Buffer bills itself as a simple but effective, all-you-need social media toolkit for small businesses. It’s just one of many different social media management tools out there on the market, but the emphasis with Buffer is on affordability, which is always welcome given current trading challenges.
If you’re after a one-stop social media management solution then Buffer should do the trick, even within the confines of its free edition. To unleash its full potential though you’ll need to invest more time and money to access its full suite of tools.
Like its rivals in Hootsuite, Sprout Social, and Circleboom, among many others, Buffer aims to make the world of a social media manager – or whoever has the keys to the social accounts – that much easier by automating scheduling, helping visualise content, and more.
Buffer is also currently offering a free trial, so make sure to claim that, if you wish to first try out its features.
Let's dive into our review of the Buffer social media management tool.
(Image credit: Buffer)Buffer: Plans and PricingPlan
Starting Rate (Paid Annually)
Starting Rate (Paid Monthly)
Free
$0/month (up to 3 channels)
$0/month (up to 3 channels)
Essentials
$5/month per channel
$6/month per channel
Team
$10/month per channel
$12/month per channel
Buffer has kept a keen eye on simplicity with its pricing plans.
There’s something for most if not all types of business, and payment can be done on a monthly or annual basis. If you’re simply starting out and want to gain some experience using a social medial management tool, the Free package makes a lot of sense. Better still, this comes with a £0 (or $0) price tag, which is ideal if you’re running to a tight budget and helps you manage up to three channels.
Next up is the Essentials package, which costs $6 per month or $5 annually per social channel. It’s easy to add additional channels when and if you need them, and by paying annually you’ll shave $12 off the overall cost over a year. You can try this plan free for 14 days and it’s suited to professionals who have to call on publishing, analytics and engagement tools as part of their daily brief.
(Image credit: Buffer)The beefier Team package is aimed squarely at any businesses that have more of a collaborative arrangement going on. This offers much more user flexibility and costs $12 monthly, or you can knock $24 off the price by paying $120 annually. Additional channels can be added as and when they’re required, meaning lots of freedom for your business.
While Buffer no longer offers a dedicated Agency plan since November 2025, it provides volume discounts across all plans for users who add more than 10 channels to a plan.
(Image credit: Buffer )Buffer: Basic featuresAs with any scalable social media management tool, Buffer can be used in its most basic incarnation, most suitable if you’re just starting out. Buffer users get an array of basic publishing tools and a handy landing page builder as standard, but if you’ve got a desire to really boost your potential, head for the Essentials or upwards.
The free tier comes with three channels, basic scheduling, a landing page, the ability to schedule 10 posts per channel at any one time (with no monthly limit), and a useful new AI assistant.
Meanwhile, the Essentials plan comes with everything in the free tier, plus as many channels as you can wish for, unlimited post scheduling, analytics, and engagement tracking. Those last two might prove the difference between paying nothing and going for the $5 per month per channel option.
All of the teams get iOS and Android apps, which make working on the go much easier, and support for 30+ app integrations including 11 native integrations and more through Zapier, plus two-factor authentication.
(Image credit: Buffer )Buffer: Advanced featuresBy upgrading to either Team or Agency, you business will instantly have the ability to do much more. For example, scheduled posts per channel are limited to just 10 per on the free tier, rising to up to 5,000 on the higher tiers. Of course, it’s easy to work with the obvious social outlets including Instagram, Facebook, X (or Twitter), LinkedIn, and Pinterest on any edition of Buffer. Buffer has also added more social media channels than there were originally in its roster, with Bluesky, Google Business Profile, Mastodon, Threads, TikTok, and YouTube (Shorts) being now fully supported.
Similarly, on the higher tiers, there are assorted scheduling options, a calendar view, plus handy day to day features such as a link shortener capability and one for tweaking custom links, too. The paid-for editions also deliver features such as custom video thumbnails, multi-channel campaign delivery, and lots of cool options for tweaking Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook posts.
To cut to the chase, the main features features that the non-free tier options get are advanced analytics, insights, and reporting. Essentials, Team, and Agency all get a performance overview, data access, and much more, while Team and Agency gain branded reports and a cover page.
If you feel like any features are missing, check out Buffer's product roadmap.
(Image credit: Buffer )Buffer: Analytics and reportingVital ingredients for more efficient social media management are inside Buffer too, such as the power tools for checking audience demographics via machine learning insights, which is basically a smart way of tweaking and fine-tuning your results.
Buffer is also great for its tools that cover the array of analytics and reporting. The ability to get a performance overview is paramount, and that comes packed inside Essentials and upwards, along with more specific history details in individual posts, plus historical insights that help businesses build up a bigger picture scenario.
