By Social media management takes up hours of your day. You create content, schedule posts, respond to comments, and track performance across multiple platforms. Therefore, choosing the right tool can save you time and improve your results.
Many teams struggle to find one platform that handles everything. Some tools schedule posts but don’t help you create content. Others offer design features but lack strong scheduling options. As a result, marketers often juggle multiple subscriptions and switch between apps all day.
This guide compares three popular social media management platforms: Hootsuite, Buffer, and Simplified. We’ll examine their features, pricing, and ideal users. By the end, you’ll know which tool fits your workflow best.
What Hootsuite, Buffer, and Simplified Does
Social media tools may look similar at first, yet each one serves a different type of user. Before comparing features, pricing, and value, it helps to understand what Hootsuite, Buffer, and Simplified focus on and where each platform feels strongest.
Hootsuite: Overview
Hootsuite has been around for a long time, and many mid-large teams rely on it for daily publishing. The platform gives users a wide view of their social channels, which helps them plan posts, track mentions, and monitor conversations. In addition, Hootsuite offers a strong analytics section, which is useful for brands that post across several platforms every day.
Although it comes with plenty of controls, new users may need time to learn how everything works. Once the setup is complete, Hootsuite performs well for teams that want a central place to manage multiple accounts, follow trends, and review performance data. It works best for businesses that need a detailed overview of their social activity.
Buffer: Overview
Buffer is known for its clean and simple layout. Many creators and small businesses choose it because it keeps posting straightforward. Users can write captions, add images, and place content in a queue without any extra steps. The platform focuses mainly on scheduling, so it fits people who prefer a minimal tool without too many advanced panels.
Because Buffer includes basic content features, users may still depend on external apps to design their graphics or create videos. However, its easy setup and clear posting flow make it a good choice for solo creators, freelancers, and small teams who want a calm and clutter-free publishing space.
Simplified: Overview
Simplified brings content creation and scheduling together in one workspace. Users can write posts, design graphics, generate AI images, create videos, and publish everything from the same dashboard. This approach works well for teams that do not want to switch between several apps during the planning process.
The platform includes a social media calendar, posting tools, and collaboration features, which help teams work together while keeping all assets in one place. As a result, Simplified becomes a strong option for creators, marketers, and small businesses that want a single tool for both creation and publishing.
Feature Breakdown Across All Three Platforms
Each platform offers its own mix of tools, and these differences matter when planning daily content. While all three help users publish posts, the way they handle creation, scheduling, and collaboration sets them apart. This section looks at those features closely so you can see where each one stands.
Content Creation Features
Hootsuite
Hootsuite focuses mainly on publishing and monitoring, so its creation tools are limited. Users can prepare captions, attach images, and check previews, yet they often rely on external apps for designing graphics or editing videos. This setup works best for teams that already have a separate content workflow.
Buffer
Buffer provides basic tools for writing captions and attaching media. It does not offer much support for visual creation, which means users usually design their content elsewhere. Its strength lies in keeping the posting process simple, not in helping users build new creative assets.
Simplified
Simplified stands out because it includes built-in tools for writing, designing, and video creation. Users can generate text with AI, create graphics, edit videos, and use templates without leaving the platform. The ability to build content and schedule posts from the same dashboard saves time and supports users who want everything in one workspace.
Scheduling and Publishing
Hootsuite
Hootsuite offers a detailed scheduling dashboard with several controls. Users can plan posts across many channels, review content in a calendar, and monitor activity in real time. This makes it suitable for teams that handle large volumes of posts and want a full view of their upcoming content.
Buffer
Buffer uses a simple queue system. Users can line up posts for the week, choose posting times, and publish across multiple channels with only a few steps. This works well for creators who prefer a clean and predictable posting routine without complex panels.
Simplified
Simplified includes a flexible planner that lets users drag and drop posts, plan campaigns, and publish content automatically. It supports major platforms and makes it easy to manage visuals, captions, and schedules together. Because the planner sits next to the content tools, users can adjust designs or captions before publishing without switching tabs.
Collaboration Feature
Hootsuite
Hootsuite supports team approvals and shared access for larger groups. Teams can review drafts, assign tasks, and keep track of who is handling each post. This helps organizations that need controlled workflows and structured reviews.
