Old doesn’t necessarily mean gold, especially when it comes to the digital world. So, while Podbean is one of the oldest podcast hosting platforms in the industry, it doesn’t automatically mean it’s the best one out there.
That said, does Podbean’s long-held experience give it an edge over its competitors, or is it only a relic of the past? Is it the perfect podcast hosting platform to cater to your needs? Let’s find out with this in-depth Podbean review!
What is Podbean?
Since its launch in 2006, Podbean has slowly grown into one of the most popular podcast hosting platforms. During its run spanning over a decade, it has hosted more than 250,000 podcasts. 
Podbean has gained a reputation for being the go-to hosting platform for beginners. It offers a simple user experience at a fair price. As a result, it is a reliable option for podcasters who are just starting out. At the same time, bigger groups can make great use of the features Podbean offers.
While it is primarily a podcast hosting platform, Podbean offers many useful features to improve your overall experience as a podcaster. Its standout features include its ease of use and attractive monetization features.
So, whether you are a newcomer or an experienced podcaster, Podbean offers everything you will need to get the job done.
Podbean Review – Main Features
Podbean features a wide range of facilities. These include task management, publishing, distribution, analytics, and so on. Let us take a look at some of its key features.
SEO Functionalities
When you have a podcast website, it is critical to optimize it the right way to ensure your podcasts show up for relevant keywords. Podbean lets you do just that. Among its wide range of plugins and integrations, a standout feature is the SEO meta tag.
This free plugin enables you to add your own meta tag into your website’s header. Moreover, you can also manage SEO descriptions, titles, and keywords.
All you need to do is head to Podbean Plugins to avail of this free plugin.
Unlimited Hosting
One of Podbean’s best features is unlimited hosting on all their paid plans. There is no storage limit on how many podcasts you can host. Besides, there are no restrictions on bandwidth or recording time, either.
As a result, you never have to worry about upgrading your plan to post more podcasts. A single plan will ensure that you are always set to upload more content.
To add to it, Podbean’s publishing feature also lets you schedule your posts. You can also publish your content through your mobile device, which means you never have to compromise on your publishing schedule.
Customer Support
Like I have already mentioned, Podbean’s core focus is its ease of use. So, it’s no surprise that with its extensive knowledge base that features dozens of blog posts and video tutorials, it is there to solve any problem you might face.
Moreover, Podbean also offers live chat and support tickets to instantly respond to your queries. However, you won’t find any phone support.
Promotion and Distribution
Podbean does more than just publish your podcast. It offers a full hosting package. This also includes promotional and distribution services.
After publishing your podcasts, Podbean automatically distributes them to every major podcast platform. These include Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.
When a user plays a podcast hosted on Podbean, they have to use the embedded podcast player. The podcast player has a bunch of useful features, including playlist management that ensures a satisfactory user experience.
Podbean also comes with email integration. So, you can automatically notify users about new episodes using their email addresses.
Video Podcast
The more premium plans from Podbean offer video hosting along with the audio. While adding videos to your podcasts may seem a little extra, it can be very useful.
Videos can add a layer of depth to certain topics. Moreover, having a video thumbnail can attract the attention of many viewers.
The biggest benefit of video podcasting is the ability to upload to YouTube along with Podbean. Since you are recording videos anyway, you don’t need to put additional effort into a YouTube channel. As a result, you can diversify your audience and maximize your reach.
Analytics
Podbean’s analytics is an underrated feature. It provides coherent data regarding the performance of your podcasts.
Podbean’s analytics offers various charts and stats to keep track of your performance. These include trending charts, engagement stats, download numbers, and so on. You can identify your core audience and sort them based on how they discovered you.
Podbean also makes a list of your best shows and their daily performance. You can even find your peak hours by checking when your audience is the most active. These behavior patterns will help you understand customer trends and help you curate better content.
Monetization
Another notable feature Podbean provides is its monetization scheme. While some people make podcasts as a hobby, a lot of them want to monetize their content. That is where Podbean’s monetization features become an important selling point.
The most common monetization scheme is through advertisements. You can choose to allow ads on your podcasts. Podbean will pair you up with an advertiser, and you can add them to your podcasts however you see fit.
Other than advertisements, podcasters can earn money from premium subscriptions or purchases. Podbean handles all the details regarding purchases. So you can just sit back, relax, and get paid!
Podbean also supports Patron integration. This means that you can ask for monetary support from your audience. Podbean’s integration lets you use all the tiers and rewards features Patron offers. Thus, providing an engaging user experience for the audience.
Live Streaming
Other than hosting pre-recorded podcasts, Podbean also lets you directly live stream podcasts.
Live streaming offers another medium for engaging with your audience. Engagement is one of the most powerful factors for success. So, live streaming opens up various opportunities to make the most out of your podcasts.
Moreover, there are many ways you can monetize live streams. Many podcasters sell tickets to exclusive live streams. Besides, live streaming is a popular option for sponsored content.
