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ESPN+ vs Podbean

ESPN+ logo

ESPN+

Software

Stream live sports, original shows, and exclusive content

From
$10.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Podbean logo

Podbean

Software

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

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Podbean has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: ESPN+ the App Store listing states the ESPN app offers two paid tiers, ESPN Select which includes ESPN+ only, and ESPN Unlimited which includes all ESPN networks and services including ESPN+, without stating the price of either in the visible description.; 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: ESPN+ covers Live sports, Podbean covers Unlimited hosting.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which ESPN+ and Podbean actually diverge.

Attributes where ESPN+ and Podbean differ
AttributeESPN+Podbean
Starting price$10.99/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Roku, Fire-tvWeb, Ios, Android
Founded20182006

Identical on both: 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 ESPN+

  • Live sports
  • Original shows
  • Exclusive content
  • Replays
  • Analysis
  • Smart TVs
  • Streaming devices
  • Account security

Only in Podbean

  • Unlimited hosting
  • Built-in monetization
  • Live streaming
  • Video podcasting
  • Podcast app
  • Premium content
  • 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.

ESPN+

  • Sports streamingnot Podbean
  • Live event watchingnot Podbean

Podbean

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

Where each one falls short

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

ESPN+

  • The App Store listing states the ESPN app offers two paid tiers, ESPN Select which includes ESPN+ only, and ESPN Unlimited which includes all ESPN networks and services including ESPN+, without stating the price of either in the visible description.

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

ESPN+

$10.99/month
  • ESPN+$10.99/month
    • Live sports
    • Exclusive content
    • Original shows
  • Bundle$13.99/month
    • ESPN+
    • Disney+
    • Hulu

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 ESPN+ if

  • You need live sports.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Roku, Fire-tv.
  • You also want original shows.
ESPN+ 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 ESPN+ or Podbean better?
Neither clearly leads. ESPN+ starts at $10.99/month and Podbean at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, ESPN+ or Podbean?
Podbean has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $10.99/month for ESPN+ and Free for Podbean.
Does ESPN+ or Podbean run on more platforms?
ESPN+ runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Roku, Fire-tv. Podbean runs on Web, Ios, Android.
Can I use Podbean for free?
Yes. Podbean has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. ESPN+ starts at $10.99/month.
What is ESPN+ best used for?
ESPN+ is most often used for sports streaming, live event watching. Of those, sports streaming and live event watching are not what Podbean is typically brought in for.
What can ESPN+ do that Podbean cannot?
ESPN+ covers Live sports, Original shows, Exclusive content, Replays. Podbean covers Unlimited hosting, Built-in monetization, Live streaming, Video podcasting. Both handle Web support, Ios support, Android support.
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