Podcasting · head to head
Auphonic vs Buzzsprout
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Auphonic the free tier covers 2 hours of processed audio a month; Buzzsprout upload hours do not roll over monthly; overage fees apply at hourly rates
- They diverge on capability: Auphonic covers Automatic loudness optimization, Buzzsprout covers Audio optimization.
- Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Auphonic and Buzzsprout actually diverge.
| Attribute | Auphonic | Buzzsprout |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | freemium | subscription |
| Platforms | Web | Web, Mobile |
| Founded | 2010 | 2009 |
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 Buzzsprout
- Audio optimization
- Automatic distribution
- Episode transcription
- Custom podcast website
- Analytics dashboard
- Magic Mastering
- 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 Buzzsprout
- Batch processing an archive of recordingsnot Buzzsprout
- Generating transcripts and chapters from an episodenot Buzzsprout
- Producing consistent output across multiple formats from one uploadnot Buzzsprout
Buzzsprout
- Podcast hostingnot Auphonic
- Audio and video podcast distributionnot Auphonic
- Transcription and show notes generationnot Auphonic
- Podcast analytics and monetisationnot 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
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
Auphonic
Free- FreeFree
- 2 hours/month processing
- Basic mastering
- Download files
- Personal$10/month
- 50 hours/month
- Advanced mastering
- API access
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 Auphonic if
- You need automatic loudness optimization.
- You want to start without paying.
- You also want noise reduction.
Choose Buzzsprout if
- You need audio optimization.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Mobile.
- You also want automatic distribution.
Questions people ask
- Is Auphonic or Buzzsprout better?
- Neither clearly leads. Auphonic 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, Auphonic or Buzzsprout?
- Auphonic starts at Free and Buzzsprout at Free.
- Does Auphonic or Buzzsprout run on more platforms?
- Auphonic runs on Web. Buzzsprout runs on Web, Mobile.
- 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 Buzzsprout is typically brought in for.
- What can Auphonic do that Buzzsprout cannot?
- Auphonic covers Automatic loudness optimization, Noise reduction, Audio restoration, Intelligent processing. Buzzsprout covers Audio optimization, Automatic distribution, Episode transcription, Custom podcast website. 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.
SourceBuzzsprout: 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.
SourceAuphonic: 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.
SourceBuzzsprout: 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.
SourceAuphonic: 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.
SourceBuzzsprout: 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.
SourceBuzzsprout: 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.
SourceRelated pages
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