Buffer
Buffer offers basic collaboration features, such as multi-user access and draft reviews. It works well for smaller teams that only need light coordination when planning posts.
Simplified
Simplified includes shared workspaces, team roles, and real-time editing. Members can create designs together, review captions, leave comments, and approve posts before scheduling. This setup supports teams that want creation and communication in one place.
Analytics and Reporting
Hootsuite
Hootsuite provides strong reporting tools with detailed metrics. Users can track performance trends, measure campaign results, and export reports for clients or internal teams. This makes it helpful for businesses that rely on regular performance reviews.
Buffer
Buffer offers basic insights that show reach, clicks, and post performance. While it covers essential metrics, it may not meet the needs of teams that require advanced reporting.
Simplified
Simplified delivers core insights that help creators and small teams understand which posts perform well. Users can view top-performing content, posting trends, and engagement patterns across channels. It supports those who want simple reporting without a steep learning curve.
Platform Integrations
Hootsuite Integrations
Hootsuite connects with a wide range of external tools, making it useful for teams that manage multiple touchpoints.
Social Channels: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, X, YouTube, TikTok, Pinterest
Cloud Storage: Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive
Browser Extensions: Hootlet (legacy sharing extension)
Workspace Tools: Slack, Zendesk, Trello, Microsoft Teams
Creative Tools: Canva integration for basic design imports
Buffer Integrations
Buffer keeps things lighter but still supports the essentials.
Social Channels: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, X, Pinterest, TikTok
Cloud Storage: Google Drive, Dropbox
Browser Extensions: Buffer Browser Extension for link-sharing
Workspace Tools: Zapier, IFTTT, Shopify (for social posting)
Creative Tools: Canva for direct design inserts
Simplified Integrations
Simplified focuses on being an all-in-one workspace, reducing the need for too many external apps.
Social Channels: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, X, Pinterest, YouTube, TikTok, Google Business Profile
Cloud Storage: Google Drive, Dropbox (upload/import), internal asset library
Browser Extensions: Chrome Extension for quick content creation
Workspace Tools: Zapier, Notion import options, plus built-in writer + design + video studio (reducing external needs)
Creative Tools: Internal design tools replace Canva-type workflows
Automation Features
Hootsuite
- Auto-posting across all major platforms
- Post previews before publishing
- Bulk scheduling
- Content calendar with day/week/month views
- Recommended posting times
- Approval workflows for teams
Buffer
- Auto-posting with preset queue times
- Draft previews
- Reposting older content
- Calendar for simple planning
- Basic approval system for teams
- Reminders for stories
Simplified
- Auto-posting to all supported platforms
- Previews for posts, reels, and stories
- Reposting options for evergreen content
- Drag-and-drop content calendar
- Auto-resize for visuals inside the editor
- Suggested publishing slots
- Team assignment and internal content routing
Content Diversity Support
Hootsuite
- Static posts
- Short-form videos
- Carousels
- Reels (via mobile workflow)
- Long captions
- Story posting (with reminders)
Buffer
- Static posts
- Short videos
- Carousels (limited support depending on platform)
- Long captions
- Stories (reminders only)
Simplified
- AI-based visual + text creation for any format
- Static posts
- Short-form videos
- Carousels
- Reels
- Story templates
- Long-form captions
- Templates for all formats
Pros and Cons of Each Platform
Hootsuite
Pros:
- Powerful analytics and reporting features
- Supports many social networks
- Strong team management and approval workflows
- Good for monitoring brand mentions
- Reliable bulk scheduling options
Cons:
- Expensive compared to competitors
- Steep learning curve for new users
- No built-in content creation tools
- Interface can feel cluttered
- Requires additional tools for graphics and videos
Buffer
Pros:
- Affordable pricing for small teams
- Very easy to learn and use
- Clean, simple interface
- Good basic scheduling features
- Reliable and stable platform
Cons:
- Limited content creation capabilities
- Basic analytics only
- Fewer collaboration features
- No advanced automation options
- Still requires separate design tools
Simplified
Pros:
- All-in-one platform for creation and scheduling
- Includes AI writing and design tools
- More affordable than using multiple tools
- Thousands of templates included
- Good for teams that create lots of content
- Real-time collaboration features
Cons:
- Analytics less detailed than Hootsuite
- Newer platform with fewer integrations
- Not ideal if you only need scheduling
- Learning curve for all the features
- May have more tools than very small users need
Summary Comparison
Simplified is best for creators and small businesses that want to do everything in one place — design, write, and post — especially if they use AI tools frequently.
