Okay, Radiolize is good. Let's get that covered first. The service works, streams well, is pretty easy to manage, and yes... they're a lot cheaper than some other radio streaming services.

The problem that makes Radiolize good instead of excellent isn't even their fault. Radiolize is based upon AzuraCast, and AzuraCast has a one-click deployment on DigitalOcean (among others), and it just works. So, the rating can't go above good, because you can set up a turnkey server (no manual Linux) and you can have numerous stations and scale up to larger servers as needed. Still, I get it, I'd 100% get Radiolize to not have the monthly payment, and I did! I have one station on Radiolize.

The bigger issue is that neither Radiolize or the straight-up AzuraCast have any built-in path for compliance. Unless you play only your own content, royalty free content, or get licenses to play each piece of content, you're in violation of the law unless you license your music. In the US, you go to BMI and ASCAP, but also have to go to SESAC. BMI and ASCAP are affordable, but SESAC is $1,000/station/year to get started. (They do have a max of $100k/yr if you run more than 100 stations.)

Therefore, I 100% get that Radiolize is awesome, and yes, I use it, but if you're going to play anything BMI, ASCAP (in the US, other licensing bodies elsewhere), then you still need to set all of that licensing up. Only Radio.co and a few others have licensing options built in where they pay and therefore let you in at a steep discount because of their pre-arranged contracts managing well over 100 stations.

Don't get me wrong, I love Radiolize and the team is awesome... but it's not self-hosted vs. turnkey that's going to make or break your radio station(s). It's how pricey the licensing is going to be if you're relying on content, especially in the US where mechanical and streaming licenses are different and both must be acquired.

So, 5 tacos, get this service if you're streaming your own content or what you already have a license for.

3 Tacos if you're everyone else thinking of starting a stream and playing "Born to Be Wild" every once in a while... the cost of the streaming isn't an issue. Save money here with Radiolize, or don't. It's the licensing that's going to make most buyers of this plan never use it.

So... go get your own content, or get a contract to let you stream somebody's stuff... and then get Radiolize. If you plan on being a traditional radio station, look into your licensing requirements in your country first and then make a decision.