Loomly vs Buffer comparison (2025): Features, Costs & Verdi…

Table of Contents

Executive Summary

In this detailed Loomly vs Buffer comparison, we reveal which social media management platform delivers superior value for agencies and businesses. Both tools offer scheduling and analytics, but they target different audiences with distinct approaches.

Buffer excels for solopreneurs and small teams needing simplicity and affordable pricing. Loomly dominates for marketing agencies requiring advanced collaboration, approval workflows, and content inspiration features. Therefore, your choice depends on team size and workflow complexity.

Comparison Table

Feature	Loomly	Buffer
Starting Price	$32/month	$6/month
Free Plan	15-day trial	Yes (3 channels)
Approval Workflows	Yes	No
Content Ideas	Yes	No
Analytics Depth	Advanced	Basic to Moderate
Team Collaboration	Excellent	Good
Supported Networks	10+	8+
Mobile App Quality	Good	Excellent

Core Features: Loomly

Loomly positions itself as a brand success platform rather than just a scheduler. Consequently, it includes post ideas, optimization tips, and automated suggestions based on trending topics and RSS feeds.

Approval Workflows and Collaboration

Marketing agencies benefit from multi-level approval systems. Team members can submit drafts, managers review content, and clients approve final versions—all within one interface. This workflow saves approximately 8-12 hours weekly for agencies managing 5+ clients.

Content Calendar Intelligence

Loomly’s calendar displays color-coded post statuses, campaign tags, and performance predictions. Moreover, the platform suggests optimal posting times based on historical engagement data. The drag-and-drop interface allows quick rescheduling across multiple channels simultaneously.

Advanced Analytics and Reporting

Custom reports track engagement rates, follower growth, and post-level performance across networks. Agencies can white-label reports for client presentations. However, export options remain limited compared to enterprise tools like Sprout Social.

Core Features: Buffer

Buffer prioritizes simplicity and speed. The interface requires minimal training—most users schedule their first post within 5 minutes. Therefore, it appeals to freelancers, consultants, and small businesses without dedicated social media teams.

Queue-Based Scheduling System

Buffer’s signature feature is the evergreen queue. Users create time slots (e.g., weekdays at 9 AM, 2 PM, 6 PM), and Buffer automatically fills them with queued content. This approach works brilliantly for content curators and thought leaders sharing articles.

Browser Extension and Mobile Apps

The Chrome extension lets users share web content instantly. Meanwhile, Buffer’s mobile apps (iOS/Android) rank among the best in the category. Consequently, on-the-go scheduling feels seamless—ideal for travel bloggers and event marketers.

Analytics Simplicity

Buffer provides clean, digestible metrics: reach, clicks, engagement rate, and top posts. However, it lacks deeper insights like sentiment analysis or competitor benchmarking. Small businesses find this sufficient; agencies typically need more granular data.

Price Comparison

Pricing structures at a glance:

Loomly: Base plan $32/month (10 social accounts, 2 users), Standard $60/month (20 accounts, 6 users), Advanced $131/month (35 accounts, 14 users), Premium $269/month (50 accounts, 30 users). All plans billed monthly or annually with 25% discount.
Buffer: Free plan (3 channels, 10 scheduled posts), Essentials $6/month per channel, Team $12/month per channel (unlimited posts, 2 users), Agency $120/month (10 channels, 6 users). Annual billing saves 16%.

Verdict on Pricing: Buffer wins for solo users and micro-businesses with its generous free tier. However, Loomly becomes more cost-effective at scale. Managing 10+ accounts costs $32/month on Loomly versus $60-120/month on Buffer. Moreover, Loomly includes collaboration features that Buffer charges extra for.

Pros & Cons

Loomly Pros & Cons

Pro: Post ideas feature generates 15-20 content suggestions daily based on trending topics and holidays.
Pro: Multi-level approval workflows reduce client revision cycles by approximately 40%.
Pro: Supports TikTok, Pinterest, and Google My Business alongside major platforms.
Pro: Optimization tips flag issues like missing hashtags or broken links before publishing.
Pro: White-label reporting allows agencies to brand analytics dashboards.
Con: No free plan—only 15-day trial limits testing for budget-conscious startups.
Con: Learning curve steeper than Buffer; new users need 2-3 hours onboarding.
Con: Mobile app lacks feature parity with desktop version.
Con: Customer support response times average 6-8 hours on lower-tier plans.
Con: Instagram Stories scheduling requires manual notification workaround.

Buffer Pros & Cons

Pro: Free plan genuinely useful for freelancers managing 3 client accounts.
Pro: Browser extension enables one-click sharing from any website.
Pro: Mobile apps rated 4.7/5 stars with offline draft saving.
Pro: Setup takes under 10 minutes from signup to first scheduled post.
Pro: Transparent pricing with no hidden fees or forced annual contracts.
Con: No approval workflows—unsuitable for agencies with client review processes.
Con: Analytics lack competitive benchmarking and sentiment analysis.
Con: Per-channel pricing becomes expensive when managing 10+ accounts.
Con: Limited content library features compared to Loomly’s asset management.
Con: No built-in content ideation or RSS feed integration.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Which tool is better for small businesses?
Buffer wins for businesses managing 3-5 social accounts with minimal team collaboration. Its free plan and $6/month entry point beat Loomly’s $32 minimum. However, businesses planning to scale beyond 10 accounts should choose Loomly for better per-account economics.

2. Does Loomly offer better integration than Buffer?
Yes. Loomly supports 10+ platforms including TikTok, Pinterest, Snapchat, and Google My Business. Buffer covers 8 major networks but lacks Pinterest and Google My Business native integration. Moreover, Loomly’s API allows custom workflow integrations.

3. Is there a free version available?
Buffer offers a permanent free plan with 3 channels and 10 scheduled posts. Loomly provides only a 15-day trial with full feature access. Therefore, risk-averse users should test Buffer first before committing to paid plans.

Final Verdict: Winner Revealed

In this Loomly vs Buffer comparison, Loomly wins for marketing agencies and in-house teams of 3+ people. The approval workflows, content ideas, and scalable pricing justify the higher entry cost. Agencies managing client accounts save 10-15 hours weekly through automated suggestions and collaboration tools.

Buffer wins for solopreneurs, freelancers, and small businesses managing under 5 accounts. The free plan, intuitive interface, and superior mobile apps deliver unbeatable value. However, teams requiring approval processes should avoid Buffer entirely. Check more reviews at CloudKitly.