Brandwave

Buffer vs Metricool:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Metricool had more branded searches than Buffer among social media management tools worldwide. Metricool had about 451,000 branded searches, while Buffer had 188,000. Metricool made up 45.2% of all social media management tool searches we track, and Buffer accounted for 18.8%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about social media management tools, Buffer appeared in four of the five answers and Metricool in three. Buffer was mentioned before Metricool in every answer.

Among social media management 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 4 of 5 answers, Metricool in 3

Buffer in 4 of 5Metricool in 3 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Buffer, named ahead of Metricool in every answer

Buffer first in 4Metricool never first

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Top social media management tools in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Buffer was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. 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. Sprout Social2nd
  3. Hootsuite3rd
  4. Metricool4th
  5. Agorapulse5th
  6. Later6th
  7. Planable7th
  8. Sprinklr8th
  9. Loomly–
  10. SocialPilot–

Mentioned by AI

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

  • Buffer4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Hootsuite4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Sprout Social4 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
  • Agorapulse3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Planable2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Later2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Sprinklr1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Loomly0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 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 management 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 21, 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 ten social media management tools we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.

Buffer and Metricool among social media management 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 SocialSprinklrPlanableLoomlyAgorapulseSocialPilotLater
Oct 202534.2%3.1%23.5%15.5%10.3%3.1%3.8%2.5%2.5%1.5%
Nov 202536.9%2.7%25.3%13.7%9%2.7%3.4%2.7%2.2%1.5%
Dec 202539.8%3.2%22.4%12.2%9.8%2.9%3%2.9%2.4%1.3%
Jan 202634.1%4.1%28.5%12.7%8.4%3.1%3.1%2.5%2.1%1.5%
Feb 202636.9%6.1%25.3%11.3%9.1%2.7%2.8%2.2%2.2%1.4%
Mar 202639.1%5.8%22%11.9%9.6%2.9%2.9%2.4%1.9%1.5%
Apr 202641.4%7.9%19.2%10.4%10.2%2.5%3.1%2%2%1.4%
May 202643.9%8.1%17.5%11%8.8%2.6%2.7%2.2%1.8%1.3%
Jun 202643.5%7.8%18.4%10.9%8.7%2.6%2.7%2.1%1.7%1.5%
Jul 202642.2%16%13%10.6%8.5%2.5%2.1%2.1%1.7%1.3%
Aug 202644.7%12.2%13.7%11.2%9%2.7%2.2%1.8%1.5%1.2%
Sep 202645.2%18.8%11.3%9.3%7.4%2.2%1.8%1.8%1.2%0.93%

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

3 findings

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

2 changes

  1. In September 2026, Buffer overtook Hootsuite to rank 2nd among social media management tools worldwide, with 18.8% of the searches.

  2. Estimated monthly branded searches for Metricool worldwide rose 49.4% over 12 measured months, from 302K to 451K in September 2026.

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 social media management tools

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