Buzzsprout vs. RSS.com

Podcasting has exploded in popularity over the past decade, becoming a powerful medium for creators, businesses, and hobbyists to share stories, ideas, and expertise with a global audience. In 2025, the podcasting landscape continues to evolve, and choosing the right hosting platform is a critical decision for anyone looking to launch or grow their show. Two prominent players in this space are Buzzsprout and RSS.com, both of which offer robust tools and features tailored to podcasters. But how do they stack up against each other? In this article, we’ll dive deep into a head-to-head comparison of Buzzsprout and RSS.com, exploring their pricing, features, ease of use, analytics, monetization options, customer support, and more to help you decide which platform is best suited for your podcasting needs.

Buzzsprout: The Veteran Podcasting Solution

Buzzsprout has been a staple in the podcast hosting industry since its launch in 2009. Based in Jacksonville, Florida, it has built a reputation as a beginner-friendly platform with a strong community of over 400,000 podcasters. Buzzsprout prides itself on simplifying the podcasting process, offering tools to help users get their shows online and distributed to major directories like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Its focus on usability, coupled with advanced features like dynamic content insertion and detailed analytics, makes it a go-to choice for both novices and seasoned podcasters.

RSS.com: The Modern Contender

RSS.com, while newer to the scene, has quickly gained traction since its inception in 2018. Marketed as an affordable, all-in-one podcasting solution, RSS.com emphasizes unlimited storage, ease of use, and automatic distribution to top podcast directories. With a mission to empower creators worldwide, it has attracted tens of thousands of podcasters by offering competitive pricing and features like free episode transcriptions and cross-platform analytics. RSS.com positions itself as a budget-friendly alternative with scalability in mind, appealing to independent creators, students, and small businesses.

Pricing: Which Platform Offers Better Value?

Pricing is often the first consideration for podcasters, especially those just starting out or operating on a tight budget. Let’s break down the cost structures of Buzzsprout and RSS.com.

Buzzsprout Pricing

Buzzsprout offers a tiered pricing model based on monthly upload limits, with a free plan and three paid options:

Free Plan: $0/month, 2 hours of uploads per month, episodes hosted for 90 days, includes ads on your podcast page.
3-Hour Plan: $12/month, 3 hours of uploads per month, indefinite hosting, no ads.
6-Hour Plan: $18/month, 6 hours of uploads per month.
12-Hour Plan: $24/month, 12 hours of uploads per month.

Additional features like Magic Mastering (audio enhancement) and transcriptions cost extra ($0.25/minute). Buzzsprout also offers an Archive plan for $5/month if you need to pause your show but keep episodes live. Notably, all paid plans include a free podcast website and unlimited storage for episodes, though you’re capped by upload time rather than file size.

RSS.com Pricing

RSS.com takes a different approach with flat-rate plans that emphasize unlimited uploads and storage:

All-in-One Podcasting: $11.99/month (or $9.99/month if paid annually), unlimited episodes and audio, full feature access.
Podcast Networks: $19.99/month (or $14.99/month annually), designed for hosting multiple shows under one account.
Student/Non-Profit Plan: $4.99/month, same features as the All-in-One plan, tailored for educational or nonprofit use.

RSS.com doesn’t offer a free plan but provides a 30-day money-back guarantee and occasional promotions, like six free months when transferring from another host (e.g., Buzzsprout). Unlike Buzzsprout, there are no limits on upload time or additional fees for features like transcriptions, which are included for free.

Pricing Verdict

Buzzsprout’s free plan is a great entry point for testing the waters, but its limitations (90-day hosting, upload caps) make it less viable for serious podcasters. The paid plans are affordable but restrictive if you produce longer episodes or frequent content, as you’ll need to upgrade for more upload time. RSS.com’s unlimited model offers better value for creators who want predictability and scalability without worrying about hitting caps. For budget-conscious podcasters or those with multiple shows, RSS.com’s pricing—especially the student/non-profit tier—edges out Buzzsprout.

Features: Tools to Power Your Podcast

Both platforms offer a suite of features to streamline podcasting, but their approaches differ. Let’s compare the key tools.

Episode Management and Distribution

Buzzsprout: Uploading episodes is intuitive, with automatic optimization for file types, bitrates, and ID3 tags. It distributes to major directories (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, etc.) with a few clicks. Dynamic Content allows you to add pre-roll or post-roll messages to all episodes, even retroactively.
RSS.com: Similarly user-friendly, RSS.com also optimizes uploads and offers automatic distribution to top directories, including Spotify and Amazon Music. A standout feature is its unlimited episode hosting—no caps on quantity or duration—making it ideal for prolific creators.

Website and Player

Buzzsprout: Every paid plan includes a customizable podcast website with SEO optimization, transcripts, and an embeddable player. You can connect a custom domain, though free plan users get ads on their pages.
RSS.com: Provides a free, mobile-friendly website with all plans, complete with an embeddable player and customization options. No ads are inserted, and you can add donation links or external site connections.

