After the rise of blogging, podcasting is now the next step for content creators. And with various forms of social media sharing features available today, almost everyone in the modern hi-tech world knows about podcasting. It is a better way to consume content than reading because humans are adapted better to listening than reading.
In order for people to consume podcast content, creators need to upload their content to a hosting, from which users can download or listen directly.
There is a variety of podcast hosting websites where podcasters can upload their work, but for simplicity reasons, we are going to compare the two leading podcast host providers – Buzzsprout and Podbean.
Without any delays, let’s get started!
Podbean is simply a podcasting platform, but what makes it stand out from the rest is that it offers innovative and intuitive services. With over a decade of experience, this platform has become one of the leading podcasting providers in the industry.
As we speak, it has more than 300,000 users from around the world, and this statistic keeps growing.
In addition to providing basic podcasting services, Podbean also offers monetization and publishing services for both free and premium users.
To help you see why more than 300k people like Podbean, here are some of the features of the Podbean:
In addition to the incredible features above, here is a list of the pros and cons of hosting your podcast with Podbean.
What I and many other like about Podbean is that it offers an intuitive interface that integrates publishing, analysis tools, syndication, and management tools into a simple-to-use podcasting package. Since it is also web-based, it lets you publish, manage, and promote your podcast in just a point-and-click, blog-like setting, requiring no technical knowledge.
Podbean is an outstanding option for podcast hosting for both beginners and professional podcasters.
Buzzsprout allows for up to 2 hours of audio podcasting per month, but Podbean offers only five hours in total. They do not have unlimited audio so plan accordingly.
There are other limitations to watch out for, with the biggest being you are not allowed to do video podcasting unless you upgrade your plan. Another downfall of Podbean is there is no option to create show backups and only get one week to ask for a refund.
In large parts, Podbean is trustworthy and comes with plenty of great features. The dashboard is very clear and has everything you need to publish, manage, and promote your podcast. It is considered to be among the best podcast hosting platforms thanks to its many features and ease of use.
With Podbean, you get much more than what you pay for, and it is no brainer that this platform has more than 300,000 users. Having been in the business since 2006, the website has published up to 7.5 million episodes.
Unlike Podbean, Buzzsprout does not have a mobile app that you can download to your phone. Nevertheless, you can easily use the platform on your internet browser, save to your home screen and enjoy all the features from your mobile devices just like it were a mobile app.
Although many people would wish for a Buzzsprout mobile app, the fact that it can be used on a browser on a mobile device kind of makes up for the lack of mobile application.
This feature can be useful for users who don’t have enough space on their SD card or mobile device to save an application.
But with Buzzsprout, you can list your podcast in all of the top podcasting directories including Google Podcasts, Spotify, Apple, iHeart Radio, Stitcher, Alexa, TuneIn, Castro, Overcast, Castbox, PocketCasts, and Podchaser.
Since it was launched in 2008, this platform has amassed more than 200,000 users and is designed for beginners to publish and manage podcasts efficiently.
Buzzsprout is one of the most popular podcast hosting platforms for podcasts and is used by small businesses and entrepreneurs all around the world.
Although it is new compared to Podbean, Buzzsprout has plenty of features that can stand shoulder to shoulder with the best of them.
Here are some of the features you can enjoy:
Just like Podbean, Buzzsprout also has 4-tier packaging and you have a 90-day free trial before deciding whether or not you want to use the platform. With a free trial, you can get 2 hours to upload every month after which you can upgrade to paid tiers:
The first option ($12 per month) is a great option for beginners. But if you are a serious and experienced podcaster, you can choose the last option – $24 per month with 12 hours of upload time.
Each plan comes with the following benefits:
In addition to the above perks, you are not tied down to a contract. You pay for Buzzsprout hosting service on a monthly basis.
This means that you can cancel or upgrade your plan any time you wish.
The following are the pros and cons of using Buzzsprout for podcasting:
On top of all the pros of using this platform, there are also numerous benefits of using Buzzsprout for podcast hosting.
Getting started with Buzzsprout is quite straightforward, and that is why it is perfect for beginners. Every user starts with a 90-day free trial, which allows you to try all the features before spending money. Moreover, you are not asked to provide too many details, just your name, and email address.
Buzzsprout has an aesthetic user interface that is very clean. The menu is user-friendly and in case you need any help, the resources are always within reach.
Once you create your account, the platform will automatically create RSS for your podcast. So you don’t need to deal with this complex process.
Buzzsprout also has its own downfalls, just like Podbean but this shouldn’t stand in the way of enjoying all the benefits and pros of using this platform.
Without a doubt, Buzzsprout is great for podcasting. Users can easily host, manage, track, and promote their podcasts on the platform in the simplest way they can imagine. Although it has a few downfalls, the benefits easily outweigh them.
If you are looking to make money with your podcast, Buzzsprout offers the following monetization opportunities.
In the case of Podbean, you have three main methods of monetization, including:
At this point, we hope that you have read the reviews of both Podbean and Buzzsprout. You know the pros, cons, benefits, and downfalls of each podcast hosting platform. Podbean vs Buzzsprout which one is right for you?
However, the best platform depends on your needs and the needs of your podcast, and your listeners. Truth be told, both of these hosting sites are more similar than dissimilar, and that is why it can be difficult to choose the better of the two.
But if you can’t just toss a coin to decide which platform to use, here are a few things you should keep in mind when trying to decide:
All things considered, any of Buzzsprout or Podbean can be a great option because they are intuitive and offer a seamless free experience.
When analyzing Buzzsprout vs Podbean both platforms are ideal for podcast hosting. But the thing is, there is no perfect platform on the market and thus it will be the finer details that sway your decision. What you use to host your show depends on your podcasting level.
Hopefully, by now you have a clear insight into both hosting platforms and which one can satisfy your needs. But if you are still undecided, we would recommend you try out both services since they both come with free trials, and decide which one serves you better.
