ChatGPT answers, unedited

If you want entry-level + video scheduling + basic performance stats + low monthly cost, I’d narrow it to these:

Current comparisons show Buffer, Publer, and Metricool all have usable free tiers; Metricool is particularly analytics-oriented, while Publer is priced very cheaply per account. cadencz.commetricool.com

My pick: Buffer

I'd start with Buffer if you're just getting started. It's straightforward, supports video publishing across major social networks, and its free plan is enough to test your workflow. Paid Essentials is roughly $5–6 per connected channel/month depending on billing. www.smallbusinesstools.org

But: if by “basic performance stats” you mean you really want to see things like reach, engagement, follower growth, and which posts/videos perform best, I'd choose Metricool instead. Its free plan includes substantially more analytics, though its free scheduling volume is limited. cadencz.commetricool.com

Best value if you're willing to spend ~$5/month: Publer. It gives you inexpensive per-account pricing and video scheduling, with analytics available as you move up the plans. publer.com

Bottom line:

• 💰 $0: Buffer or Metricool
• 👍 Simplest: Buffer
• 📊 Best stats: Metricool
• 🤑 Cheapest paid: Publer

If you tell me which platforms you need (Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, etc.) and roughly how many videos/posts per month, I can narrow it to the cheapest option that actually fits.

If you mean cheap, beginner-friendly, video scheduling + basic analytics, I’d start with Buffer.

My pick: buffer.com

• Free: up to 3 social channels, with 10 scheduled posts per channel.
• Paid: about $5–$6/month per channel, depending on billing/pricing display, with unlimited scheduling and advanced analytics. Buffer Buffer
• Supports Instagram Reels, TikTok videos, YouTube Shorts, Facebook, LinkedIn, and more. Buffer Buffer
• Analytics cover things like followers, engagement, impressions, reach, and post performance. Buffer
• The interface is relatively straightforward, so you don't need to learn a full social-media-management platform.

If analytics matter more: metricool.com

Metricool is worth considering if you want more reporting. Its free tier gives you 1 brand, 20 scheduled posts/month, and 30 days of analytics; its Starter plan starts around $25/month in the U.S. for up to 5 brands, so it's less attractive if your budget is genuinely tiny. Metricool Metricool Help Center

Bottom line: If you're talking about roughly $0–$10/month, I'd choose Buffer. If you're willing to spend ~$25/month because you want substantially more analytics/reporting, choose Metricool.

If you tell me which platforms you're posting to (e.g. TikTok + Instagram + YouTube) and your actual monthly budget, I can narrow it down to the cheapest option that supports all of them.

If by “small monthly fee” you mean roughly $0–$20/month, I’d narrow it to these:

My pick: Buffer

For an entry-level setup, Buffer is probably the easiest place to start. Its free plan supports up to 3 channels, and its paid Essentials plan is about $6 per channel/month with unlimited posts and more analytics. Buffer Buffer

If you want more useful performance stats without spending much, I'd actually choose Metricool. Its free tier includes analytics and scheduling, while the paid tier starts around $20/month and gives you substantially deeper reporting. Metricool Metricool

Rule of thumb:

• “I just want to schedule videos and forget about it” → Buffer
• “I want to see which videos/posts are performing” → Metricool
• “Instagram/TikTok visuals are my main concern” → Later

If you tell me which platforms you need (e.g. Instagram + TikTok + YouTube) and roughly how many videos/posts per month, I can tell you the cheapest option that actually fits.

