Wavegrain vs Buffer: which one do you need?

Updated 26 October 2026. Buffer facts checked on its website on 26 October 2026.

Wavegrain makes this page, and Wavegrain is our product. We read every fact about the other tool on its own website on the date shown, and link to the page. Prices and features change, so check their site before you decide. If something here is wrong, email [email protected] and we will fix it.

Buffer is a low-cost scheduler for 12 networks, with a free plan, a queue, an AI assistant for text and an MCP server on every plan. It does not design carousels. Wavegrain makes the carousel or slideshow itself. If you already schedule with Buffer, Wavegrain is the step before it.

Side by side

Wavegrain and Buffer compared, checked on 26 October 2026
	Wavegrain	Buffer
What it is	An AI maker for Instagram carousels and TikTok photo slideshows, for creators and small brands. About	A social media workspace to plan, schedule and analyse posts. buffer.com
Makes the slides	Yes. From a topic it writes the script, places your photos or makes AI images, and lays out every slide in an editor. Board to carousel	No slide or carousel designer found. Its AI assistant helps with text. buffer.com
TikTok photo posts	Makes 1080x1920 slides and an MP4. You post them yourself; direct sending turns on after TikTok's review. Home page FAQ	Up to 10 of your own images in a TikTok post. support.buffer.com
Other networks	Exports a ZIP of PNG slides or an MP4 for any network. Direct sending turns on one network at a time. Home page FAQ	Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Threads, YouTube, Pinterest, X, Bluesky, Mastodon, Substack and Google Business Profile. buffer.com
Paid plans	Starter $29, Pro $49, Agency $89 a month. Pricing	Essentials $5 and Team $10 a channel a month; $60 and $120 a channel billed yearly. buffer.com
Free plan or trial	A 3-day free trial with 10 credits. Pricing	A free plan for up to 3 channels, and a 14-day trial of paid plans. buffer.com
AI agents	An MCP server for Claude Code, Codex, Cursor and other MCP clients, with no separate price. MCP server docs	An MCP server on every plan, including Free. buffer.com

Buffer column: read on its own website on 26 October 2026; each cell links to its page. Wavegrain column: from this site and the app on the same day.

Where Buffer wins

A very low entry price per channel, and a free plan.
Publishing to 12 networks, with a queue and analytics.
Its MCP server and API come with every plan, including Free.

Where Wavegrain wins

Wavegrain writes the script and lays out every slide from one topic, so you start from a finished draft, not a blank template.
You can build slides from your own photo collection. Wavegrain adds AI images only where you choose Collection + AI.
One draft exports as a ZIP of PNG slides or an MP4, at 1080x1080, 1080x1350, 1080x1440 or 1080x1920.

What Wavegrain does not do

Wavegrain plans, makes and schedules your slideshows on a Calendar. Automatic posting to connected networks turns on one network at a time, as each passes its developer review. Until then, export each post as a carousel, square, vertical, ZIP or video and post it where you already work.
It does not post anything you have not approved, and it does not run accounts on autopilot.

Which one to pick

Pick Buffer if

You have the images and need cheap, simple scheduling to many networks.

Pick Wavegrain if

You need the carousel or slideshow made: script, images and slides.

Questions

Does Buffer make carousels?

On 26 October 2026 we found no carousel designer in Buffer. You upload your own images; its AI assistant helps write the text.

How many images can a TikTok post have in Buffer?

Buffer's help centre says up to 10 of your own images in a TikTok post, and up to 10 in an Instagram post.

Can I use Wavegrain with Buffer?

Yes. Export the slides from Wavegrain as PNG files, then upload them to Buffer. Both have an MCP server, so one AI agent can use both.

How much does Buffer cost?

On 26 October 2026 its pricing page listed a free plan for up to 3 channels, Essentials at $5 and Team at $10 a channel a month, and a 14-day free trial of paid plans.

More comparisons

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