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Podcast & Audio Publishing · head to head

Libsyn vs Stitcher

Libsyn logo

Libsyn

Podcast & Audio Publishing

The original podcast hosting platform since 2004

From
$5/month
Rated
-
S

Stitcher

Media & Entertainment

Premium podcast subscription service

From
Free
Rated
-

The short version

  • Only Stitcher 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; Stitcher service discontinued August 29, 2023
  • They diverge on capability: Libsyn covers Reliable hosting, Stitcher covers Podcast streaming.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Libsyn and Stitcher actually diverge.

Attributes where Libsyn and Stitcher differ
AttributeLibsynStitcher
Starting price$5/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, Ios, AndroidWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-speakers
CategoryPodcast & Audio PublishingMedia & Entertainment
Founded20042007

Identical on both: 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 Stitcher

  • Podcast streaming
  • Original content
  • Ad-free
  • Offline listening
  • Recommendations
  • Smart speakers
  • Car systems
  • Account security

Both cover

  • Web support
  • Ios support
  • Android 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 Stitcher
  • Measuring audience with IAB certified download statisticsnot Stitcher
  • Monetising shows through advertising on enterprise plansnot Stitcher

Stitcher

  • Podcast listeningnot Libsyn
  • Audio entertainmentnot 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

Stitcher

  • Service discontinued August 29, 2023
  • No longer available for download or use

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

Stitcher

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Free podcasts
    • Ad-supported
  • Stitcher Premium$4.99/month
    • Ad-free
    • Exclusives

Which should you pick?

Choose Libsyn if

  • You need reliable hosting.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want advanced analytics.

Choose Stitcher if

  • You need podcast streaming.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-speakers.
  • You also want original content.

Questions people ask

Is Libsyn or Stitcher better?
Neither clearly leads. Libsyn starts at $5/month and Stitcher at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Libsyn or Stitcher?
Stitcher has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $5/month for Libsyn and Free for Stitcher.
Does Libsyn or Stitcher run on more platforms?
Libsyn runs on Web, Ios, Android. Stitcher runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-speakers.
Can I use Stitcher for free?
Yes. Stitcher has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Libsyn starts at $5/month.
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 Stitcher is typically brought in for.
What can Libsyn do that Stitcher cannot?
Libsyn covers Reliable hosting, Advanced analytics, Monetization platform, Distribution network. Stitcher covers Podcast streaming, Original content, Ad-free, Offline listening. Both handle Web support, Ios support, Android support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Stitcher: Is Stitcher still available?

No. Stitcher shut down on August 29, 2023. SiriusXM, which acquired Stitcher in 2020, discontinued the app to consolidate podcasts into its flagship SiriusXM subscription. Users can listen to podcasts via the SiriusXM app instead.

Source

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