Softwr

Podcasting · head to head

Podbean vs SoundCloud

Podbean logo

Podbean

Podcasting

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

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
SoundCloud logo

SoundCloud

Podcasting

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.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Podbean and SoundCloud actually diverge.

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

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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

  • 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
  • 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

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.

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
SoundCloud: What are the differences between SoundCloud's Artist and Artist Pro plans for creators?

Artist is $3.25/month with 3-hour uploads and 2x boosts per month. Artist Pro is $8.25/month with unlimited uploads and unlimited boosts, plus more frequent AI mastering.

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
SoundCloud: Do SoundCloud's Go and Go+ listener plans include trials?

Yes. SoundCloud Go includes a free 7-day trial. SoundCloud Go+ and the student version both include free 30-day trials.

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
SoundCloud: What is the difference between SoundCloud Go and Go+?

Both are ad-free with unlimited offline saves. Go+ costs $10.99/month and adds DJ app mixing capability plus artist support, compared to Go at $4.99/month.

Source
SoundCloud: Is there a discounted SoundCloud plan for students?

Yes. Student Go+ is $5.49/month (50% discount on the regular $10.99/month Go+ plan) and requires university verification.

Source
Share

Related pages

More on Podbean

More on SoundCloud

Keep looking

Other head to heads