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Podcasting · head to head

Podbean vs RedCircle

Podbean logo

Podbean

Podcasting

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

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
RedCircle logo

RedCircle

Podcasting

Free podcast hosting with sponsorship opportunities

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: 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; RedCircle the free Core plan is limited to 1 podcast; unlimited podcasts require the Growth plan at $14.99 per month
  • They diverge on capability: Podbean covers Built-in monetization, RedCircle covers Distribution.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Podbean and RedCircle actually diverge.

Attributes where Podbean and RedCircle differ
AttributePodbeanRedCircle
Pricing modelsubscriptionfree
Founded20062015

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), platforms (Web, Ios, Android), 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 Podbean

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

Only in RedCircle

  • Distribution
  • Sponsorship marketplace
  • Analytics
  • Podcast website
  • Monetization
  • All podcast platforms
  • Advertising networks

Both cover

  • Unlimited hosting
  • Social media
  • Privacy controls
  • Content protection
  • Web support
  • Ios support
  • Android support

What people use each for

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

Podbean

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

RedCircle

  • Hosting and distributing podcasts with unlimited storage and downloadsnot Podbean
  • Monetising a podcast through host-read and programmatic ad marketplacesnot Podbean
  • Selling paid subscriptions and exclusive episodesnot Podbean

Where each one falls short

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

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

RedCircle

  • The free Core plan is limited to 1 podcast; unlimited podcasts require the Growth plan at $14.99 per month
  • The free Core plan caps AI transcripts at 5 per month
  • The Core plan podcast webpage carries a Related Shows section that cannot be removed
  • Support on the Core plan is standard with a 72 hour response; 48 hour Advanced support starts on Growth
  • Team seats are not available on Core or Growth; Pro at $29.99 per month includes 5 seats and unlimited seats require Enterprise at $99.99 per month
  • Video file upload to episodes and one-click YouTube distribution require the Pro plan
  • Running your own ads and tracking URLs require the Pro plan
  • A dedicated account manager is Enterprise only
  • The trial is 7 days

Pricing, plan by plan

Podbean

Free
  • Unlimited Audio$17/month
    • 1 podcast
    • 1GB uploads/month
    • Unlimited storage
  • Unlimited Plus$39/month
    • 2 podcasts
    • 10GB uploads/month
    • 3TB monthly bandwidth
  • Network$99/month
    • Unlimited podcasts
    • 40GB uploads/month
    • Up to 50 team members
  • Business$129/month
    • Unlimited private podcasts
    • 2 public podcasts
    • 40GB uploads/month

RedCircle

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Unlimited hosting
    • Automatic distribution
    • Sponsorship opportunities

Which should you pick?

Choose Podbean if

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

Choose RedCircle if

  • You need distribution.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want sponsorship marketplace.
RedCircle review

Questions people ask

Is Podbean or RedCircle better?
Neither clearly leads. Podbean starts at Free and RedCircle at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Podbean or RedCircle?
Podbean starts at Free and RedCircle at Free.
Does Podbean or RedCircle run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, Ios, Android, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use Podbean for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Podbean best used for?
Podbean is most often used for hosting and distributing a podcast with an rss feed and player, running multiple shows or a private internal podcast. Of those, hosting and distributing a podcast with an rss feed and player and running multiple shows or a private internal podcast are not what RedCircle is typically brought in for.
What can Podbean do that RedCircle cannot?
Podbean covers Built-in monetization, Live streaming, Video podcasting, Podcast app. RedCircle covers Distribution, Sponsorship marketplace, Analytics, Podcast website. Both handle Unlimited hosting, Social media, Privacy controls, Content protection.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Podbean: How much does Podbean cost?

Podbean offers plans starting at $17/month for Unlimited Audio, $39/month for Unlimited Plus, $99/month for Network, and $129/month for Business. Annual billing is available at approximately 20-29% discounts.

Source
Podbean: Does Podbean have a free version?

Yes, Podbean offers a free account. However, the website notes that paid plans cannot be downgraded back to the free plan once you upgrade.

Source
Podbean: What are the monthly upload limits on Podbean plans?

Unlimited Audio allows 1GB uploads/month, Unlimited Plus allows 10GB uploads/month, and both Network and Business plans allow 40GB uploads/month.

Source
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