How to Cancel Buffer in 2026 (And Whether You Should)

Updated February 2026 • 4 min read

Buffer charges $6/month per social channel on the Essentials plan, or $12/channel for Team. If you manage 5 channels, that's $30-60/month. Not terrible compared to Hootsuite ($99+), but potentially unnecessary if you post to 1-2 platforms. Here's how to cancel — and an honest take on whether you need it.

How to Cancel Buffer (2 Minutes)

Buffer Free vs Paid: Do You Need Paid?

Buffer's free tier is actually generous:

• Free: 3 channels, 10 scheduled posts per channel, basic publishing
• Essentials ($6/channel): Unlimited scheduling, engagement tools, analytics
• Team ($12/channel): Approval workflows, client management, custom reporting

Verdict: If you post 2-3 times per week on 3 or fewer platforms, the free tier is plenty. You only need paid if you're doing 10+ posts/week or need analytics beyond what each platform gives natively.

Free Alternatives to Buffer

• Meta Business Suite — Schedule Facebook + Instagram posts (covers most people's needs)
• X/Twitter native scheduler — Built into the compose window
• LinkedIn scheduler — Native post scheduling, no third party needed
• Canva Content Planner — Design + schedule in one free tool
• Publer (free tier) — 3 accounts, 10 posts/account

When Buffer Is Actually Worth Keeping

Buffer earns its keep in specific situations:

• Cross-posting identical content to 5+ platforms from one place
• Team workflows where multiple people draft/approve content
• Client management for agencies handling multiple brands
• Consistent daily posting schedule that would be tedious to manage manually

The Hidden Cost of Social Media Tools

Here's what nobody talks about: social media scheduling tools create busywork. Having a tool that makes it easy to post 5x/day on 6 platforms doesn't mean you should. Most businesses get 80% of their social media results from 1-2 platforms. If you're posting on Facebook, LinkedIn, X, Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest just because your scheduling tool makes it easy, you're diluting effort. Pick your best 2 platforms and go deep.