Does Buffer create content or just schedule it?

Buffer is a scheduling and analytics tool - it does not create posts, graphics, or reels. If you want the content itself produced for you, that's a service, not a tool.

Is The Social 99 cheaper than Buffer?

They aren't directly comparable - Buffer is software you use, The Social 99 is a done-for-you service. At $99/mo we include the content itself, which you'd otherwise pay a freelancer or in-house hire to make on top of any tool.

Can I keep using Buffer if I switch?

You don't need to. We run our own managed platform, so there's no extra scheduler to pay for.

is Buffer worth it for a small business?

Buffer is a scheduling tool — worth it only if you already produce content. If you'd rather someone else make the posts, a service like The Social 99 at $99/mo replaces both Buffer and the creator you'd need.

Buffer vs hiring a social media service — which is cheaper?

For small businesses, a service is usually cheaper once you count time. Buffer + your labor (or a freelancer) typically runs $400–$1,500/mo; a done-for-you service starts at $99/mo.

what are the best Buffer alternatives for small businesses?

The best Buffer alternatives for small businesses that don't want to make content themselves are done-for-you services like The Social 99, which include creation, not just scheduling.

what are the best Hootsuite alternatives?

For teams that need scheduling only, Buffer, Later, and Metricool are lighter alternatives. For owners who want the work done, a done-for-you service like The Social 99 is the meaningful alternative.

done for you vs Buffer vs Hootsuite for small business?

Done-for-you wins when you don't want to make content; Buffer or Hootsuite wins when you already have a content pipeline. Most small business owners fall in the first camp.

The Social 99 vs Buffer

The Social 99 vs Buffer: which one actually posts for you?

TSThe Social 99 Editorial· First-party analysisLast updated July 2, 2026

How we compare: we describe our own service in detail and frame competitors by public product model and pricing. We don't make claims about their internal operations or roadmap.

Overview

Buffer and The Social 99 solve different problems. Buffer sells software that schedules content you've already made. The Social 99 sells the content - planned, written, designed, and published by a team - with the scheduling handled internally.

This comparison frames the difference as a service model: 'you run the tool' vs 'we do it for you.' We don't make claims about Buffer's internal roadmap or team.

Feature comparison

Side-by-side, the biggest gap isn't feature parity - it's who actually does the work each week.

Feature comparison of The Social 99 and Buffer
Feature	The Social 99	Buffer
Model	Done-for-you managed service	Self-serve SaaS scheduler
Who creates the content	Our in-house team	You (or your team)
Short-form video included	Yes, from the Growth plan	Not a video production service
Review-before-publish	Included on all plans	N/A - you author it
Weekly reports	Growth & Premium	In-app analytics you review yourself
Contract	Month-to-month, cancel anytime	Monthly/annual SaaS plans
Setup fee	None	None

Pricing comparison

Direct answer: The Social 99 offers simple monthly pricing with no setup fees or long-term contracts. Pricing shown below reflects our current plans.

Tier	The Social 99	Buffer
Entry	$99/mo - 12 posts, 2 platforms, DFY	[Fill from buffer.com - Free / Essentials tier]
Mid	$199/mo - 20 posts + 4 reels, DFY	[Fill from buffer.com - Team / Agency tier]
Top	$299/mo - 30+ posts + 8 reels, unlimited revisions	[Fill from buffer.com - highest published tier]

Competitor pricing is based on publicly available information and is reviewed regularly for accuracy. Prices may change over time, so always confirm the latest pricing on the provider's official website.

Pros & cons - honest, both sides

The Social 99Our side

Pros

Done-for-you: our team creates and posts weekly.
$99 starting price with no setup fee or contract.
Real human-made content, review-before-publish.
In-house managed platform — nothing extra to buy.

Cons

Not a self-serve tool - if you enjoy scheduling your own content, this isn't for you.
Optimized for US small businesses; enterprise features (SSO, approval chains, multi-brand roll-ups) aren't part of the product.

BufferTheir side

Pros

Clean, well-known scheduling UI.
Works if you already have a content pipeline and just need to queue posts.
Free tier available.

Cons

You still have to plan, write, design, and edit every post.
Video, graphics, and strategy are not part of the product.
The 'time saved' claim assumes you already have content.

Bottom line: who should pick what

Pick The Social 99 if

Pick The Social 99 if you're a small-business owner who doesn't want to log into a scheduler at all - you want posts appearing on-brand every week without touching it.

Pick Buffer if

Pick Buffer if you (or someone on your team) enjoys making content and just needs a tidy way to queue it up.

Frequently asked questions

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