This represents more than a dollar amount. It reflects a real turnaround in our growth and where we are going.
A few years ago we were not able to do that at all. We’ve gone through two years of net losses, made tough decisions and focused deeply on rebuilding a healthy, sustainable business. There were times when profitability and profit sharing seemed far away.
So returning to this practice in 2025, with an average share of $5,095 per teammate, feels especially meaningful. It reflects the resilience of our team, the care people put into their work and the progress we have made together.
In this post, I’ll talk more about this milestone, why profit sharing is so meaningful at Buffer, and detail how our formula works.
Why we share the profits
At Buffer, profitability is not just a financial milestone. It gives us the freedom to operate as an independent company for the long term.
We are now in our 15th year of business. By remaining profitable, we can continue to invest in our product, our customers, our team and our mission without compromising our values.
Our founder and CEO, Joel Gascoigne, often talks about how, as Buffer grows and succeeds, we must grow and succeed together. Profit sharing is one of the most tangible ways we put that belief into practice.
When the company does well, our teammates benefit directly. That creates a strong connection between our collective efforts and real, meaningful results in people’s lives. It also reinforces something we value highly: building a company where success is shared.
For me personally, profit sharing is a reminder that sustainable growth and people-centered values don’t have to come with tension. If you do this carefully, they reinforce each other.
Our profit sharing history
We started profit sharing in 2017. Here’s a look at our profit shares since then:
2017: Net income: $1,418,604 | Profit sharing pool: $300,000
2018: Net income: $3,418,352 | Profit sharing pool: $394,997
2019: Net income: $2,392,409 | Profit sharing pool: $368,051
2020: Net income: $1,940,828 | Profit sharing pool: $243,047
2021: Net income: $216,557 | Profit sharing pool: $89,828
2022: Net income: -$1,109,745 | Profit sharing pool: $0
2023: Net income: -$743,936 | Profit sharing pool: $0
2024: Net Income: $156,244 | Profit sharing pool: $30,369
2025: Net income: $2,513,367 | Profit sharing pool: $377,005
When you look at this history, you see a clear story.
We had a number of strong growth years, followed by a sharp decline in 2021. In 2022 and 2023 we were not profitable and did not issue any profit sharing. We started reconstruction in 2024, but at a modest pace.
2025 represents something different. It is our second largest profit share to date and a meaningful milestone after two challenging years. It reflects the work our team has done to stabilize, refocus and re-establish a strong foundation for the future.
How our profit sharing formula works
We distribute 15 percent of our annual net profits using a formula designed to balance fairness, transparency and impact.
Here’s how it works:
40 percent divided equally
Each teammate receives the same amount from this portion, regardless of position or tenure.
40 percent based on salary
Each teammate receives a share proportional to his or her salary as a percentage of the company’s total payroll. This reflects our broader compensation philosophy and our investment in building a thoughtful, transparent payroll system.
20 percent based on tenure
This part is based on how long each person has worked at Buffer compared to the total number of months all teammates have worked.
For 2025 this has resulted in:
- Net profit: $2,513,367
- Profit sharing pool (15 percent): $377,005
- Team members: 75
- Average profit share: $5,095
Each part of the formula serves a clear purpose.
The equal distribution ensures that everyone shares in our success. The salary component reflects responsibility and scope. The tenure component recognizes long-term commitment and contribution.
We have learned over time that compensation systems only work when people understand and trust them. That’s why we prioritize simplicity and transparency. Our goal is to create a system that feels fair, consistent and aligned with our values.
Looking ahead
Completing our seventh profit participation has been a meaningful moment for me.
It reflects the dedication of our teammates, the strength of our culture and the belief that building a healthy company is a collective effort. It also reminds me that setbacks do not define us. How we respond to it is.
Profit sharing is not just a financial outcome. It is a reflection of trust, resilience and shared ownership in what we build together.
Over to you
If this message raises any questions for you about profit sharing or how we work at Buffer, please let me know. We’re always learning and we’re grateful to build this company with such a thoughtful community.
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