Softwr

Video & Audio Production · head to head

Anchor vs Libsyn

Anchor logo

Anchor

Video & Audio Production

Free podcast hosting and creation platform by Spotify

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Libsyn logo

Libsyn

Podcast & Audio Publishing

The original podcast hosting platform since 2004

From
$5/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Anchor has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • 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; Libsyn basic plan at $12 per month allows only 3 hours of audio upload per month
  • They diverge on capability: Anchor covers Unlimited podcast hosting, Libsyn covers Reliable hosting.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Anchor and Libsyn actually diverge.

Attributes where Anchor and Libsyn differ
AttributeAnchorLibsyn
Starting priceFree$5/month
Pricing modelfreesubscription
Free tierYesNo
CategoryVideo & Audio ProductionPodcast & Audio Publishing
Founded20152004

Identical on both: platforms (Web, Ios, Android), 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
  • Google Podcasts
  • Social media

Only in Libsyn

  • Reliable hosting
  • Advanced analytics
  • Monetization platform
  • Distribution network
  • Custom website
  • Ad insertion
  • iHeart
  • Advertising networks

Both cover

  • Spotify
  • Apple Podcasts
  • Amazon Music
  • Content protection
  • 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 Libsyn
  • Recording and basic editing from a phonenot Libsyn
  • Distributing an episode to Spotify and other directoriesnot Libsyn
  • Audience analytics for a shownot Libsyn

Libsyn

  • Hosting podcast audio and distributing it to Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTubenot Anchor
  • Measuring audience with IAB certified download statisticsnot Anchor
  • Monetising shows through advertising on enterprise plansnot 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

Libsyn

  • Basic plan at $12 per month allows only 3 hours of audio upload per month
  • Advanced IAB verified stats require the $25 per month Advanced plan; Basic gets basic stats only
  • Spotify video distribution requires the Advanced or Max plan
  • Dynamic ad insertion sits on Professional and Enterprise plans that are quoted by sales with no published rate
  • The top published tier, Max at $150 per month, still caps audio uploads at 55 hours per month

Pricing, plan by plan

Anchor

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

Libsyn

$5/month
  • Classic 50$5/month
    • 50 MB monthly storage
    • Basic statistics
    • Podcast page
  • Classic 150$15/month
    • 150 MB monthly storage
    • Advanced statistics
    • Custom website
  • Advanced 400$20/month
    • 400 MB monthly storage
    • Premium analytics
    • Multiple shows
  • Advanced 800$40/month
    • 800 MB monthly storage
    • Full analytics suite
    • Priority support

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 Libsyn if

  • You need reliable hosting.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want advanced analytics.
Libsyn review

Questions people ask

Is Anchor or Libsyn better?
Neither clearly leads. Anchor starts at Free and Libsyn at $5/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Anchor or Libsyn?
Anchor has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Anchor and $5/month for Libsyn.
Does Anchor or Libsyn run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, Ios, Android, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use Anchor for free?
Yes. Anchor has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Libsyn starts at $5/month.
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 Libsyn is typically brought in for.
What can Anchor do that Libsyn cannot?
Anchor covers Unlimited podcast hosting, One-click distribution, Built-in recording, Episode scheduling. Libsyn covers Reliable hosting, Advanced analytics, Monetization platform, Distribution network. Both handle Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Content protection.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on Anchor

More on Libsyn

Keep looking

Other head to heads