Head-to-head comparison
Podfest Expo vs The Squeeze
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.
Longest-running annual in-person podcasting conference, held each January in Orlando.
Best for: Indie podcaster conference
Skye Pillsbury's investigative podcast-industry newsletter focused on people and labor.
Best for: Insider reporting
At a glance
The honest trade-offs
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
The Squeeze
Pros
- Independent reporting from a veteran beat journalist
- Focuses on people, not just deals
- Free to subscribe
Watch-outs
- Subjective by design
- Substack platform reliance
- Smaller readership than Podnews
Which one should you pick?
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.
Pick The Squeeze if
You’re building around insider reporting. The closest thing podcasting has to a labor and culture beat. Skye Pillsbury reports on layoffs, deals, and the human cost of network moves.
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Frequently asked
What does Podfest Expo do better than The Squeeze?
Podfest Expo's standout is "Indie and beginner friendly". The Squeeze doesn't make that promise — it leans into "Independent reporting from a veteran beat journalist" instead. If the first sentence describes your workflow, pick Podfest Expo; if the second does, pick The Squeeze.
What are the trade-offs?
Podfest Expo: less industry deal-making than podcast movement. The Squeeze: subjective by design. Whether either matters depends entirely on what you actually need — neither is a deal-breaker by itself.
Can I use Podfest Expo and The Squeeze together?
Both are resources tools so most teams pick one. Some workflows do combine them — for example, using Podfest Expo for one show or episode type and The Squeeze for another. Worth trying both free tiers before committing.