Podbean
Hosting, monetization, and AI tools under one roof
Best for: Podcasters at any level who want hosting plus built-in monetization without stitching multiple tools together
Free tierFrom $17/mo Visit PodbeanPodbean is a podcast hosting and monetization platform with more than 600,000 podcasters on the platform and over a decade of operation. It covers the full stack from mobile recording through hosting, distribution to all major directories, analytics, and an ad marketplace with dynamic ad insertion. AI-assisted audio optimization and content generation tools are baked into paid tiers.
Key features
- Unlimited storage and unmetered bandwidth on paid plans
- Dynamic ad insertion and ad marketplace access
- AI audio optimization and content generation credits
- Apple Podcasts Subscriptions and listener patron integration
- Customizable podcast website with domain mapping
- IAB-certified analytics with geo and platform data
Our take
Podbean is a solid, well-established workhorse - it does not have the flashiest interface or the most cutting-edge AI tools, but it has been reliably shipping product for over a decade and the pricing is reasonable. The Unlimited Audio plan at $17/mo is a fair entry point and the ad marketplace is genuinely functional. The main limitation is that upload caps (1GB/month on the base paid plan) can catch video podcasters off guard, and the free plan is not mentioned prominently - suggesting it exists but is fairly limited. Worth considering if you want one bill and do not need the most advanced analytics.
Pros
- Over a decade of reliability with 600,000+ podcasters
- Reasonable pricing - $17/mo for the base paid plan
- Built-in monetization without third-party integrations
Cons
- Monthly upload caps (1GB on base plan) are tight for frequent or video publishers
- Interface feels less modern compared to newer entrants
- Free plan cannot be restored once you upgrade to paid
Podbean pricing
| Plan | Monthly | Annual | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0.00 | - | Limited plan - exact storage not published; available at signup |
| Unlimited Audio | $17.00 | - | 1 podcast, 1GB/mo uploads, unlimited storage, 600 AI credits; $12/mo billed annually |
| Unlimited Plus | $39.00 | - | 2 audio/video podcasts, 10GB/mo uploads, 2,400 AI credits; $29/mo billed annually |
| Network | $99.00 | - | Unlimited shows, 40GB/mo uploads, 50 team members, network-level stats; $79/mo billed annually |
| Business | $129.00 | - | Unlimited private podcasts, SSO, SOC2, unlimited team members; $99/mo billed annually |
