Buffer

Free Tier Ratings

Last Reviewed: 2026-07-14

AI Assistant generates social copy, adjusts tone, repurposes content. Uses OpenAI API (no training on content by default).

Buffer does not generate images. Integrates with Canva for design.

Buffer is a social media publishing tool, not a research assistant.

AI helps create educational posts for social media. 10 posts/channel limit on free tier.

Buffer is a social media scheduling tool, not a writing assistant for grants.

Can schedule donor-facing social posts. Limited to 10 posts/channel on free tier.

Buffer is a social media publishing tool, not for board materials.

Buffer does not transcribe or summarize meetings.

Buffer does not provide translation services.

Buffer is a social media scheduling tool, not for program documentation.

Basic analytics with 30-day history on free tier. Limited metrics compared to paid plans.

Buffer is a social media scheduling tool, not for financial work.

3 channels, 10 posts each. AI Assistant included. Good for testing Buffer before committing.

AI Assistant helps repurpose content across platforms. OpenAI API — no training on content by default.

No training

Buffer's AI Assistant uses OpenAI's API. Per OpenAI's business data policy, API inputs are not used for training by default. Only text you enter into the AI Assistant interface is shared with OpenAI — no account details, media files, or other Buffer data. Anthropic is also listed as an AI sub-processor in Buffer's privacy policy (last updated September 30, 2024), though the AI Assistant page references only OpenAI. As of mid-2026, users may optionally generate a personal API key and connect third-party AI agents (e.g., Claude, ChatGPT, Perplexity via Buffer's MCP server) to read and manage posts, channels, and organization data — this is entirely opt-in and requires the user to actively create and share an API key.

Not needed

OpenAI API does not train on API inputs by default. No opt-out action is required. AI Assistant is entirely optional — simply do not use the AI interface and no content is shared with AI providers. Public API/MCP access is also opt-in; simply do not generate an API key to avoid any third-party AI agent connectivity.

User review

All AI-generated content requires the user to review it before publishing. Buffer's AI is an assistant, not an autonomous publisher. Terms note Buffer may monitor service activity for operational purposes per its Privacy Policy, but does not review content by default. If a user connects an external AI agent via API/MCP, that agent can create or schedule posts programmatically — human review at publish time depends on how the user configures the agent.

Indefinite for active accounts

Buffer retains customer data for active free and paid accounts indefinitely. Invoice data is retained up to 7 years for tax/accounting purposes. Marketing lead data retained 2 years after last interaction. Users may request data export or deletion by deleting their Buffer account or contacting [email protected].

Encryption + 2FA

Encryption in transit and at rest. Two-factor authentication available (including email-based 2FA added in 2025). Privacy by design approach. Security acknowledgements and rewards program. No SOC 2 certification. No ISO 27001 certification. Public API access uses Bearer-token authentication with per-key rate limits (100 requests/15 min); no third-party OAuth onboarding path exists yet for external apps as of mid-2026, limiting exposure to personal, self-issued keys.

50% nonprofit discount

One of the best nonprofit discounts in social media management. Submit documentation for 50% off all paid plans — available directly at buffer.com/nonprofits or through TechSoup. Applied within ~48 hours.

AI Assistant uses OpenAI API (no training by default)

Buffer's AI Assistant uses OpenAI's API, which does not train on API inputs by default. Only the text you enter into the AI Assistant is shared with OpenAI — no account details, media files, or other data. Anthropic is also listed as an AI sub-processor in Buffer's privacy policy, though the AI Assistant product references OpenAI.

New in 2026: Public API and MCP server for AI agents

Buffer's public GraphQL API and official MCP (Model Context Protocol) server reached general availability around May 2026, letting users connect AI assistants like Claude, ChatGPT, and Perplexity directly to their Buffer account to draft, schedule, and manage posts. This is opt-in — users must generate and share a personal API key — and available on every plan, including Free. Nonprofits considering this should treat API keys like passwords: they grant broad account access (post creation, deletion, channel and organization data) and should be scoped, time-limited, and revoked when no longer needed.

