Buffer vs Sprout Social:Which is more popular by branded search?
In August 2026, Buffer had more branded searches than Sprout Social among social media scheduling tools worldwide. Buffer was estimated to have 112K branded searches compared to Sprout Social’s 95.6K, and held a 28.9% Share of Search versus Sprout Social’s 24.8%. Worldwide · English terms: these are worldwide searches for English-language branded terms.
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Which is more popular in search, Buffer or Sprout Social?
Compare tools for planning, scheduling, and publishing social media posts, measured through worldwide English-language branded search demand. Branded searches tell you how often people look for a brand by name or related terms. Comparing these searches across competitors helps you see how popular each brand is over time.
Share of Search by month for Buffer, Sprout Social. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of search table
| Month | Hootsuite | Buffer | Sprout Social | Planoly | Loomly | Later |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 46% | 7.5% | 29.1% | 5.9% | 7.2% | 4.2% |
| Nov 2025 | 50.8% | 6.6% | 26.4% | 5.4% | 6.6% | 4.2% |
| Dec 2025 | 48.8% | 9% | 25.5% | 6.3% | 6.3% | 4.1% |
| Jan 2026 | 52.8% | 9.1% | 22.9% | 5.7% | 5.7% | 3.9% |
| Feb 2026 | 50.7% | 13.2% | 21.5% | 5.3% | 5.3% | 4% |
| Mar 2026 | 47.3% | 13% | 24.4% | 5% | 6% | 4.4% |
| Apr 2026 | 43.6% | 18% | 22.1% | 5.5% | 6.5% | 4.3% |
| May 2026 | 42.2% | 19.1% | 23.9% | 4.8% | 5.7% | 4.3% |
| Jun 2026 | 41% | 20.3% | 23.7% | 4.7% | 5.6% | 4.6% |
| Jul 2026 | 29.5% | 35.8% | 22.5% | 3.8% | 4.4% | 4% |
| Aug 2026 | 32.3% | 28.9% | 24.8% | 5% | 4.9% | 4% |
| Sep 2026 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
How has the Buffer and Sprout Social comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- The lead changed hands once in the 11 months ending August 2026: Buffer took it in July 2026.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Buffer’s estimated Share of Search among social media scheduling tools worldwide moved from 7.5% to 28.9%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 36.4K to 112K.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Sprout Social’s estimated Share of Search among social media scheduling tools worldwide moved from 29.1% to 24.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 142K to 95.6K.
How did search popularity change for social media scheduling tools worldwide in August 2026?
3 changes
In August 2026, Hootsuite overtook Buffer to take the highest estimated Share of Search among social media scheduling tools worldwide, at 32.3%.
In August 2026, Sprout Social gained estimated Share of Search among social media scheduling tools worldwide, from 22.5% to 24.8%.
In August 2026, Buffer lost estimated Share of Search among social media scheduling tools worldwide, from 35.8% to 28.9%.
How each brand is measured
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
23 branded search terms
- buffer app for instagram
- buffer app instagram
- buffer app twitter
- buffer com
- buffer for instagram
- buffer for twitter
- buffer instagram scheduling
- buffer linkedin
- buffer linkedin scheduling
- buffer pricing
- buffer publish
- buffer scheduling tool
- buffer social
- buffer social management
- buffer social media
- buffer social media management
- buffer social media management tool
- buffer social media marketing
- buffer social media marketing tool
- buffer social media scheduling
- buffer social media tool
- buffer social tool
- Buffer.com
Sprout Social
27 branded search terms
- social listening sprout social
- social media sprout social
- sprout social
- sprout social analytics
- sprout social app
- sprout social com
- sprout social community management
- sprout social cost
- sprout social for agencies
- sprout social for nonprofits
- sprout social influencer marketing
- sprout social influencers
- sprout social link in bio
- sprout social listening
- sprout social management
- sprout social media
- sprout social media analytics
- sprout social media management
- sprout social media monitoring
- sprout social platform
- sprout social premium analytics
- sprout social pricing
- sprout social reporting
- sprout social social listening
- sprout social social media
- sprout social tiktok
- sproutsocialcom
Put your own brand in this comparison
Brandwave tracks your branded demand next to the rival you actually watch, with your campaigns, spend and outcomes on the same timeline.