How Much Does Auphonic Cost in 2026?

Auphonic's unique positioning is dedicated audio post-production — it doesn't compete with Riverside/SquadCast/Async/Alitu on recording. Instead, it specializes in post-processing: take a recording from any platform (Zoom, Riverside, in-person studio, etc.) and apply professional-grade audio processing. Audio leveling (automatic loudness normalization to podcast industry standards like -16 LUFS), noise reduction (remove background hiss/hum/traffic), hum reduction (eliminate 50/60 Hz electrical interference), filter elimination (smart filter application), transcription (automatic speech-to-text), metadata tagging (embed podcast metadata in exports for podcast apps), chapter marks (timed segment markers). For podcasters wanting broadcast-quality audio without expensive manual mastering, Auphonic is purpose-built. Pricing structure is unusual and flexible: production hours determine cost rather than features. Free tier at 2 hours/month covers hobby podcasters or evaluation. Monthly subscriptions: 9 hours $13/month ($1.44/hour effective), 21 hours $28/month ($1.33/hour), 45 hours $56/month ($1.24/hour), 100 hours $112/month ($1.12/hour). Volume discounts apply — heavier podcasters get lower per-hour rates. One-time credits + recurring credits offer alternative pay-as-you-go flexibility — useful for podcasters with irregular schedules. Credits persist 2 months on monthly plans or until year-end on yearly plans — unused credits don't accumulate forever. The Web UI + API enables programmatic access — podcasters with technical skills can automate production workflows by uploading from scripts or integration services. All features available across all plans — only production hours differ, unlike tiered competitors where advanced features gate behind higher tiers. For podcasters committed to Riverside/SquadCast for recording but wanting additional post-production polish, Auphonic at $13-28/month (9-21 hours) complements recording tools cost-effectively. For solo podcasters also wanting recording, Alitu ($32/month annual) or Async (Storyteller) bundle recording + production in one platform at comparable total cost. Where Auphonic wins: dedicated post-production specialist (unmatched in category), flexible production-hour pricing + credit options suit variable workflows, all features available across all plans (no feature gating), API access enables programmatic workflow automation, volume discounts reward heavier usage (per-hour rate drops from $1.44 to $1.12). Where it loses: NOT a recording tool — requires separate recording platform (Riverside, SquadCast, etc.), 2-hour free tier tight for evaluation, 100-hour cap on top tier ($112) may require multiple subscriptions for very heavy podcasters, pricing marked UNVERIFIED (page returned 404, rates from public documentation), web-only UI (no mobile apps).