Have you always had a knack for storytelling or advice-giving? Whether your show notes news-worthy events or relays dating advice, you’ll need a reliable way to share it with the world.
When you start your own podcast, you need a place to store and distribute all of your episodes. You should use a platform that lets you get in front of current fans and new users who may have an interest in your content.
There are hundreds of podcast hosting platforms available. Each one differs in pricing and the specific features they have available. How do you know which app to use for your show?
No one solution will work for everyone. The right platform for you will depend on your unique needs, preferences, budget, and other factors. Selecting the wrong one could cost you some growth for your brand. You may not be able to get in front of your fans as easily or store as many episodes. That’s why choosing your podcast hosting app is not a decision that should happen instantly; you need to evaluate your options and determine what you need your ideal app to offer.
Here, we will take an in-depth look at two popular podcast hosting platforms: PodOmatic vs SoundCloud (see also ‘Mixcloud Vs Soundcloud‘). We’ll tell you what these platforms are, what they offer, what sets them apart, and which one is the best for you.
The Platforms Themselves
PodOmatic (see also ‘Podbean Vs Podomatic‘) is a podcast hosting platform that was created in 2005. It’s a U.S.-based company with its headquarters located in San Francisco, CA. Unlike SoundCloud, it exclusively hosts podcasts. This app allows users to create their own podcasts and find others’ audio and visual podcasts.
SoundCloud, which is a German-based company, was founded two years later in 2007. Soundcloud allows users to host various audio content including music and podcasts, which makes it more versatile than PodOmatic.
SoundCloud is definitely the more well-known of the two platforms. However, both options offer unique advantages, which we will explore below.
Ideal Users
As mentioned above, PodOmatic is specifically for podcast creators. Any audio creator, including podcast users and musicians, can use SoundCloud as their hosting app.
Each platform will allow beginner and veteran podcast hosts to put on their podcasts. They have different plans available that cater to those with either small or large followings.
Free Plans
If you’re not ready to pay for a podcast hosting platform, you don’t have to! Both PodOmatic and SoundCloud offer free plans for new podcast creators. This lets new creators create a free podcast show. They can get comfortable with the platform’s interface before they need to make any commitment.
PodOmatic’s free plan will grant a podcast host the following benefits:
- 15 GB bandwidth per month
- 500 MB of storage
- Basic stats
Read more – Podomatic full review here.
The free plan for SoundCloud offers:
- 3 hours of upload time per month
- Basic embed controls
- Basic stats
Read more – SoundCloud full review here.
The free plans for PodOmatic and SoundCloud do not expire. Any creator can stay on either platform’s free plan indefinitely.
RSS Feed Implementation
Some podcast creators have neglected the importance of an RSS feed or a Rich Site Summary feed. In the modern world, a lot of creators prioritize social media networks over RSS feeds. However, RSS feeds are still very relevant.
Both PodOmatic and SoundCloud (see also our comparison of SoundCloud and Bandcamp) implement the use of an RSS feed to share their audio files. Each creator will have access to their own feed. They use this feed to consistently send updated content to other web services like Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
Different Plans for Pro Users
A lot of creators benefit from the free versions of PodOmatic and SoundCloud. However, those with large audiences need more storage and features to put on the best show possible.
PodOmatic and SoundCloud have very different paid plans available for pro users to host their podcasts.
- Pro: 100 GB bandwidth per month, 2 GB of storage
- Pro Plus: 200 GB bandwidth per month, 3 GB of storage
- Pro Platinum: 500 GB bandwidth per month, 5 GB of storage
- Broadcaster: unlimited bandwidth, unlimited storage
The paid plans for SoundCloud include:
- Repost: offers ways to maximize monetization
- Pro Unlimited: unlimited upload hours, access to Repost at no additional cost
PodOmatic’s paid system is very layered, so some creators at the lower levels may feel they are not getting their money’s worth. On the other hand, SoundCloud offers simplified paid plans for creators. The SoundCloud Pro Unlimited plan grants you unlimited bandwidth and unlimited storage, while the more affordable Repost plan offers comprehensive ways to monetize your content.
Payment Plans for Pro Versions
For their Pro versions, both SoundCloud and PodOmatic let you pay with a month plan. However, consider signing up for a year in advance instead of deciding on the month plan. No matter if you go with SoundCloud or PodOmatic, you will experience significant savings by signing up for an annual subscription.
Marketing Features
You could be creating the most informative or entertaining content on the Internet, but how is anyone going to know about your podcast if you don’t put the word out? You need to choose a podcast host that will provide you with effective marketing features. You shouldn’t have to rely on social media marketing alone; you can use your podcast hosting service to do some of the work for you.
When you’re on the Broadcaster plan with PodOmatic, you will have access to free podcast ads. Your show will also rotate on the platform’s Featured Podcast area. While this won’t guarantee an increase in your views and shares, it will expose your content to potential viewers.
SoundCloud has some unique marketing features that are worth noting. For example, you can schedule your releases. This way, your SoundCloud podcast listeners will come to know what to expect from you.
When using SoundCloud, you can pin your top 5 playlists or tracks at the top of your profile. This “Spotlight” feature will help you interact with your SoundCloud fans and be more involved in the podcast community.
Furthermore, SoundCloud lets you participate in playlist pitching and exclusive partnerships. These opportunities can help your podcast brand get the exposure it needs to grow on SoundCloud.
Analytics
To know how your podcast is performing, you should have a way to keep track of its performance.
SoundCloud offers basic statistics in real-time for users on the free plan. SoundCloud podcast creators can view downloads, comments, reposts, plays, and likes with the free version.
