Comparison

Buffer vs Collectively

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Buffer

Streamline your social media presence by planning, scheduling, and publishing content across multiple platforms from one app. Engage with your audience and track performance with insightful analytics. Ideal for creators looking to grow their online presence efficiently.

Highlights
  • Cross-platform posting
  • Content scheduling
  • Idea organization
  • Performance analytics
  • Calendar view
  • Apple Watch app
Features
Read full description

Post to every social platform with a single app — simple, flexible, and powerful. Buffer helps creators stay consistent without the busywork. Plan and publish your posts automatically, engage with your audience, and keep track of what’s working, all from your phone. Whether you’re sharing your first TikTok, building an audience on LinkedIn, or running multiple accounts, Buffer gives you the tools to grow without feeling overwhelmed. What’s new in v15.0 • Fresh new design with Apple’s Liquid Glass system • Brand-new Apple Watch app (queues, goals, streaks, ideas) • Capture ideas instantly with the iOS Shortcut, Action Button, or on your wrist • New calendar day view across all channels WHY CREATORS LOVE BUFFER PLAN, SCHEDULE, AND PUBLISH • Share to Instagram, Threads, TikTok, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, Pinterest, Bluesky, Mastodon, and more. • Schedule YouTube Shorts, TikToks, Instagram Reels, and Stories. • Cross-post content across platforms with a single tap KEEP YOUR IDEAS ORGANIZED • Save inspiration in a central content library • Use tags to keep ideas organized by theme or campaign • Move ideas straight to your schedule when ready SEE WHAT WORKS • Simple analytics and reports show your top-performing posts • Track growth, clicks, and engagement A CALENDAR BUILT FOR CREATORS • Get an at-a-glance view of your upcoming posts • Drill down from a monthly to weekly view NEED HELP? Our friendly team is here for you with world-class support via email and social. Email: hello@buffer.com Twitter: @buffer Facebook: http://facebook.com/bufferapp Instagram: @buffer Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/bufferapp/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bufferapp Privacy Policy: https://buffer.com/privacy Terms of Use: https://buffer.com/legal/terms-of-use/year/2023

About

Collectively

This social networking app focuses on instant messaging with a visually engaging and secure experience. It's designed for creators, offering a simple and fast way to connect.

Highlights
  • Instant messaging
  • Visually delightful interface
  • Secure communication
  • Creator-focused design
  • Fast and simple
Features
Read full description

Putting the social back into instant messaging. Built by creators for creators. Intuitive, visually delightful, simple, fast, and secure.

Screenshots

Buffer4 screens
Collectively4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Buffer at 54% against Collectively's 0%. Buffer also leads on rating (4.7 vs 2.5) and ratings volume (35K vs 4). Collectively's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 12) and iOS requirement (12.4 vs 18.0). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Buffer sells 11 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. Collectively asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Buffer holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 2.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Buffer has 35K ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 54% of Buffer's written reviews are positive against 0% of Collectively's.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
Buffer versus Collectively: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBufferCollectively
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (35K ratings) — better2.5 (4 ratings)
Positive reviews54.2% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings35K — better4
Update frequencyEvery 5 days—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
Best chart rank#130 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS18.012.4 — better
Further details — not scored
Size154 MB32 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBuffer, Inc.Kudoru, Inc.

Customer experience

Buffer

All ratings34,554 ratings
Positive94.0%
Neutral2.7%
Negative3.3%
Written reviews578 reviews
Positive54.2%
Neutral10.2%
Negative35.6%

Collectively

All ratings4 ratings
Positive25.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative75.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

Bugs and requests

Buffer

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Drafts not registering in visual calendar
  • Inability to reorder scheduled posts
  • Inconsistent behavior between mobile and desktop versions
  • Automatic posting not working as expected
  • Issues with image/video quality and formatting

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add support for Twitter threads
  • Improve visual planning and calendar view
  • Integrate with more platforms like Slack and Discord
  • Allow more customization and control over posts
  • Provide better analytics and performance insights

Collectively

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

11 purchases

Buffer

Subscriptions11
  • Essentials - 1 Channel$5.991 Month
  • Essentials+Team: 1 Channel$11.991 Month
  • Essentials - 2 Channels$11.991 Month
Show 8 more
  • Pro for 1 Month2 variants$14.991 Month
  • Essentials - 3 Channels$17.991 Month
  • Essentials - 4 Channels$23.991 Month
  • Essentials - 5 Channels$29.991 Month
  • Essentials - 6 Channels$35.991 Month
  • Small Business$99.991 Month
  • Small Business for 1 Month$99.991 Month
  • Pro for 1 Year$144.991 Year
None

Collectively

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Buffer free?
Buffer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Collectively free?
Collectively is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Buffer or Collectively?
Buffer is rated higher. Buffer averages 4.7 out of 5 from 35K ratings, while Collectively averages 2.5 from 4 ratings.
Do Buffer or Collectively have ads?
Neither Buffer nor Collectively shows ads.

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