Users of non-free tiers can see insights into post performance, individual post analytics, data storage, tag analysis, hashtag performance, audience demos, Instagram Stories analytics, Shopify performance, custom and exportable reports, and more besides.
(Image credit: Buffer)Adding to the appeal of Buffer is its extensive range of reporting tools. After all, if you have no data to present at meetings the validity of the purchase will soon come into question, no matter how nice the graphs look.
Buffer offers custom reporting tools, including exportable reports on the higher tiers. However, corporate users will find these options invaluable and presumably not mind the added expense of getting them.
The app also offers important comment detection, giving insights into potentially good or bad posts, alongside hotkey support.
(Image credit: Buffer)Buffer: AI toolsBuffer has quietly built one of the more practical AI toolkits in the social media management space. At its core is the AI Assistant, which is available to all users (including those on the free plan) with unlimited credits. Rather than bolting on AI as an afterthought, Buffer has woven it directly into the post composer and the dedicated Create space, so you can tap into it exactly when you need it.
The AI Assistant is powered by OpenAI's GPT-4.0 and is channel-aware, meaning it understands the nuances of each platform you're posting to. If you're drafting for LinkedIn, it leans professional. For Instagram, it keeps things punchy and caption-friendly. You can also specify your target audience and adjust the tone so the output actually sounds like your brand rather than a generic AI bot.
Beyond drafting, the assistant handles repurposing and refinement. You can take an existing post and rework it for a different platform in one click, expand a short update into something more substantial, or trim down a long post for X (formerly Twitter) without losing the core message. The idea generation feature is handy too: say a bit about your business and it'll surface content ideas tailored to your industry.
Buffer has also integrated AI into its Community inbox with AI replies. This feature learns your voice and suggests contextual responses to comments across Instagram, Facebook, Threads, Bluesky, X, and LinkedIn. Free users get five AI reply suggestions per week; paid plans include unlimited suggestions. It also includes a Comment Insights feature that surfaces themes and ideas from your comment section, helping you spot content opportunities you might otherwise miss.
Buffer: User interfaceOne of the best things about Buffer has been the way the designers have made the interface a joy to use. Much of this is down to the simplicity of the layout, with little to get in the way of boosting your social medial management potential. This extends to the more complex and feature-heavy premium products, too, even those that pack in powerful reporting tools and comprehensive data analytics.
While some rival services can feel overburdened with features, Buffer manages to treat the line perfectly, and we never really encountered any issues getting around.
The addition of an AI assistant also helps with discovery of new features and creating ideas from scratch, which could be useful in smaller organisations with less people to bounce things off.
We're big fans, and for anyone who cares about UI and UX, Buffer has you covered.
(Image credit: Buffer)Buffer: Support and transparencyWe’ve been really impressed with the attention to detail displayed by Buffer support. Like everyone other social media rival, there’s a great starting point via an online help centre, which contains a searchable database of help topics, plus a whole host of tutorials and other insights into how to get the best from Buffer.
Anyone needing further help on a one-to-one basis can contact the Buffer Support team. The process is very straightforward: simply raise a ticket using one of the many different subject area options to trigger a response. The Buffer community is another aspect of the support options found inside this package that allows a wider range of contact options to users.
On top of support, Buffer offers some of the best transparency in the industry, regularly reporting everything via its transparency dashboard. For example, you can see that Buffer has over 191,726 MAUs, $1.9 million in MRR, and makes $28.06 per user on average.
Buffer also publishes its staff's salaries transparently, breaks down what each subscription supports (eg, hosting, retreats, or salaries), and so much more. The addition really serves to build trust in Buffer as a company.
(Image credit: Buffer)(Image credit: Buffer)Buffer: The competitionWhile users with fairly basic needs will be able to make use of Buffer, this is a social media management package that will really come into its own for larger business concerns. So while the likes of Hootsuite, Sendible, Loomly, HubSpot, and Zoho Social are all competitor products worth looking at, Buffer's packages do have a great deal of scalability.
After spending many hours testing Buffer and its rivals, we can say that while some have more powerful features than Buffer at the absolute high-end, none of them manage to artfully combine so many features in a non-threatening and understandable way, which is a real plus.
(Image credit: Buffer)Buffer: Final verdictBuffer is one of the best full-service social media management suites you can get and there’s a package to suit all kinds of user.
Naturally, the free edition lacks some of the muscle that comes with the premium editions, so it’s worth spending a little more if you want to boost your social media management potential. Along with its ease of use, there’s no doubting the potency of Buffer, while the capacity for expanding its capabilities is great, too.
For example, there are over 30 different third-party integration options, letting users harness the likes of Zapier and more. We’re also very keen on the ability to use Buffer quickly and easily on iOS and Android, creating room for more efficiency when you’re not able to carry out tasks at your desk.
