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Software · head to head

Spreaker vs Libsyn

Spreaker logo

Spreaker

Software

Podcast hosting with social network features

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Libsyn logo

Libsyn

Software

The original podcast hosting platform since 2004

From
$5/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Spreaker has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Spreaker free plan allows only one podcast and retains statistics for 6 months; Libsyn basic plan at $12 per month allows only 3 hours of audio upload per month
  • They diverge on capability: Spreaker covers Podcast hosting, Libsyn covers Reliable hosting.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Spreaker and Libsyn actually diverge.

Attributes where Spreaker and Libsyn differ
AttributeSpreakerLibsyn
Starting priceFree$5/month
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
Free tierYesNo
Founded20112004

Identical on both: 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 Spreaker

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

Only in Libsyn

  • Reliable hosting
  • Advanced analytics
  • Monetization platform
  • Distribution network
  • Custom website
  • Ad insertion
  • Apple Podcasts
  • Spotify

Both cover

  • Content protection
  • Web support
  • Ios support
  • Android support

What people use each for

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

Spreaker

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

Libsyn

  • Hosting podcast audio and distributing it to Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTubenot Spreaker
  • Measuring audience with IAB certified download statisticsnot Spreaker
  • Monetising shows through advertising on enterprise plansnot Spreaker

Where each one falls short

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

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

Libsyn

  • Basic plan at $12 per month allows only 3 hours of audio upload per month
  • Advanced IAB verified stats require the $25 per month Advanced plan; Basic gets basic stats only
  • Spotify video distribution requires the Advanced or Max plan
  • Dynamic ad insertion sits on Professional and Enterprise plans that are quoted by sales with no published rate
  • The top published tier, Max at $150 per month, still caps audio uploads at 55 hours per month

Pricing, plan by plan

Spreaker

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

Libsyn

$5/month
  • Classic 50$5/month
    • 50 MB monthly storage
    • Basic statistics
    • Podcast page
  • Classic 150$15/month
    • 150 MB monthly storage
    • Advanced statistics
    • Custom website
  • Advanced 400$20/month
    • 400 MB monthly storage
    • Premium analytics
    • Multiple shows
  • Advanced 800$40/month
    • 800 MB monthly storage
    • Full analytics suite
    • Priority support

Which should you pick?

Choose Spreaker if

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

Choose Libsyn if

  • You need reliable hosting.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want advanced analytics.
Libsyn review

Questions people ask

Is Spreaker or Libsyn better?
Neither clearly leads. Spreaker starts at Free and Libsyn at $5/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Spreaker or Libsyn?
Spreaker has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Spreaker and $5/month for Libsyn.
Does Spreaker or Libsyn run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, Ios, Android, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use Spreaker for free?
Yes. Spreaker has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Libsyn starts at $5/month.
What is Spreaker best used for?
Spreaker is most often used for hosting and distributing podcasts to spotify, apple podcasts and iheartradio, monetising a show through programmatic ads, listener subscriptions or a supporters club, running a multi-show podcast network with collaborators. Of those, hosting and distributing podcasts to spotify, apple podcasts and iheartradio and monetising a show through programmatic ads, listener subscriptions or a supporters club are not what Libsyn is typically brought in for.
What can Spreaker do that Libsyn cannot?
Spreaker covers Podcast hosting, Live streaming, Social network, Distribution. Libsyn covers Reliable hosting, Advanced analytics, Monetization platform, Distribution network. Both handle Content protection, Web support, Ios support, Android support.
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