invite-only: join the waitlist. | Free forever for 3 channels, with 10 scheduled posts per channel and one user. Paid plans have a 14-day trial. |
| API and AI agents | REST API and an MCP server with 11 tools on every plan, 120 requests a minute per key. ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini connect by signing in. | A public API on every plan, with request limits: 3,000 requests per 30 days on Free, 7,500 on Essentials and 15,000 on Team. A social media MCP is listed in its tools. |
| Social platforms | 12 live: Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, TikTok, LinkedIn, Threads, Telegram, Discord, Tumblr, Bluesky and Mastodon. | 12 channels, including Substack and Google Business Profile. |
| Marketing data | Reports from Google Search Console, Google Analytics and Google Ads. Post and account insights for Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Threads and Tumblr. Tools for WordPress, WooCommerce and Ghost sites. | Post analytics and reports in the dashboard, more on paid plans. |
Sources: buffer.com/pricing
Switching
Moving from Buffer.
You can run both side by side while you try SocialHelper. Nothing has to move on day one.
-
1
Connect your channels in SocialHelper; each platform asks you to sign in again.
-
2
Set your weekly posting times on the calendar, then add posts to the queue the way you did in Buffer.
-
3
Move scheduled posts across by hand, with bulk scheduling, or with an AI assistant.
FAQ
SocialHelper or Buffer?
Is SocialHelper a good Buffer alternative?
It is if you post to your own accounts from code or an AI assistant and want marketing data in the same place. Stay with Buffer if your team plans posts by hand in a dashboard and uses its ideas board, inbox and approval workflow.
How does pricing compare?
Buffer: Free for up to 3 channels; Essentials $5 and Team $10 per channel a month, less per channel above 10. SocialHelper: Free during early access, with no limits on accounts, posts or team members. Posting to X is the exception: X charges per post, so it comes with paid plans. Paid plans will come later, with notice before anyone is charged.
Does SocialHelper have an API and MCP server?
REST API and an MCP server with 11 tools on every plan, 120 requests a minute per key. ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini connect by signing in.
Can I use SocialHelper and Buffer together?
Yes. Most platforms let you connect the same account to more than one tool, so you can try SocialHelper alongside Buffer before you move anything.
How current is this comparison?
We checked Buffer’s facts against its own pages on October 17, 2026. Prices and features change, so check their site before you decide.
More comparisons
Comparing other tools?
Try SocialHelper alongside Buffer.
SocialHelper is invite-only during early access. Join the waitlist: the first 100 people to sign up get a Founding account with higher limits, free for 12 months.