Brandwave

Buffer vs Hootsuite:Which is more popular?

In October 2026, Hootsuite had more branded searches than Buffer among social media analytics platforms worldwide. Hootsuite had about 114,000 branded searches, while Buffer had 22,900. Hootsuite made up 14% of all social media analytics platform searches we track, and Buffer accounted for 2.8%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about social media analytics platforms, Hootsuite appeared in four of the five answers and Buffer in two. Hootsuite was mentioned before Buffer in every answer that named either.

Among social media analytics platforms worldwide in October 2026

Who do people search for more?

Hootsuite, about 5 searches for every 1 for Buffer

Hootsuite 114K searchesBuffer 22.9K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Hootsuite, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, Buffer in 2

Hootsuite in 4 of 5Buffer in 2 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Hootsuite, named ahead of Buffer in 4 of 4 answers

Hootsuite first in 4Buffer never first

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Top social media analytics platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Hootsuite was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Buffer was mentioned in two out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Hootsuite was listed before Buffer in every answer that named either.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. Sprout Social1st
  2. Metricool2nd
  3. Agorapulse3rd
  4. Hootsuite4th
  5. Rival IQ5th
  6. Buffer6th
  7. Iconosquare7th
  8. SocialPilot–

Mentioned by AI

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

  • Metricool5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Sprout Social5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Agorapulse5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Hootsuite4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Rival IQ3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Buffer2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Iconosquare1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • SocialPilot0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about social media analytics platforms

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 21, 2026.

Is Buffer or Hootsuite more popular in search?

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

Buffer and Hootsuite among social media analytics platforms worldwide, by month

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

View monthly share of searches table
MonthMetricoolHootsuiteSprout SocialBufferAgorapulseSocialPilotIconosquareRival IQ
Nov 202542.9%29.4%15.9%3.1%3.2%2.6%1.7%1.2%
Dec 202546.9%26.4%14.3%3.8%3.5%2.8%1.6%0.84%
Jan 202639.8%33.1%14.8%4.8%2.9%2.4%1.3%0.87%
Feb 202642.9%29.5%13.1%7.2%2.6%2.6%1.4%0.77%
Mar 202646.1%25.9%14%6.8%2.8%2.3%1.3%0.83%
Apr 202648.9%22.7%12.2%9.4%2.4%2.4%1.1%0.88%
May 202651.1%20.4%12.8%9.4%2.5%2.1%1.1%0.61%
Jun 202650.7%21.5%12.7%9%2.5%2%0.92%0.61%
Jul 202648.5%14.9%12.1%18.4%2.4%1.9%0.9%0.71%
Aug 202651.8%15.9%12.9%14.2%2.1%1.7%0.76%0.62%
Sep 202651%12.7%10.5%21.3%2%1.4%0.61%0.5%
Oct 202667.5%14%11.3%2.8%1.8%1.2%0.81%0.54%

How has branded search for Buffer and Hootsuite changed worldwide over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • The lead changed hands 4 times in the 12 months ending October 2026: Buffer took it in July 2026, Hootsuite took it in August 2026, Buffer took it in September 2026, Hootsuite took it in October 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Buffer’s share of searches among social media analytics platforms worldwide moved from 3.1% to 2.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 21.9K to 22.9K.
  • Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Hootsuite’s share of searches among social media analytics platforms worldwide moved from 29.4% to 14%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 207K to 114K.

How did search popularity change for social media analytics platforms worldwide in October 2026?

3 changes

  1. In October 2026, Hootsuite overtook Buffer to rank 2nd among social media analytics platforms worldwide, with 14% of the searches.

  2. In October 2026, Sprout Social overtook Buffer to rank 3rd among social media analytics platforms worldwide, with 11.3% of the searches.

  3. In October 2026, Buffer lost share of searches among social media analytics platforms worldwide, from 21.3% to 2.8%.

How are Buffer’s and Hootsuite’s branded searches counted?

35 search terms

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

Hootsuite

20 branded search terms

  • hootsuite
  • hootsuite ads
  • hootsuite analytics
  • hootsuite app
  • hootsuite application
  • hootsuite enterprise
  • hootsuite for nonprofits
  • hootsuite insights
  • hootsuite media
  • hootsuite reports
  • hootsuite sentiment analysis
  • hootsuite social
  • hootsuite social listening
  • hootsuite social marketing
  • hootsuite social media
  • hootsuite social media listening
  • hootsuite social media marketing
  • hootsuite social media monitoring
  • hootsuite social monitoring
  • social listening on hootsuite

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among social media analytics platforms

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