What Is a Podcast Budget Template?
A podcast budget template is a planning tool that organizes all costs associated with producing, recording, editing, and distributing a podcast. Whether you're launching an independent show or producing a branded podcast for a corporate client, a clear budget helps you understand your cost per episode, plan for equipment investments, and scale your production sustainably.
Podcast budgets range from nearly zero (a USB microphone and free editing software) to tens of thousands of dollars per episode for professionally produced audio series with original music, sound design, and full post teams. Understanding your format before you budget makes every line item easier to price.
Key Podcast Budget Categories
Equipment is typically the largest upfront cost for a new podcast. A basic setup with a dynamic microphone, audio interface, and headphones runs $150 to $500. A professional studio-quality home setup can run $1,000 to $3,000. If recording in a professional studio, factor in hourly or daily studio rental rates instead.
Recording costs depend on your format. Remote interviews via Riverside.fm or Squadcast add a subscription cost ($15 to $50/month). In-person multi-host shows may require a recording engineer or a studio session booking.
Editing and post-production is where most podcast budgets are underestimated. A professional editor charges $50 to $150 per hour, and a typical 45-minute podcast can take 3 to 5 hours to edit, mix, and master. At $75/hour, that's $225 to $375 per episode. Multiply by your episode count to get annual editing costs.
Music and sound design includes your theme music (licensed or original), transition music, and any ambient sound design. Licensing royalty-free music runs $10 to $100+ per track. An original composed theme score typically runs $500 to $3,000 depending on complexity.
Hosting and distribution via platforms like Buzzsprout, Transistor, or Libsyn runs $15 to $50/month. Budget this as an ongoing annual operating cost.
Transcription and show notes add a per-episode line item if you're using human transcription ($1 to $1.50 per minute of audio) or a service like Descript. Automated transcription is often included in hosting plans.
Guest fees and talent apply to branded podcasts and high-profile shows that pay interviewees or hire voice talent for scripted segments.
Podcast Budget Ranges
A DIY podcast with basic home equipment and free or low-cost editing software can launch for under $500 total. A professionally edited independent podcast with outsourced production typically runs $300 to $800 per episode. A branded podcast produced for a corporate client can command $2,000 to $10,000 per episode, covering production, music, editing, and show management.
Ready to get started? Explore Saturation's film budgeting software to manage actuals alongside this template, or read our guide to creating a film budget for a step-by-step walkthrough. Saturation cardholders also unlock exclusive production perks on software and services used every day on set.
