Head-to-head comparison
On Air Fest vs Podfest Expo
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.
Brooklyn audio festival mixing live tapings, performances, and industry conversations.
Best for: Creative craft festival
Longest-running annual in-person podcasting conference, held each January in Orlando.
Best for: Indie podcaster conference
At a glance
The honest trade-offs
On Air Fest
Pros
- Strong creative programming and live tapings
- Three walkable Brooklyn venues
- Ambies awards now embedded in the weekend
Watch-outs
- Smaller than Podcast Movement
- Mostly NYC-centric attendees
- Public passes sell out quickly
Podfest Expo
Pros
- Indie and beginner friendly
- Lower pass cost than competitors
- 12 years of continuous programming
Watch-outs
- Less industry deal-making than Podcast Movement
- Orlando travel not ideal for everyone
- Brand sponsorship leans podcasting-vendor
Which one should you pick?
Pick On Air Fest if
You’re building around creative craft festival. Called the "Coachella of Podcasts" by Fast Company. Leans creative and editorial rather than ad-tech and sales.
Pick Podfest Expo if
You’re building around indie podcaster conference. Friendlier and more accessible than Podcast Movement, with a strong indie creator base and lower price point. The 2026 edition ran January 15-18 at the Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld — its 12th annual event and the longest-running annual in-person podcasting conference in the world.
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Frequently asked
What does On Air Fest do better than Podfest Expo?
On Air Fest's standout is "Strong creative programming and live tapings". Podfest Expo doesn't make that promise — it leans into "Indie and beginner friendly" instead. If the first sentence describes your workflow, pick On Air Fest; if the second does, pick Podfest Expo.
What are the trade-offs?
On Air Fest: smaller than podcast movement. Podfest Expo: less industry deal-making than podcast movement. Whether either matters depends entirely on what you actually need — neither is a deal-breaker by itself.
Can I use On Air Fest and Podfest Expo together?
Both are resources tools so most teams pick one. Some workflows do combine them — for example, using On Air Fest for one show or episode type and Podfest Expo for another. Worth trying both free tiers before committing.