Head-to-head comparison
NPR Training vs School of Podcasting
Two of the resources tools podcasters reach for. Here's how they differ on pricing, features, audience, and the trade-offs that actually matter day-to-day.
Free audio storytelling and journalism resources from NPR's newsroom training team.
Best for: Audio journalism craft
One of the oldest paid podcasting courses, founded 2005, now owned by Podpage.
Best for: Structured podcast course
At a glance
The honest trade-offs
NPR Training
Pros
- Completely free, no signup required
- Working-newsroom perspective
- Practical not theoretical
Watch-outs
- Strong journalism orientation
- Light on monetization topics
- Updates irregularly
School of Podcasting
Pros
- Two decades of continuous teaching
- Hall of Fame instructor with unlimited coaching access
- Free tier rolling out via Podpage acquisition
Watch-outs
- Curriculum in transition right now
- Older content still being refreshed
- Tone is folksy rather than slick
Which one should you pick?
Pick NPR Training if
You’re building around audio journalism craft. Publishes practical, opinionated craft articles for audio reporters — structure, editing, mixing, interviewing. All free.
Pick School of Podcasting if
You’re building around structured podcast course. Dave Jackson has been teaching people to podcast for two decades and was inducted into the Academy of Podcasters Hall of Fame in 2018. In 2025, Podpage acquired the school and is rolling out a free tier and rebuilt curriculum in 2026.
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Frequently asked
What does NPR Training do better than School of Podcasting?
NPR Training's standout is "Completely free, no signup required". School of Podcasting doesn't make that promise — it leans into "Two decades of continuous teaching" instead. If the first sentence describes your workflow, pick NPR Training; if the second does, pick School of Podcasting.
What are the trade-offs?
NPR Training: strong journalism orientation. School of Podcasting: curriculum in transition right now. Whether either matters depends entirely on what you actually need — neither is a deal-breaker by itself.
Can I use NPR Training and School of Podcasting together?
Both are resources tools so most teams pick one. Some workflows do combine them — for example, using NPR Training for one show or episode type and School of Podcasting for another. Worth trying both free tiers before committing.