AI social scheduler with Influence IQ and agent-ready MCP
Influence is an AI scheduler for creators and agencies. Connect accounts and plan on one calendar. Influence IQ suggests copy and dates. Use the dashboard or MCP.
OpenQuok Influence vs Buffer comparison
Compare prices, channels, and features for Influence and Buffer.
Platform overview
Platform overview
Read a short summary of Influence and Buffer. Then compare prices, channels, and features.
Social media toolkit for creators and teams since 2010
Buffer is a social suite for creators and small teams. It has queue scheduling, AI assist, inbox, analytics, and a REST API. Pricing is per channel.
Why people look
Why teams compare Influence and Buffer
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Influence bundles unlimited account connections on lower tiers, Influence IQ credits, engagement replies, and broad platform coverage.
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Buffer keeps scheduling simple with per-channel pricing, volume discounts, and a familiar publishing queue.
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Use the sections below before you migrate accounts.
Your options
Stay, switch schedulers, or adopt open source
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You can renew Buffer, pick another scheduler, or move to OpenQuok.
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OpenQuok ranks first here for self-hosting and agent scheduling.
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Compare prices and channels in the sections below.
Pricing & plans
Pricing & plans
Compare the plans and prices for Influence and Buffer. Prices below assume 1 connected social channels so flat and per-channel plans are comparable.
Connected channels
Set how many social accounts you manage. We scale per-channel list prices to this count.
1
Influence · 1 channels
- Starter $11 /mo
Best for a steady posting rhythm on unlimited connected accounts
50 posts / month · 1,500 Influence IQ credits · 7-day free trial · annual billing $110/year in USD
- Growth $29 /mo
Best when you publish more campaigns each month
150 posts / month · 3,750 Influence IQ credits · annual billing $290/year in USD
- Pro $29 /mo
Best for busy calendars with unlimited scheduled posts
Unlimited posts · 7,500 Influence IQ credits · annual billing $290/year in USD
Buffer · 1 channels
- Free $0 /mo
Best for individuals scheduling on up to three channels
Up to 3 channels · 10 scheduled posts per channel
- Essentials $6 /mo
Best for creators who need unlimited scheduling and analytics per channel
1 channels × $6/channel / mo · list rate; volume tiers may reduce total
- Team $12 /mo
Best for teams that need approvals, access controls, and unlimited members
1 channels × $12/channel / mo · list rate; volume tiers may reduce total
List price per channel
Native per-channel list rates before volume discounts. OpenQuok flat plans are split across 1 channels for reference.
Influence
- Starter $11 /channel /mo
50 posts / month · 1,500 Influence IQ credits · 7-day free trial · annual billing $110/year in USD · ~$11/channel at 1 channels
- Growth $29 /channel /mo
150 posts / month · 3,750 Influence IQ credits · annual billing $290/year in USD · ~$29/channel at 1 channels
- Pro $29 /channel /mo
Unlimited posts · 7,500 Influence IQ credits · annual billing $290/year in USD · ~$29/channel at 1 channels
Buffer
- Free $0 /channel /mo
Up to 3 channels · 10 scheduled posts per channel
- Essentials $6 /channel /mo
From $6/channel / month · lower on annual billing and volume tiers
- Team $12 /channel /mo
From $12/channel / month · lower on annual billing and volume tiers
Supported social channels
Supported social channels
See which social networks each product supports for scheduling. An hourglass means the channel is on our roadmap.
Influence
- Facebook
- Instagram
- LinkedIn
- X
- TikTok
- YouTube Shorts
- Pinterest
- Threads
- Bluesky
- Mastodon
- Google Business Profile
- YouTube
- Discord
- Slack
- Telegram
- Reddit
- Dev.to
Buffer
- Facebook
- Instagram
- LinkedIn
- X
- TikTok
- YouTube Shorts
- Pinterest
- Threads
- Bluesky
- Mastodon
- Google Business Profile
- YouTube
- Discord
- Slack
- Telegram
- Reddit
- Dev.to
Feature comparison
Feature comparison
See which features each product includes, limits, or omits.
