Starting a podcast costs anywhere from $15/month to $500+ upfront, depending on your goals and gear. In this guide, we break down exactly what a realistic podcast budget looks like across three tiers — small, medium, and large — so you can invest the right amount from day one.
But a little disclaimer to start: The ambitions and therefore the budgets can vary from one podcaster to another.
For example, a B2B consultant using their podcast to generate leads and position themselves as a thought leader will budget very differently from a music lover recording episode reviews from their bedroom. Both are legitimate — the goals just aren’t the same, and neither is the ROI calculation. 🎶
So in this article, I will propose three situations in the hopes that you will relate to one of them…
- Those who really want to start a podcast but who have a very small budget 💸
- Those who have a medium budget and want to invest a bit into their project 💵
- Those who will go to great financial lengths to get their podcast off the ground 🤑
Feel free to have some paper around to take notes, and maybe some of your overall budget information that you may have already!
Those with a small budget 💸
In this first situation, I’m looking for those that really want to start their podcast, but they have a very small budget to do so.
I’m talking about a maximum of $15 per month that they can dedicate to their show as their podcast budget.
But there’s good news: You don’t have to be Daddy Warbucks to launch your podcast and have your voice heard.
Because with podcasting, you can probably get by with the equipment you have now, and as your podcast budget grows you can upgrade your materials. 👌
For this, you’ll just need your smartphone, a downloaded recording application, and podcast headphones. For a full overview of what you’ll need as you grow, check out our guide to essential podcast equipment. 🎧
If these are all the pieces of equipment you have, make sure that you’re recording somewhere that will help improve the audio quality.
For example, in a very furnished room, with carpet, and lots of fabrics and items that can absorb the sound to help prevent an echo. 🛋️
Pile pillows around you in your bedroom, close the door, and hit record — it’s surprisingly effective, and it costs nothing. The goal is to surround yourself with soft surfaces that kill the room reflections before they reach your mic.
Or record under your comforter — it sounds absurd, but it genuinely works. The fabric absorbs reflections the same way acoustic foam panels do in a professional studio. Many successful podcasters launched their first episodes this way, and listeners rarely notice the difference when the content is compelling. 🛌
You may need a backup plan if you decide to invite guests on your show, but if it’s just you, go for it!
So at this point you still haven’t spent a dime, leaving you with $15 to spare in your podcast budget.
You can use this to pay for your Ausha subscription, something that is necessary for launching a podcast.
Ausha can host your podcast for $15 per month with our Launch plan. 🚀
And there you go, for only $15 per month you can create and broadcast your podcast! Not sure where to start? Read our step-by-step guide on how to create a podcast in 2026.
Those with a medium budget
Those with a medium podcast budget but who also want to invest some money into their show will usually spend between $50-$70 to start off and about $30 per month.
When you start a podcast you don’t need the best of the best equipment, because what if all of a sudden you decide you don’t like podcasting… then what are you going to do? 🤨
So as you continue podcasting, and becoming more and more of a professional, you can upgrade your equipment and see what’s out there to increase the quality of your show. 📈
When it comes to equipment you have a wide range of choices.
To start with the least expensive and most effective, I suggest the lavalier mic. You can easily find one for just a few dollars and grab a double-jack adapter to plug into your phone and you’re all set!
The Bird UM-1 mic (~$60) is a reliable plug-and-play USB microphone that works on both Mac and PC without drivers. It delivers a cardioid polar pattern that rejects background noise from the sides and rear — exactly what you need when recording in a home office or non-treated room. 🎙️
If you want the best sound quality, I recommend getting a pop filter.
This protects your microphone from picking up unwanted popping sounds that occur from certain consonants when you speak.
You can usually find a pop filter for around $10, and it’s definitely worth it!
You should still record in a well-insulated room to avoid an echo in your podcast.
And then grab your subscription to Ausha, and start recording those episodes! 💜
For this podcast budget I recommend the Boost Plan, our most popular plan, with lots of amazing features!
And with only $70 for the equipment and your Ausha subscription at $29 per month, you’re still in your podcast budget!
Those with a large budget
Those that have a large budget may be willing to spend about $500 to launch their podcast and then around $70 per month.
Better sound quality comes with a real cost — but it also comes with a real return. A well-produced podcast keeps listeners coming back, and for entrepreneurs or brands using their show to build authority, that production value is part of the message. 💰
To create the best podcast out there, unless you’re a Monet or Mozart in the making, you’ll need to pay for your podcast cover art and music for your show.
~ In the first two situations, I assumed that you would create everything yourself, or ask friends for help ~
But if you’re willing to put more money into your show, you can leave this to the professionals.
Hiring a graphic designer to create your podcast artwork can cost between $50 and $150 to start, but can be a lot more. 🖼️
And if you want to invest in better equipment, you can get a Blue Yeti mic — a favorite among podcasters for its great sound quality at a reasonable price. See our full podcast microphone comparison guide to find the best fit for your setup.
You can simply plug the Blue Yeti mic into your computer with a USB, and it costs about $100. 💻
But if you really want to go even further, you could invest in a podcast mixer that makes super great quality audio tracks. This is helpful when you have multiple people speaking on your show. 🎛️
Podcast sound mixers usually start at around $200 but can go up to over $600.
Now for your Ausha subscription, if you really want to reach as many people as possible to increase your number of downloads, go with the Supersonic Plan from Ausha.
At $69 per month, you get access to the most advanced statistics and the ability to connect all of your social networks so that you can automate your communication. 📱
You can also allow multiple people to work on your show at the same time!
And so for this the total comes to about $450 for starting off and $70 per month!
Still on track with your podcast budget!
| Budget level | What it includes + Estimated cost |
|---|---|
| Small 💸 | Use existing smartphone + free apps, basic recording setup. Ausha Launch plan → $15/month |
| Medium 💵 | Entry-level mic (lavalier or Bird UM-1), pop filter, simple gear upgrades. Ausha Boost plan → $29/month |
| Large 🤑 | Pro mic (Blue Yeti), optional mixer, custom artwork & music by professionals. Ausha Supersonic plan → $69/month |
So, which podcast budget is right for you?
The budget that you choose will depend on your goals as a podcaster. 🥅
So my advice to you is to figure out what your goals are first, and then let that play a role in deciding your podcast budget, along with your financial situation. If you’re launching a podcast for your business specifically, our complete guide to launching a business podcast will walk you through every step.
But the moral of the story here is that almost anyone can start a podcast! 😁
It doesn’t take a lot of money, just an idea and the passion to get started!
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