Brandwave

Buffer vs Sprout Social:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Buffer had more branded searches than Sprout Social among AI social media tools worldwide. Buffer had about 188,000 branded searches, while Sprout Social had 92,400. Buffer made up 21.4% of all AI social media tool searches we track, and Sprout Social accounted for 10.5%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about AI social media tools, Buffer appeared in all five answers and Sprout Social in three. Buffer was mentioned before Sprout Social in every answer.

Among AI social media tools worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Buffer, about 2 searches for every 1 for Sprout Social

Buffer 188K searchesSprout Social 92.4K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Buffer, mentioned in every answer we collected

Buffer in 5 of 5Sprout Social in 3 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Buffer, named ahead of Sprout Social in every answer

Buffer first in 5Sprout Social 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. Sprout Social was mentioned in three out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. Buffer was listed before Sprout Social 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 Sprout Social more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Buffer and Sprout Social 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 Sprout Social among AI social media tools worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for Buffer, Sprout Social. 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 Sprout Social comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • The lead changed hands once in the 12 months ending September 2026: Buffer took it in July 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, Sprout Social’s share of searches among AI social media tools worldwide moved from 19% to 10.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 137K to 92.4K.

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, Sprout Social lost share of searches among AI social media tools worldwide, from 13% to 10.5%.

How are branded searches counted?

28 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Buffer’s and Sprout Social’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

Sprout Social

13 branded search terms

  • social listening sprout social
  • social media sprout social
  • sprout social
  • sprout social analytics
  • sprout social app
  • sprout social influencers
  • sprout social listening
  • sprout social management
  • sprout social media
  • sprout social platform
  • sprout social reporting
  • sprout social social media
  • sprout social tiktok

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among AI social media tools

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