Picking a scheduler in 2025 feels like speed‑dating—all the tools promise love, time‑savings, and viral fame. Which one actually delivers? We ran a head‑to‑head test on speed, cross‑posting power, and price so you don't waste another month on the wrong platform.
Why Schedulers Still Matter in 2025
- Algorithm shifts are brutal—consistent posting is now the #1 organic reach lever.
- AI content generators pump out drafts; schedulers make sure drafts drop at the *perfect* hour.
- Creators juggle Reddit, Bluesky, Threads, and X—cross‑posting is survival.
The Contenders (Test Setup)
We queued the same 10‑post pack—text, image, and link variants—for five schedulers:
- MediaFa.st – Our in‑house pick, excels at Reddit + Bluesky.
- Buffer – Veteran with a new AI Assistant.
- Hootsuite – Enterprise staple, pricey seats.
- Later – Visual planner, loved by IG/TikTok creators.
- Publer – Budget darling with lifetime deal crowd.
Speed Test ⏱️ (Queue → Published)
- MediaFa.st: 3.8 s average API handshake (fastest) – Reddit & Bluesky tokens optimised.
- Buffer: 4.9 s – solid, slowed by TikTok API retries.
- Publer: 5.1 s – budget but snappy.
- Later: 5.6 s – drag‑and‑drop UI adds processing overhead.
- Hootsuite: 7.3 s – heavy analytics layer taxes send times.
Cross‑Posting Muscle 💪
Native cross‑posting (one click, platform‑specific tweaks auto‑applied) is the 2025 holy grail. Here's how many networks each tool handled *with* post‑level customization:
- MediaFa.st: 6 (Reddit, X, Bluesky, LinkedIn, Mastodon, Threads) + sub‑reddit routing.
- Hootsuite: 8 (adds Facebook & Instagram) but no Reddit support.
- Buffer: 7 (no Reddit, yes Pinterest).
- Later: 5 (visual platforms only).
- Publer: 6 (surprisingly broad, UI clunkier).
Pricing Snapshot 💸 (Solo Creator Tier, billed yearly)
- Publer: $48 / yr – cheapest, limited AI credits.
- MediaFa.st: $34 / one time – includes Reddit un‑ban roadmap + leaderboard.
- Buffer: $120 / yr – slick AI copy, 1 user.
- Later: $180 / yr – IG/TikTok analytics bundle.
- Hootsuite: $948 / yr – 1 seat, enterprise analytics.
Verdict: Pick Your Poison
- Need Reddit + X/Bluesky? Go MediaFa.st—fastest and cheapest combo.
- Visual‑first brand? Later wins on calendar previews.
- Shoestring budget? Publer punches above its weight.
- Agency analytics? Swallow Hootsuite's price or stack Buffer + third‑party reports.
Quick Start Checklist (Copy‑Paste)
- Sign up for a free trial of your top two picks.
- Import last month's posts—measure migration time.
- Schedule one cross‑post set for peak hours (Reddit AM, LinkedIn PM).
- Track publish‑latency + click‑through for 72 h.
- Pick the winner, cancel the runner‑up.
Final Word
Schedulers won't write the viral hook—that's on you. But the right tool shaves hours off logistics. Test fast, double‑down, then forget about manual posting forever. If Reddit traffic is your growth engine, start with MediaFa.st and never look back.
