kitio.aiPodbean vs Async
A side-by-side look at pricing plans, free tiers, features, pros and cons, updated for 2026. Async has the lower starting price: about $15 a month, against $17 for Podbean.
At a glance
Best for
Category
Pricing model
Starting price
Free plan
Made by
Based in
Rating
Key features
- Podcast hosting
- Podbean AI audio enhancement
- AI podcast creator
- Dynamic ad insertion
- Podcast Studio recording app
- MCP server
- Remote multitrack recording
- Magic Dust audio enhancement
- Transcript editing
- Voice cloning and TTS
- Podcast hosting
- Voice API
| Feature | Podbean | Async |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Podcast hosting with AI audio cleanup, show notes and episode creation | AI podcast and video creation platform, formerly Podcastle |
| Category | Audio & voice | Audio & voice |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Starting price | $17/mo | $14.99/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Made by | Podbean Tech LLC | Async |
| Based in | United States | United States |
| Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Key features |
|
|
Both offer: Podcast hosting.
Pricing compared
Async has the lower starting price: about $15 a month, against $17 for Podbean.
Free plan
Cheapest paid plan
Top plan
Free trial
5 plans
Basic
Free
- Free podcast hosting
- Limited storage
Unlimited Audio
$17/mo
- Unlimited audio storage
- Unmetered bandwidth
- Podbean AI credits
Unlimited Plus
$39/mo
- Video podcasts
- More AI credits
- Unmetered bandwidth
Network
$99/mo
- Multiple podcasts
- Free dynamic ad insertion
Business
$129/mo
- Private podcasts for teams
- Highest AI credit allowance
Prices in USD, checked Oct 28, 2026 or later. Plans change often, so confirm on each tool's site before you buy.
Pros and cons
Podbean
- Unlimited storage and bandwidth on paid plans
- Several ways to monetize a show
- AI tools built into the host
- AI features use limited monthly credits
- Paid plans can't be downgraded to free
- Monthly billing costs more than yearly
Async
- Recording, editing and hosting together
- Good audio enhancement
- Cheaper than most rivals
- AI credits make costs hard to predict
- Rebrand means older guides use Podcastle
Which one should you choose?
Choose Podbean if you want:
- Unlimited storage and bandwidth on paid plans
- Several ways to monetize a show
- AI tools built into the host
Watch out: ai features use limited monthly credits.
Choose Async if you want:
- Recording, editing and hosting together
- Good audio enhancement
- Cheaper than most rivals
Watch out: ai credits make costs hard to predict.
Podbean vs Async FAQ
What is the difference between Podbean and Async?
Podbean: Podcast hosting with AI audio cleanup, show notes and episode creation. Async: AI podcast and video creation platform, formerly Podcastle. Both are audio & voice tools.
Is Podbean or Async cheaper?
Async has the lower starting price: about $15 a month, against $17 for Podbean.
Do Podbean and Async have free plans?
Podbean: Yes. Async: Yes.
Who makes Podbean?
Podbean is made by Podbean Tech LLC, based in United States.
Who makes Async?
Async is made by Async, based in United States.
Which should I choose, Podbean or Async?
Choose Podbean if you value unlimited storage and bandwidth on paid plans and several ways to monetize a show. Choose Async if you value recording, editing and hosting together and good audio enhancement.