Are you looking for the best podcast hosting sites to kickstart your podcasting journey? If yes, search no further as we have curated a list of the finest hosting sites along with their features, pros and cons, and pricing that will help you choose the right one. Using these platforms, you can easily manage your files, expand your reach, and become a renowned podcaster soon.
The increasing popularity and demand of podcasts have flooded the market with numerous hosting service options. From unlimited file storage and easy setup to offering real-time analytics, the choices are massive. However, more options lead to more confusion.
Whether you are a newbie or a seasonal podcaster, picking the right podcast hosting service can be tense. So, how do you decide which one is correct for you?
Plus, when your podcast expands, your requirements would change. In this situation, your existing hosting platform, might not be the right for your growth. As time advances, it is important to switch to new avenues for attaining success and expansion of your podcast.
After examining top-rated hosting sites in the market, we have come up with the following list of the best podcast hosting sites that has all the essentials that you require.
List Of The Best Podcast Hosting Sites
1. Libsyn
Libsyn is a great podcasting platform for beginners as well as experts. It is easy to use and offers all the features that meet your podcasting needs. This platform is supported by a huge community of top influencers.
Features:
- Options for audio and video podcasting.
- Scheduling podcast episodes is easy.
- Offer unlimited bandwidth.
- Lots of monetization options.
| Pros | Cons |
| WordPress integration is easy. | Storage restrictions. |
| The distribution channel is wide. | Add-on cost is unpredictable and can increase the cost. |
| Loads of monetization options. |
Pricing: $4 per month to $40 per month depending on the storage limit you pick.
2. BuzzSprout
BuzzSprout is one of the popular podcast hosting sites wherein you can store audio as well as video files. This platform offers easy WordPress schema plugins integration as well. You get a wide array of monetizing and analytical tools. Although its free version is great to begin your podcast journey, paid plans offer several features along with a personalized site.
Features of BuzzSprout:
- IAB-compliant advanced stats and analytics on podcast performance.
- All types of formats can be uploaded.
- Direct uploading of the podcast to the website.
- Distribute to major directories like Spotify, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, and more.
| Pros | Cons |
| Easy to use. | Bandwidth and storage limits. |
| Numerous advanced features. | Several add-ons make it tough to estimate the actual cost. |
| Listener statistics are available at different price tiers. |
Pricing: $12 per month to $24 per month depending on the uploading hours.
3. RSS.com
RSS.com is another powerful podcast hosting site that is easy to use and packed with advanced features. This platform offers the finest customer support even for affordable and free plans. It offers unlimited audio file storage, social media integration, episode schedule, and much more.
Features:
- User-friendly interface.
- New episodes can be distributed quickly.
- Analytics tool to gain insight into podcast performance.
- Excellent customer support.
| Pros | Cons |
| Affordable podcast hosting plans. | The free hosting plan allows one episode upload only. |
| Automatic addition of episodes to various directories. | Monetization is available if you pay $12 per month. |
| Quick distribution of episodes to major directories like Amazon Music, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, etc. |
Pricing: $4.99 per month to $14.99 per month depending on the number of podcasts and monetization you pick.
4. PodBean
PodBean is another reliable podcast hosting site that offers everything that you need to make your podcast reachable to your audience. This platform offers unlimited bandwidth and hosting plans. You can easily design your website with customizable themes and tools.
Features:
- Automatic submission of podcast episodes to major directories and social media.
- Works on iOS and Android.
- Various monetizing options.
- Advanced analytical tool.
| Pros | Cons |
| Scheduling episodes on time. | A few features are missing from the cover. |
| Stunning covers for podcasts with options in images, fonts, and templates. | Slow customer support. |
| Stats on listener demographics and the number of downloads. | |
| Live chat with the audience. |
Pricing: Paid plans start at $9 per month.
5. Transistor
Transistor offers amazing analytical tools to host podcasts. This platform offers information on the number of subscribers, downloads, and current trends. This site also pulls valuable data from all streaming apps that have your episodes. So, it gives you in-depth insight into the performance of your podcast.
Features:
- An inbuilt website that can be customized according to your podcast brand.
- Set in your podcasts on the website, blog, and social media.
