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Podbean vs Simplecast

Podbean logo

Podbean

Software

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

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Simplecast logo

Simplecast

Software

Hosting for professional podcast networks

From
$15/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Podbean has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • 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; Simplecast basic plan at $15 per month includes only 20,000 monthly downloads and 2 team seats
  • They diverge on capability: Podbean covers Built-in monetization, Simplecast covers Analytics.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Podbean and Simplecast actually diverge.

Attributes where Podbean and Simplecast differ
AttributePodbeanSimplecast
Starting priceFree$15/month
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Ios, AndroidWeb
Founded20062014

Identical on both: 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 Podbean

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

Only in Simplecast

  • Analytics
  • Dynamic ad insertion
  • Distribution
  • Team collaboration
  • API access
  • All podcast platforms
  • Advertising networks
  • CMS systems

Both cover

  • Unlimited hosting
  • Web 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 Simplecast
  • Running multiple shows or a private internal podcastnot Simplecast

Simplecast

  • Hosting podcasts with per-episode analytics and audience metricsnot Podbean
  • Distributing shows to Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other directoriesnot Podbean
  • Monetising podcasts through dynamic ad insertion at the Professional tiernot 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

Simplecast

  • Basic plan at $15 per month includes only 20,000 monthly downloads and 2 team seats
  • Essential plan at $35 per month includes 50,000 monthly downloads and 4 team seats
  • Dynamic ad insertion and campaign management are only on the Professional plan, which is quoted by sales with no published rate
  • API access for publishing and campaign management is Enterprise only
  • Annual prepayment is required to get the 10 percent discount

Pricing, plan by plan

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

Simplecast

$15/month
  • Creator$15/month
    • Unlimited hosting
    • Analytics
    • Distribution
  • Studio$49/month
    • All Creator features
    • Dynamic ad insertion
    • Team access
  • Enterprise$undefined/month
    • Custom features
    • API access
    • Dedicated manager

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 Simplecast if

  • You need analytics.
  • You also want dynamic ad insertion.
Simplecast review

Questions people ask

Is Podbean or Simplecast better?
Neither clearly leads. Podbean starts at Free and Simplecast at $15/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Podbean or Simplecast?
Podbean has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Podbean and $15/month for Simplecast.
Does Podbean or Simplecast run on more platforms?
Podbean runs on Web, Ios, Android. Simplecast runs on Web.
Can I use Podbean for free?
Yes. Podbean has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Simplecast starts at $15/month.
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 Simplecast is typically brought in for.
What can Podbean do that Simplecast cannot?
Podbean covers Built-in monetization, Live streaming, Video podcasting, Podcast app. Simplecast covers Analytics, Dynamic ad insertion, Distribution, Team collaboration. Both handle Unlimited hosting, Web support.
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