Hootsuite is solid for teams that need strong analytics, monitoring, and high-volume posting, but it comes at a cost and needs some time to master.
Buffer is ideal for individual creators or small teams who want a minimal, reliable scheduler with basic analytics and an easy interface.
Pricing Comparison
Hootsuite pricing tiers
Hootsuite shows three main plans: Standard, Advanced, and Enterprise, all with a 30‑day free trial for paid tiers and custom pricing for Enterprise.
Standard ($21.58 per user/month, billed annually)
- Up to 10 social accounts.
- 1+ users can collaborate in the account.
- Unlimited drafting, scheduling, and publishing.
- Bulk Composer for up to 350 posts via CSV.
- Link shortening with Ow.ly and Bitly; link presets for auto‑shortening and tracking.
- Calendar and list view for scheduled posts; pause and edit scheduled posts.
- Built‑in image/video editing and media library access (stock images, GIFs, Canva integration).
- AI tools: OwlyGPT for ideas/strategies, caption generation, rewriting, and hashtag suggestions.
- Analytics: hundreds of metrics, post‑level performance, pre‑built reports, campaign tagging, and competitor benchmarking for up to 5 competitors.
- Messaging: unified inbox, saved replies, auto‑responses, conversation search, internal notes, PII concealment, business hours and SLAs, CSAT surveys, CSV export (up to 18 months).
- Social listening: trend and mention search (7‑day basic dataset), topic and trend monitoring, sentiment and volume benchmarks vs competitors (2 topics/brands), alerts and scheduled reports.
- Campaign/ad management: publish and report on ads for Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X; manual and auto‑boosting of organic posts.
- Governance and security: control feature/account access, SSO access to Hootsuite products, compliance integrations (at higher tiers).
- Training: resources and some onboarding support.
Advanced ($84.98 per user/month, billed annually)
Includes all Standard features plus enhancements mostly around collaboration, analytics, and listening.
- Unlimited social accounts per Hootsuite account.
- Post approval workflows for teams; more collaboration tools (conversations, mentions, notifications on posts).
- More advanced analytics options and competitor tracking for up to 20 competitors.
- More robust messaging collaboration: collision avoidance, agent chat, auto‑assign, auto‑resolve, more team metrics.
- Social listening with deeper data (30‑day datasets, more channels, larger watchlists, additional AI summarization with Blue Silk AI).
Enterprise (custom pricing)
Includes all Advanced capabilities plus enterprise‑grade options.
- 5+ users by default, with expanded user and permission controls.
- Full social listening across 150M+ sources, 187+ languages, 13‑month history, and extended channel coverage (e.g., Reddit, Twitch, forums, etc.).
- Advanced reporting exports (PDF, PPT, CSV/XLSX) and scheduled reporting to internal and external emails.
- ROI reporting for paid and organic, deeper customer data, and Salesforce Service Cloud integration.
- Generative AI chatbot for 24/7 customer support and AI‑powered smart replies.
- SSO/SAML, compliance integrations, advanced risk management.
- Premium training, consulting, and Hootsuite Academy access.
Buffer pricing tiers
Buffer offers three core plans: Free, Essentials, and Team, charged per connected channel (with annual discounts).
Free
- Price: Free forever for up to 3 channels.
- 10 scheduled posts per channel at a time.
- 100 “Ideas” items to store content ideas.
- 1 user account.
- AI Assistant with unlimited credits for content refinement.
- Basic analytics with 30‑day history per channel.
- Community inbox for replies and basic engagement.
Key feature limits from the comparison table:
- Tags: 3 saved hashtag sets; Ideas: 100; Drafts: unlimited.
- Publishing: queue, content calendar, reminders, Start Page, duplicate posts, link shortening all included.
- No first‑comment scheduling, channel groups, hashtag manager, or custom video covers.