- Creating and distributing podcasts is easy.
- Get detailed analytical reports via graphs and visual charts.
| Pros | Cons |
| Advanced analytical tools. | No free plans. |
| Multiple show hosting. | Multiple downloads affect show episodes. |
| Podcast management is easy. |
Pricing: Price ranges from $15.83 per month to $82.50 per month depending on the choice of plan.
6. Captivate
Captivate is one podcast hosting site that offers a user-friendly dashboard. It takes care of everything, from the launch to the analysis of each podcast episode. You can create unlimited podcasts and store them hassle-freely. You can also add a call-to-action to your podcast.
Features:
- Advanced analytical abilities.
- Fully customizable links.
- Email marketing integration.
- Podcast scheduling.
| Pros | Cons |
| Advanced analytical tools. | Restrictions on downloads. |
| Great tools for podcast schedules. | The first two plans allow only one private podcast. |
| Adding a call-to-action prompt is easy. |
Pricing: Starts from $17 per month to $90 per month depending on the features you want.
7. Spreaker
Spreaker is another easy-to-use and intuitive podcast hosting site. It is easy to create, publish, manage, and monetize your podcasts on this platform. It offers a one-click podcast distribution to top streaming services. It has a modern and sleek interface that you would love.
Features:
- One-click podcast distribution.
- Private podcasting.
- Offers customizable RSS feeds.
- Detailed analytical report.
| Pros | Cons |
| 5 hours of audio file upload in the free plan. | Limited customer support. |
| The advanced tool allows you to upload and schedule episodes at once. | No monetization option on a free plan. |
| Easy monetization. |
Pricing: Starts from $8 per month to $120 per month depending on storage and features you pick.
8. Podcastics
Podcastics quickly gained a lot of popularity after its launch. This platform offers numerous competitive features and a user-friendly interface. Its dashboard is quite similar to PodBean. You just need to feed your details to get started.
Features:
- Direct import of podcasts from RSS feeds to Podcastics.
- Publish unlimited episodes.
- Easy scheduling and publishing podcast episodes.
- Live stream of the podcast.
| Pros | Cons |
| The free plan offers impressive features. | You need to take the premium plan to unlock the necessary features. |
| Affordable podcast hosting plans. | |
| Easy to use and manage episodes. |
Pricing: Plans range from $4 per month to $39 per month depending on the features you choose.
9. Anchor
Anchor is a completely free podcast hosting site from Spotify. On this platform, you can easily create, distribute, and monetize your podcast. You get a detailed analysis of your podcast performance for free. If you cannot invest money to start your podcast journey, this is the right host to pick. This platform is best for budding podcasters.
Features:
- No restrictions on the number of episodes to be uploaded.
- You own all the rights to your podcast content.
- Easy monetization option.
- Engagement and performance insights.
| Pros | Cons |
| Absolutely free to use. | Limited editing features. |
| Advanced in-built tools. | |
| Detailed analytics on the podcast. |
Pricing: Free
10. Podcast Websites
Podcast Websites offer all features that help you with your podcasting. This is one of the podcast hosting platforms that provide a range of user-friendly tools and advanced features that you would need as a podcaster. the advanced analytical tool gives you a quick insight into your podcast performance.
Features:
- User-friendly interface.
- Superb WordPress themes.
- Sturdy website security.
- Drag and drop website builder.
- Daily backups.
| Pros | Cons |
| Unlimited bandwidth. | Expensive. |
| Various promotional tools are available. | |
| Uploading multiple podcast episodes is easy. | |
| Several advanced tools for podcasting. |
Pricing: $97 per month, but if you pay upfront for the annual plan, it will cost you $77 per month.
11. AudioBoom
AudioBoom is another podcast hosting site that has gained a lot of admiration and popularity. This platform allows you to easily import your podcast via RSS feed. It offers all the tools you need to create, publish, manage, and monetize your podcasts.
Features:
- Easy management of multiple podcasts from a single dashboard.
- Quick distribution of the podcast.
- Advanced analysis of podcast performance.
- Sponsorship opportunities.
| Pros | Cons |
| Easy to use. | Limitation on publishing podcasts. |
| Seamless integration of podcasts with social media, blogs, and websites. | |
| Unlimited podcast upload. | |
| Excellent distribution network. |
Pricing: Ranges from $9.99 per month to $99.99 per year, depending on the features you need.
