Buzzsprout vs Transistor: hosting your podcast
Pick Buzzsprout if this is your first show and you want to start without paying. Its free plan keeps each episode online for 90 days, which is enough to test recording, publishing and listing on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Pick Transistor once you run more than one show or need private feeds: one plan from $19 a month covers as many podcasts as you like, billed by downloads.
Which one to pick
You are launching a first podcast, want a free plan to test with and prefer a clear dashboard with a ready-made website and listener stats.
You run several shows, publish a private feed for members or staff, or need team seats on one account starting at $19 a month.
Side by side
Questions
Does a free start on Buzzsprout beat paying $19 for Transistor?
Buzzsprout has a free plan, so your first episodes cost nothing. Transistor skips the free tier and bills from $19 a month. Transistor bills by downloads across all your shows, so adding a second or third podcast does not raise the price. If you only ever run one small show, Buzzsprout is the lower bill to start with.
What happens to my episodes on the Buzzsprout free plan?
On the free plan each episode stays online for 90 days. After that it drops off your feed unless you upgrade to a paid plan. That makes the free plan a trial for your format and workflow, not a permanent home for a back catalogue. Move to a paid plan before your first episodes reach the 90-day mark.
Can I move my podcast from Buzzsprout to Transistor later?
Yes. Both hosts publish a standard RSS feed, and Spotify and Apple Podcasts follow your feed when you redirect it to the new host. Your subscribers keep receiving new episodes. Plan the switch before any free-plan episodes expire, so the full archive moves with you.
Which one handles a private podcast for a team or members?
Transistor does. It lets you publish private feeds for members or staff and add several team seats to one account. Buzzsprout is built around public shows listed in directories. For internal updates or a paid members' feed, Transistor is the one to choose.
Do both work for a podcast made in the UK or Europe?
Both hosts serve the UK, Spain, Germany, France and Italy, and your show reaches listeners through the same directories. Prices are in US dollars on both, so your card is charged in USD. Language is not a barrier for listeners, since the feed carries whatever language you record in.