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Podbean vs Spreaker

Podbean logo

Podbean

Software

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

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Spreaker logo

Spreaker

Software

Podcast hosting with social network features

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; Spreaker free plan allows only one podcast and retains statistics for 6 months
  • They diverge on capability: Podbean covers Unlimited hosting, Spreaker covers Podcast hosting.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Podbean and Spreaker actually diverge.

Attributes where Podbean and Spreaker differ
AttributePodbeanSpreaker
Founded20062011

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

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

Only in Spreaker

  • Podcast hosting
  • Social network
  • Distribution
  • Analytics
  • Audio editing
  • All podcast platforms

Both cover

  • Live streaming
  • Social media
  • Payment processors
  • 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 Spreaker
  • Running multiple shows or a private internal podcastnot Spreaker

Spreaker

  • Hosting and distributing podcasts to Spotify, Apple Podcasts and iHeartRadionot Podbean
  • Monetising a show through programmatic ads, listener subscriptions or a supporters clubnot Podbean
  • Running a multi-show podcast network with collaboratorsnot 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

Spreaker

  • Free plan allows only one podcast and retains statistics for 6 months
  • Spreaker takes a 20 percent fee on Supporters Club listener payments on the free plan, dropping to 0 percent only on the $20 per month Broadcaster plan
  • Subscription monetisation and Apple Podcasts subscriptions require the $20 per month Broadcaster plan
  • Player colour customisation and collaborators require the $50 per month Anchorman plan
  • Selling and managing your own ad campaigns requires the $250 per month Publisher plan
  • Statistics retention is capped at 12 months below the Publisher plan, which extends it to 24 months

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

Spreaker

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 2 hours storage
    • Basic hosting
    • Social network access
  • Plus$5/month
    • 50 hours storage
    • Full distribution
    • Live streaming

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 Spreaker if

  • You need podcast hosting.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want social network.
Spreaker review

Questions people ask

Is Podbean or Spreaker better?
Neither clearly leads. Podbean starts at Free and Spreaker at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Podbean or Spreaker?
Podbean starts at Free and Spreaker at Free.
Does Podbean or Spreaker 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 Spreaker is typically brought in for.
What can Podbean do that Spreaker cannot?
Podbean covers Unlimited hosting, Built-in monetization, Video podcasting, Podcast app. Spreaker covers Podcast hosting, Social network, Distribution, Analytics. Both handle Live streaming, Social media, Payment processors, Privacy controls.
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