- Community tools: reply to comments, comment score, AI replies (5/week), 1 saved reply, comment insights, “turn comments into posts.”
- Analytics: no performance overview, custom analytics, best time to post, audience demographics, reports, custom UTM, or branded reports.
- Collaboration: 1 user, 2FA included, but no notes, approval workflows, or custom permissions.
- Integrations: Canva, Unsplash, Dropbox, Google Drive/Photos, OneDrive, Zapier, IFTTT, WordPress, Feedly, Pocket, Bitly—all included.
- Support: self‑service knowledge base and email support.
Essentials ($5/month)
- Price: $5/month per channel (or $60/year per channel, 2 months free) with 14‑day trial.
- Unlimited scheduled posts per channel (up to 5000 per channel under fair‑use policy).
- Unlimited Ideas.
- 1 user account.
- AI Assistant.
- Advanced analytics (unlimited history).
- Community inbox.
- Hashtag manager.
- First‑comment scheduling.
- World‑class customer support.
- Tags: 250; Drafts: unlimited; Templates; Board view; Browser extension.
- Publishing: queue, visual calendar, reminders, Start Page, duplicate posts, link shortening, first‑comment scheduling, channel groups, hashtag manager, custom video covers.
- Community: AI replies (unlimited), saved replies (unlimited), comment insights, turn comments into posts.
- Analytics: performance overview, custom analytics, best time to post, audience demographics, exportable reports, custom UTM parameters (no branded reports).
- Collaboration: 1 user, 2FA, internal notes, but no approval workflows or custom access/permissions.
Team ($10/month)
- Price: $10/month per channel (or $120/year per channel, 2 months free) with 14‑day trial.
- Everything in Essentials.
- Unlimited user accounts.
- Access levels and custom access/permissions.
- Content approval workflows.
- Advanced analytics (unlimited history), branded reports.
Simplified pricing tiers (social + AI suite)
Simplified offers Free Trial, Pro (for individuals/small teams), Business, Growth and Enterprise‑style plans across design, writing, video, and social scheduling.
Pro plan ($15/mo for individuals and small teams)
- 1 seat by default, with the ability to add seats, social accounts, and BrandBooks as paid add‑ons.
- 1 Brandbook for brand assets (colors, fonts, logos, tone, language).
- 100K AI words per month.
- 100 AI designs, 50 AI videos, 200 minutes AI clips, 90 minutes AI subtitles per month.
- Connect up to 7 social media accounts (more as paid add‑ons).
- 5 GB storage.
- Bulk scheduling (up to ~20 social channels with CSV; 200 posts per CSV in Pro‑level scheduler).
- External client approval for social posts and design/video projects.
- Teamspaces: open and closed teamspaces for collaboration.
- Full access to AI design tools (background remover, generative fill, image enhancer), AI writer (GPT‑4, plagiarism checker up to 2000 words), and AI video generation tools with monthly refilling quotas.
- Social features: advanced calendar, groups of accounts, AI‑assisted captions/hashtags, premium stock (Storyblocks, etc.), URL shortener smpl.is (can be disabled on Pro and above), UTM configuration, social listening on supported networks, 1‑year analytics retention, branded analytics reports, export to PDF/PNG.
Business ($33/mo for large teams and agencies)
- Tailored plans with at least 10 seats included.
- “Unlimited” AI content creation (subject to fair‑use policy) across writing, design, and video.
- SSO/SAML support and Simplified API access for integrating AI into workflows and applications.
- Workflow automations, advanced approval workflows, and robust permissioning (open/closed/private teamspaces, account‑level roles, channel‑level permissions).
- Priority support, 24/7 support, and training/onboarding sessions.
- Bulk scheduling at agency scale (e.g., 400–800 posts per CSV depending on sub‑tier like Agency/Agency Plus).
- Extended analytics retention (1 year), white‑label and branded analytics reports without Simplified branding.
- Advanced social inbox with assignment, AI assistance, Google Reviews replies, internal notes, and conversation history.
- Project management features (boards, tasks, subtasks, labels, automations) with AI‑generated project plans using the same AI Writer quota.
Growth plan ($100/mo Small agencies, modern marketers)
- 5 seats included.
- 30 social media accounts included.
- 5 Brand styles & voices.
