Overview: Sprout Social and Buffer as Social Media Marketing Category solutions.

Sprout Social and Buffer both offer robust solutions for social media marketing but cater to different operational needs. Sprout Social is well-suited for larger enterprises with a focus on advanced analytics and integration, while Buffer supports smaller businesses with strong scheduling capabilities and ease of use. Each product offers distinct vendor support, with Sprout Social providing more comprehensive 24/7 support options. Their industry focus differs slightly, with Sprout Social serving a broader range including educational sectors, and Buffer appealing more to computer software companies.

Sprout Social: Sprout Social offers tools to reimagine social media growth for businesses. Start a free trial to see these management solutions in action.

Buffer: Buffer offers an all-you-need social media toolkit for small businesses. Over 160,000 small businesses use Buffer to save time managing their social media.

Sprout Social and Buffer: Best Use cases based on the customer satisfaction data

Key Capabilities Supported

Sprout Social excels at comprehensive social media management and analytics, making it ideal for complex operations. Activities like engagement management and post scheduling are streamlined to support marketing teams. read more →

Buffer prioritizes ease of social media management, especially for scheduling and content management, supporting businesses that require agile online presence handling. read more →

Business Goals

Sprout Social aims to enhance brand engagement and improve ROI, crucial for businesses focusing on long-term customer relationships and brand awareness. read more →

Buffer helps to improve social presence and customer acquisition, making it effective for businesses looking to enter new markets and scale their branding efforts. read more →

Core Features

Features like custom reports and robust analytics make Sprout Social stand out. It's tailored for users needing comprehensive data analysis and integration capabilities. read more →

Buffer offers strong capabilities in custom reporting and data export, fitting businesses that require straightforward insights and integration with less complexity. read more →

Vendor Support

Sprout Social provides extensive support options including 24/7 assistance, catering to customers who demand constant availability and reliable support services. read more →

Buffer has a straightforward support system with key channels like chat and email, appealing to users preferring simplicity over extensive service coverage. read more →

Segments and Industries

Sprout Social is mainly used by large enterprises and educational sectors, reflecting its strength in supporting diverse operational environments. read more →

Buffer is popular among smaller businesses and computer software companies, highlighting its appeal for tech-savvy and agile market players. read more →

Operational Alignment

Sprout Social integrates smoothly into large-scale workflows, suitable for complex operational needs across various industries. read more →

Buffer fits seamlessly into smaller operational setups, perfect for businesses needing foundational capabilities for managing social media activities. read more →

Applying your context and needs changes the comparison

Failure Risk Guidance?

Low Medium High

Compliance Risk

low

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low

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Security & Privacy Risk

medium

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medium

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Integration Risk

medium

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medium

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Migration Risk

low

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medium

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IT and Other Capabilities

Low
Medium
High

Ease of migration

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Data

Data Import

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Data Export

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Support

Chat Support

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Email Support

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Phone Support

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24/7 Support

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Others

Analytics

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Custom Reports

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AI Powered

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Most deployed common Use Cases for Sprout Social and Buffer

How can Sprout Social and Buffer enhance your Social Media Management process?

Sprout Social and Buffer are both social media management tools that allow users to schedule posts on multiple platforms. Both tools provide analytics, but Sprout Social offers more extensive analytics including insights for Google+ and LinkedIn. Sprout Social is better for organizations seeking team collaboration, automation, and reporting, whereas Buffer is a user-friendly option for scheduling posts consistently. A limitation of both tools is that they have occasional glitches in their systems.

"...This is a great social media management tool, especially for agencies looking for more team collaboration, automation, and reporting...." Peer review by Nichole M, Digital Media Director, Marketing and Advertising

"...I use it to schedule social media postings across various platforms, customising them for each one...." Peer review by Ann Druce, Marketing Strategist | Content Marketer | LinkedIn Strategist | Copywriter, Octarine Communications

How can Sprout Social and Buffer enhance your Communication Management process?

Sprout Social and Buffer both help users schedule social media posts. Sprout Social allows for more robust management of social interactions, including monitoring and responding to messages, while Buffer focuses primarily on scheduling. Sprout Social offers a wider range of features, but Buffer is more affordable. Both platforms have limitations; for example, Sprout Social has been reported to deny support requests and Buffer can experience issues with account connectivity.

"...It was very easy to schedule social media posts on various platforms for the week. ...." Peer review by Ben M., Real Estate Broker, Non-Profit Organization Management

"...Buffer is perfect for small to medium-sized organizations, startups, and influencers to build a social posting queue, directly from their browser...." Peer review by Emanuele Pagani, Creative Director, Kittyhawk

What Are the key features of Sprout Social and Buffer for Engagement Management?

Sprout Social and Buffer both help manage social media engagement. Sprout Social assists in analyzing engagement and generating reports, while Buffer focuses on scheduling posts and engaging customers. Sprout Social has features for assigning tasks and monitoring messages, which Buffer does not. A limitation of both tools is that they are not ideal for companies that are not focused on planning posts.

"...The best business solution for Sprout Social is the ability to listen and engage customers...." Peer review by Ty S, Corporate Communications Director, Marketing and Advertising

"...Scheduling social media posts and testing days and times for optimal engagement...." Peer review by Rebecca R, Founder, Marketing and Advertising

What makes Sprout Social and Buffer ideal for Content Management?

Sprout Social and Buffer both allow users to schedule and publish content on multiple social media platforms. Sprout Social offers more advanced features such as viral post optimization and comprehensive analytics. Buffer is simpler to use and has a browser extension for easy content sharing. Both tools have limitations; Sprout Social requires many steps to schedule content, and Buffer lacks customization options.

"...The problem you're solving here is social media management, social listening, content calendar management, social media analysis...." Peer review by Steven C., Marketing and Advertising

"...They also send good articles that help you generated content to share...." Peer review by Ebonn T., Marketing and Advertising

What solutions does Sprout Social and Buffer provide for Social Media Marketing?

Sprout Social and Buffer both focus on Social Media Marketing. Sprout Social provides more comprehensive features, including social media analytics, customer service, and management tools. Buffer specializes in social media publishing and management, simplifying scheduling and automating campaigns. Sprout Social is more expensive, requiring multiple user accounts for effective use.

"...Simply Measured s new API raises the bar for the entire social analytics market...." Peer review by David Lawson, CEO, NewSci

"...One of the better social media marketing platforms for organizing a comprehensive content strategy...." Peer review by Zach P., Marketing & Social Media Specialist, Real Estate