Z
ZNo-code workflow automation and AI agents across 9,000+ apps for businesses
Free, from $19.99/mo
Activepieces vs Buffer
Pricing, features, platforms and who each one suits — side by side.
A
Choose Activepieces if…
- you want open source you can self-host or audit
- you work on Self-hosted
- you're in its core audience: operations and business teams, developers and it teams
B
Choose Buffer if…
- you want the lower entry price ($5/mo vs $20/mo)
- you work on iOS, Android, Chrome
- you're in its core audience: creators, small businesses
Side by side
Feature Activepieces Buffer
Pricing modelFreemiumFreemium
Starting price$20/mo$5/mo
Free plan
Free trial
API
Open source
Trains AI on your contentNo—
Data retentionKept only as long as you choose (configurable retention window)—
Security and complianceSOC 2 Type II—
Updates, last 90 days—8
Self-hosting—
MCP server—
AI agent builder—
Custom code steps—
Prompt-to-workflow—
Custom connectors—
Embedded integrations—
PlatformsWeb, Self-hosted, APIWeb, iOS, Android, Chrome, API
CategoryWorkflow AutomationSocial Media
CompanyActivepieces Inc.Buffer, Inc
Based inUnited StatesUnited States
Founded——
Part of——
Key features
A Activepieces
- 770+ MIT-licensed integration pieces
- Chat that drafts flows from plain-language requests
- AI agents with approval gates on sensitive steps
- Visual builder with branching, retries, subflows and inline TypeScript
- Built-in Tables and searchable knowledge base
- MCP server for Claude and Cursor
- HTTP piece for any REST or GraphQL API
- Self-hosting via Docker, Kubernetes or air-gapped
B Buffer
- Scheduling to 12 social platforms including Substack and Bluesky
- Visual content calendar and posting queue
- AI Assistant for drafting and repurposing posts
- Community inbox with AI reply suggestions
- Analytics, reports and custom UTM parameters
- Team approval workflows and access permissions
- Start Page link-in-bio builder
- API and MCP connection to Claude or ChatGPT
Plans and prices
From each vendor's site. Prices change — confirm before buying.
Activepieces
Free$0
Plus$20/mo
Team$200/mo
UltimateCustom
EmbedFrom $36k a year
Buffer
FreeFree
Essentials$5/mo per channel ($60 billed yearly)
Team$10/mo per channel ($120 billed yearly)
Strengths and limitations
Activepieces
- Free plan with unlimited flows and up to 5 users, no card needed
- MIT-licensed core that can be self-hosted
- Runs priced per run, so logic inside a flow costs no extra credits
- Bring your own AI keys on Plus and above drops AI steps to 1 credit
- SOC 2 certification is still in progress
- SSO starts on the $200/mo Team plan, while audit logs and SCIM need Ultimate
- AI steps cost 2 to 20 credits unless you bring your own keys
- Free plan runs past quota stop until credits refresh
Buffer
- Free plan connects up to 3 channels with no credit card
- Per-channel pricing from $5/month
- API access included on every plan, free plan too
- Supports 12 platforms including Substack, Bluesky and Mastodon
- Free plan limited to 10 scheduled posts per channel and 30-day insights
- Approval workflows and branded reports only on Team plan
- Costs scale with the number of connected channels
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Built from each vendor's public website; we haven't tested them hands-on. Editorial policy