Buzzsprout vs Podbean
Buzzsprout and Podbean are both podcast & audio tools. Buzzsprout is aimed at creators, while Podbean is aimed at creators and small businesses. Podbean costs less, from $17/mo versus $18/mo for Buzzsprout. Both have a free plan.
Easiest podcast hosting for beginners
Podcast hosting with ads, fan support and private business podcasts
| Pricing | Freemium · $18 | Freemium · $17 |
| Starting price | $18/mo | $17/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | 14 days |
| Built for | Creators | Creators, Small businesses, Enterprise |
| Platforms | web | web, ios, android |
| Country | US · 2009 | US · 2006 |
| Rating | — | — |
Choose Buzzsprout if
Beginners and small podcasters.
- Very beginner-friendly
- Helpful tutorials and support
- Good add-ons
Look elsewhere if: Companies running many shows (Transistor).
Choose Podbean if
Independent podcasters and small networks that want hosting, distribution and several monetization paths in one plan.
- Many monetization options under one hosting fee
- Unlimited storage removes worry about back catalog size
- Free plan lets you test publishing before paying
Look elsewhere if: Brands that want the cleanest analytics and multi-show management or free Spotify-native hosting (Transistor, Captivate, Spotify for Creators).
Buzzsprout vs Podbean pricing
Buzzsprout
- Free$02 hrs uploads/mo, episodes hosted 90 days
- Audio$18/mo6 hrs/mo; $15/mo billed annually (72 hrs/yr)
- Audio + Video$30/moVideo to Apple, Spotify, YouTube; $25/mo billed annually
- Multi-Podcast$36/mo15 hrs/mo shared, up to 5-10 shows; $30/mo annually
- Archive$5/moKeeps podcast live, no new uploads
Podbean
- Basic$05 hours total storage, 100 GB bandwidth per month
- Unlimited Audio$17/mo$12/mo billed annually; 1 audio show, 1 GB uploads/mo
- Unlimited Plus$39/mo$29/mo billed annually; 2 shows incl. video, 10 GB/mo
- Network$99/mo$79/mo billed annually; unlimited shows, 50 team members
- Business$129/mo$99/mo billed annually; unlimited private podcasts
Buzzsprout · Key features
- Easy upload and directory distribution
- Magic Mastering audio enhancement
- Transcripts and chapter markers
- Cohost AI show notes and titles
- Dynamic content and ads
- Podcast website
Cons
- Free plan deletes episodes after 90 days
- Upload-hour pricing
- Add-ons cost extra
Podbean · Key features
- Unlimited storage and unmetered bandwidth on most paid plans
- Distribution to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music and more
- PodAds dynamic ad insertion and a sponsorship ads marketplace
- Patron fan support, premium episodes and Apple Podcasts Subscriptions
- AI audio cleanup, transcripts, show notes and chapter markers
- Mobile app for recording, remote guests and live streaming
Cons
- Dashboard and editor feel dated next to newer hosts
- Monthly upload caps still limit long or frequent episodes
- Free plan's 5 hours of total storage fill quickly
Buzzsprout vs Podbean: FAQ
Which is cheaper, Buzzsprout or Podbean?
Podbean starts at $17/mo and Buzzsprout at $18/mo. Both prices are checked on the vendors' own pricing pages.
Do Buzzsprout and Podbean have a free plan?
Yes, both Buzzsprout and Podbean have a free plan; paid plans add more usage and features.
Which is better for small businesses, Buzzsprout or Podbean?
Podbean lists small businesses as a core audience, while Buzzsprout is aimed more at creators.