Podcasting · head to head
Buzzsprout vs Megaphone
The short version
- Only Buzzsprout has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Buzzsprout upload hours do not roll over monthly; overage fees apply at hourly rates; Megaphone there is no free tier; the entry Professional plan starts at $99 per month
- They diverge on capability: Buzzsprout covers Audio optimization, Megaphone covers Enterprise hosting.
- Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Buzzsprout and Megaphone actually diverge.
| Attribute | Buzzsprout | Megaphone |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | $99/month |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Web, Mobile | Web |
| Founded | 2009 | 2015 |
Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), 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 Buzzsprout
- Audio optimization
- Automatic distribution
- Episode transcription
- Custom podcast website
- Analytics dashboard
- Magic Mastering
- Apple Podcasts
- Google Podcasts
Only in Megaphone
- Enterprise hosting
- Dynamic ad insertion
- Targeted advertising
- Advanced analytics
- Network management
- API access
- Advertising networks
- CMS systems
Both cover
- Spotify
- Web support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Buzzsprout
- Podcast hostingnot Megaphone
- Audio and video podcast distributionnot Megaphone
- Transcription and show notes generationnot Megaphone
- Podcast analytics and monetisationnot Megaphone
Megaphone
- podcast hosting and distributionnot Buzzsprout
- podcast analytics and monetizationnot Buzzsprout
- creator monetization networksnot Buzzsprout
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Buzzsprout
- Upload hours do not roll over monthly; overage fees apply at hourly rates
- Free tier limited to 2 hours monthly uploads
- Video features only on paid tiers, minimum $25/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
Buzzsprout
Free- FreeFree
- 2 hours monthly uploads
- 90-day episode hosting
- No video distribution
- Audio Podcast$15/month
- 72 hours annual uploads
- Unlimited episodes
- Single podcast
- Audio + Video$25/month
- 72 hours annual uploads
- Video publishing to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube
- 1080p video quality
- Multi-Podcast$30/month
- 180 hours annual uploads
- 5-10 podcasts
- Audio, video, or mixed media
Megaphone
$99/month- Professional$99/month
- Hosting and distribution
- Campaign management
- Reporting and analytics
- Enterprise$null/custom
- All Professional features
- Comprehensive monetization tools
- API access
Which should you pick?
Choose Buzzsprout if
- You need audio optimization.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Mobile.
- You also want automatic distribution.
Questions people ask
- Is Buzzsprout or Megaphone better?
- Neither clearly leads. Buzzsprout starts at Free and Megaphone at $99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Buzzsprout or Megaphone?
- Buzzsprout has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Buzzsprout and $99/month for Megaphone.
- Does Buzzsprout or Megaphone run on more platforms?
- Buzzsprout runs on Web, Mobile. Megaphone runs on Web.
- Can I use Buzzsprout for free?
- Yes. Buzzsprout has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Megaphone starts at $99/month.
- What is Buzzsprout best used for?
- Buzzsprout is most often used for podcast hosting, audio and video podcast distribution, transcription and show notes generation, podcast analytics and monetisation. Of those, podcast hosting and audio and video podcast distribution are not what Megaphone is typically brought in for.
- What can Buzzsprout do that Megaphone cannot?
- Buzzsprout covers Audio optimization, Automatic distribution, Episode transcription, Custom podcast website. Megaphone covers Enterprise hosting, Dynamic ad insertion, Targeted advertising, Advanced analytics. Both handle Spotify, Web support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Buzzsprout: Does Buzzsprout offer a free tier?
Yes, Buzzsprout's free plan includes 2 hours of monthly uploads with 90-day episode hosting. Video distribution and advanced features require a paid subscription starting at $15/month.
SourceMegaphone: How much does Megaphone (Spotify) cost?
Megaphone Professional plan costs USD 99/month and includes hosting, distribution, campaign management, analytics, and Spotify Audience Network monetization.
SourceBuzzsprout: What happens if I exceed my monthly upload limit?
Upload hours do not roll over each month. If you exceed your plan's upload allocation, overage fees apply at hourly rates.
SourceMegaphone: Is there a free tier on Megaphone?
No, Megaphone does not offer a free plan; the Professional tier is the entry-level paid option at USD 99/month.
SourceBuzzsprout: How many podcasts can I host on different plans?
The Free and Audio Podcast plans support a single podcast. The Multi-Podcast plan at $30/month supports 5-10 podcasts depending on configuration.
SourceMegaphone: What does Megaphone Enterprise include?
Megaphone Enterprise includes all Professional features plus comprehensive monetization tools and API access; pricing is custom and requires contacting sales.
SourceBuzzsprout: Is video publishing included on all paid plans?
No. Video publishing to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube (1080p) requires the Audio + Video plan at $25/month or higher.
SourceMegaphone: Who should use Megaphone Professional versus Enterprise?
Megaphone Professional suits individual podcasters; Enterprise is designed for large publishers, networks, and multi-show operations requiring advanced tools and custom integrations.
SourceRelated pages
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