If by “small monthly fee” you mean roughly $5–20/month, I’d narrow it to three:

My pick: Buffer. It’s probably the best fit if you want an entry-level scheduler without a lot of complexity. Its free plan supports 3 channels, and paid plans start around $5–6 per channel/month. It supports video scheduling across major networks, including Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube Shorts, LinkedIn, and others. buffer.com

Pick Metricool instead if the performance stats are more important to you than having the simplest interface. Its free tier already emphasizes analytics, while paid plans add more reporting and scheduling capacity. later.comlater.com

Pick Publer if keeping the bill as low as possible is the priority. It has a useful free tier and inexpensive paid options, though its analytics aren't as compelling as Metricool's. postory.io

Quick recommendation

• 1–3 social accounts + simple stats: Buffer
• You actually want to track views, engagement, growth, etc.: Metricool
• Lowest-cost paid option: Publer
• Instagram/TikTok is your main focus and you care about visual planning: Later, though it's pricier at entry. later.comlater.com

If you tell me which platforms you need (e.g. Instagram + TikTok + Facebook) and roughly how many videos/posts per month, I can tell you which one is cheapest for your exact setup.

If you mean social-media scheduling for video posts plus basic analytics, I’d shortlist these:

Current 2026 comparisons put Buffer's paid entry around $5–6 per channel, while Metricool starts around $18–25 depending on the pricing view/plan. buffer.comlater.com

My pick: Buffer

For an entry-level scheduler on a small budget, I'd start with Buffer. Its free tier supports three channels and 10 scheduled posts per channel, and it supports video-oriented networks including Instagram, TikTok and YouTube Shorts. buffer.comlater.com

If you specifically want to look at performance—views, engagement, follower growth, etc.—without paying much, I'd choose Metricool instead. Its free plan puts more emphasis on analytics than Buffer's, while the paid tier adds substantially more reporting. buffer.comlater.com

So:

• 💰 Cheapest/simple: Buffer
• 📊 Best balance of scheduling + stats: Metricool
• 🎥 Best for visual Instagram/TikTok planning: Later

If you tell me which platforms you need (Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.) and roughly how many videos/month, I can narrow it down to the cheapest option that actually covers everything.

If you want entry-level + video scheduling + basic analytics + low monthly cost, I’d narrow it to these:

My pick: Metricool

Metricool

For your specific requirements, Metricool is probably the sweet spot. Its free tier supports scheduling and video, while its analytics are considerably stronger than the typical entry-level scheduler. Metricool says its free plan supports multiple social channels, up to 50 planned posts/month per account, and includes analytics, video editing, and automatic publishing. metricool.com

If you're willing to spend around $20/month, it becomes an especially compelling all-in-one option. metricool.com

If you want something simpler: Buffer

Buffer

Buffer is probably the easiest for a beginner. Its free tier supports three channels, and paid plans start around $5–$6 per channel/month depending on billing. It supports video scheduling, including platforms such as Instagram, TikTok and YouTube Shorts. www.smallbusinesstools.org

The downside is that analytics are lighter than Metricool's, and per-channel pricing can become annoying as you add networks. metricool.comwww.smallbusinesstools.org

If keeping the bill tiny is priority #1: Publer

Publer

Publer is worth considering if you want to spend $5–10/month rather than $20+. Its Professional plan is around $5 per connected account/month, while Business is around $10/account/month and adds stronger analytics/reporting. bestsocialmediascheduler.com

Bottom line:

• $0: Metricool → best analytics, but limited posting volume
• ~$5–15: Buffer → simplest experience
• ~$5–20: Publer → good cheap scheduler with lots of automation
• ~$20: Metricool paid → my recommendation if you want scheduling + video + useful stats in one place

If you tell me which platforms you need (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, LinkedIn, etc.) and roughly how many videos/posts per month, I can narrow it to the cheapest option that actually fits.

If you want entry-level + video scheduling + basic analytics + cheap, I’d narrow it to three:

Current 2026 comparisons put Buffer at about $5–6/channel/month, Metricool around $18–25/month, and Publer around $5/account/month, though pricing varies with annual billing. buffer.com

My pick: Buffer

If you're just getting started, I'd use Buffer. It's simple, supports video-oriented platforms including TikTok and YouTube Shorts, and its free plan lets you test the workflow before paying. Paid plans add analytics. www.smallbusinesstools.org

Choose Metricool instead if the performance stats matter more than having the simplest interface. Its free tier includes analytics and 20 scheduled posts/month, and it's specifically stronger on reporting. bestsocialmediascheduler.com

Choose Publer if keeping the bill as close to $5–10/month as possible is the priority. Its paid plans offer unlimited scheduling, while analytics/reporting are on the higher Business tier. buffer.combestsocialmediascheduler.com

If you tell me which platforms you need (Instagram/TikTok/YouTube/LinkedIn/etc.) and roughly how many videos per week, I can tell you which one is the cheapest fit.

