specification: FinOps Framework
specificationVersion: '1.0'
schema: https://www.finops.org/framework/
provider: Transistor
providerId: transistor
created: '2026-07-05'
modified: '2026-07-05'
reconciled: false
tags:
- Podcasting
- Podcast Hosting
- Analytics
- FinOps
- Cost Management
- FOCUS
description: >-
  FinOps view of Transistor spend. Transistor is billed as a flat monthly (or
  yearly) subscription with tiered plans - Starter ($19), Professional ($49),
  Business ($99), and custom Enterprise. The primary cost drivers that move you
  between tiers are monthly podcast downloads and the number of private podcast
  subscribers; unlimited shows and full API access are included on every paid
  plan at no incremental cost. Yearly billing is offered at 12 months for the
  price of 10. Transcription add-ons carry additional cost.
notes: >-
  Prices captured 2026-07-05 from transistor.fm/pricing and may change. The API
  itself is not separately metered or billed - it is included with the
  subscription and rate-limited to 10 requests per 10 seconds. Verify current
  tier prices, download allowances, and add-on pricing during reconciliation.
sources:
- https://transistor.fm/pricing/
- https://developers.transistor.fm/
- https://focus.finops.org/focus-specification/v1-3/
alignedWith:
  framework: FinOps Foundation Framework
  frameworkUrl: https://www.finops.org/framework/
  dataSpec: FOCUS
  dataSpecVersion: '1.3'
  dataSpecUrl: https://focus.finops.org/focus-specification/v1-3/
publisherName: Transistor
serviceCategory: Media and Podcast Hosting
billingModel:
  pricingCategory: Subscription-Based
  billingFrequency: Monthly or Yearly
  billingCurrency: USD
  chargeCategories:
  - Purchase
  - Usage
  - Adjustment
focusColumns:
  ServiceName: Transistor Podcast Hosting
  ServiceCategory: Media and Podcast Hosting
  ProviderName: Transistor
  PublisherName: Transistor
  InvoiceIssuerName: Transistor
  BillingCurrency: USD
  ChargeCategory: Purchase
  PricingCategory: Subscription-Based
meters:
- name: subscription
  description: Flat recurring plan fee (Starter, Professional, Business, or Enterprise), billed monthly or yearly.
  unit: subscription
  aggregation: sum
  dimensions:
  - account
  - plan
- name: monthly_downloads
  description: Podcast episode downloads counted against the plan's monthly allowance; exceeding it pushes an upgrade.
  unit: downloads
  aggregation: sum
  dimensions:
  - account
  - show
- name: private_subscribers
  description: Number of active private podcast subscribers against the plan cap.
  unit: subscribers
  aggregation: max
  dimensions:
  - account
  - show
- name: transcription_addon
  description: Optional transcription add-on hours (5 or 20 hours per month) billed on top of the subscription.
  unit: hours
  aggregation: sum
  dimensions:
  - account
principles:
- name: Visibility
  description: Track monthly downloads and private subscriber counts per show against the plan allowances to anticipate tier changes.
- name: Allocation
  description: Map shows to teams or clients so download and subscriber costs attribute to the right cost center.
- name: Optimization
  description: Right-size the plan to actual download volume; choose yearly billing (12 for 10) when usage is stable; add transcription hours only where needed.
- name: Accountability
  description: Assign an owner per account/show; review downloads and subscriber counts monthly against plan caps and the annual renewal.
maintainers:
- FN: Kin Lane
  email: kin@apievangelist.com