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Podcasting · head to head

Libsyn vs Muck Rack

Libsyn logo

Libsyn

Podcasting

The original podcast hosting platform since 2004

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Muck Rack logo

Muck Rack

News

The new standard in PR software

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Libsyn has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Libsyn basic plan at $12 per month allows only 3 hours of audio upload per month; Muck Rack no specific prices published; all pricing is based on customized proposals based on team size and user count
  • They diverge on capability: Libsyn covers Reliable hosting, Muck Rack covers Media database.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Libsyn and Muck Rack actually diverge.

Attributes where Libsyn and Muck Rack differ
AttributeLibsynMuck Rack
Starting priceFreeOn request
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Ios, AndroidWeb, Browser-extension
CategoryPodcastingNews
Founded20042009

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), 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 Libsyn

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

Only in Muck Rack

  • Media database
  • Journalist profiles
  • Media monitoring
  • Pitching platform
  • Coverage reporting
  • Slack
  • Salesforce
  • Google Analytics

Both cover

  • 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 Muck Rack
  • Measuring audience with IAB certified download statisticsnot Muck Rack
  • Monetising shows through advertising on enterprise plansnot Muck Rack

Muck Rack

  • Finding and pitching journalists from a media databasenot Libsyn
  • Monitoring coverage and measuring PR resultsnot 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

Muck Rack

  • No specific prices published; all pricing is based on customized proposals based on team size and user count
  • Starter plan has limited features compared to Standard and Premier (no podcast monitoring or curation engine)
  • Sentiment analysis on Starter uses basic NLP, while Premier uses AI-powered analysis

Pricing, plan by plan

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

Muck Rack

On request
  • ProFree
    • Media database
    • Media monitoring
    • Pitching tools
  • EnterpriseFree
    • All Pro features
    • Team management
    • SSO integration

Which should you pick?

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

Choose Muck Rack if

  • You need media database.
  • You work on Web, Browser-extension.
  • You also want journalist profiles.
Muck Rack review

Questions people ask

Is Libsyn or Muck Rack better?
Neither clearly leads. Libsyn starts at Free and Muck Rack at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Libsyn or Muck Rack?
Libsyn has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Libsyn and On request for Muck Rack.
Does Libsyn or Muck Rack run on more platforms?
Libsyn runs on Web, Ios, Android. Muck Rack runs on Web, Browser-extension.
Can I use Libsyn for free?
Yes. Libsyn has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Muck Rack starts at On request.
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 Muck Rack is typically brought in for.
What can Libsyn do that Muck Rack cannot?
Libsyn covers Reliable hosting, Advanced analytics, Monetization platform, Distribution network. Muck Rack covers Media database, Journalist profiles, Media monitoring, Pitching platform. Both handle Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

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
Muck Rack: How are Muck Rack plans priced?

Muck Rack pricing is not published. The platform offers three tiers (Starter, Standard, and Premier) with customized pricing that depends on several factors including team size and number of users. Interested customers must contact sales for a personalized quote.

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
Muck Rack: What features does Muck Rack Standard plan include?

Muck Rack Standard includes media monitoring and alerts, podcast monitoring, AI visibility badges, AI journalist recommendations, full media list exports, and NLP-based sentiment analysis. It is marked as the most popular plan on their pricing page.

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
Muck Rack: What is unique about Muck Rack Premier plan?

Muck Rack Premier is the highest tier and adds the Curation Engine and AI-powered sentiment analysis (versus basic NLP). It includes Muck Rack API access and is targeted at enterprises and advanced teams.

Source
Muck Rack: What add-ons are available for Muck Rack?

Muck Rack offers multiple add-ons with pricing not specified: Print and Broadcast Monitoring, Social Listening, Press Release Distribution, Muck Rack API (Premier tier), Media Intelligence Services, and Generative Pulse.

Source
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