For what you described, I’d start with Buffer.

Why Buffer: its free plan supports up to 3 channels, 10 scheduled posts per channel, and Insights for follower growth, engagement, impressions, and post performance. The $5/month Essentials plan gives you unlimited scheduled posts per channel plus advanced analytics. buffer.com

Publer is the other one I'd seriously consider: its Professional plan starts at $5/month for one social account and adds unlimited scheduling; its Business tier starts at $10/month and adds analytics reports and best-times-to-post features. publer.com

Metricool is excellent if performance reporting matters more to you—it has substantially deeper analytics, but its Starter plan starts around $20/month, so it's less compelling for a very small budget. Its free tier is actually useful too: 20 posts/month and 30 days of analytics for one brand. metricool.com

Bottom line:

• $0–5/month + simple: Buffer
• $5–15/month + multiple accounts: Publer
• $20-ish/month + stronger analytics: Metricool

If you tell me which platforms you need (Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, etc.) and roughly how many posts/month, I can narrow it to one.

If your priorities are entry-level + video posts + basic performance stats + low monthly cost, I’d start with Metricool.

My pick: Metricool

It’s unusually well matched to what you described: scheduling across major social networks, video support, and built-in performance analytics rather than making you pay separately for reporting. Its free plan currently supports up to 11 channels and 50 scheduled posts/month, with analytics included; paid plans start around $20/month. metricool.combuffer.com

If you want the simplest possible option: Buffer

Buffer has a very clean interface and supports video scheduling for platforms including Instagram, TikTok and YouTube Shorts. The free plan supports three channels; paid Essentials is roughly $5–$6 per channel/month, but the per-channel pricing can become expensive as you add accounts. buffer.combestsocialmediascheduler.com

If keeping the bill really small is the priority: Publer

Publer is worth considering if you're managing multiple social accounts on a budget. Its pricing is account-based, starting around $5/month, and it supports video and basic analytics on paid tiers. buffer.combestsocialmediascheduler.com

Bottom line:

• $0: Try Metricool Free first.
• ~$5–15/month: Buffer if simplicity matters most, Publer if you need more accounts.
• ~$20/month: Metricool is probably the best all-around choice if analytics matter.

If you tell me which platforms you need (Instagram/TikTok/YouTube/Facebook/LinkedIn, etc.) and roughly how many posts per month, I can narrow it down to the cheapest option that actually fits.

If you want entry-level + video posts + basic performance stats + very low monthly cost, I’d narrow it to these:

What I'd pick

Start with Buffer. Its free plan supports 3 channels and 10 scheduled posts per channel; the $5/channel Essentials plan adds unlimited scheduling and advanced analytics. It supports video-oriented channels including Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube Shorts. buffer.com

If you need several social accounts while keeping the bill tiny, try Publer. Its Professional plan starts at $5/month for one social account, supports unlimited scheduling, and covers Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn and others. publer.com

If by "basic performance stats" you mean you really want to see what posts/videos are performing best, I'd choose Metricool. Its free tier includes 20 scheduled posts/month and 30 days of analytics; the paid Starter plan adds unlimited publishing and longer-term analytics. metricool.com

Bottom line:

• 💰 Cheapest/simple: Buffer
• 📱 Lots of accounts for little money: Publer
• 📊 Best analytics: Metricool

If you tell me which platforms you need (e.g. Instagram + TikTok + Facebook) and roughly how many videos/posts per month, I can tell you the cheapest plan that actually fits.

