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Podcasting · head to head

Auphonic vs Podbean

Auphonic logo

Auphonic

Podcasting

Automated audio mastering and loudness processing

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Podbean logo

Podbean

Podcasting

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

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Auphonic the free tier covers 2 hours of processed audio a month; 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: Auphonic covers Automatic loudness optimization, Podbean covers Unlimited hosting.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Auphonic and Podbean actually diverge.

Attributes where Auphonic and Podbean differ
AttributeAuphonicPodbean
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
PlatformsWebWeb, Ios, Android
Founded20102006

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

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 Auphonic

  • Automatic loudness optimization
  • Noise reduction
  • Audio restoration
  • Intelligent processing
  • API integration
  • Auto-upload
  • Podcast hosts
  • Dropbox

Only in Podbean

  • Unlimited hosting
  • Built-in monetization
  • Live streaming
  • Video podcasting
  • Podcast app
  • Premium content
  • Apple Podcasts
  • Spotify

Both cover

  • Web support

What people use each for

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

Auphonic

  • Automatic loudness levelling and noise reduction on podcast audionot Podbean
  • Batch processing an archive of recordingsnot Podbean
  • Generating transcripts and chapters from an episodenot Podbean
  • Producing consistent output across multiple formats from one uploadnot Podbean

Podbean

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

Where each one falls short

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

Auphonic

  • The free tier covers 2 hours of processed audio a month
  • Billing is by audio duration with a 3 minute minimum per production, so many short clips cost more than the running time suggests
  • Multilingual speech recognition, automatic chapters and show notes all require a paid plan
  • Watch folders, batch productions and team accounts are paid features
  • Free output carries an Auphonic jingle

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

Auphonic

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 2 hours/month processing
    • Basic mastering
    • Download files
  • Personal$10/month
    • 50 hours/month
    • Advanced mastering
    • API access

Podbean

Free
  • Unlimited Audio$17/month
    • 1 podcast
    • 1GB uploads/month
    • Unlimited storage
  • Unlimited Plus$39/month
    • 2 podcasts
    • 10GB uploads/month
    • 3TB monthly bandwidth
  • Network$99/month
    • Unlimited podcasts
    • 40GB uploads/month
    • Up to 50 team members
  • Business$129/month
    • Unlimited private podcasts
    • 2 public podcasts
    • 40GB uploads/month

Which should you pick?

Choose Auphonic if

  • You need automatic loudness optimization.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want noise reduction.
Auphonic 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 Auphonic or Podbean better?
Neither clearly leads. Auphonic 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, Auphonic or Podbean?
Auphonic starts at Free and Podbean at Free.
Does Auphonic or Podbean run on more platforms?
Auphonic runs on Web. Podbean runs on Web, Ios, Android.
Can I use Auphonic for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Auphonic best used for?
Auphonic is most often used for automatic loudness levelling and noise reduction on podcast audio, batch processing an archive of recordings, generating transcripts and chapters from an episode, producing consistent output across multiple formats from one upload. Of those, automatic loudness levelling and noise reduction on podcast audio and batch processing an archive of recordings are not what Podbean is typically brought in for.
What can Auphonic do that Podbean cannot?
Auphonic covers Automatic loudness optimization, Noise reduction, Audio restoration, Intelligent processing. Podbean covers Unlimited hosting, Built-in monetization, Live streaming, Video podcasting. Both handle Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Auphonic: Is Auphonic free or does it require payment?

Auphonic offers a free plan with 2 hours of audio processing per month. Premium plans require monthly subscription credits for additional processing hours, or one-time credit purchases that never expire.

Source
Podbean: How much does Podbean cost?

Podbean offers plans starting at $17/month for Unlimited Audio, $39/month for Unlimited Plus, $99/month for Network, and $129/month for Business. Annual billing is available at approximately 20-29% discounts.

Source
Auphonic: What does Auphonic's free plan include and what are its limits?

The free plan includes 2 hours of audio processing per month, all basic audio algorithms (leveler, noise reduction, filtering), automatic shownotes, and filler/silence cutting. The Auphonic jingle is included in free productions.

Source
Podbean: Does Podbean have a free version?

Yes, Podbean offers a free account. However, the website notes that paid plans cannot be downgraded back to the free plan once you upgrade.

Source
Auphonic: How does Auphonic charge for audio processing beyond the free tier?

Auphonic offers monthly subscription tiers (S through XXL) based on hours needed and one-time credit purchases (5-3000+ hours). Billing is based on audio file duration; minimum 3 minutes per production. Custom subscriptions available for over 1000 hours/month.

Source
Podbean: What are the monthly upload limits on Podbean plans?

Unlimited Audio allows 1GB uploads/month, Unlimited Plus allows 10GB uploads/month, and both Network and Business plans allow 40GB uploads/month.

Source
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