shouldiuse.io

VERDICT

Should I use Open Channels FM Podcast Network?

An independent podcast network sharing honest conversations about the open web and open source with the builders, makers, and voices shaping it. - dothewoo.io

Depends. This is a free podcast network, not software: it fits if you want open-source listening or niche sponsorship exposure to open-web builders. Skip it if you need an actual tool, support, or mass-market reach.

Confidence

Medium. Based on 14 selected public sources; many are social mentions or SEO mirrors, so substantive independent review data is thin.

Ratings

  • Value for money
  • Ease of use
  • Feature depthNot software; not applicable
  • Support qualityNo support evidence found
  • Security postureNo security page; not software

Pricing

Not disclosed

ModelNot disclosed
Monthly feesNot disclosed
HardwareNot disclosed
Free tierYes

Best for

  • Open-source and open-web builders
  • WordPress/WooCommerce ecosystem folks
  • Vendors seeking niche podcast exposure

Not for

  • Anyone shopping for software — this is audio content, nothing to deploy or integrate
  • Marketers needing verified audience size or mass reach
  • Buyers wanting tutorials, documentation, or product support
  • Teams outside the open-source/open-web niche

Gotchas - check before you buy

medium

Sponsorship pricing is not public; expect direct negotiation with no benchmarks

medium

Listener reach is unverified — no audience stats surfaced in reviewed sources

low

Several circulating 'guides' are SEO mirror spam, not real reviews

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Four-plus shows focused on the open web and open source
  • Distributed via Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, YouTube, and iVoox
  • Automattic sponsors the network
  • Regular news show covering open source and AI headlines
  • Large, active episode archive spanning 67+ pages

Cons

  • Not software: nothing to deploy, integrate, or log into
  • No published listener numbers in reviewed sources
  • Independent reviews are thin; most mentions are self-promotional
  • No security page on the site

Sources & method

Analyzed 9/20/2026 - 8 sources - No known vulnerabilities found in the sources reviewed.

official x4review x2security x1news x1

Key stats

  • Value for money: 4/5

    Rating

  • Not disclosed

    Starting price

  • 8

    Sources

  • Analyzed

  • Value for money: 4/5. Free to listen; sponsor ROI unproven
  • Ease of use: 4/5. Available on standard podcast apps
  • Feature depth. Not software; not applicable
  • Support quality. No support evidence found
  • Security posture. No security page; not software
  • 4+ Shows in network Open Channels News, Open Signal, more
  • 67+ pages Episode archive Pagination on openchannels.fm
  • Free Cost to listen Sponsor-supported
  • Automattic Named sponsor Announced as newest sponsor

Pricing

Free tier: Yes

Security

No known vulnerabilities found in the sources reviewed.

What users say

Social mentions are positive but shallow; no substantive independent reviews were found in the sources reviewed.

“Always a great chat!”
X (Twitter), Carl Alexander (@twigpress)

Companies that use it

  • Automattic⁶
  • Monarx
Full analysis

Based on 14 selected public sources; many are social mentions or SEO mirrors, so substantive independent review data is thin.

Not software — a free open-source podcast network. Good niche listen, possible niche sponsor buy, useless as a tool.

Methodology

Based on 14 selected public sources; many are social mentions or SEO mirrors, so substantive independent review data is thin.

Sources

  1. Open Channels FM Podcast Network homepageopenchannels.fm
    official
  2. Four shows, one open web focus (archive)openchannels.fm
    official
  3. Open Channels News show pageopenchannels.fm
    official
  4. Terms of Serviceopenchannels.fm
    official
  5. Security page scan — none founddothewoo.io
    security
  6. Automattic sponsorship announcementtoltstrategies.com
    news
  7. Rephonic listing for Open Signalrephonic.com
    review
  8. Podstatus listing for Channel 4podstatus.com
    review

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