It is essential for people who love or even need podcasting to find the best platform to trust.
Is it worth your time, content, and money?
What is Podbean?
Podbeans main feature is its ability to host various podcasts.
The great thing about Podbean is that it doesnt discriminate podcast beginners from experienced ones.
Hence, you are assured that the credit goes to you, irrespective of which site it goes to.
Podbean offers four (4) subscription plans that you’ve got the option to look into.
Podbeans basic plan is the default free one you get once you sign up for a Podbean account.
For the Unlimited Audio Plan, you are required to pay US$9 per month.
You also get unlimited storage and bandwidth.
you’re free to also opt for the Unlimited Plus, which costs US$29 each month.
Through this plan, you and your team can simultaneously enter and manage your account.
Unlimited Storage
Podcasting requires you to upload your content into your channel.
Podbean automatically gives you five hours of total storage capacity once you create your Podbean account.
Unlimited Bandwidth
Bandwidth refers to how fast data gets transferred.
In a sense, this measurement decides how fast your podcasts get transferred from your channel to your listener.
Hence, a bigger bandwidth capacity provides your listener with faster transfers, permitting no lagging.
Your default and free subscription merely provide you with 100 GB bandwidth per month.
You cannot exceed that provision unless you decide to pay for a premium Podbean subscription.
Paid membership will permit you unlimited bandwidth.
Podbean Mobile App
you’ve got the option to access Podbean via your web app.
Also, you’ve got the option to access it via a dedicated mobile app.
Mobile apps are much better, especially when you tend to use your phone more than your setup.
Embeddable Players
You get embeddable players, as well.
In short, you wont need to use separate applications to create your content before publishing it online.
Podbean anticipates this need and provides you with built-in players that you might use.
Podcast Site
Podbean doesnt merely offer you space to publish your podcasts.
It also provides you with a unique site URL, allowing potential followers and listeners to find you easily.
Whats more, you get to choose your URL name, as well.
RSS Feed
It is always best to allow your followers to get regular updates from you.
Podbean is compatible with iTunes, so your listeners can easily follow your content via their Apple equipment.
Podbean acquires part of those earnings, but you get the bulk of it.
Patron Program
Also, Podbean permits podcasters to earn extra money by offering them a patron program.
Fans and followers can send their favorite podcasters with pledges each month.
Its a crowdfunding capability that lets podcasters earn more money by receiving voluntary donations from avid listeners.
Multiple Admins
Lower level plans merely permit one user for each account.
By doing so, you and your team can simultaneously maintain your account and publish content whenever and wherever.
you’ve got the option to chat with customer service for emergency queries concerning your Podbean account.
you might also send them an email, although phone calls arent available.
Although it isnt clearly stated via the platform, the Podbean Terms of Use mentions it.
Site Customization
Having a unique and rare site design can contribute to follower increase.
The platform offers various themes that you could use.
Also, these designs are user-friendly and completely responsive.
This customization is essential, mainly because many Podbean followers and listeners visit the site via their mobile devices.
Unlike Podbean, however, Anchor offers a completely free subscription.
Podcasters do not have to pay any premium membership fee and take advantage of the platforms open space.
You get to earn money from your visitors without having to spend a dime on the site.
Podbean does not provide the capability to use your Apple or Twitter account for new members on their site.
Simplecast
Launched in 2013, Simplecast is another hosting platform like Podbean.
New members are provided with a free 14-day trial period.
After that lapses, you get to choose a subscription plan thats right for you.
An Essential Plan is US$35 per month or US$31.50 when pre-paid per year.
A Growth Plan is priced at US$85 monthly or US$76.50 for a yearly prepayment.
Nevertheless, it would help if you were careful about their user or listener download limit.
This can be a significant downside, mostly because it can affect the number of followersand earningsfor you.
However, Simplecast provides you with the capacity to analyze the popularity of your content.
Buzzsprout
If you still want to find another hosting platform, you could also check out Buzzsprout.
Buzzsprout provides an easy membership procedure.
It also permits you to transfer your content from one hosting site to their platform.
The platform has a huge fanbase, as well.
As regards membership, Buzzsprout requires you to pay a fee per podcast.
Three (3) hours of podcasting per month costs US$12 each month.
Six (6) hours per month costs you US$18 each month.
Twelve hours per month requires a fee of US$24 each month.
Unlike Podbean, Buzzsprouts fees are somewhat exorbitant.
A lot of these sites provide free and basic hosting like Podbean, as well.
It provides analytics capability, unlimited publishing, multiple users, and automatic site URL.
you’re able to check out Transistor, as well.
It provides new members with a 14-day trial period.
It also has many features that are not unlike those offered by Podbean.
Castos is another hosting platform that has many positive reviews.
The platform allows Youtube and Audiogram integration.
It also provides podcast transcription capability.
The platform even offersediting services for your podcasts.
Resonate is also another popular hosting site.
With Resonate, podcasters get to publish their content easily.
you’ve got the option to use the one-click publish feature thats provided.
Like on Podbean, you’ve got the option to use an embedded player, as well.