Features | Influence | Buffer |
|---|---|---|
Agent workspaces | — | — |
Total channels | Unlimited connected accounts on paid plans | Per-channel pricing |
Posts per month | 50 on Starter · 150 on Growth · unlimited on Pro | 10/channel on Free · unlimited on paid |
Team members | 1 user on published plans | 1 on Free/Essentials · unlimited on Team |
AI Writer | — | |
AI Summarizer | — | — |
Shareable post previews | — | |
Official platform APIs | ||
Public API | MCP & agent guides · no advertised Public REST API | REST API (rate limits by plan) |
OAuth apps | — | — |
MCP server | — | |
Cloud media storage | Media library for uploads & reuse | Media library (plan limits apply) |
Google Chrome extension | — | — |
Multi-channel publishing | ||
Agent integrations | ChatGPT, Claude, Codex, OpenClaw, Gemini CLI, and more | — |
Analytics | ||
Photo editor | Influence IQ image creation where available (credits) | — |
Skill builder | — | — |
Calendar views | ||
Kanban views | — | — |
Footage File manager | ||
Repeated posts | — | |
Reusable templates | Brand Guidelines & campaign drafts | |
Reusable signatures | — | — |
Smart filters | — | — |
Post delays | — | Queue slots |
Post comments | — | |
Internal plugs | — | — |
Cross-account plugs | — | — |
Global plugs | — | — |
Group management | — | Channel groups on paid plans |
Business profiles & directory launch | — | — |
Browser extension autofill | — | — |
Directory submission tracking | — | — |
Profile variants per directory | — | — |
Domain rating analytics | — | — |
Competitor domains | — | — |
Directory catalog DR | — | — |
Community features | ||
Dark / light mode |
comparisons
Influence IQ campaign scheduling vs queue-based scheduling
Buffer is for creators and small teams in a browser queue. Influence bundles unlimited account connections on lower tiers, Influence IQ credits, engagement replies, and broad platform coverage.
Influence
- Influence IQ turns a brief into channel-ready drafts you review before you schedule
- Starter lists at $11 per month with unlimited connected accounts in USD
- One calendar shows every connected profile and upcoming campaign
- Engagement inbox, link analytics, and Influence IQ sit in one AI-native scheduler
- MCP server URL and agent guides for ChatGPT, Claude, Codex, and OpenClaw
- You edit each channel version before you add posts to the calendar
Buffer
- AI Assistant lives inside Buffer — copy still required for external agent workflows
- Per-channel pricing that climbs before volume tiers kick in
- One queue for every brand, client, and channel
- Free plan caps you at three channels and 10 scheduled posts per channel
- Rate-limited REST API — no MCP server or workspace-scoped agent endpoints
- Approval workflows require the Team plan — not on Free or Essentials
When they win
When Buffer stays the better choice
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Buffer is built for creators and small teams in a browser queue.
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Influence fits teams who want teams that want AI campaign drafts, engagement inbox, and agent MCP in one hosted scheduler.
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Pick the product that matches your budget this quarter.
Other alternatives
Other social scheduler alternatives
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Open other alternatives pages to rank schedulers against OpenQuok.
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Use the compare hub for a feature matrix between two products.
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Hootsuite
Compare prices, channels, and scheduling features for Influence and Hootsuite.
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Heropost
Compare prices, channels, and scheduling features for Influence and Heropost.
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Hopper HQ
Compare prices, channels, and scheduling features for Influence and Hopper HQ.
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Influence
Compare prices, channels, and scheduling features for Influence and Influence.
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Later
Compare prices, channels, and scheduling features for Influence and Later.
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Blotato
Compare prices, channels, and scheduling features for Influence and Blotato.
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Breakreach
Compare prices, channels, and scheduling features for Influence and Breakreach.
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Claw Post
Compare prices, channels, and scheduling features for Influence and Claw Post.
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RecurPost
Compare prices, channels, and scheduling features for Influence and RecurPost.
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Mixpost
Compare prices, channels, and scheduling features for Influence and Mixpost.
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OpenPost
Compare prices, channels, and scheduling features for Influence and OpenPost.
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PostBridge
Compare prices, channels, and scheduling features for Influence and PostBridge.
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PostFast
Compare prices, channels, and scheduling features for Influence and PostFast.
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PostPeer
Compare prices, channels, and scheduling features for Influence and PostPeer.
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post2all
Compare prices, channels, and scheduling features for Influence and post2all.
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Postiz
Compare prices, channels, and scheduling features for Influence and Postiz.
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Publer
Compare prices, channels, and scheduling features for Influence and Publer.
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SocialClaw
Compare prices, channels, and scheduling features for Influence and SocialClaw.
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Socialync
Compare prices, channels, and scheduling features for Influence and Socialync.
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Sprout Social
Compare prices, channels, and scheduling features for Influence and Sprout Social.
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Typefully
Compare prices, channels, and scheduling features for Influence and Typefully.
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UseBard
Compare prices, channels, and scheduling features for Influence and UseBard.
FAQs
Frequently asked questions
Common questions and answers. Contact us if you need more help.
