Podcast & Audio Publishing · head to head
Libsyn vs Megaphone
Libsyn
Podcast & Audio Publishing
The original podcast hosting platform since 2004
- From
- $5/month
- Rated
- -
Megaphone
Podcast & Audio Publishing
Enterprise podcast hosting and monetization
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Libsyn basic plan at $12 per month allows only 3 hours of audio upload per month; Megaphone there is no free tier; the entry Professional plan starts at $99 per month
- They diverge on capability: Libsyn covers Reliable hosting, Megaphone covers Enterprise hosting.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Libsyn and Megaphone actually diverge.
Identical on both: free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Podcast & Audio Publishing).
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 Libsyn
- Reliable hosting
- Monetization platform
- Distribution network
- Custom website
- Ad insertion
- Apple Podcasts
- Amazon Music
- iHeart
Only in Megaphone
- Enterprise hosting
- Dynamic ad insertion
- Targeted advertising
- Network management
- API access
- CMS systems
- Analytics platforms
- Enterprise security
Both cover
- Advanced analytics
- Spotify
- Advertising networks
- Web support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Libsyn
- Hosting podcast audio and distributing it to Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTubenot Megaphone
- Measuring audience with IAB certified download statisticsnot Megaphone
- Monetising shows through advertising on enterprise plansnot Megaphone
Megaphone
- Enterprise podcast hosting and distribution for publishers and networksnot Libsyn
- Dynamic ad insertion and campaign management across a back cataloguenot Libsyn
- Podcast measurement and reporting for large teamsnot Libsyn
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
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
Megaphone
- There is no free tier; the entry Professional plan starts at $99 per month
- The Enterprise plan is custom priced and requires requesting a quote
- Access to the Megaphone API and the Metrics Export Service is Enterprise only
- Live chat support on the Professional plan is limited to 4am to 9pm Monday to Friday Eastern Time
- Monetisation runs through the Spotify Audience Network rather than an open marketplace
Pricing, plan by plan
Libsyn
$5/month- Classic 50$5/month
- 50 MB monthly storage
- Basic statistics
- Podcast page
- Classic 150$15/month
- 150 MB monthly storage
- Advanced statistics
- Custom website
- Advanced 400$20/month
- 400 MB monthly storage
- Premium analytics
- Multiple shows
- Advanced 800$40/month
- 800 MB monthly storage
- Full analytics suite
- Priority support
Megaphone
On request- Enterprise$undefined/month
- Unlimited hosting
- Dynamic ad insertion
- Advanced analytics
Which should you pick?
Choose Libsyn if
- You need reliable hosting.
- You work on Web, Ios, Android.
- You also want monetization platform.
Questions people ask
- Is Libsyn or Megaphone better?
- Neither clearly leads. Libsyn starts at $5/month and Megaphone at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Libsyn or Megaphone?
- Libsyn starts at $5/month and Megaphone at On request.
- Does Libsyn or Megaphone run on more platforms?
- Libsyn runs on Web, Ios, Android. Megaphone runs on Web.
- What is Libsyn best used for?
- Libsyn is most often used for hosting podcast audio and distributing it to apple podcasts, spotify and youtube, measuring audience with iab certified download statistics, monetising shows through advertising on enterprise plans. Of those, hosting podcast audio and distributing it to apple podcasts, spotify and youtube and measuring audience with iab certified download statistics are not what Megaphone is typically brought in for.
- What can Libsyn do that Megaphone cannot?
- Libsyn covers Reliable hosting, Monetization platform, Distribution network, Custom website. Megaphone covers Enterprise hosting, Dynamic ad insertion, Targeted advertising, Network management. Both handle Advanced analytics, Spotify, Advertising networks, Web support.