Video Podcast vs Audio Podcast: Which Should You Choose in 2024?

The definitive guide to making the right choice (and why video is probably the answer)

Here's an interesting fact: in 2024, 32% of podcast listeners say they prefer podcasts with video. That's up from 19% in 2021. Meanwhile, 67% of podcasters who started with audio-only are now adding video. The trend is clear, but the decision isn't.

Should you start with video? Should you add video to your existing audio podcast? Or should you ignore the trend and stick to audio? This guide will help you decide. Not with vague advice, but with practical frameworks and honest assessments of what each format requires.

The Case for Audio-Only

Let's start with the contrarian position. Despite everything I'm about to say about video, there are still excellent reasons to choose audio-only:

1. The Intimacy Advantage

Audio creates a unique intimacy. When someone puts on headphones and listens to your voice directly in their ears, it creates a parasocial relationship that video struggles to match. You're literally inside their head. Video adds a layer of distance - you're on a screen, not in their mind.

This is why the most successful relationship-building podcasts are often audio-only. The listener feels like they're having a private conversation with you, not watching a performance.

2. The Production Simplicity

Audio is simpler. Much simpler. You can record audio in your closet with a £100 microphone and achieve professional quality. Video requires cameras, lighting, backgrounds, and significantly more editing time.

If your goal is to create consistent content with minimal friction, audio-only is the pragmatic choice. You can record an episode in the time it takes to set up a video shoot.

3. The Consumption Flexibility

Audio podcasts can be consumed while driving, walking, cooking, exercising, or doing literally anything that doesn't require your visual attention. Video podcasts require you to be looking at a screen.

This matters more than you think. The "while doing other things" listening is where podcasts shine. Video limits your audience to people who have time to sit and watch.

4. The Focus on Content

Without video, there's nothing to look at except your content. No distractions, no performance anxiety about how you look, no worrying about your background. Just you and your ideas.

For some topics, this focus is an advantage. If your content is dense, technical, or deeply personal, audio lets the words carry everything.

The Case for Video

Now let's talk about why video is taking over, and why you should probably consider it:

1. The Algorithm Advantage

Here's something they don't tell you: the algorithms favour video. YouTube's algorithm, Instagram's algorithm, TikTok's algorithm - they're all optimised for video content because video keeps people on platform longer.

If you want to grow an audience organically, video gives you access to discovery mechanisms that audio simply doesn't have. YouTube is the second-largest search engine in the world, and it's entirely video-based.

2. The Content Multiplication Effect

One video recording produces:

A full video podcast for YouTube/Spotify
An audio version for traditional podcast platforms
5-10 short clips for social media
Quote graphics with video backgrounds
Behind-the-scenes content
Transcripts for blog posts

One audio recording produces:

An audio podcast
Quote graphics (without video)
Transcripts

Video is a content multiplication machine. If you're serious about building a presence across multiple platforms, video is exponentially more efficient.

3. The Trust Building Factor

People trust people they can see. Video allows your audience to read your body language, see your facial expressions, and feel like they know you as a complete person. This accelerates the trust-building process significantly.

For business podcasts, coaching podcasts, or any format where authority and trust matter, video is a competitive advantage. Your audience feels like they know you before they ever meet you.

4. The Sponsorship Premium

Video podcasts command higher sponsorship rates. Advertisers will pay 30-50% more for video integrations because they know viewers are more engaged and the brand association is stronger.

If monetisation is part of your strategy, video isn't optional - it's the path to higher revenue per listener.

5. The Future-Proofing Argument

Every major podcast platform is adding video. Spotify has made video a priority. Apple Podcasts supports video. YouTube is actively courting podcasters. The trend is unambiguous.

Starting with audio-only in 2024 is like starting a blog without images in 2010. You can do it, but you're swimming against the tide.

The Hybrid Approach (The Smart Choice)

Here's my recommendation: do both. But do it strategically.

Record in video, distribute everywhere.

Set up your recording for video quality. Capture great audio simultaneously. Then:

Publish the video to YouTube and Spotify
Publish the audio to Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and other audio platforms
Extract short clips for social media
Use stills from the video for promotional graphics

This gives you the best of both worlds: the discoverability and content multiplication of video, with the consumption flexibility of audio.

