Brandwave

Buffer vs Publer:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Buffer had more branded searches than Publer among social media scheduling tools worldwide. Buffer had about 188,000 branded searches, while Publer had 110,000. Buffer made up 18.8% of all social media scheduling tool searches we track, and Publer accounted for 11%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about social media scheduling tools, Buffer appeared in four of the five answers and Publer in three. Buffer was mentioned before Publer in every answer.

Among social media scheduling tools worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Buffer, about 71% more searches than Publer

Buffer 188K searchesPubler 110K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Buffer, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, Publer in 3

Buffer in 4 of 5Publer in 3 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Buffer, named ahead of Publer in every answer

Buffer first in 4Publer never first

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Top social media scheduling 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. Publer was mentioned in three out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Buffer was listed before Publer 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. Metricool3rd
  4. Publer4th
  5. Hootsuite5th
  6. Sprout Social6th
  7. Planoly–
  8. Loomly–

Mentioned by AI

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

  • Metricool4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Buffer4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Later4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Hootsuite3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Publer3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Sprout Social2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Planoly1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Loomly0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about social media scheduling 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 Publer more popular in search?

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

Buffer and Publer among social media scheduling tools worldwide, by month

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

View monthly share of searches table
MonthMetricoolBufferHootsuitePublerSprout SocialPlanolyLoomlyLater
Oct 202536.7%3.3%25.2%9%16.7%3.4%4.1%1.6%
Nov 202538.8%2.8%26.5%9.5%14.4%2.9%3.5%1.5%
Dec 202542.1%3.4%23.7%10.3%12.9%3.2%3.1%1.4%
Jan 202635.1%4.2%29.2%10.5%13%3.3%3.2%1.5%
Feb 202638.5%6.4%26.5%9.5%11.8%2.9%2.9%1.5%
Mar 202641.1%6.1%23.1%10.1%12.5%2.6%3.1%1.5%
Apr 202640.9%7.8%19%15%10.3%2.6%3.1%1.4%
May 202642.7%7.9%17%15.6%10.7%2.2%2.6%1.3%
Jun 202643.5%7.8%18.5%13%10.9%2.2%2.7%1.5%
Jul 202642.4%16.1%13.1%12.7%10.6%1.8%2.1%1.3%
Aug 202644.4%12.1%13.6%13.3%11.1%2.3%2.2%1.1%
Sep 202645.1%18.8%11.3%11%9.2%1.9%1.8%0.93%

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

3 findings
  • The lead changed hands 3 times in the 12 months ending September 2026: Buffer took it in July 2026, Publer took it in August 2026, Buffer took it in September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Buffer’s share of searches among social media scheduling tools worldwide moved from 3.3% to 18.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 27.4K to 188K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Publer’s share of searches among social media scheduling tools worldwide moved from 9% to 11%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 74K to 110K.

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

2 changes

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

  2. In September 2026, Publer lost share of searches among social media scheduling tools worldwide, from 13.3% to 11%.

How are branded searches counted?

16 search terms

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

Publer

1 branded search term

  • publer

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among social media scheduling tools

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