Analytics

Buzzsprout: Offers IAB-certified analytics with insights into downloads, listener locations, devices, and apps. Stats are detailed and easy to digest, though advanced features require a paid plan.
RSS.com: Provides cross-platform analytics tracking downloads, listener trends, and geographic data. While not explicitly IAB-certified, the analytics are robust and accessible across all plans.

Monetization

Buzzsprout: Supports monetization through listener support (Patreon, PayPal, etc.), an affiliate marketplace, and Buzzsprout Ads (though ad matching can be hit-or-miss). Subscription features are limited unless you have a large audience.
RSS.com: Offers donation buttons (e.g., Bitcoin, Podcorn sponsors), Apple Podcasts Subscriptions, and a straightforward monetization setup. Its simplicity makes it accessible for smaller shows.

Unique Features

Buzzsprout: Magic Mastering enhances audio quality, and Cohost AI assists with episode planning (both add-ons). The platform also integrates with YouTube for video podcasting.
RSS.com: Free episode transcriptions boost accessibility and SEO, while PodViz auto-generates YouTube videos from your audio. It also supports multiple shows under one account with the Podcast Networks plan.

Features Verdict

Buzzsprout shines with premium tools like Magic Mastering and Dynamic Content, appealing to podcasters who want polish and flexibility. RSS.com counters with unlimited hosting, free transcriptions, and multi-show support, making it a stronger choice for creators prioritizing scalability and cost-free extras. Your preference depends on whether you value advanced editing tools (Buzzsprout) or unlimited freedom (RSS.com).

Ease of Use: Getting Started and Beyond

Buzzsprout

Buzzsprout’s dashboard is sleek and beginner-friendly, with step-by-step guides and a vast library of educational resources (blog posts, YouTube videos, and a Facebook community). Uploading, scheduling, and distributing episodes is a breeze, though managing add-ons like transcriptions requires extra steps and fees.

RSS.com

RSS.com boasts a straightforward interface that’s equally accessible to novices. The setup process is quick—upload your audio, customize your site, and distribute in minutes. The lack of upload limits and included features (like transcriptions) reduces complexity compared to Buzzsprout’s tiered system.

Ease of Use Verdict

Both platforms excel in usability, but RSS.com’s all-in-one approach feels slightly less fragmented than Buzzsprout’s, where additional features often require upgrades or manual activation. Beginners will thrive on either, though RSS.com’s simplicity might give it a slight edge.

Customer Support: Who’s Got Your Back?

Buzzsprout

Buzzsprout offers top-tier support via email and a ticketing system, with responses typically within hours. Its extensive knowledge base, video tutorials, and active Facebook group provide ample self-help options. Users rave about the team’s responsiveness and expertise.

RSS.com

RSS.com provides email support and a dedicated team reachable through its website. While not as widely praised as Buzzsprout’s, the support is reliable, and the platform’s intuitive design minimizes the need for assistance. A growing library of help articles supplements the experience.

Support Verdict

Buzzsprout takes the lead here with its proven track record and community-driven resources. RSS.com’s support is solid but doesn’t yet match Buzzsprout’s depth or reputation.

Migration and Flexibility

Switching to Buzzsprout

Buzzsprout makes migration easy with a free import tool, pulling episodes from your existing RSS feed. However, its upload limits mean you’ll need to plan your tier carefully if you have a large back catalog.

Switching to RSS.com

RSS.com offers a seamless transfer process, importing your show and episodes with minimal downtime. The six-month free offer for switchers (as of March 2025) sweetens the deal, and unlimited hosting ensures no constraints on your archive.

Migration Verdict

RSS.com wins for its unlimited hosting and transfer incentive, making it a more flexible option for podcasters moving from another platform.

Pros and Cons

Buzzsprout Pros

Beginner-friendly with a free plan.
Advanced features like Magic Mastering and Dynamic Content.
Strong analytics and community support.
Seamless YouTube integration.

Buzzsprout Cons

Upload limits on all plans.
Extra fees for premium features.
Free plan episodes expire after 90 days.

RSS.com Pros

Unlimited uploads and storage.
Free transcriptions and multi-show support.
Affordable pricing with no hidden costs.
Generous transfer incentives.

RSS.com Cons

No free plan.
Fewer premium editing tools.
Less extensive support resources.

Final Verdict: Buzzsprout vs. RSS.com

In 2025, both Buzzsprout and RSS.com are excellent podcast hosting platforms, but they cater to slightly different needs. Buzzsprout stands out as a polished, feature-rich option for podcasters who want a guided experience with premium tools and don’t mind upload caps or extra costs. Its long history and community support make it a safe, reliable choice.

RSS.com, on the other hand, offers unmatched value with its unlimited model, free extras, and straightforward pricing. It’s a forward-thinking platform for creators who want flexibility and growth potential without breaking the bank.

Winner: It’s a close call, but RSS.com edges out Buzzsprout for its cost-effectiveness, unlimited hosting, and scalability—perfect for the modern podcaster looking to build a sustainable show. However, if premium features and a proven track record matter more, Buzzsprout remains a stellar choice.

Ultimately, your decision hinges on your budget, content output, and long-term goals. Whichever you choose, both platforms will get your voice out to the world—now it’s up to you to make it heard.