<b>Seat pricing vs channel pricing: the hidden cost model</b>

<b>Seat pricing vs channel pricing: the hidden cost model</b>
Tools charge two ways: per seat (each team member) or per channel (each connected account). Pick wrong and a 3-person team overpays massively.

✔ Buffer: per-channel, unlimited users, cheap for small teams
✔ Agorapulse: per-seat but generous channel counts included
✖ Sprout: per-seat at $199+, three people is $600/mo before add-ons
✖ Hootsuite: tiered limits on both, the bill creeps every upgrade

Best for: Buffer for teams with few accounts; Agorapulse for many accounts, few people.
Price: Buffer $5/channel/mo, Sprout $199/seat/mo.
Pick this by your shape: many users, few channels? Buffer wins on math. Few users, many brands? Agorapulse. Always price your actual team before the trial ends.