Overall, it’s easy to see why Buffer continues to draw in plenty of new customers since its 2010 launch, and we can't recommend its software highly enough.
Fancy a Rematch? That’s right, Turtle Beach is back with the Rematch Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch 2, which comes equipped with an all-new design, trusty C button, and a few other technical touch-ups.
There’s a lot to love about the Rematch, whether that be its drift-resistant TMR (tunnel magnoresistance) thumbsticks, its eye-catching semi-translucent design – which even features Super Mario himself, or its customizable GL and GR buttons. It’s also a pretty comfortable controller to use, with responsive triggers and face buttons, and incredibly seamless pairing.
I was also delighted with the controller’s generous 40-hour battery life, which competes with top controllers in our guide to the best Nintendo Switch 2 accessories. Despite that, though, the Rematch certainly isn’t without its flaws.
One of the most glaring drawbacks is the controller’s omission of rumble technology. This can be crucial for certain in-game segments, and is generally a vital instrument to immerse players more deeply in their gaming experiences. I was also sad to see NFC tech left out, which lets you scan Amiibo in titles like Metroid Prime 4: Beyond or Kirby Air Riders.
When you combine those things with the Rematch’s lack of a 3.5mm port and its inability to wake your Nintendo Switch 2 console from sleep, I think it’s fair to say it's missing a few crucial features. And yes, although this model costs a fair bit less than the official Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller, it's not exactly cheap. At more than $60 / £50 / AU$90, I’d hope for more expansive functionality.
All of that’s not to say that I disliked the Rematch – far from it. It’s a solid model overall that feels comfortable and effective in use, and the TMR tech is something that Nintendo’s official Switch 2 pro controller doesn’t have. And even with some missing features, it does support motion controls, which worked well in my experience.
Ultimately, I’d probably recommend waiting for a sale for this model. It’s a trustworthy, appealing controller that gets a lot of the fundamentals right, and it will almost certainly serve you well. At full price, though, I just feel that it’s a bit too thin on features.
(Image credit: Future)Turtle Beach Rematch Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch 2 review: price and release dateThe Turtle Beach Rematch Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch 2 was released in October 2025, a few months after Nintendo’s latest system came to market. This Nintendo-licensed controller will typically set you back $64.99 / £54.99 / AU$99 – that’s about $20 / £20 / AU$20 less than the official Switch 2 Pro Controller. You can purchase it with the Mario design – pictured throughout this review – or in a more basic Charcoal Black colorway.
Turtle Beach Rematch Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch 2 review: specsPrice
$64.99 / £54.99 / AU$99
Weight
0.8lbs / 0.4kg
Dimensions
6.3 x 5.3 x 2.6in / 160 x 135 x 65mm
Compatibility
Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch
Connection type
Wireless
Battery life
40 hours
(Image credit: Future)Turtle Beach Rematch Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch 2 review: design and featuresLooks-wise, I’m a big fan of the Rematch controller for Switch 2. It has a semi-translucent design and is adorned with the Super Mario logo, as well as the Italian plumber himself. It's beautiful, fun, and a bit more charismatic than the swathe of plain black controllers that dominate the market. Red details really cement the fact that this is a Mario-themed, Nintendo-licensed model too, which is a nice touch.
As nice as it looks, though, I would argue that the controller feels a touch cheaper than its price tag may suggest. It's got quite a plasticky build, and some components, like the D-pad for instance, just lack that premium finish you’ll get from Nintendo’s official Pro Controller.
That’s fairly understandable, given that the Pro Controller is $20 / £20 / AU$20 more expensive, but that cheaper build isn’t the only sacrifice you’ll make if you do indeed opt for the Rematch instead.
For instance, this model doesn’t have NFC technology built in, which means that you can’t make use of Amiibos in games like Donkey Kong Bananza or Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. I understand that this won’t upset most players as much as me, but as an avid amiibo collector, this felt like a significant miss. Pair that with the lack of a 3.5mm port for a wired headset, and the omission of rumble (which I’ll discuss more down below), and you’re not getting the most feature-rich model on the market.
However, the Rematch controller does still have some commendable aspects, like its GL and GR buttons – these can be mapped to different controls for different games, and can come in handy for item management in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, for instance.
The C button in the center of the controller is also a big help if you want quick access to GameChat capabilities, something that you won’t find on a lot of third-party models.
(Image credit: Future)Turtle Beach Rematch Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch 2 review: performanceThe Rematch is an ergonomic, well-sized model with a pleasing weight to it, and it’s a very solid controller performance-wise.
Perhaps the biggest benefit of picking this controller over Nintendo’s official rival is that you’re getting TMR thumbsticks. This ensures strong responsiveness and precision, while also making stick drift less likely. More generally, the textured thumbsticks feel pretty good, and I experienced no issues with them across hours and hours of play.
