HighLevel Social Planner vs Buffer: Which One’s Right for You?

A Full Comparison Guide to Two Social Media Powerhouses

When it comes to scheduling, managing, and analyzing your social media content, Buffer has long been a trusted name. But with HighLevel entering the space with its robust Social Planner, many marketers, agencies, and business owners are asking, Which one is truly better for my needs?

This guide breaks it all down—pricing, features, interface, integrations, and overall value—so you can make an informed choice that suits your workflow and goals.

Key Takeaways

HighLevel’s Social Planner is integrated into a larger CRM and marketing platform, while Buffer is a standalone social media scheduling tool.
Buffer is better for individual users and small teams, while HighLevel is ideal for agencies and businesses using it within a broader client management system.
HighLevel offers client white-labeling, automation tools, and CRM features, making it more versatile for digital marketing services.
Pricing varies significantly depending on your use case—Buffer charges per social channel, while HighLevel charges per client sub-account.
If you’re already using HighLevel, the Social Planner adds immense value at no extra cost.

Platform Overview

What is HighLevel Social Planner?

HighLevel’s Social Planner is part of a comprehensive CRM and marketing automation platform aimed at agencies. It allows you to plan, schedule, and post content across major social platforms like Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Google My Business.

Best for: Agencies, marketers managing multiple client accounts, and SaaS providers using HighLevel’s SaaS Mode.

Top Features:

Unified social media dashboard
Post scheduling across multiple platforms
Visual calendar
Integrated with CRM & workflows
White-labeled for client branding

What is Buffer?

Buffer is a user-friendly, standalone social media scheduling tool built for individuals, small businesses, and teams. It focuses solely on publishing, engagement, and analytics.

Best for: Freelancers, solopreneurs, and small teams focused on consistent content publishing.

Top Features:

Easy drag-and-drop content calendar
Post scheduling and queue management
Hashtag manager
Engagement and analytics tools
Browser extension and mobile app

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

1. Social Channel Support

Feature	HighLevel Social Planner	Buffer
Facebook Pages	✅	✅
Instagram Business Accounts	✅	✅
Google My Business	✅	❌
LinkedIn Pages	✅	✅
Twitter	❌	✅
TikTok	❌ (planned)	✅

Winner: Buffer, if Twitter or TikTok is critical. HighLevel is catching up fast.

2. User Experience

Feature	HighLevel	Buffer
Interface Design	Functional but less polished	Clean, intuitive UI
Mobile App	Yes (via LeadConnector)	Yes
Learning Curve	Moderate (due to CRM functions)	Low (very beginner-friendly)

Winner: Buffer, for beginners. HighLevel shines for users already familiar with its ecosystem.

How to Promote and Customize Your Mobile App: A Comprehensive Guide : HighLevel Support Portal

3. Collaboration Tools

Feature	HighLevel	Buffer
Multi-user access	✅	✅
Post approval workflow	✅	❌
Client access	✅ (via SaaS Mode)	✅

Winner: HighLevel, especially for agencies.

4. Analytics & Reporting

Feature	HighLevel	Buffer
Engagement Tracking	Basic	Advanced (clicks, reach, comments)
Scheduled Reports	✅	✅
Integration with CRM	✅	❌

Winner: Buffer, if you need in-depth analytics. HighLevel focuses more on holistic marketing automation.

Pricing Breakdown

🔹 HighLevel Social Planner Pricing Breakdown

Plan	Price	Includes Social Planner?	Ideal For
Starter	$97/month	✅ Yes	Individual users or small businesses
Unlimited	$297/month	✅ Yes	Agencies managing multiple clients
Pro SaaS Mode	$497/month	✅ Yes + SaaS features	White-label resellers & large teams

🔹 Buffer Pricing

Plan	Price	Best For
Free	$0/month	Personal use, 3 accounts, 10 posts each
Essentials	$6/month per channel	Freelancers needing basic scheduling
Team	$12/month per channel	Collaboration with draft tools
Agency	$120/month for 10 channels	Managing multiple clients

5 Effective Scheduling Tools for Social Media | UltaHost Blog

Use Case Examples

For Agencies

HighLevel is the clear winner. Its ability to white-label the social planner, integrate client CRMs, rebill for services, and automate onboarding makes it ideal for digital marketing service providers.

For Freelancers and Solopreneurs

Buffer is easier to use right out of the box and provides all the basics for effective social media scheduling.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use both platforms together?

Yes, but it may be redundant. HighLevel’s planner is enough for agency-level scheduling; Buffer excels in content-driven strategies and analytics.

Which is better for client management?

Definitely HighLevel, thanks to CRM integration and white-label SaaS features.

Is the HighLevel Social Planner really included for free?

Yes! It’s included in all HighLevel plans (starting at $97/month), with no extra cost for social media scheduling features—even across multiple client sub-accounts.

Which tool is better for agencies?

HighLevel is better suited for agencies thanks to features like client white-labeling, CRM integration, workflow automation, and SaaS Mode for rebilling. Buffer is more geared toward individuals and small teams.

What is HighLevel Social Planner?

Conclusion

Both HighLevel and Buffer are stellar tools—but they serve different audiences.

👉 Choose Buffer if you’re a creator or small team focused solely on content scheduling and engagement.
👉 Choose HighLevel Social Planner if you’re an agency or entrepreneur wanting to scale, rebill, and offer a full marketing suite to clients.

With HighLevel’s SaaS Mode, you get way more than just scheduling—you get an entire platform to build your business on.

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Key Takeaways