Buzzsprout vs Iris.fm

Buzzsprout hosts and distributes audio and video podcast episodes. It provides an RSS feed, distribution to major directories, and analytics that filter bots and duplicate requests; its podcast statistics are IAB 2.2 Certified. Video podcasts can be sent to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Monetization options include subscriptions, advertising, dynamic content, and listener payments, while automatic transcripts support accessibility and SEO. Podcast websites include transcripts, an RSS feed, directory links, and custom URLs. Mobile apps are available for managing a podcast. The free service lasts 90 days and allows two hours of content per cycle. Free episodes are hosted for 90 days, then held in a safety net for another 90 days before permanent removal. Audio costs $18 a month for six hours monthly; Audio + Video costs $30 a month for six hours monthly. On those plans, extra hours cost $2 per hour and are added to the next invoice. Annual plans do not permit additional hours. Buzzsprout was founded in 2009 and is based in Jacksonville, Florida.

Iris.fm records remote podcast interviews in a browser, capturing each participant locally and delivering separate audio and video files for editing. Live captions appear during a session and are saved with the recording, while progressive uploads back up the session as it proceeds. Guests join through a browser link without installing an app or creating an Iris account. Rooms support host, producer, and guest roles with device controls and up to nine people recording at once. The service supports desktop and laptop browsers as well as iPhone and Android, with Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Edge listed. Users can create a branded studio with a custom URL. Paid plans include Google Drive and Dropbox uploads, and recording hours are counted by total session time rather than multiplied by participant count. Starter costs $9 a month and includes two recording hours; Pro costs $19 a month and includes five, while Studio costs $29 a month and includes ten. Iris operates its services in the United States, where information from users elsewhere is transferred, stored, and processed.