- Access to Simplified AI workflows and AI Content Studio.
- 100K generative AI credits and unlimited AI words*.
- AI designs, AI videos, AI video repurpose, AI subtitles.
- 10 AI agents.
- Everything in Business plus: bulk social post importing, advanced analytics & reporting, shared calendars, private teamspaces, priority support.
- 1 TB storage.
- Add-ons: extra social media accounts ($5/month), extra users ($10/month), extra AI brandbook ($35/month each).
Enterprise (custom pricing)
Includes all Advanced capabilities plus enterprise‑grade options.
- 10 Seats
- Unlimited AI Content Creation*
- Simplified API Access
- SSO / SAML Support
- Workflow Automations
- Priority Support
- Training and onboarding session
- 50 AI Agents
If all the above feels like too much to process, here’s a super short comparison table to quickly scan the key differences.
| Tool | How You Pay (High Level) | Typical Usage Limits | Who It Suits Best |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hootsuite | Per user/month (billed annually); three tiers: Standard ($21.58/mo), Advanced ($84.98/mo), Enterprise. | Accounts capped by tier (10 on Standard, unlimited on higher); unlimited posts; strong analytics, inbox, ads, social listening, AI (OwlyGPT). | Enterprises or teams that need deep reporting, inbox management, and governance. |
| Buffer | Per channel/month: Free, Essentials ($5/mo), Team ($10/mo). | Free: 3 channels (10 posts each); paid plans offer unlimited posts per channel; features scale from basic scheduling to analytics + approvals. | Creators and small teams looking for affordable, simple scheduling with analytics. |
| Simplified | Flat workspace plans — Pro ($15/mo), Business ($33/mo), Growth ($100/mo), Enterprise — based on seats + AI quota. | Free: 3 accounts, 10-post queue, small AI quota; Pro/Business: more accounts, bulk scheduling, large or “unlimited” AI across design, writing, and video. | Users who want social scheduling plus AI tools for design, copy, and video in one place. |
User Feedback: Reviews for Each Tool From G2 + Trustpilot
Hootsuite
User Feedback Source: G2 and Trustpilot
What Users Like👍
- Many users appreciate how Hootsuite lets them manage multiple social accounts from a central dashboard, simplifying their workflow.
- The scheduling tools are strong — people often say they can plan far ahead, which helps with consistent posting.
- Reporting and analytics are a big plus: users value its ability to produce detailed reports.
- Team workflows and approvals are well supported, which helps agencies or marketers working in groups.
What Users Dislike👎
- Some say it’s expensive, especially for smaller teams or paid plans.
- Several users mention that lower-tier plans don’t provide all features, like deep analytics or advanced reports.
- The mobile app gets criticism — reviewers say it feels slow or clunky compared to the desktop version.
- According to Trustpilot, a few users are unhappy with customer service, especially around billing and refund issues: “We asked for a refund … they will only give off the scripted response.”
- Auto-renewal terms are also a pain point for some: one user claimed that the contract auto-renews without clear communication.
Buffer
User Feedback Source: G2 and Trustpilot
What Users Like 👍
- Many reviewers say Buffer is very easy to use, even for beginners — the interface is clean and straightforward.
- The scheduling system is praised: users like that they can queue posts and plan content ahead without micromanaging times.
- It is reliable for basic social posting; some users say it helps them save time and focus more on making content than doing manual sharing.
- Integration with social media platforms is solid: people mention they can connect Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and more.
What Users Dislike👎
- Analytics are not very deep: several users feel Buffer’s reporting lacks advanced or custom reporting features.
- There’s no strong social listening or engagement management: Buffer doesn’t handle mentions or community inbox as well as some other tools.
- According to Trustpilot users, reliability can be a problem: “Multiple Failed Posts EVERY SINGLE Day … Might as well do it entirely manually.”
- Support issues: some mention that when things go wrong, customer support is not responsive or fast enough.
- Scaling cost: as you add more social accounts, the cost can go up quickly, which many users call out.
Simplified
User Feedback Source: G2 and Trustpilot
What Users Like👍
- Many praise its all-in-one platform: design, AI writing, video, and social posting come together, which saves them from switching apps.
