Softwr

Podcasting · head to head

Libsyn vs Zencastr

Libsyn logo

Libsyn

Podcasting

The original podcast hosting platform since 2004

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Zencastr logo

Zencastr

Podcasting

Free podcast recording in your browser

From
Free
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; Zencastr the pricing page lists no dollar amount for any tier; the paid Enterprise tier is marked Custom and requires contacting sales
  • They diverge on capability: Libsyn covers Reliable hosting, Zencastr covers Browser-based recording.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Libsyn and Zencastr actually diverge.

Attributes where Libsyn and Zencastr differ
AttributeLibsynZencastr
Pricing modelsubscriptionfreemium
PlatformsWeb, Ios, AndroidWeb
Founded20042015

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Podcasting).

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 Zencastr

  • Browser-based recording
  • Separate tracks
  • Automatic postproduction
  • Video recording
  • Lossless audio
  • Cloud storage
  • Dropbox
  • Google Drive

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

Zencastr

  • Recording remote podcast interviews with separate local tracks per guestnot Libsyn
  • Recording video podcasts in the browser without guest software installsnot Libsyn
  • Publishing recorded episodes and clips from one workspacenot 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

Zencastr

  • The pricing page lists no dollar amount for any tier; the paid Enterprise tier is marked Custom and requires contacting sales
  • The free tier caps a session at 6 participants
  • The free tier caps video streaming quality at 1080p
  • The free tier is limited to 5 podcast shows and 4 seats

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

Zencastr

Free
  • HobbyistFree
    • 8 hours/month audio
    • MP3 quality
    • Up to 2 guests
  • Professional$20/month
    • Unlimited recording
    • WAV lossless quality
    • Video recording

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 Zencastr if

  • You need browser-based recording.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want separate tracks.
Zencastr review

Questions people ask

Is Libsyn or Zencastr better?
Neither clearly leads. Libsyn starts at Free and Zencastr at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Libsyn or Zencastr?
Libsyn starts at Free and Zencastr at Free.
Does Libsyn or Zencastr run on more platforms?
Libsyn runs on Web, Ios, Android. Zencastr runs on Web.
Can I use Libsyn for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
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 Zencastr is typically brought in for.
What can Libsyn do that Zencastr cannot?
Libsyn covers Reliable hosting, Advanced analytics, Monetization platform, Distribution network. Zencastr covers Browser-based recording, Separate tracks, Automatic postproduction, Video recording. 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
Zencastr: Is Zencastr free to use?

Zencastr offers a free plan called Vibecastr with the option to upgrade to Enterprise with custom pricing.

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
Zencastr: What support level comes with Zencastr's free plan?

The free Vibecastr plan includes Producer-level support, while Enterprise plans offer custom support arrangements.

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
Share

Related pages

More on Libsyn

More on Zencastr

Keep looking

Other head to heads