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Podcasting · head to head

Chartable vs Podbean

Chartable logo

Chartable

Podcasting

Podcast analytics and attribution platform

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: Chartable shut down on 12 December 2024. Spotify, which acquired Chartable in February 2022, announced the closure on 27 September 2024 and folded parts of it into Spotify for Podcasters; 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: Chartable covers Download analytics, Podbean covers Unlimited hosting.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Chartable and Podbean actually diverge.

Attributes where Chartable and Podbean differ
AttributeChartablePodbean
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
PlatformsWebWeb, Ios, Android
Founded20172006

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 Chartable

  • Download analytics
  • Chart rankings
  • SmartLinks tracking
  • Attribution
  • SmartPromos
  • Cross-promotion analytics
  • All podcast platforms
  • Advertising networks

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.

Chartable

  • Podcast analyticsnot Podbean
  • Marketing attributionnot Podbean
  • Chart trackingnot Podbean
  • Growth measurementnot Podbean

Podbean

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

Where each one falls short

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

Chartable

  • Shut down on 12 December 2024. Spotify, which acquired Chartable in February 2022, announced the closure on 27 September 2024 and folded parts of it into Spotify for Podcasters
  • The tracking prefixes no longer function, and shows still carrying one need it removed
  • chartable.com now redirects to Spotify's Megaphone site

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

Chartable

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Chart tracking
    • Basic analytics
    • 1 podcast
  • Indie$20/month
    • Advanced analytics
    • SmartLinks
    • Attribution
  • Team$100/month
    • Multiple podcasts
    • SmartPromos
    • Team access
  • Enterprise$undefined/month
    • Unlimited podcasts
    • Custom integrations
    • 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 Chartable if

  • You need download analytics.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want chart rankings.
Chartable 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 Chartable or Podbean better?
Neither clearly leads. Chartable 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, Chartable or Podbean?
Chartable starts at Free and Podbean at Free.
Does Chartable or Podbean run on more platforms?
Chartable runs on Web. Podbean runs on Web, Ios, Android.
Can I use Chartable for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Chartable best used for?
Chartable is most often used for podcast analytics, marketing attribution, chart tracking, growth measurement. Of those, podcast analytics and marketing attribution are not what Podbean is typically brought in for.
What can Chartable do that Podbean cannot?
Chartable covers Download analytics, Chart rankings, SmartLinks tracking, Attribution. Podbean covers Unlimited hosting, Built-in monetization, Live streaming, Video podcasting. Both handle Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Chartable: How much does Megaphone (formerly Chartable) Professional plan cost?

The Professional plan is $99 per month and includes hosting, distribution, campaign management, analytics, monetization tools via Spotify Audience Network, and live chat support Monday through Friday 4am-9pm ET.

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
Chartable: What does the Enterprise plan cost?

Enterprise plan pricing is custom and requires contacting the company. It includes all Professional features plus API access, Metrics Export Service, and comprehensive monetization tools that scale with publisher growth.

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
Chartable: Are there any trial periods or free options?

No trial period or free tier is mentioned on the Megaphone pricing page. Customers interested in Enterprise plans should contact the company for quotes and additional information.

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
Chartable: Does the Professional plan include unlimited users?

Yes, the Professional plan includes unlimited users with role-based permissions for managing team access and responsibilities.

Source
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