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Pocketcasts vs Podbean

Pocketcasts logo

Pocketcasts

Software

The powerful podcast player for serious listeners

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Podbean logo

Podbean

Software

All-in-one podcast hosting with built-in monetization

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Pocketcasts two paid tiers above the free app: Plus and Patron, but no figures are shown in the fetchable page content; Podbean upload allowance is monthly rather than cumulative, at 1 GB on the entry plan, so a heavy recording month is capped even with unlimited total storage
  • They diverge on capability: Pocketcasts covers Podcast discovery, Podbean covers Unlimited hosting.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Pocketcasts and Podbean actually diverge.

Attributes where Pocketcasts and Podbean differ
AttributePocketcastsPodbean
PlatformsIos, Android, Web, Windows, MacosWeb, Ios, Android
Founded20102006

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (freemium), free tier (Yes), 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 Pocketcasts

  • Podcast discovery
  • Variable speed playback
  • Silence trimming
  • Cross-device sync
  • Custom filters
  • Apple Watch
  • Wear OS
  • Sonos

Only in Podbean

  • Unlimited hosting
  • Built-in monetization
  • Live streaming
  • Video podcasting
  • Podcast app
  • Premium content
  • Apple Podcasts
  • Spotify

Both cover

  • Ios support
  • Android support
  • Web support

What people use each for

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

Pocketcasts

  • Podcast listeningnot Podbean
  • Audio content consumptionnot Podbean
  • Learning on the gonot Podbean

Podbean

  • Hosting and distributing a podcast with an RSS feed and playernot Pocketcasts
  • Running multiple shows or a private internal podcastnot Pocketcasts

Where each one falls short

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

Pocketcasts

  • Two paid tiers above the free app: Plus and Patron, but no figures are shown in the fetchable page content

Podbean

  • Upload allowance is monthly rather than cumulative, at 1 GB on the entry plan, so a heavy recording month is capped even with unlimited total storage
  • The Network plan at $99 a month meters bandwidth at 3 TB while cheaper plans are unmetered, so the middle tier is the only one with a bandwidth ceiling
  • Advanced analytics are excluded from every plan below Business
  • Private podcasting and live chat support are Business only
  • Team members are capped at 50 on Network despite being described as unlimited

Pricing, plan by plan

Pocketcasts

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Unlimited podcasts
    • Cross-device sync
    • Playback effects
  • Plus$39.99/year
    • Desktop apps
    • Cloud storage 10GB
    • Extra themes

Podbean

Free
  • BasicFree
    • 5 hours total storage
    • 100 GB bandwidth
    • Basic analytics
  • Unlimited Audio$9/month
    • Unlimited storage
    • Unlimited bandwidth
    • Advanced analytics
  • Unlimited Plus$29/month
    • All audio features
    • Video podcasting
    • Live streaming
  • Business$99/month
    • All features
    • Team management
    • Enterprise security

Which should you pick?

Choose Pocketcasts if

  • You need podcast discovery.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Ios, Android, Web, Windows, Macos.
  • You also want variable speed playback.
Pocketcasts review

Choose Podbean if

  • You need unlimited hosting.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want built-in monetization.
Podbean review

Questions people ask

Is Pocketcasts or Podbean better?
Neither clearly leads. Pocketcasts starts at Free and Podbean at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Pocketcasts or Podbean?
Pocketcasts starts at Free and Podbean at Free.
Does Pocketcasts or Podbean run on more platforms?
Pocketcasts runs on Ios, Android, Web, Windows, Macos. Podbean runs on Web, Ios, Android.
Can I use Pocketcasts for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Pocketcasts best used for?
Pocketcasts is most often used for podcast listening, audio content consumption, learning on the go. Of those, podcast listening and audio content consumption are not what Podbean is typically brought in for.
What can Pocketcasts do that Podbean cannot?
Pocketcasts covers Podcast discovery, Variable speed playback, Silence trimming, Cross-device sync. Podbean covers Unlimited hosting, Built-in monetization, Live streaming, Video podcasting. Both handle Ios support, Android support, Web support.
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