What is Podbean?
Podbean is a podcast hosting and monetization platform that stores your episodes, builds your RSS feed, gives you a free podcast website and distributes your show to Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other apps. It serves independent podcasters, networks and companies, including enterprises that run private internal podcasts.
Podbean paid plans include unlimited storage, IAB-certified statistics, a customizable player and social auto-sharing. Monetization options cover an ads marketplace, dynamic ad insertion through PodAds and Apple Podcasts Subscriptions. Podbean AI cleans up audio and drafts titles, show notes, chapters and transcripts, while its AI Podcast Creator can build episodes from text or files. The Podbean app for iOS and Android records, edits and publishes on mobile, and higher plans add video, team seats, network pages and SSO. Free import makes it simple to move an existing show onto Podbean.
Podbean at a glance
How does Podbean work?
- Sign up and set up your show
Create a free account, add artwork and details, or import an existing podcast from another host.
- Record or upload
Upload episodes from the web or record and edit in the Podbean mobile app, using AI cleanup and show notes.
- Distribute and share
Publish to Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other directories, and auto-share new episodes to social accounts.
- Monetize and analyze
Join the ads marketplace, enable dynamic ads or subscriptions, and track listeners in IAB-certified stats.
Podbean key features
Unlimited storage
Paid plans include unlimited storage and unmetered bandwidth, subject to fair use, with monthly upload limits.
Podcast website and player
Every account gets a mobile-friendly site with custom domain mapping and an embeddable player.
Monetization
Ads marketplace, PodAds dynamic insertion and Apple Podcasts Subscriptions integration.
Podbean AI
Audio cleanup plus AI-generated titles, show notes, chapters and transcripts using monthly AI credits.
Video podcasts
Unlimited Plus and higher plans host video, and YouTube playlists can be turned into podcasts.
Mobile apps
The Podbean app for iOS and Android lets you record, edit and publish from a phone.
Team and enterprise tools
Network pages, multiple admins, private members, SSO and SOC2 protection on higher tiers.
Social auto-sharing
Automatically shares new episodes to connected social media accounts when they go live.
Why use Podbean?
- Unlimited storage removes worries about file size on long episodes.
- Monetization tools are available on every paid plan.
- Mobile recording and publishing suit creators on the move.
- AI tools speed up show notes and audio cleanup.
- Business features support private company podcasts at scale.
Who is Podbean best for?
A good fit for
- Independent podcasters who want built-in monetization
- Creators who record and publish from their phone
- Podcast networks managing several shows
- Companies running private internal podcasts
- Educators and churches publishing regular audio content
Less suited to
- Video creators on the entry plan, which is audio only
- Very small budgets needing advanced team features, which start at higher tiers
- Creators who need clear free plan limits before signing up
Podbean pricing
| Pricing model | Freemium |
|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes |
| Free trial | Not confirmed |
| Starting price | $12/month billed annually (Unlimited Audio); $17/month billed monthly |
Unlimited Plus ($29/month annually) adds video and 10 GB monthly uploads, Network ($79) adds team and network features, and Business ($99) adds private podcasting and SSO. A free account is available, but its limits are not listed on the pricing page.
Prices checked October 2026. Vendors change plans often, so confirm on the official Podbean pricing page before you buy.
Podbean pros and cons
Pros
- Unlimited storage on paid plans
- Broad monetization options
- Capable mobile app for recording and publishing
- Strong enterprise and private podcast features
Cons
- Video requires Unlimited Plus or higher
- Paid plans cannot be downgraded to the free plan
- Dynamic ad insertion carries a CPM fee on most plans
Podbean integrations and platforms
Works with
Available on
Podbean alternatives
See the full shortlist in Best Podcast Software.
Podbean FAQ
Is Podbean free?
Podbean lets you sign up for a free account and upgrade at any time, but its pricing page does not list the free plan's limits. Paid plans start at $12 per month billed annually, or $17 monthly, for Unlimited Audio. Once you move to a paid plan, you cannot downgrade back to free.
What is Podbean used for?
Podbean is used to host, publish and monetize podcasts. It stores episodes, creates your RSS feed and website, distributes to Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and offers advertising, dynamic ads and subscriptions. Companies also use Podbean to run private internal podcasts with access controls and SSO. Podbean also offers an AI Podcast Creator that builds episodes from text, files or ideas.
Does Podbean support video podcasts?
Yes, on Unlimited Plus and higher plans. Unlimited Plus includes 10 GB of uploads a month, enough for about 10 hours of video, and supports two audio or video podcasts. Podbean can also convert YouTube playlists into podcasts. The entry Unlimited Audio plan is limited to audio.
Podbean vs Buzzsprout: what's the difference?
Podbean offers unlimited storage with monthly upload limits, a mobile recording app, built-in ad marketplace and enterprise features such as private podcasting and SSO. Buzzsprout prices by upload hours, is known for its very simple interface, and offers add-ons such as Magic Mastering. Both include stats, websites and directory distribution. Podbean also offers free import from another host on every plan.
Can I make money with Podbean?
Yes. Podbean includes several monetization options on paid plans: an ads marketplace that connects shows with sponsors, PodAds dynamic ad insertion, and Apple Podcasts Subscriptions integration. Dynamic ad insertion carries a $1 CPM fee on most plans and is free on the Network plan. Listeners can also support shows through Apple subscriptions without leaving their podcast app.
Sources
This overview is based on Podbean's official website and documentation, checked October 2026.