Later vs Buffer is a common matchup: visual planning versus a classic scheduler. Add free options and the decision gets clearer.
Later
Best when Instagram visuals dominate the week. Tradeoffs: Later alternative · vs Later.
Buffer
Best familiar all-round scheduler. Tradeoffs: Buffer alternative · vs Buffer.
Free focused option — TheAutoReach
Best when you need LinkedIn + Facebook + Instagram + Threads without paying suite prices. Start with the free schedulers guide.
TheAutoReach schedules and auto-publishes to LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, YouTube, Discord, Telegram, Pinterest, and WordPress. Get started free.
Free social media scheduler plans compared
Free plan limits for popular social media schedulers, checked against each vendor's official pricing page on October 6, 2026.
| Scheduler | Free plan | Channels | Post limit | Users | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TheAutoReach | Yes (no expiry, no card) | 25 channels (5 workspaces × 5 accounts) | 4 published posts per channel per week (~17/month per channel; 100/week in total) | 3 per workspace | LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, YouTube, Discord, Telegram, Pinterest, WordPress; no X yet |
| Buffer | Yes | 3 channels | 10 scheduled posts per channel at a time (refills as posts publish) | 1 | Supports X, TikTok, Bluesky, Mastodon and more |
| Publer | Yes | 3 social accounts (X not allowed on Free) | 10 scheduled posts per account at a time; 25 drafts | 1 | 1 workspace; 24-hour post history |
| Zoho Social | Yes | 6 fixed channels in 1 brand (Facebook Page, Instagram business, LinkedIn profile, LinkedIn page, X, Google Business Profile) | No monthly cap stated | 1 | Channel types are fixed; no Discord, Telegram, Pinterest, YouTube or WordPress on Free |
| Metricool | Yes | 1 brand (1 profile per network) | 20 published posts per month | 1 | No LinkedIn or X on Free; strong free analytics |
| Hootsuite | No (14-day trial) | — | — | — | Paid plans start at $99 per user/month |
| Later | No (14-day trial) | — | — | — | Starter plan allows 30 posts per profile per month |
Vendor plans change often — follow each scheduler's link for its current terms.
