# The Buffer alternative built for serious brands and agencies
> Canonical: https://skedsocial.com/buffer-alternative
Buffer is simple and well priced for publishing, but it stays light on depth once you need analytics or approvals.
Simple, well-priced publishing; light on depth

## Why teams choose Sked over Buffer
- True approval workflows (Buffer has none at lower tiers)
- Instagram visual planning depth
- Agency/client workspace features

## Where Buffer genuinely wins
- Buffer offers a genuinely generous free-forever plan that lets you connect up to 3 channels with no credit card required.
- Pricing is simple and low-cost, scaling per channel from just 5 dollars a month on the Essentials plan.
- Buffer keeps publishing clean and simple with a visual content calendar and queue across all major channels.
- Buffer connects to a broad set of tools, with 24 app integrations spanning design, storage, automation, and AI assistants.

## Choose Sked if
- You need real approval workflows, which Buffer does not offer on its lower plans.
- Instagram visual planning and a content calendar matter to your team.
- You run client or agency workspaces and need per-client separation.

## Choose Buffer if
- You are a solo creator who wants the simplest possible publishing at the lowest entry price.
- You do not need approvals, client workspaces or deeper analytics yet.

## Pricing
Buffer starts at $6/mo. Sked's pricing is per plan (not per seat).

Buffer tiers:
- Free: $0/mo
- Essentials: $6/mo
- Team: $12/mo

## Switching from Buffer
Typical migration time: Switching from Buffer usually takes well under a day..

- Export your content from Buffer — Pull your planned posts, captions and media out of Buffer so nothing in your queue is lost in the move.
- Bring it into Sked — Upload your media and posts into Sked, bulk schedule from a CSV, and rebuild your content queue in the planner.
- Reconnect your social accounts — Authorize your Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok, Pinterest and other profiles directly in Sked so publishing picks up where you left off.
- Rebuild approvals and your calendar — Rebuild your posting schedule and set up approvals on Sked's visual Kanban board so clients and teammates can sign off in one place.