Which is the better podcast hosting platform: Buzzsprout vs Podbean? This is a question that has been asked by many podcasters over the years, and there is no easy answer. Both platforms have their pros and cons, which will be explored in this article.
It is essential to evaluate each platform’s features and capabilities, understand your own needs and wants, and make the best decision for you. But first, let’s dive into what each platform has to offer. So that you can make an informed decision.
Related: Best Podcast Hosting Platforms
Contents
Buzzsprout
If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to publish your episodes, Buzzsprout is the perfect provider for you. With the ability to publish immediately or schedule for a specific date, you can be sure that your episodes will go live when you want them to. In addition, Buzzsprout offers advanced podcast statistics so you can track your progress and see how your podcast is performing.
And with support for multiple video podcasts and customization options, you can create a unique experience for your listeners. Plus, the intuitive user interface makes it easy for even novice users to navigate. You can also get your podcast listed on top directories like Apple Podcast, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, and more.
Key Features
- Publish immediately or schedule
- Intuitive user interface
- Get listed on top podcast directories
- Free trial
Pricing
Podcast Rocket offer a $20 credit when you sing up to a paid plan. There are three plans to choose from, including:
- First Plan: Starting from $12/month for 2 hours of audio per month.
- Second Plan: Starting from $18/month for 6 hours of audio per month.
- Third Plan: Starting from $24/month for 12 hours of audio per month.
Pros
- Easy and fast episode publishing
- Advanced podcast statistics
- Support for multiple podcasts
- Customization options
Cons
- No native monetization features
Podbean
With Podbean, you can get detailed statistics on how your podcast is performing, as well as embedded social sharing tools to help promote your episodes. Plus, there are excellent monetization tools if you want to start generating revenue from your show. And best of all, Podbean offers free podcast websites with cutting-edge and mobile-responsive templates.
In addition with the Podbean mobile app, you can publish and create your podcast from anywhere. If you want to expand your podcast with live audio shows, Podbean also offers live streaming capabilities. And with the ability to schedule and publish podcast episodes from your phone, it’s easy to keep your show running smoothly.
The audio player is also customizable, allowing you to match the look and feel of your website or blog. It’s also worth noting that Podbean doesn’t put any limits on your podcast episodes, so you can make them as long or short as you like.
Key Features
- Detailed Analytics
- Embedded Social Sharing Tools
- Monetization Options
- Customizable Audio Player
- Ability to Stream Live Audio Shows
- No limits on podcast episode lengths.
Pricing
The biggest advantage of Podbean is that it offers free and several paid plans. The free version gives you basic podcast hosting and statistics, while the higher-priced plans give you more tools and services like customized audio players, unlimited storage space, embedded social media links, and the ability to monetize your show.
- Unlimited Audio: This plan costs $9/month and provides users with unlimited audio storage.
- Unlimited Plus: This plan costs $29/month and offers users additional features, including a customizable audio player, detailed statistics, embedded social media links, advanced analytics, and the ability to monetize their podcast.
- Network: This is the most expensive plan at $79/month and provides users with all the features of the Unlimited Plus plan, as well as tools to create a branded podcast network.
Pros
- Android and iOS Podbean podcast App
- Detailed analytics
- Flexible audio player customization
- Unlimited podcast episodes
Cons
- The complicated setup process for new users
This great debate between Buzzsprout and Podbean is far from over. Now that you have the overview of the key features and pricing plans, it’s up to you to decide which platform is better suited for your podcasting needs.
What Are The Key Differences Between Buzzsprout And Podbean?
Now that you’re familiar with the key features and pricing plans of Buzzsprout and Podbean, you may be wondering what makes them different. While both platforms offer podcast hosting services, they have various differences that could make one more suited to your needs than the other. This section will discuss the major differences between Buzzsprout and Podbean.
1. Pricing
The most obvious difference between Buzzsprout and Podbean is their pricing plans. Buzzsprout has three different plans to choose from, starting from $12/month for 2 hours of audio per month up to $24/month for 12 hours of audio per month. On the other hand, Podbean offers a free plan as well as three paid plans: Unlimited Audio, Unlimited Plus, and Network. The Unlimited Audio plan costs $9/month while the Unlimited Plus costs $29/month and the Network plan is $79/month.