For your requirements—entry-level, video posts, basic analytics, and a small monthly fee—I’d narrow it to these:

🥇 Best overall: Metricool

Metricool

It’s probably the best fit if performance stats matter as much as scheduling. It combines scheduling with analytics, and its entry-level paid plan is around the low-$20/month range depending on the current pricing/billing option. buffer.comwww.smallbusinesstools.org

Choose it if: you want to see which videos/posts are actually performing without needing a complicated social-media suite.

💰 Cheapest/simple option: Buffer

Buffer

Buffer is easier to learn and has a free tier; paid pricing starts around $5–$6 per channel/month. buffer.comwww.smallbusinesstools.org

Choose it if: you have only a few social accounts and mainly want straightforward scheduling. Its analytics are less compelling than Metricool.

💵 Value option: Publer

Publer

Publer is another inexpensive option, with paid entry pricing around $5+ depending on accounts, and it supports video scheduling and cross-platform publishing. buffer.comwww.smallbusinesstools.org

Choose it if: keeping the monthly bill as low as possible is your priority and you want more scheduling flexibility.

My pick: Metricool if you can spend ~$20/month; Buffer if you want to stay closer to $0–10/month.

If you tell me which platforms you need (e.g. Instagram Reels + TikTok + YouTube Shorts) and your approximate monthly budget ($5, $10, $20), I can narrow it to one.

For your requirements—entry-level, video posts, basic performance stats, and low monthly cost—I’d narrow it to these:

My pick: Buffer

If you just want to upload videos, schedule them, and see how they're performing without learning a complicated platform, Buffer is probably the best starting point. Its Essentials plan is currently $5/month for one social channel, with unlimited scheduled posts and advanced analytics. buffer.com

If you want more useful stats, I'd choose Metricool instead. Its free plan supports one brand, up to 20 scheduled posts/month, and 30 days of analytics; the Starter plan adds unlimited publishing and much deeper analytics, starting around $20/month. metricool.com

Bottom line:

• 💰 Cheapest/easiest: Buffer
• 📊 Best analytics for a beginner: Metricool
• 🧰 Most features for the money: Publer

If you tell me which platforms you're posting videos to (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, etc.) and roughly how many videos per week, I can tell you which one is the best fit and what you'd actually pay.

For an entry-level tool that supports video posts, basic analytics, and stays under about $20/month, these are the strongest options:

My recommendations

Buffer is the easiest place to start. It lets you schedule videos to major social platforms and gives you straightforward metrics like engagement, reach, and top-performing posts without overwhelming you. If you're just learning social media management, its interface is hard to beat. www.techradar.com

Publer is a great value if keeping costs down is the priority. You get video scheduling, content recycling, and basic analytics for a very low monthly price, making it attractive for freelancers or solo creators. www.smallbusinesstools.orgfitsmallbusiness.com

Metricool is worth the extra money if analytics matter. Besides scheduling videos, it provides dashboards for engagement, audience growth, and post performance that are more detailed than most entry-level tools. www.smallbusinesstools.orgfitsmallbusiness.com

Which one fits you?

• Budget under $10/month: Buffer or Publer
• Best analytics under $25/month: Metricool
• Mostly Instagram, TikTok, and visual content: Pallyy
• Absolute beginner: Buffer

If you tell me which platforms you want to post to (for example Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube Shorts, or X), I can narrow it down to the best option for your workflow.

If by “small monthly fee” you mean roughly $5–$20/month, I’d shortlist these:

My pick: Buffer if you mainly want something simple: connect your accounts, upload videos, schedule them, and see basic performance without learning a complicated dashboard. Its free plan also gives you 3 channels with 10 scheduled posts per channel, while paid Essentials starts at $6 per channel/month. buffer.com

If analytics matter more, I'd choose Metricool. Its free plan includes 20 posts/month and 30 days of analytics; the paid Starter plan adds unlimited publishing and unlimited analytics history, starting at $20/month for up to 5 brands. metricool.com

Bottom line:

• 💰 Cheapest/simple: Buffer free → upgrade only if needed
• 🎥 Best overall for a beginner: Buffer
• 📊 Best if you actually want to study performance: Metricool
• 🛠️ Best feature-per-dollar: Publer

Buffer · Metricool · Publer 

If you tell me which platforms you need (Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.) and your maximum monthly budget, I can narrow it down to one.

