Brandwave

Buffer vs Sprout Social:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Buffer had more branded searches than Sprout Social among social media management tools in New Zealand. Buffer had about 1,650 branded searches, while Sprout Social had 320. Buffer made up 13.4% of all social media management tool searches we track, and Sprout Social accounted for 2.6%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about social media management tools, Buffer appeared in all five answers and Sprout Social in three. Buffer was mentioned before Sprout Social in every answer.

Among social media management tools in New Zealand in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Buffer, about 5 searches for every 1 for Sprout Social

Buffer 1.6K searchesSprout Social 320 searches

Who does AI mention more?

Buffer, mentioned in every answer we collected

Buffer in 5 of 5Sprout Social in 3 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Buffer, named ahead of Sprout Social in every answer

Buffer first in 5Sprout Social 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 appeared in all five answers. Sprout Social was mentioned in three out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. Buffer was listed before Sprout Social in every answer.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. Buffer1st
  2. Hootsuite2nd
  3. Metricool3rd
  4. Sprout Social4th
  5. Later5th
  6. Agorapulse6th
  7. Planable7th
  8. Meta Business Suite8th
  9. Sendible9th
  10. Loomly–
  11. +1 more

Mentioned by AI

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

  • Buffer5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Metricool5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Hootsuite5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Sprout Social3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Later3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Meta Business Suite2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Planable2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Agorapulse2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Sendible1 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

+1 more

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 New Zealand 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 11 social media management tools we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.

Buffer and Sprout Social among social media management tools in New Zealand, by month

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

View monthly share of searches table
MonthMeta Business SuiteBufferMetricoolHootsuiteSprout SocialPlanableLoomlyLaterSocialPilotAgorapulseSendible
Oct 202555.4%17%9.2%6.3%4.9%1.7%2.3%1.2%0.82%0.72%0.31%
Nov 202554.6%19.7%9%6.1%3.9%1.7%2.2%1%0.61%0.51%0.61%
Dec 202559.1%14.1%9.9%5.4%4.3%2.3%2%1.1%0.81%0.54%0.4%
Jan 202658.4%14.7%9.6%6.5%3.5%2.3%1.9%1.3%0.76%0.54%0.43%
Feb 202658.8%15.2%9.6%5.2%4.2%2.3%1.8%0.98%0.98%0.54%0.33%
Mar 202660%15.3%8.1%5.5%3.5%2.4%2.4%1.2%0.91%0.45%0.36%
Apr 202662.4%16.1%8.4%3.8%2.5%2%2.6%1%0.57%0.47%0.28%
May 202661%18.3%8.2%3.8%3%1.9%1.6%0.92%0.55%0.46%0.28%
Jun 202666.1%13.5%8.3%3.3%2.6%2.1%1.8%1.1%0.57%0.33%0.33%
Jul 202666.1%13.6%8.3%3.2%3.2%2.1%1.5%0.9%0.49%0.41%0.24%
Aug 202663.2%15.3%10.3%2.5%3%1.6%1.4%1.5%0.47%0.39%0.31%
Sep 202665.6%13.4%10.6%2.7%2.6%1.7%1.2%1.1%0.57%0.32%0.32%

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

3 findings

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

2 changes

  1. In September 2026, Buffer lost share of searches among social media management tools in New Zealand, from 15.3% to 13.4%.

  2. In September 2026, Sprout Social fell from 4th to 5th among social media management tools in New Zealand.

How are branded searches counted?

5 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

3 branded search terms

  • buffer app
  • buffer scheduling
  • buffer social media

Sprout Social

2 branded search terms

  • sprout social
  • sproutsocial

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among social media management tools

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