In fact, most of the buttons feel pretty pleasing to use, whether that be the main face buttons, plus and minus controls, or the triggers. I especially appreciated the form of the ZL and ZR buttons, which slope upwards and are satisfying to press. The aforementioned GL/GR buttons are a welcome addition to boot.
My only real complaint when it comes to the buttons is some of the placements. For some reason, the home and plus buttons, as well as the minus and screenshot buttons, have been swapped around. To begin with, I found myself continually pressing the home button instead of the plus one, just out of sheer muscle memory. When playing with friends, I found that they would do the same, so this change felt more bothersome than anything.
Back to the good stuff, though, and I’m pleased to report that this controller delivers plenty of playtime. Turtle Beach says you get 40 hours from the Rematch, and from my time playing, I’d report that as accurate. That’s the same amount of time you’d expect to get out of the official Switch 2 controller, and competitive against other third-party controller manufacturers.
This model also supports motion controls, which I found to be surprisingly accurate. During my playthrough of Super Mario Galaxy, it was nice ‘n’ easy to grab star bits and navigate through menus – I still find the Joy-Con 2 controllers to be superior for motion-controlled games, however.
Having said that, Turtle Beach did leave a few functions out that could’ve put this controller's performance on par with the best of the best. For instance, there’s no rumble here, which is crucial for certain in-game mechanics and delivering a more immersive experience overall. You also cannot wake the console with the home button – something I love about my go-to controller, the Mobapad N1 HD.
(Image credit: Future)Should I buy the Turtle Beach Rematch Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch 2?Buy it if...You’re looking for more advanced thumbstick tech
The Turtle Beach Rematch Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch 2 packs in TMR thumbsticks – one of its best assets for sure. This means that your controller will be less prone to drift than a controller using more traditional tech, like the official Switch 2 Pro Controller.
You want standout looks
I really like the semi-translucent design of this controller, and having Super Mario himself at the front and center feels like a nice touch. As I stated earlier, the market is filled with one-note, plain black models, so it’s nice to find something with a bit of pizzazz.
You want the most feature-rich controller
Despite its nifty thumbsticks and swell design, the Rematch omits some fairly major features. For instance, there’s no rumble here, which can be crucial for immersing players in their gaming experiences. There’s also no NFC tech for amiibo, and you can’t wake the console from sleep mode, which is a shame.
You’re looking for something with a premium feel
As much as I like this controller’s look, I wouldn’t say it's the most sturdily or luxuriously built model. The Rematch has quite a plasticky feel, and for the price you pay, you may expect something a little more premium.
Turtle Beach Rematch Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch 2
Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller
8BitDo Ultimate 2
Price
$64.99 / £54.99 / AU$99
$84.99 / £74.99 / AU$119.95
$69.99 / £59.99 / AU$90
Weight
0.8lbs / 360g
0.5lbs / 235g
0.5lbs / 246g
Dimensions
6.3 x 5.3 x 2.6in / 160 x 135 x 65mm
5.8 x 4.1 x 2.4in / 148 x 105 x 60mm
5.7 x 4.1 x 2.4in / 147 x 103 x 61mm
Compatibility
Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch
Nintendo Switch 2
Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PC
Connection type
Wireless
Wireless
Wireless
Battery life
40 hours
40 hours
15 hours
Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller
Although it doesn’t have TMR or Hall effect, we still love the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller. Its luxurious build quality, excellent battery life, smooth thumbsticks, and ergonomic comfort just keep us coming back for more. Its inclusion of NFC and rumble tech gives it a bit of a leg up over this Turtle Beach model, although it will cost you a little more.
Read our full Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller review.
8BitDo Ultimate 2
The 8BitDo Ultimate 2 is filled to the brim with high-tech features, be that TMR sticks, Hall effect triggers, or remappable L4/R4 bumpers. OK, its battery life really isn’t that great, especially if you’re using the flashy RGB lights, but there’s still a lot to love about this model.
Read our full 8BitDo Ultimate 2 review.
I spent weeks testing the Turtle Beach Rematch Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch 2, during which time I played various games, exhausted its many features, and compared it against a handful of rivals.
In order to assess the controller’s capabilities in full, I played classic titles via Nintendo Switch Online, such as Chibi-Robo!, as well as games with motion controls like Super Mario Galaxy, and Switch 2 exclusives like Mario Kart World. Most of the time, I used the controller while my Nintendo Switch 2 was docked, and connected up to my Sky Glass Gen 2 TV and Marshall Heston 120 soundbar.
More generally, I’ve tested a bunch of Nintendo Switch 2 accessories – not only controllers, but also cameras like the Hori Piranha Plant Camera, screen protectors including the Genki Aegis Shield, and cases such as the official Nintendo Switch 2 All-In-One Carrying Case.