If by “small monthly fee” you mean roughly $5–$20/month, I’d narrow it to these:

My pick: Buffer

For an entry-level scheduler, I’d start with Buffer. Its Essentials plan is $5/month for one channel and includes unlimited scheduled posts plus advanced analytics; the free plan lets you connect up to three channels and schedule 10 posts per channel. buffer.com

If your priority is “I really want to see how my posts are performing”, go with Metricool instead. Its free plan includes 20 scheduled posts/month and 30 days of analytics, while the Starter plan adds unlimited publishing and unlimited analytics history. metricool.com

Simple recommendation:

• 💰 Cheapest/easiest: Buffer
• 📊 Best analytics: Metricool
• 🧰 Most features on a budget: Publer

If you tell me which platforms you need (Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.), I can narrow it to the cheapest option that actually supports all of your video-posting needs.

For an entry-level scheduler with video support + basic performance stats, I’d start with one of these:

My pick based on your description:

1) Try Metricool first

• Best balance of cheap + video scheduling + useful stats
• Good if you want to know which posts actually perform (views, engagement, growth trends) rather than just queue content. metricool.commetricool.com

2) Pick Buffer if you value simplicity over analytics

• Cleaner learning curve
• Great for a solo creator or small business posting a few times per week
• Analytics are more basic. www.techradar.commetricool.com

3) Pick Later if you mainly post Instagram/TikTok videos

• Better for visual planning and content calendars
• Less compelling if you want broader reporting.

A simple starter stack:

• 1–3 accounts, occasional posts: Metricool free or Buffer free www.techradar.commetricool.com
• Posting several times/week and tracking growth: Metricool paid tier metricool.commetricool.com
• Mostly Reels/TikTok: Later

If you tell me which platforms you need (Instagram, TikTok, YouTube Shorts, Facebook, LinkedIn, X) and roughly how many videos/month, I can narrow it to one.

For an entry-level scheduler with video support + basic performance stats on a small monthly budget, I’d shortlist these:

My picks:

🥇 Best overall: Metricool

Use this if you care about seeing what worked, not just posting. The free plan includes a planner, video/image scheduling, and basic analytics; paid plans add more brands, reporting, and expanded analytics. metricool.comhelp.metricool.com
Good for: YouTube Shorts, TikTok, Instagram Reels, Facebook, LinkedIn, small businesses.

🥈 Easiest: Buffer

Use this if you want a clean “upload → schedule → forget” experience. Buffer is generally easier for beginners, though analytics are more basic unless you move up plans. www.techradar.comhelp.metricool.commetricool.com
Good for: 1–3 accounts, consistent posting, solo creators.

🥉 Best if you mostly post Reels/TikToks: Later

Better if your workflow revolves around planning a visual feed and managing short-form content.

My recommendation:

• $0 budget: start with Metricool Free or Buffer Free. www.techradar.comhelp.metricool.commetricool.com
• Around $10–25/month: pick Metricool if analytics matter; pick Buffer if simplicity matters. www.techradar.comhelp.metricool.commetricool.com
• Mostly Instagram/TikTok: consider Later.

A couple of details would change the recommendation:

1. Which platforms are you posting to (TikTok, Instagram, YouTube Shorts, Facebook, LinkedIn, X)?
2. About how many videos per week do you plan to schedule?