Mobile App
I have already talked about Podbean’s audio app. It is available on both Apple and Android devices.
A lot of users underestimate the impact of a niche audio app. However, Podbean has over a million active users on its platform. So, the app is pretty popular among podcast listeners.
The app is a great way to record and edit audio on the go. It has all the necessary tools built in. Besides, you can also consume content and leave comments. Overall, the app provides the full Podbean experience on your mobile device.
Podbean Review – Pricing
Podbean features a free plan with limited functionality. However, I recommend getting a premium package because of the affordable pricing.
The Unlimited package is just $9 per month. Many podcasters want to record videos for their podcasts. You can get this feature in the Unlimited Plus plan, which will cost you $29 per month to subscribe to this plan. The Business plan, which starts at $99 a month, is a good fit for larger teams.
Podbean Review
Podbean comes with a plethora of useful features. Its goal is to make podcasting simpler. So, its features reflect this goal by offering simplicity and quick workflow.
Podbean offers multiple customizable hosting packages that can make podcast distribution a breeze. These plans come with tools that take care of publishing and task management. Moreover, there are analytical tools that offer insightful data on your overall performance.
Besides the tools, Podbean’s user interface is streamlined and delivers a great user experience. You can complete most actions with the click of a few buttons. As a result, it saves you a lot of time and effort.
Podbean also has an audio app for Apple and Android devices. So, you can access your files and work on the go. Combine that with its affordable pricing, Podbean offers the whole package for any podcaster.
Podbean Review – Things I Like About Podbean
Podbean is full of useful features. So, there is a lot to like about this software. Here are some of my favorite things about Podbean.
- Beginner-friendly: Podbean is very easy to learn. This makes it a great choice for anyone who is looking to test the waters. The free plan and affordable pricing add to its reputation as a great starter platform. With 4.7/5 stars on G2, Podbean is surely a customer favorite.
- Landing page: An attractive part about Podbean is that it lets you create a landing page for your podcasts. You can also change the domain of the landing page if you already own a domain. Podbean offers this feature in all of the plans, including the free one.
- Seamless distribution: Podbean prides itself in its simplicity. It is effortless to add episodes to any platform. Moreover, you can notify your audience about new releases using email integration.
- Integrated monetization: Podbean’s integrated monetization options make it an amazing choice for podcasters. You can get multiple channels to earn, and the entire process is hassle-free.
Podbean Review – Things I Dislike About Podbean
Podbean is a great platform for hosting your podcasts. But no platform is without flaws. There are a few things about Podbean that can be deal-breakers for some people. Here is a list of things I wish Podbean did better.
- Limited website customization: Podbean offers a good number of editable templates for your landing page. But it restricts you to minor edits. There is very little room for personalized customization.
- Lack of backup: Podbean does not have a backup option. So, there is no way to restore your work if you lose it midway.
- Refund period: Even though Podbean offers affordable plans, it has a very short refund period. So, users who want to try out premium plans have very little time to decide whether Podbean is the right platform for them. Moreover, according to a few customer reviews, Podbean is pretty unclear about its terms and conditions related to cancellations and refunds.
Podbean Review – Features I Wish Podbean Had
We now know about Podbean’s shortcomings. Now, let’s look at what Podbean can do to make it a more attractive option.
- Data Sync: Adding an online sync feature can prevent your work from getting deleted due to interruptions. Users can then rest assured without the constant anxiety of losing unsaved work.
- Collaboration features: Most of Podbean’s collaborative features are limited to the Business plan. Adding some team features to smaller plans can make it a viable option for individuals and small businesses.
Podbean Alternatives
As great as Podbean is, it may not be the best option for everyone. If you feel like Podbean is not for you, you should check out some of these Podbean alternatives.
- Anchor: Anchor is a free alternative that is well-integrated with Spotify. But it lacks several advanced features that Podbean offers, including advertising and integration abilities. Moreover, Podbean’s customer support beats Anchor’s by miles.
- Casted: Casted specializes in B2B marketing and offers features that appeal to that audience. However, it does lack some B2C features.
- Transistor: Transistor prioritizes collaborative features that can benefit larger organizations. However, while Podbean can be super easy even for beginners, it may require prior knowledge and experience to get used to Transistor.
- Captivate: Captivate focuses on growth more than anything else. It is a good alternative for seasoned professionals.
Looking for more podcasting software? Check out my article on Zencastr alternatives!
Final Thoughts
So, there you have it – a solid Podbean review that discusses all the nitty-gritty details.
Podbean has been around for more than a decade. It has built up a reputation for being a reliable and simple podcast hosting platform within a pretty short time.
That said, it does have all the essential features a beginner might need. Features like premium SEO capabilities and attractive monetization options are incredibly useful for beginners and professionals alike. Coupled with its affordable price point and unlimited hosting, Podbean offers exceptional value compared to its competitors.
If you are still on the fence, I recommend trying out the free plan before purchasing a premium package. If you like what you get and are serious about podcasting, go for the plan that suits your needs the best!