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Podcast & Audio Publishing · head to head

Podbean vs SoundCloud

Podbean logo

Podbean

Podcast & Audio Publishing

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

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
SoundCloud logo

SoundCloud

Podcast & Audio Publishing

Discover, stream, and share music

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; SoundCloud the free tier plays tracks with ads
  • They diverge on capability: Podbean covers Unlimited hosting, SoundCloud covers Audio streaming.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Podbean and SoundCloud actually diverge.

Attributes where Podbean and SoundCloud differ
AttributePodbeanSoundCloud
PlatformsWeb, Ios, AndroidWeb, Ios, Android, Desktop
Founded20062007

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (freemium), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Podcast & Audio Publishing).

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

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

Only in SoundCloud

  • Audio streaming
  • Uploads
  • Discovery
  • Sharing
  • DJ software
  • Privacy settings
  • Desktop support

Both cover

  • Social media
  • 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 SoundCloud
  • Running multiple shows or a private internal podcastnot SoundCloud

SoundCloud

  • Discovering tracks from emerging and independent artistsnot Podbean
  • Uploading your own music to reach listeners directlynot Podbean
  • Offline listening and ad-free playback on a paid 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

SoundCloud

  • The free tier plays tracks with ads
  • Offline saving of tracks requires a SoundCloud Go or Go+ subscription
  • Premium Go+ tracks are locked behind the higher Go+ tier, so SoundCloud Go alone does not unlock the full catalogue
  • Exclusive DJ app integrations require Go+
  • The app is available in only eight languages: English, Brazilian Portuguese, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Spanish and Arabic
  • The iOS app requires iOS 16.4 or later

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

SoundCloud

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Limited uploads
    • Ads
  • Go$5.99/month
    • Ad-free
    • Offline
  • Go+$12.99/month
    • Full catalog
    • HQ audio

Which should you pick?

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

Choose SoundCloud if

  • You need audio streaming.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Desktop.
  • You also want uploads.
SoundCloud review

Questions people ask

Is Podbean or SoundCloud better?
Neither clearly leads. Podbean starts at Free and SoundCloud at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Podbean or SoundCloud?
Podbean starts at Free and SoundCloud at Free.
Does Podbean or SoundCloud run on more platforms?
Podbean runs on Web, Ios, Android. SoundCloud runs on Web, Ios, Android, Desktop.
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 SoundCloud is typically brought in for.
What can Podbean do that SoundCloud cannot?
Podbean covers Unlimited hosting, Built-in monetization, Live streaming, Video podcasting. SoundCloud covers Audio streaming, Uploads, Discovery, Sharing. Both handle Social media, Content protection, Web support, Ios support.
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