But it’s important to note that Podbean has more features than Buzzsprout, including detailed analytics, customizable audio players, and the ability to monetize your podcast. The pricing plans of Buzzsprout and Podbean have been designed to meet the needs of podcasters at different levels, so you’ll need to decide which one is right for you.
Related: Anchor FM vs Podbean
2. Interface
Another key difference between Buzzsprout and Podbean is the user interface. Buzzsprout has a more straightforward dashboard that makes it easy to upload, edit, and publish podcast episodes. It also provides users with detailed analytics so they can track their progress over time.
On the other hand, Podbean’s dashboard is more complex and takes a bit of time to get used to. Once you get the hang of it, though, you can use the various features and tools available to manage your podcast in one place. Podbean’s interface can be confusing and overwhelming for new users.
Related: Anchor vs. Buzzsprout
3. Monetization
When it comes to monetization, Buzzsprout and Podbean both have options available. With Buzzsprout, you can set up donation campaigns and receive donations directly on your podcast’s episode pages. You can also join the Buzzsprout Affiliate Program, which allows you to earn a commission for every new customer that signs up through your link. Podbean also allows you to set up donation campaigns and join their affiliate program.
However, they also offer more options for monetization, such as sponsored content, CPM advertising, and even offering Premium subscriptions for your podcast listeners. So if you’re looking for ways to make money from your podcast, both Buzzsprout and Podbean have you covered.
Related: Pinecast vs. Podbean
4. Podcast Analytics
The next key difference between Buzzsprout and Podbean is their podcast analytics. Buzzsprout’s analytics are more basic, providing you with data like video recordings on total downloads, episode-level stats, and listener location.
Podbean offers a much more comprehensive suite of analytics features, including detailed reports on downloads by region, device type, and more. It also offers basic marketing analytics, referral tracking, and listener segmentation features. This makes it a great choice for those who want to track their podcast performance in greater detail.
Related: Simplecast vs Buzzsprout
5. App
When it comes to mobile apps, Podbean has the edge. It has both iOS and Android apps that allow you to manage your podcast from your phone or tablet. Buzzsprout does not have a mobile app at this time, although it does have an optimized mobile website. This means you can access certain features of the platform on your mobile device, but it’s not as comprehensive as the Podbean app.
Related: Buzzsprout vs. Libsyn
6. Podcast distribution
Both Podbean and Buzzsprout offer podcast distribution to popular listening platforms such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, and more. However, Buzzsprout takes things a step further by including its own directory that allows listeners to discover new podcasts easily. Additionally, Buzzsprout gives you the ability to automatically submit your podcast to streaming services like Pandora and Amazon Music.
Podbean also has a directory, but it is not as comprehensive. Additionally, Podbean does not offer an automatic submission process for its podcasts on streaming services such as Pandora and Amazon Music. You will need to manually submit your podcast for those platforms in order for them to be available.
7. Bandwidth and Storage
When it comes to uploading audio files, bandwidth and storage are two important considerations. When comparing Podbean vs Buzzsprout, one of the main differences lies in the amount of storage offered. Podbean offers unlimited storage except for the basic free plan, while Buzzsprout offers up to 250 hours or 2GB of storage on the free plan. This should be more than enough for most users, but it’s something to take into account if you plan on hosting a lot of large audio files.
In terms of bandwidth, both platforms offer generous plans that make sure your podcast is always accessible. On Buzzsprout, the free plan offers up to 10 hours of bandwidth each month, while Podbean’s free plan gives you up to 100GB of monthly bandwidth. If you ever need extra storage or bandwidth, both platforms offer paid plans that come with higher limits.
8. Support
Finally, both podcast hosting platforms both offer support to their users. Buzzsprout has a help center with detailed tutorials and articles, as well as live chat and email support. Podbean also offers an extensive knowledge base with helpful tutorials and articles, as well as 24/7 customer service via phone, live chat, and email.
These are just some of the differences between Buzzsprout and Podbean. Both platforms offer a wide range of features and have their own unique advantages. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide which platform best suits your needs.
How User-Friendly Are The Two Platforms?
Well, both Buzzsprout and Podbean are easy to use. Each platform has its own user interface that is intuitive and easy to navigate. With Buzzsprout, you can easily create episodes and manage your podcast files with their drag-and-drop system.
