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Megaphone vs Fireside

Megaphone logo

Megaphone

Software

Enterprise podcast hosting and monetization

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Fireside logo

Fireside

Software

Podcast hosting with community features

From
$20/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Megaphone there is no free tier; the entry Professional plan starts at $99 per month; Fireside starter plan at $9 per month allows one podcast and 5 episodes per month
  • They diverge on capability: Megaphone covers Enterprise hosting, Fireside covers Unlimited hosting.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Megaphone and Fireside actually diverge.

Attributes where Megaphone and Fireside differ
AttributeMegaphoneFireside
Starting priceOn request$20/month
Pricing modelquotesubscription
Founded20152018

Identical on both: free tier (No), platforms (Web), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

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 Megaphone

  • Enterprise hosting
  • Dynamic ad insertion
  • Targeted advertising
  • Advanced analytics
  • Network management
  • API access
  • Spotify
  • Advertising networks

Only in Fireside

  • Unlimited hosting
  • Community features
  • Distribution
  • Analytics
  • Listener engagement
  • Monetization
  • All podcast platforms
  • Email services

Both cover

  • Web support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Megaphone

  • Enterprise podcast hosting and distribution for publishers and networksnot Fireside
  • Dynamic ad insertion and campaign management across a back cataloguenot Fireside
  • Podcast measurement and reporting for large teamsnot Fireside

Fireside

  • Hosting a podcast together with a customisable podcast websitenot Megaphone
  • Running several shows as a podcast network from one accountnot Megaphone
  • Tracking episode download metrics and link clicksnot Megaphone

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

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

Fireside

  • Starter plan at $9 per month allows one podcast and 5 episodes per month
  • Custom domain with SSL requires the $19 per month Standard plan; Starter sites sit on a Fireside subdomain
  • Additional podcasts beyond the one included on Standard cost $8 per month each
  • Bandwidth is capped at 1TB per month on Standard and 5TB per month on Professional
  • Advanced download metrics and click tracking require the $49 per month Professional plan

Pricing, plan by plan

Megaphone

On request
  • Enterprise$undefined/month
    • Unlimited hosting
    • Dynamic ad insertion
    • Advanced analytics

Fireside

$20/month
  • Creator$20/month
    • Unlimited hosting
    • Community features
    • Distribution
  • Network$50/month
    • Multiple shows
    • Team management
    • Advanced analytics

Which should you pick?

Choose Megaphone if

  • You need enterprise hosting.
  • You also want dynamic ad insertion.
Megaphone review

Choose Fireside if

  • You need unlimited hosting.
  • You also want community features.
Fireside review

Questions people ask

Is Megaphone or Fireside better?
Neither clearly leads. Megaphone starts at On request and Fireside at $20/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Megaphone or Fireside?
Megaphone starts at On request and Fireside at $20/month.
Does Megaphone or Fireside run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
What is Megaphone best used for?
Megaphone is most often used for enterprise podcast hosting and distribution for publishers and networks, dynamic ad insertion and campaign management across a back catalogue, podcast measurement and reporting for large teams. Of those, enterprise podcast hosting and distribution for publishers and networks and dynamic ad insertion and campaign management across a back catalogue are not what Fireside is typically brought in for.
What can Megaphone do that Fireside cannot?
Megaphone covers Enterprise hosting, Dynamic ad insertion, Targeted advertising, Advanced analytics. Fireside covers Unlimited hosting, Community features, Distribution, Analytics. Both handle Web support.
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