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Cision vs Libsyn

Cision logo

Cision

News

The complete PR and earned media platform

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Libsyn logo

Libsyn

Podcasting

The original podcast hosting platform since 2004

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Libsyn has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Cision no transparent pricing published for media monitoring and PR tools; Libsyn basic plan at $12 per month allows only 3 hours of audio upload per month
  • They diverge on capability: Cision covers Media monitoring, Libsyn covers Reliable hosting.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Cision and Libsyn actually diverge.

Attributes where Cision and Libsyn differ
AttributeCisionLibsyn
Starting priceOn requestFree
Free tierNoYes
CategoryNewsPodcasting
Founded18672004

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), 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 Cision

  • Media monitoring
  • PR Newswire distribution
  • Media database
  • Analytics & reporting
  • Influencer identification
  • Salesforce
  • Google Analytics
  • Slack

Only in Libsyn

  • Reliable hosting
  • Advanced analytics
  • Monetization platform
  • Distribution network
  • Custom website
  • Ad insertion
  • Apple Podcasts
  • Spotify

Both cover

  • Web support
  • Ios support
  • Android support

What people use each for

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

Cision

  • Press release distributionnot Libsyn
  • Media monitoringnot Libsyn
  • PR measurementnot Libsyn
  • Media outreachnot Libsyn
  • Crisis communicationsnot Libsyn

Libsyn

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

Where each one falls short

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

Cision

  • No transparent pricing published for media monitoring and PR tools

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

Cision

On request
  • Cision Communications CloudFree
    • Media monitoring
    • Media database
    • PR analytics
  • EnterpriseFree
    • Full platform access
    • PR Newswire distribution
    • Custom integrations

Libsyn

Free
  • Starter Plan$8/month
    • Basic plan for bare essentials
  • Basic$12/month
    • 3 hours audio uploads/month
    • Video uploads up to 100GB/month (~50 hours)
    • Basic IAB verified analytics
  • Advanced$25/month
    • 10 hours audio uploads/month
    • Video uploads up to 100GB/month (~50 hours)
    • Advanced IAB verified analytics
  • Max$150/month
    • 55 hours audio uploads/month
    • Video uploads up to 100GB/month (~50 hours)
    • Optimized for high-volume

Which should you pick?

Choose Cision if

  • You need media monitoring.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want pr newswire distribution.
Cision review

Choose Libsyn if

  • You need reliable hosting.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want advanced analytics.
Libsyn review

Questions people ask

Is Cision or Libsyn better?
Neither clearly leads. Cision starts at On request and Libsyn at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Cision or Libsyn?
Libsyn has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Cision and Free for Libsyn.
Does Cision 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 Libsyn for free?
Yes. Libsyn has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Cision starts at On request.
What is Cision best used for?
Cision is most often used for press release distribution, media monitoring, pr measurement, media outreach. Of those, press release distribution and media monitoring are not what Libsyn is typically brought in for.
What can Cision do that Libsyn cannot?
Cision covers Media monitoring, PR Newswire distribution, Media database, Analytics & reporting. Libsyn covers Reliable hosting, Advanced analytics, Monetization platform, Distribution network. Both handle Web support, Ios support, Android support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Cision: How much does Cision cost?

Cision does not publish standard pricing on its website. The company offers media monitoring, journalist outreach, and social listening tools through CisionOne platform with pricing based on media monitoring scope, number of keywords, and service level. Contact sales for quotes.

Source
Libsyn: How much does Libsyn cost?

Libsyn pricing starts at $8/month for basic use, $12/month for Basic plan, $25/month for Advanced (most popular), and $150/month for Max. Professional and Enterprise plans are available upon request.

Source
Cision: What services does Cision offer?

Cision offers media monitoring, instant insights and reporting, journalist outreach, social listening and management, professional services, and CisionOne AI. All services are part of the CisionOne unified platform.

Source
Libsyn: Does Libsyn offer a free trial?

Yes, Libsyn offers a 30-day free trial for every plan with no promo code required. You can cancel anytime.

Source
Libsyn: What is the difference between audio and video uploads?

Basic plan includes 3 hours of audio uploads per month, Advanced includes 10 hours, and Max includes 55 hours. All plans allow up to 100GB/month video uploads (~50 hours).

Source
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