Brandwave

Buffer vs Metricool:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Metricool had more branded searches than Buffer among AI social media tools worldwide. Metricool had about 451,000 branded searches, while Buffer had 188,000. Metricool made up 51.4% of all AI social media tool searches we track, and Buffer accounted for 21.4%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about AI social media tools, Buffer appeared in all five answers and Metricool in three. Buffer was mentioned before Metricool in every answer.

Among AI social media tools worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Metricool, about 2 searches for every 1 for Buffer

Metricool 451K searchesBuffer 188K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Buffer, mentioned in every answer we collected

Buffer in 5 of 5Metricool in 3 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Buffer, named ahead of Metricool in every answer

Buffer first in 5Metricool never first

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Top AI social media tools in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Buffer appeared in all five answers. Metricool was mentioned in three out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Buffer was listed before Metricool in every answer.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Buffer1st
  2. Later2nd
  3. Hootsuite3rd
  4. Predis.ai4th
  5. Metricool5th
  6. Sprout Social6th
  7. Ocoya–
  8. Postwise–

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • Buffer5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Hootsuite4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Later4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Metricool3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Sprout Social3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Predis.ai3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Ocoya0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Postwise0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about AI social media tools

5 answers

Not named in any answer:

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 20, 2026.

Is Buffer or Metricool more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Buffer and Metricool by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight AI social media tools we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.

Buffer and Metricool among AI social media tools worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for Metricool, Buffer. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthMetricoolBufferHootsuiteSprout SocialPredis.aiLaterOcoyaPostwise
Oct 202541.9%3.8%28.7%19%3.8%1.8%0.92%0.14%
Nov 202543.9%3.2%30%16.3%3.9%1.7%0.79%0.15%
Dec 202548.2%3.9%27.1%14.7%3.6%1.6%0.7%0.14%
Jan 202640%4.8%33.4%14.9%4.4%1.7%0.72%0.13%
Feb 202643%7.1%29.5%13.2%4.7%1.7%0.63%0.13%
Mar 202646.3%6.9%26%14.1%4.2%1.7%0.68%0.13%
Apr 202648.8%9.3%22.7%12.2%4.4%1.6%0.87%0.12%
May 202651.2%9.5%20.4%12.8%3.8%1.6%0.61%0.08%
Jun 202651.1%9.1%21.7%12.8%3.1%1.7%0.5%0.08%
Jul 202649.3%18.7%15.2%12.3%2.4%1.5%0.59%0.06%
Aug 202652.3%14.2%16%13%2.6%1.4%0.51%0.07%
Sep 202651.4%21.4%12.9%10.5%2.1%1.1%0.5%0.11%

How has the Buffer and Metricool comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • Metricool was ahead of Buffer in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Buffer’s share of searches among AI social media tools worldwide moved from 3.8% to 21.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 27.4K to 188K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Metricool’s share of searches among AI social media tools worldwide moved from 41.9% to 51.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 302K to 451K.

How did search popularity change for AI social media tools worldwide in September 2026?

2 changes

  1. In September 2026, Buffer overtook Hootsuite to rank 2nd among AI social media tools worldwide, with 21.4% of the searches.

  2. In September 2026, Metricool lost share of searches among AI social media tools worldwide, from 52.3% to 51.4%.

How are branded searches counted?

17 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Buffer’s and Metricool’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.

Buffer

15 branded search terms

  • buffer ai
  • buffer app for instagram
  • buffer app instagram
  • buffer app twitter
  • buffer for instagram
  • buffer for twitter
  • buffer instagram scheduling
  • buffer linkedin
  • buffer linkedin scheduling
  • buffer publish
  • buffer scheduling tool
  • buffer social
  • buffer social media
  • buffer social media management
  • buffer social media scheduling

Metricool

2 branded search terms

  • metricool
  • metricool social media

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among AI social media tools

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