You also have the option of creating an RSS feed for submitting your podcast to different directories. Podbean makes it simple to upload and edit audio files, add artwork, set up a podcast website, and create an RSS feed. Both platforms have helpful resources to help you get started quickly and easily.
Can You Produce Other Audio Content?
Yes, both Buzzsprout and Podbean support other audio content besides podcasts. On Buzzsprout, you can upload audiobooks or lectures to host on their platform. Podbean also allows you to podcast upload any audio file for hosting, including podcasts, audiobooks, lectures, and more.
Both Buzzsprout and Podbean have an integrated media player that allows you to embed audio files into any website easily. Additionally, they both provide you with a URL link to share your audio content directly with listeners.
Is Buzzsprout Free?
Buzzsprout offers a free trial for 90 days, but after that, you will need to choose a paid plan if you wish to continue using the platform. After your free trial period, you will have to choose one of the three paid plans, which starts at $12/month.
Is Buzzsprout The Best Podcast Host?
It’s hard to say which podcast host is the best, as it depends on your own individual needs. However, Buzzsprout certainly has a lot of features that make it stand out from other podcast hosts. It offers unlimited bandwidth, detailed analytics, and an easy-to-use interface that makes creating and managing podcasts a breeze. But for the final verdict, you’ll have to decide on your own what platform works best for you.
Which Is Better Podbean Or Buzzsprout?
Everything has been said about Buzzsprout vs. Podbean, but it ultimately comes down to personal preference and the needs of your podcast. Sometimes, the best way to decide is to try out each platform and see which one works better for your needs. And don’t forget that whichever platform you choose will always be a work in progress, so keep tweaking and adjusting as necessary to get it just right!
Are There Any Hidden Fees To Consider?
No, there are no hidden fees to consider when choosing between Buzzsprout and Podbean. Each platform offers transparency on their pricing plans, so you can easily compare the prices of each plan before deciding which one is best for your podcast.
How To Switch From Buzzsprout To Podbean Easily?
Switching from Buzzsprout to Podbean is not a difficult process. First, make sure that you’ve completed any necessary data backups of your old podcast in case you need it later. Once that’s done, create an account on Podbean and upload your audio files. After that, you can easily submit your podcast to streaming services such as Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Finally, create a new podcast RSS feed with Podbean and update the one associated with your old Buzzsprout account. This will ensure that all of your old subscribers automatically switch over to the new podcast platform.
How To Choose The Right Podcast Hosting Platform?
Choosing the right podcast hosting platform can be a difficult decision, as there are so many different options available. Before making your decision, there are a few key factors to consider.
1. Storage And Bandwidth Limits
This is one of the most important things to consider when choosing a podcast hosting platform. How much storage and bandwidth do you need? Do you plan on hosting a lot of large audio files? These are all questions that you should ask yourself before making your decision.
2. Ease-Of-Use
You want to make sure that the platform you choose is easy to use and navigate. Look for a platform that has user-friendly navigation options, helpful tutorials, and comprehensive support options if you ever need help.
3. Cost
It’s important to consider your budget when choosing a podcast hosting platform. Look for one that fits within your budget but also offers the features and capabilities you need. It’s also important to remember that sometimes you get what you pay for, so don’t be afraid to invest a bit more in order to get the best platform.
4. Analytics
Analytics are essential if you want to track your podcast’s performance and measure its success. Look for platforms that offer detailed analytics, as this will help you understand how your podcast is performing.
5. Support
Finally, make sure to look for a platform that offers comprehensive customer support. This way, you can easily get help if you ever need it.
Once you consider these five factors, you should be able to make an informed decision on the best podcast hosting platform for your needs.
The Bottom Line
There is almost nothing left to be said about Buzzsprout vs. Podbean. Both platforms are excellent choices for podcast hosting, and they each have their own unique strengths and weaknesses. Buzzsprout offers a simple user interface and plenty of features, while Podbean boasts an intuitive user interface.
In conclusion, it’s hard to say which platform is the better choice for podcast hosting. Both are excellent choices, and which one you pick will depend on your own preferences and needs. If you’re starting out with audio podcasting, both platforms offer free plans and free themes that give you access to essential features.
But if you’re looking for more advanced features, like analytics or custom domains, you might opt for a paid plan. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide which platform is the best fit for your podcasting needs.