A Pro Unlimited podcast creator will have access to more in-depth statistics like:
- Top listeners in different cities and countries
- Plays by RSS, website, and any third-party app
If you’re on PodOmatic, you will have access to similar statistics. With any PRO PodOmatic plan, you can view any one of the following stats:
- Comments
- Followers
- Embeds
- Geographic info for audience members
PodOmatic offers a more visually-pleasing presentation of podcast creators’ analytics. You can access visual graphs that neatly break down every statistic. You can also view a breakdown of your analytics by each individual episode.
Storage
One of the major drawbacks of using SoundCloud is that the website measures uploads by time rather than file size. This way of measuring uploads is one of the major factors that demonstrate how SoundCloud is not meant primarily for podcasters.
Podcast hosts dislike this way of measuring uploads, as it doesn’t allow you to upload as much high-quality content per month.
On the other hand, the PodOmatic podcast player measures uploads by file size. This is a much more desirable feature for podcast creators.
Ease of Use
To make the most efficient use of your time, you should consider ease of use when choosing a podcast hosting website. From our experience, both SoundCloud and PodOmatic have very user-friendly interfaces that even complete beginners can navigate.
SoundCloud offers full embed podcast player customization that lets you change your podcast player’s style, size, and color. Plus, if you don’t want public comments on, you can turn them off. PodOmatic has a simple drag-and-drop interface with custom CSS for the ideal user experience.
PodOmatic is built specifically for anyone who’s starting from scratch. When you are on the Broadcaster plan, you will have access to PodOmatic’s website builder. PodOmatic is partnered with Weebly, so you can build your own website. This is a nice feature, especially if you don’t already have a website for your brand. When you build your website with PodOmatic, you don’t need any coding knowledge.
IAB Compliance
The IAB, or Interactive Advertising Bureau, has put out one standard collection metrics that podcast hosts can use to keep track of their episodes’ listening numbers.
The organization exists to help creators in the podcast industry understand their analytics and grow their audiences.
IAB compliance is important for show hosts who need to share listening numbers with their personal teams and advertisers.
The analytics for both SoundCloud and PodOmatic are not IAB compliant. Neither website will be ideal for your brand if you need access to robust, IAB-compliant statistics.
Despite this lack of IAB compliance, users on each platform have reported that the stats are relatively accurate.
Customer Service Quality
As an up-and-coming creator, you should focus on making new content that your fans will love. Podcast hosts shouldn’t need to worry about addressing menial concerns. Make sure you’ll have a reliable team on your side that’s ready to address any issues that arise.
All creators on any Pro PodOmatic account will receive access to priority email support. They can also use the exclusive Pro Care hotline.
SoundCloud notes that Repost podcast hosts will receive priority support. However, the SoundCloud team doesn’t specify the response time. SoundCloud Pro Unlimited podcast hosts will get priority support within one business day. This promise of quick customer service will make it a lot easier for you to handle any issues that come up.
Monetization Support for Podcast Hosting
Though you may be a podcast host because you love what you do, you need to consider the financial side of podcast hosting. This factor may not matter as much if you’re just podcast hosting as a hobby.
However, if you want podcast hosting to become your main revenue source, you should ensure your podcast hosting service will offer monetization support that will meet your needs.
Both podcast player platforms have their advantages when it comes to monetization support. As a podcast creator who relies on revenue from podcasts to make a living, you want to minimize any issues with getting the money you’re entitled to.
In terms of monetization support, SoundCloud pays podcast creators through its own website platform, Repost. You can also receive additional income from exclusive partnership opportunities with different brands. PodOmatic allows podcast creators to earn money primarily from Patreon. Patreon is directly integrated into Podomatic’s website, making it easy to make money from your content.
As you can see, both SoundCloud and PodOmatic offer reliable ways for podcast creators to earn revenue from your podcasts.
Longevity
As a podcast creator, you should host your podcasts on a reliable platform. This way, you can rest assured that your content will be readily available to anyone who wants to consume it. You shouldn’t worry about the platform falling apart or going out of business; if this were to happen, you would have to migrate to a different site altogether, which can be quite a hassle.
PodOmatic has been going strong since its inception more than 15 years ago. It hasn’t experienced any newsworthy bankruptcy scares, so we can assume it will be around for the long run.
SoundCloud, which has been around for approximately the same amount of time, hasn’t had the same smooth journey. There was a lot of talk about this platform going out of business in 2017. A $170 million investment ultimately saved SoundCloud from Raine Group and Temasek, Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund.
When it comes to PodOmatic vs SoundCloud, the latter may be harder to trust for the long term. If you use SoundCloud as your primary platform, you may be assuming some long-term risk. However, SoundCloud has become a well-known name trusted by many famous podcast creators.
When deciding between PodOmatic and SoundCloud, be aware of the potential risk you’re taking on if you go with SoundCloud over PodOmatic.
Conclusion
As we’ve discussed above, some of the podcast hosting factors for these two platforms are virtually the same. Their overall objectives are the same, as they both allow users to store and distribute their audio files in one way or another. With either podcast hosting website, you can reach users all across the Internet in places like Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
However, the two podcast player websites differ in some notable areas like pricing, storage, and monetization support. When you’re starting your own podcast, you need a functional, trustworthy place to keep all of your content.
Use our PodOmatic vs SoundCloud guide to decide whether PodOmatic or SoundCloud is right for your show. Think through each factor carefully so you can maximize your reach, simplify your experience as a podcast host, and choose the one platform that’s best for you.
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