- The AI writer + design tool combo is very useful for creating marketing content quickly.
- Users love the templates: the variety of design templates is good, and it helps them create fast without starting from scratch.
- Collaboration is solid: teams can comment, approve, and work together on designs and copy.
- The mobile compatibility + intuitive UI also get positive mentions: people say it’s easy to use on different devices.
What Users Dislike👎
- Performance can lag: when working with large design or video files, some users feel the platform becomes slow.
- AI credit / limit issues: in lower plans, many say that their AI credits (for text or images) are limited and run out quickly.
- The free plan is a bit restrictive: several mentions that to do “real work,” you need a paid plan.
- Support concerns: on Trustpilot, some users report poor customer service when things break or when billing issues appear.
- Pricing surprises: a couple of users claim they were charged unexpectedly — for example, being auto-renewed without clear notice.
Summary — Feedback Comparison
Simplified is loved for its creative power and everything-in-one workspace, though limits on AI credits and performance on heavy tasks bother some users.
Hootsuite is highly appreciated for its power and reporting, but its cost and customer support get mixed reviews.
Buffer wins on usability and simplicity, though it lacks advanced analytics and sometimes reliability.
Which Tool Fits Which User?
Different users have different needs. Here’s who should choose each platform.
Choose Hootsuite if you:
- Work at a large company or agency
- Need detailed analytics and custom reports
- Manage many social accounts across teams
- Want to monitor brand mentions closely
- Already have content creation tools you like
- Have budget for enterprise software
For instance, a marketing agency managing 50+ client accounts would benefit from Hootsuite’s advanced features. The investment makes sense when you need that level of control.
Choose Buffer if you:
- Run a startup or small business
- Already create content in other tools
- Want simple, affordable scheduling
- Don’t need advanced collaboration features
- Prefer a minimal, easy-to-use interface
- Post to a few social accounts only
A solopreneur who designs graphics in Canva would find Buffer perfect. You just need a clean way to schedule your finished content.
Choose Simplified if you:
- Create lots of social content regularly
- Want to save money on multiple tools
- Need both creation and scheduling features
- Work with a small to medium team
- Value AI assistance for writing and design
- Want one workspace for everything
Content creators, small marketing teams, and growing businesses often find Simplified perfect. You create your graphics, write your captions, and schedule your posts all in one place. Additionally, the AI features help you work faster.
For example, a social media manager at a growing startup could use Simplified to create a week’s worth of content in one afternoon. The AI helps write captions, the templates speed up design, and the scheduler handles posting automatically.
Final Recommendation
Each platform serves different needs, so your choice depends on your situation.
Choose Hootsuite when you need enterprise-grade analytics and team management. If your organization already has dedicated designers and writers, Hootsuite’s scheduling and monitoring features work well. The higher price makes sense for larger teams with complex needs.
Choose Buffer when you want simple, affordable scheduling. If you already create content elsewhere and just need a reliable way to post it, Buffer delivers. The platform works best for small teams with straightforward needs.
Choose Simplified when you want to handle content creation and scheduling in one place. If you spend hours switching between design tools, writing apps, and schedulers, Simplified solves that problem. You get everything you need in one affordable subscription.
Most teams today need to create more content faster. Social media moves quickly, and audiences expect fresh posts regularly. Therefore, having creation tools and scheduling together makes sense for most users. You save time, reduce costs, and keep your workflow organized.
Simplified becomes the best fit when you want to produce quality content without juggling multiple apps. The platform handles your entire social media workflow from idea to publication.
Conclusion
Comparing social media tools helps you make an informed decision. Each platform has strengths and weaknesses depending on your specific needs.
Hootsuite works for large teams needing advanced analytics. Buffer suits small users wanting simple scheduling. Simplified serves creators and teams who need both content creation and publishing in one workspace.
The right tool supports both your content creation and posting workflow. When these features work together, you spend less time managing tools and more time connecting with your audience.
Before making your final choice, test each platform yourself. Most offer free trials or free plans. Spend a week using each one with your actual workflow. Then, you’ll know which platform feels right for your team.
Social media success depends on consistent, quality content. Choose a tool that makes creating and posting that content as easy as possible. Your audience will notice the difference when you can focus on strategy instead of wrestling with software.
