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Video Production · head to head

Anchor vs Buzzsprout

Anchor logo

Anchor

Video Production

Free podcast hosting and creation platform by Spotify

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Buzzsprout logo

Buzzsprout

Podcasting

Simple and powerful podcast hosting made easy

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Anchor no longer a standalone product. Spotify folded Anchor into its own podcaster tooling, and anchor.fm now redirects to creators.spotify.com; Buzzsprout upload hours do not roll over monthly; overage fees apply at hourly rates
  • They diverge on capability: Anchor covers Unlimited podcast hosting, Buzzsprout covers Audio optimization.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Anchor and Buzzsprout actually diverge.

Attributes where Anchor and Buzzsprout differ
AttributeAnchorBuzzsprout
Pricing modelfreesubscription
PlatformsWeb, Ios, AndroidWeb, Mobile
CategoryVideo ProductionPodcasting
Founded20152009

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Anchor

  • Unlimited podcast hosting
  • One-click distribution
  • Built-in recording
  • Episode scheduling
  • Monetization tools
  • Analytics
  • Amazon Music
  • Spotify authentication

Only in Buzzsprout

  • Audio optimization
  • Automatic distribution
  • Episode transcription
  • Custom podcast website
  • Analytics dashboard
  • Magic Mastering
  • WordPress
  • SSL encryption

Both cover

  • Spotify
  • Apple Podcasts
  • Google Podcasts
  • Social media
  • Privacy controls
  • Web support
  • Ios support
  • Android support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Anchor

  • Free podcast hosting and distributionnot Buzzsprout
  • Recording and basic editing from a phonenot Buzzsprout
  • Distributing an episode to Spotify and other directoriesnot Buzzsprout
  • Audience analytics for a shownot Buzzsprout

Buzzsprout

  • Podcast hostingnot Anchor
  • Audio and video podcast distributionnot Anchor
  • Transcription and show notes generationnot Anchor
  • Podcast analytics and monetisationnot Anchor

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Anchor

  • No longer a standalone product. Spotify folded Anchor into its own podcaster tooling, and anchor.fm now redirects to creators.spotify.com
  • Tying hosting to Spotify's platform means the analytics and monetisation follow Spotify's terms rather than a neutral host's

Buzzsprout

  • Upload hours do not roll over monthly; overage fees apply at hourly rates
  • Free tier limited to 2 hours monthly uploads
  • Video features only on paid tiers, minimum $25/month

Pricing, plan by plan

Anchor

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Unlimited hosting
    • Automatic distribution
    • Built-in recording tools

Buzzsprout

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 2 hours monthly uploads
    • 90-day episode hosting
    • No video distribution
  • Audio Podcast$15/month
    • 72 hours annual uploads
    • Unlimited episodes
    • Single podcast
  • Audio + Video$25/month
    • 72 hours annual uploads
    • Video publishing to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube
    • 1080p video quality
  • Multi-Podcast$30/month
    • 180 hours annual uploads
    • 5-10 podcasts
    • Audio, video, or mixed media

Which should you pick?

Choose Anchor if

  • You need unlimited podcast hosting.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want one-click distribution.
Anchor review

Choose Buzzsprout if

  • You need audio optimization.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Mobile.
  • You also want automatic distribution.
Buzzsprout review

Questions people ask

Is Anchor or Buzzsprout better?
Neither clearly leads. Anchor starts at Free and Buzzsprout at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Anchor or Buzzsprout?
Anchor starts at Free and Buzzsprout at Free.
Does Anchor or Buzzsprout run on more platforms?
Anchor runs on Web, Ios, Android. Buzzsprout runs on Web, Mobile.
Can I use Anchor for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Anchor best used for?
Anchor is most often used for free podcast hosting and distribution, recording and basic editing from a phone, distributing an episode to spotify and other directories, audience analytics for a show. Of those, free podcast hosting and distribution and recording and basic editing from a phone are not what Buzzsprout is typically brought in for.
What can Anchor do that Buzzsprout cannot?
Anchor covers Unlimited podcast hosting, One-click distribution, Built-in recording, Episode scheduling. Buzzsprout covers Audio optimization, Automatic distribution, Episode transcription, Custom podcast website. Both handle Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Social media.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Anchor: Does Spotify for Creators charge a fee for podcasters?

No pricing information is published on the main Spotify for Creators page. The site focuses on features like growth tools, monetization, and customization.

Source
Buzzsprout: Does Buzzsprout offer a free tier?

Yes, Buzzsprout's free plan includes 2 hours of monthly uploads with 90-day episode hosting. Video distribution and advanced features require a paid subscription starting at $15/month.

Source
Anchor: How do I find pricing for Spotify for Creators?

Pricing details would need to be found in the sign-up flow, help center, or by contacting Spotify support directly.

Source
Buzzsprout: What happens if I exceed my monthly upload limit?

Upload hours do not roll over each month. If you exceed your plan's upload allocation, overage fees apply at hourly rates.

Source
Anchor: What monetization features does Spotify for Creators include?

The site mentions monetization as a feature but does not specify details, rates, or minimum thresholds for creators to earn revenue.

Source
Buzzsprout: How many podcasts can I host on different plans?

The Free and Audio Podcast plans support a single podcast. The Multi-Podcast plan at $30/month supports 5-10 podcasts depending on configuration.

Source
Buzzsprout: Is video publishing included on all paid plans?

No. Video publishing to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube (1080p) requires the Audio + Video plan at $25/month or higher.

Source
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