If your budget is around $5–20/month and you mainly need video scheduling plus basic performance analytics, these are the strongest options:

My recommendation

• Choose Buffer if:
  • You want the easiest interface.
  • You mainly schedule videos and posts.
  • Basic engagement stats (likes, comments, reach, clicks) are enough.
  • You only manage a few accounts. www.techradar.com

• Choose Metricool if:
  • You want noticeably better analytics without paying enterprise prices.
  • You'd like one dashboard for multiple platforms.
  • You want reports showing which videos and posts perform best over time. Its Starter plan includes unlimited publishing and expanded analytics history. metricool.com

I would skip

• Hootsuite and Sprout Social for an entry-level setup. They have excellent analytics but start around $200+/month, making them difficult to justify unless you're managing clients or a marketing team. www.techradar.com

If you're just starting out, Buffer is the best value under roughly $10/month. If you can stretch to around $20/month, Metricool gives you a much better analytics package while still being affordable.

If you're looking for an inexpensive scheduler that supports video posts and includes basic analytics, these are the strongest entry-level options:

My recommendations

Buffer is the best choice if you:

• Want something that's easy to learn.
• Schedule videos to platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, LinkedIn, or YouTube Shorts.
• Only need straightforward metrics such as reach, engagement, and top-performing posts. buffer.comwww.techradar.com

Publer is the best value if:

• Your budget is very tight.
• You want video scheduling, a content calendar, and analytics without paying much.
• You don't need enterprise reporting. publer.com

Metricool is worth paying more for if:

• Analytics matter more than having the absolute cheapest plan.
• You want better reporting, competitor tracking, and more detailed performance dashboards. metricool.com

If I had to pick one

• Under $10/month: Publer
• Best beginner experience: Buffer
• Best analytics for the money: Metricool

If you tell me:

• which platforms you're posting to (Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, X, etc.), and
• roughly how many social accounts you manage,

I can narrow it down to the cheapest plan that fits your workflow.

If you're looking for an inexpensive scheduler that can publish video posts and provide basic performance analytics, these are the strongest entry-level options:

For your requirements—entry-level, supports video posts, basic performance stats, and a small monthly fee—I'd narrow it to:

• Buffer if you want the easiest experience. You can schedule videos for major platforms, and its paid plans include straightforward analytics like reach, engagement, and top-performing posts. Pricing grows by the number of connected social channels, so it's especially affordable if you're managing only a few accounts. buffer.com
• Publer if keeping costs as low as possible is your priority. It supports video scheduling and basic analytics at a lower entry price than many competitors. www.bluerun.studio
• Metricool if you'd like stronger reporting without moving into enterprise pricing. Its analytics are more comprehensive while remaining relatively affordable. buffer.commetricool.com

My recommendation based on budget:

• Under $10/month: Buffer (if you have only 1–2 channels) or Publer.
• Around $20/month: Metricool for the best balance of scheduling and analytics.
• Mostly Instagram/TikTok: Later if visual planning is important.

If you tell me which platforms you post to (e.g. Instagram, TikTok, YouTube Shorts, Facebook, LinkedIn, X), I can recommend the most cost-effective plan for your setup.

If your priorities are video scheduling, basic performance analytics, and keeping the monthly cost low, these are the strongest entry-level choices:

For most people just getting started:

• Buffer is the easiest to learn. You can schedule videos for platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube Shorts, and more, and it includes straightforward engagement and reach metrics without a cluttered interface. www.techradar.com
• Publer gives you a lot for very little money. It supports video posting, a content calendar, bulk scheduling, and basic analytics, making it a great value if you're watching your budget. www.bluerun.studiowww.reddit.com
• Metricool is worth the extra cost if analytics matter. It includes cross-platform reporting, historical performance, and competitor tracking while still being much cheaper than enterprise tools. metricool.commetricool.com

If your budget is under $10/month, I'd recommend Publer first. If your budget is around $15–20/month, Buffer is my top recommendation for ease of use, while Metricool is the better pick if you care more about tracking performance than having the cleanest interface.

If you tell me:

• which social networks you post to (Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, X, etc.), and
• whether your budget is closer to $5, $10, or $20/month,

I can narrow it down to the single best option for your workflow.