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Anchor vs Podbean

Anchor logo

Anchor

Software

Free podcast hosting and creation platform by Spotify

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Podbean logo

Podbean

Software

All-in-one podcast hosting with built-in monetization

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; Podbean upload allowance is monthly rather than cumulative, at 1 GB on the entry plan, so a heavy recording month is capped even with unlimited total storage
  • They diverge on capability: Anchor covers Unlimited podcast hosting, Podbean covers Unlimited hosting.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Anchor and Podbean actually diverge.

Attributes where Anchor and Podbean differ
AttributeAnchorPodbean
Pricing modelfreefreemium
Founded20152006

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), platforms (Web, Ios, Android), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

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
  • Spotify authentication

Only in Podbean

  • Unlimited hosting
  • Built-in monetization
  • Live streaming
  • Video podcasting
  • Podcast app
  • Premium content
  • Payment processors
  • SSL encryption

Both cover

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

Podbean

  • Hosting and distributing a podcast with an RSS feed and playernot Anchor
  • Running multiple shows or a private internal podcastnot 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

Podbean

  • Upload allowance is monthly rather than cumulative, at 1 GB on the entry plan, so a heavy recording month is capped even with unlimited total storage
  • The Network plan at $99 a month meters bandwidth at 3 TB while cheaper plans are unmetered, so the middle tier is the only one with a bandwidth ceiling
  • Advanced analytics are excluded from every plan below Business
  • Private podcasting and live chat support are Business only
  • Team members are capped at 50 on Network despite being described as unlimited

Pricing, plan by plan

Anchor

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

Podbean

Free
  • BasicFree
    • 5 hours total storage
    • 100 GB bandwidth
    • Basic analytics
  • Unlimited Audio$9/month
    • Unlimited storage
    • Unlimited bandwidth
    • Advanced analytics
  • Unlimited Plus$29/month
    • All audio features
    • Video podcasting
    • Live streaming
  • Business$99/month
    • All features
    • Team management
    • Enterprise security

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 Podbean if

  • You need unlimited hosting.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want built-in monetization.
Podbean review

Questions people ask

Is Anchor or Podbean better?
Neither clearly leads. Anchor starts at Free and Podbean at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Anchor or Podbean?
Anchor starts at Free and Podbean at Free.
Does Anchor or Podbean 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?
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 Podbean is typically brought in for.
What can Anchor do that Podbean cannot?
Anchor covers Unlimited podcast hosting, One-click distribution, Built-in recording, Episode scheduling. Podbean covers Unlimited hosting, Built-in monetization, Live streaming, Video podcasting. Both handle Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Social media.
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