Buffer and Hootsuite often charge per seat for calendar basics. OpenQuok gives you channels, scheduling, and multi-channel publish in one workspace. Agents can draft through MCP, the CLI, or the API — you approve before anything goes live. Compare OpenQuok vs Buffer, OpenQuok vs Hootsuite, or all comparisons.
Yes. OpenQuok offers one 7-day free trial per payment customer so you can run social media accounts on auto-pilot before you subscribe the plan. Create an account and start today — no credit card required. Canceling and resubscribing, or creating another workspace, does not grant a second trial. Plan limits are on Pricing and in the billing limits guide; trial rules are in the Cloud trial guide.
Use one workspace per client or brand. Each workspace keeps its own channels and sign-in details separate. That lowers the risk that an AI agent hallucinates posts to the wrong account. See plan workspace counts, billing limits, and how we compare. Agencies group channels by client in the team collaboration walkthrough.
Connect channels, write in Creating posts, then pick a time on the calendar or kanban. Agents can use the CLI, agent setup guides, or MCP setup guides. From Chrome, install Add to Chrome, it's free and draft from the browser extension side panel without opening the dashboard every time.
MCP (Model Context Protocol) lets AI assistants connect to the tools you use. Connect OpenQuok in your MCP client and your agent can list channels, read platform rules, and schedule posts without opening the dashboard. Start with MCP getting started or a MCP setup guide.
No. OpenQuok publishes through each network’s official API. Reach should match posting in the native app. See Connect rules.
OpenQuok connects channels, a calendar, kanban, and an approval queue in one workspace. Agents can draft through MCP, the CLI, or agent hosts. You approve before anything publishes. Schedule from Chrome with Add to Chrome, it's free and the browser extension side panel. Read the full workflow on Social media management and browse supported channels.
OpenQuok is DIY directory launch software. You build business profiles, autofill forms with the browser extension — install from Add to Chrome, it's free on Chrome — and track each submission. We do not run a done-for-you campaign for you. Start on the Directory submission tool page, follow directory submission docs, and pick targets in Build backlinks.
Yes. Both workflows live in the same product. Use Social media management for channels, agents, and approvals — including the browser extension side panel after Add to Chrome, it's free. Use Directory submission tool for business profiles, extension autofill on directory sites, and submission tracking. One workspace can hold social channels and directory launch work for the same brand.
next steps
More comparisons
Open more product comparisons. Find a scheduler that fits your team.
All comparisons
See all scheduler comparisons.
vs. Hootsuite
Compare prices, channels, and scheduling features for Influence and Hootsuite.
vs. Heropost
Compare prices, channels, and scheduling features for Influence and Heropost.
vs. Hopper HQ
Compare prices, channels, and scheduling features for Influence and Hopper HQ.
vs. Influence
Compare prices, channels, and scheduling features for Influence and Influence.
vs. Later
Compare prices, channels, and scheduling features for Influence and Later.
vs. Blotato
Compare prices, channels, and scheduling features for Influence and Blotato.
vs. Breakreach
Compare prices, channels, and scheduling features for Influence and Breakreach.
vs. Claw Post
Compare prices, channels, and scheduling features for Influence and Claw Post.
vs. RecurPost
Compare prices, channels, and scheduling features for Influence and RecurPost.
vs. Mixpost
Compare prices, channels, and scheduling features for Influence and Mixpost.
vs. OpenPost
Compare prices, channels, and scheduling features for Influence and OpenPost.
vs. PostBridge
Compare prices, channels, and scheduling features for Influence and PostBridge.
vs. PostFast
Compare prices, channels, and scheduling features for Influence and PostFast.
vs. PostPeer
Compare prices, channels, and scheduling features for Influence and PostPeer.
vs. post2all
Compare prices, channels, and scheduling features for Influence and post2all.
vs. Postiz
Compare prices, channels, and scheduling features for Influence and Postiz.
vs. Publer
Compare prices, channels, and scheduling features for Influence and Publer.
vs. SocialClaw
Compare prices, channels, and scheduling features for Influence and SocialClaw.
vs. Socialync
Compare prices, channels, and scheduling features for Influence and Socialync.
vs. Sprout Social
Compare prices, channels, and scheduling features for Influence and Sprout Social.
vs. Typefully
Compare prices, channels, and scheduling features for Influence and Typefully.
vs. UseBard
Compare prices, channels, and scheduling features for Influence and UseBard.
See plans and pricing
Review OpenQuok plans and pick one that fits your team.
Start free. Publish with confidence.
Connect your agent, review every draft, and schedule posts across channels before anything goes live.