Podcast Hosting
BuzzsproutvsLibsyn
Compare Buzzsprout and Libsyn side by side. See pricing, features, and which is right for your podcast.
Pricing Comparison
| Tier | Buzzsprout | Libsyn |
|---|---|---|
| Free Tier | 2 hr/month, 90-day hosting | 30-day free trial on every plan (card required, no charge until it ends) |
| Starting Price | Free | $8/mo |
| Pricing Model | freemium | subscription |
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Buzzsprout | Libsyn |
|---|---|---|
| Unlimited Storage | ||
| Unlimited Bandwidth | ||
| Dynamic Ad Insertion | ||
| Transcription | ||
| Video Support | ||
| Analytics | ||
| Monetization | ||
| Custom Website | ||
| Team Members | ||
| API Access |
Buzzsprout Pros & Cons
Pros
- Beginner-friendly interface
- Excellent customer support
- Automatic distribution to major platforms
Cons
- Strict upload-time limits by plan
- Annual plans have a fixed hour pool with no overage (upgrade required); monthly plans bill overage at an hourly rate
- Cohost AI and Magic Mastering are paid add-ons
Libsyn Pros & Cons
Pros
- Longest track record in the industry (since 2004)
- Priced on upload hours, not downloads, so audience growth never raises the bill
- Video uploads included on every plan, up to 100GB a month
Cons
- No free forever plan, only a 30-day trial
- Upload allowance is small on the entry plans (3 hours a month on Basic)
- No overage rate published, so exceeding the quota means upgrading
The Verdict
Buzzsprout is best for:
- →Beginners starting their first podcast
- →Podcasters who want simple, reliable hosting
- →Those who value customer support
Libsyn is best for:
- →Professional podcasters needing reliability
- →Established shows with large audiences
- →Networks requiring proven infrastructure
Frequently asked questions
- Which is cheaper: Buzzsprout or Libsyn?
- Buzzsprout is the cheaper way in: its Archive plan is $5/month, against $8/month for Libsyn's Bare Essentials.
- Do Buzzsprout and Libsyn have free versions?
- Only Buzzsprout, which offers 2 hr/month, 90-day hosting. Libsyn has no free plan. Libsyn does list a free option: 30-day free trial on every plan (card required, no charge until it ends). The cheapest way into Libsyn is Bare Essentials at $8/month.
- What is the main difference between Buzzsprout and Libsyn?
- Buzzsprout covers Unlimited Storage and Transcription, which Libsyn does not. Nothing on the compared feature list goes the other way.