The Technical Reality Check

Let's be honest about what video requires:

Minimum Viable Video Setup

Equipment:

Camera: iPhone 12 or newer, or any camera that shoots 1080p
Lighting: A ring light or softbox (£50-150)
Audio: The same microphone you'd use for audio-only (good audio is non-negotiable)
Background: A clean wall, bookshelf, or simple backdrop

Production:

Recording time: Same as audio (if you're prepared)
Editing time: 2-3x audio editing (unless you use live editing)
Storage: Significantly more (video files are large)

Total additional cost: £200-500 Total additional time: 2-4 hours per episode (unless you use live editing)

The Professional Studio Advantage

This is where professional studios become valuable. A studio like StreamToday has:

Multiple camera angles set up and ready
Professional lighting already configured
Acoustic treatment for perfect audio
Live editing that produces finished video in real-time
Backgrounds that look professional without you having to decorate your home

The cost difference between DIY video and studio video is smaller than you think when you factor in equipment, time, and quality. Plus, you walk out with finished content instead of raw files that need hours of editing.

The Decision Framework

Still unsure? Here's a framework to help you decide:

Choose Audio-Only If:

Your content is highly technical or dense (requires full attention)
You're extremely camera-shy (though this can be overcome)
You have absolutely no budget for equipment or studio time
Your primary goal is intimate relationship-building with a small audience
You primarily record while mobile or in non-studio environments

Choose Video If:

You want to grow an audience quickly (algorithm advantage)
You plan to monetise through sponsorships (premium rates)
You're building a personal brand or business (trust acceleration)
You want to repurpose content across multiple platforms (efficiency)
You're comfortable on camera or willing to become comfortable

Choose the Hybrid Approach (Record Video, Distribute Both) If:

You want maximum reach and flexibility
You're serious about podcasting as a long-term strategy
You have access to video recording facilities (studio or decent home setup)
You want to future-proof your content

The Nottingham Angle

If you're recording in Nottingham, you have a specific advantage: StreamToday Studios is set up for video podcasting with live editing. This removes most of the friction that stops people from doing video.

Instead of:

Buying cameras and lighting
Learning video editing
Spending 6-10 hours per episode on post-production
Worrying about your background

You can:

Book a 2-hour studio session
Record with professional video and audio
Walk out with finished content
Focus your energy on content strategy instead of technical production

This is the efficiency argument. Video doesn't have to be complicated. It just requires the right setup.

Common Objections (Addressed)

"I don't look good on camera." Nobody does at first. It's a skill you develop. Also, professional lighting and cameras are much more forgiving than you think. The studio setup will make you look better than your phone camera in your living room.

"Video editing takes too long." It does if you do it yourself. That's why live editing exists. Record in a studio that edits while you record, and you eliminate the post-production bottleneck.

"My audience doesn't want video." Are you sure? Have you asked them? Even if some prefer audio, video gives you access to new audiences who discover you through YouTube or social media clips. You're not replacing your audio audience; you're adding a video audience.

"I don't have space for a video setup." You don't need space. You need a studio. That's what studios are for.

"Video is just a trend." Video has been "just a trend" since television was invented. It's not going away. The platforms are investing billions in video infrastructure. The question isn't whether video will dominate; it's whether you'll be part of it.

The Calm Authority Statement

Video is not inherently better than audio. Audio is not inherently better than video. The right choice depends on your goals, your resources, and your audience. But the trend is unambiguous: video is becoming the default, and audio-only is becoming a deliberate niche choice.

If you're starting a podcast in 2024, you should have a good reason to exclude video. The default assumption should be video-first, audio-second.

Next Steps

If you're ready to try video podcasting:

Book a session at StreamToday Studios - Experience professional video recording with live editing. See what's possible without the technical headaches.
Download our Video Podcast Checklist - Everything you need to prepare for your first video recording.
Start with one video episode - Test the format without committing to a full video strategy. See how it feels, how your audience responds, and whether the benefits justify the investment.

If you're sticking with audio (for now):

Plan your video transition - Even if you're not ready now, know when you'll add video. Episode 20? When you hit 1,000 downloads? Have a trigger point.
Record in video-friendly spaces - If you might add video later, record in spaces that could work for video. Avoid audio-only habits that limit your future options.
Build your confidence on camera - Practice with Instagram Stories, LinkedIn videos, or low-stakes content. Get comfortable being seen before you launch a video podcast.

Ready to record your first video podcast? Book a session at StreamToday Studios. We'll handle the cameras, lighting, and editing. You just bring your ideas and your face. Walk out with publish-ready video content.

P.S. - Still not convinced? Book an audio-only session and ask to see the video setup. Sometimes seeing the possibilities is more persuasive than reading about them.