Per-channel pricing with volume discounts

Only pay for the social platforms you actually use. Channels 1–10 at standard rate; above 10 cost less per channel. A nonprofit with just Facebook and Instagram pays for 2 channels. Pricing unchanged since November 2025: $6/channel/month (monthly) or $5/channel/month (annual) for Essentials.

AI is entirely optional

Core scheduling works without AI. Posts are never auto-generated unless you actively open the AI Assistant interface in the post composer or Create space, or explicitly connect an external AI agent via API/MCP.

No SOC 2 or HIPAA

Buffer lacks SOC 2 certification and HIPAA compliance. No BAA available on any tier. Not suitable for organizations requiring vendor security audits or healthcare data protection.

2026-05

Buffer's public GraphQL API (api.buffer.com) and official MCP (Model Context Protocol) server reached general availability around May 27-28, 2026, after being in public beta since approximately March 2026. This allows AI assistants such as Claude, ChatGPT, and Perplexity to directly create, schedule, and manage posts and read channel/organization data on a user's Buffer account via a personal API key. Available on all plans, including Free. Access is opt-in: users must generate and share their own API key; no third-party OAuth onboarding path exists yet for external apps as of mid-2026.

2026-03

Buffer's MCP server and Public API entered public beta (~March 2, 2026), initially supporting Claude Desktop, N8N, Zapier, Claude Code, Raycast, and other MCP-compatible clients for scheduling posts, browsing the queue, checking channels, and capturing ideas.

2025-11

Buffer updated pricing in November 2025. Essentials monthly price is now $6/channel/month (was $5); Team is $12/channel/month (was $10). Annual pricing unchanged at $5/$10 per channel. Volume discounts introduced: channels above 10 cost less per channel. Agency tier no longer listed as a primary plan on pricing page — volume discounts now serve that use case.

2025-10

Buffer Terms of Use updated October 7, 2025 (per buffer.com/legal). Still the most recent terms update confirmed as of July 2026.

2025

Anthropic added as an AI sub-processor in Buffer's privacy policy sub-processors list, alongside existing provider OpenAI. AI Assistant page still references OpenAI only; Anthropic listed for internal AI infrastructure. Still current as of July 2026.

2025

Buffer launched numerous features in 2025 including: unified Community inbox for comments, bulk CSV scheduling (up to 100 posts), Channel Groups, LinkedIn analytics expansion, dark mode, redesigned iOS app, Calendar improvements, Streaks/posting goals, and more. No privacy or data training policy changes noted.

2026-02

Buffer nonprofit discount support article confirmed still active as of February 4, 2026: 50% discount for nonprofit charity organizations, applied within 48 hours of documentation review.

2026-06

Community inbox expanded to support four additional channels (TikTok, YouTube, Google Business Profile, Mastodon), bringing total Community-supported channels to 10, per Buffer's changelog reviewed July 2026.

For organizations with 5+ staff

Team plan at $10/channel/month (annual) with 50% nonprofit discount = $5/channel/month. Approval workflows and unlimited users make this the right choice for any nonprofit with multiple staff managing social media. Per-channel pricing means you only pay for platforms you actually use. If staff want to connect AI agents via the new Public API/MCP feature, set up individual scoped API keys and rely on approval workflows for oversight.

For organizations with fewer than 5 staff

Free tier (3 channels, 10 posts each, AI Assistant included) may be sufficient for very small nonprofits. With the nonprofit discount, Essentials is $2.50/channel/month on annual billing — outstanding value for unlimited posts and advanced analytics on any number of channels.

For health data or vulnerable populations

Not recommended. Buffer lacks SOC 2 certification and HIPAA compliance on all tiers. No BAA available. Do not use Buffer to process, discuss, or schedule content containing protected health information (PHI) or sensitive client data. This caution now also extends to the new Public API/MCP feature: do not connect AI agents with access to accounts that may contain sensitive client-related content. For healthcare or sensitive data workflows, use alternatives with enterprise security certifications.