Brandwave

Buffer vs Sprout Social:Which is more popular?

In October 2026, Sprout Social had more branded searches than Buffer among social media analytics platforms worldwide. Sprout Social had about 92,300 branded searches, while Buffer had 22,900. Sprout Social made up 11.3% 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, Sprout Social appeared in all five answers and Buffer in two. Sprout Social was mentioned before Buffer in every answer.

Among social media analytics platforms worldwide in October 2026

Who do people search for more?

Sprout Social, about 4 searches for every 1 for Buffer

Sprout Social 92.3K searchesBuffer 22.9K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Sprout Social, mentioned in every answer we collected

Sprout Social in 5 of 5Buffer in 2 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Sprout Social, named ahead of Buffer in every answer

Sprout Social first in 5Buffer 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, Sprout Social appeared in all five answers. 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. Sprout Social was listed before Buffer in every answer.

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 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 social media analytics platforms we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.

Buffer and Sprout Social among social media analytics platforms worldwide, by month

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

3 findings

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 Sprout Social’s 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 social media analytics platforms

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