Softwr

Podcast & Audio Publishing · head to head

Libsyn vs Transistor.fm

Libsyn logo

Libsyn

Podcast & Audio Publishing

The original podcast hosting platform since 2004

From
$5/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Transistor.fm logo

Transistor.fm

Podcast & Audio Publishing

The podcast host built for professional broadcasters

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Libsyn basic plan at $12 per month allows only 3 hours of audio upload per month; Transistor.fm monthly download caps vary by tier
  • They diverge on capability: Libsyn covers Reliable hosting, Transistor.fm covers Unlimited episodes.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Libsyn and Transistor.fm actually diverge.

Attributes where Libsyn and Transistor.fm differ
AttributeLibsynTransistor.fm
Starting price$5/monthOn request
PlatformsWeb, Ios, AndroidWeb, Mobile
Founded20042016

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), 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
  • Amazon Music
  • iHeart
  • Advertising networks

Only in Transistor.fm

  • Unlimited episodes
  • Automatic transcription
  • Custom player
  • Email newsletters
  • White-label options
  • Google Podcasts
  • YouTube
  • Zapier

Both cover

  • Advanced analytics
  • Apple Podcasts
  • Spotify
  • SSL encryption
  • 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 Transistor.fm
  • Measuring audience with IAB certified download statisticsnot Transistor.fm
  • Monetising shows through advertising on enterprise plansnot Transistor.fm

Transistor.fm

  • Podcast hosting and distributionnot Libsyn
  • Video podcast publishingnot Libsyn
  • AI transcriptionnot Libsyn
  • Dynamic ad insertionnot Libsyn
  • Private podcast networksnot 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

Transistor.fm

  • Monthly download caps vary by tier
  • Private subscriber limits increase with higher-tier plans
  • Enterprise plan required for 250K+ downloads monthly

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

Transistor.fm

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Transistor.fm review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Libsyn if

  • You need reliable hosting.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want monetization platform.
Libsyn review

Choose Transistor.fm if

  • You need unlimited episodes.
  • You work on Web, Mobile.
  • You also want automatic transcription.
Transistor.fm review

Questions people ask

Is Libsyn or Transistor.fm better?
Neither clearly leads. Libsyn starts at $5/month and Transistor.fm at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Libsyn or Transistor.fm?
Libsyn starts at $5/month and Transistor.fm at On request.
Does Libsyn or Transistor.fm run on more platforms?
Libsyn runs on Web, Ios, Android. Transistor.fm runs on Web, Mobile.
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 Transistor.fm is typically brought in for.
What can Libsyn do that Transistor.fm cannot?
Libsyn covers Reliable hosting, Monetization platform, Distribution network, Custom website. Transistor.fm covers Unlimited episodes, Automatic transcription, Custom player, Email newsletters. Both handle Advanced analytics, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, SSL encryption.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on Libsyn

More on Transistor.fm

Keep looking

Other head to heads