12. SoundCloud
SoundCloud is an amazing podcast hosting platform where you can upload all types of audio files in minutes. There are 76 million users who use this platform for music listening, which means you can get access to a large audience.
Features:
- Any type of audio file and size is uploadable.
- 3 hours of the podcast can be uploaded in the free plan.
- Basic analytical tool.
- Affordable plans for beginners.
| Pros | Cons |
| Affordable paid plans. | The distribution of podcasts is not that straightforward. |
| Monetization options are available. | Not IAB compliant. |
| Advanced podcast episode scheduling. |
Pricing: Ranges from $30 to $144 per year according to the choice of plan.
13. Resonate
Resonate is one of the best podcast hosting sites that enable users to easily distribute their podcasts across popular directories. All you need to do is upload your episode and set the date of publication; this platform takes care of the rest. You get a detailed breakdown of your podcast performance on the basis of several parameters.
Features:
- Dedicated podcast player integration with social channels, websites, and blogs.
- Detailed stats on podcast performance.
- Easy management of podcast ads.
- Single-click podcast distribution.
| Pros | Cons |
| Unlimited bandwidth. | Restrictive plans. |
| Detailed insight into podcast performance via the advanced analytical dashboard. | |
| Live chat customer support. |
Pricing: $25 per month for basic and $49 per month for premium.
14. Fusebox
Fusebox is best for those podcasters who want to embed an amazing-looking podcast player on their site. This platform works as a WordPress plugin that enables users to display their podcasts on their websites. You get a social sharing button and email-capturing features as well.
Features of Fusebox:
- Different options for players.
- Automatically distributes your podcast to popular directories.
- Highly customizable.
- Full control of podcasts along with timestamps.
| Pros | Cons |
| Stunning podcast player options. | Works well only with WordPress sites. |
| Several options in useful marketing tools. | No analytical report. |
| Extensive playback features. | Basic players are available in free plans. |
| Easy integration with popular directories. |
Pricing: $15.83 per month.
15. Blubrry
Blubrry is another podcasting platform that streamlines recording, publishing, distribution, and monetization under one roof. It offers unlimited bandwidth. The only downside of this platform is that it doesn’t provide any free plan option to its users.
Features:
- Unlimited bandwidth.
- Customizable podcast player.
- User-friendly interface.
- Affordable plans.
| Pros | Cons |
| Easy import of podcasts from other hosting platforms. | No free plans are included. |
| Excellent customer support. | Other than a professional plan no plans can be monetized. |
| IAB certified. | |
| Several helpful marketing tools. |
Pricing: Range from $12 per month to $40 per month, depending on the choice of plan.
What is a Podcast?
Started back in 2004, the podcast is a digital audio file that is downloadable on mobile as well as desktop. It is a series of shows, topics, blogs, etc. wrapped in a massive hub of recordings that you can listen to at any point in time. The length, style, format, or anything is not predetermined.
No matter whether you are at work, sweating out, driving a car, or at home, you can access a podcast anytime on the go. You will find podcasts from
- Companies
- Individuals
- Radio networks
- Comedians
- Churches
- TV networks
- Storytellers
- Motivational speakers
The list is endless as there are a whole lot more.
What is Podcast Hosting?
Podcast hosting is the process of preparing and distributing digital audio files using RSS (Really Simple Syndication) feeds to mobiles and desktops of subscribed users. These audio files can also be uploaded to various streaming services to enable users to listen to them on their mobiles or web music. Podcasts are hosted or set on different websites which makes them downloadable or streamable on devices.
Podcasting covers a range of subject areas. Podcasters often release episodes on a regular schedule. Either they read out a script or improvise the same. These episodes or series are distributed over the internet using a podcast hosting service.
Also Read: How to Start a Podcast on YouTube
How Podcast Hosting is different from normal web hosting?
Web hosting is a service that allows users to publish their website files on the internet. There are commonly three types of web hosting as follows:
- Dedicated hosting: It means that you rent a whole web server that has your website files. It gives more control but can be expensive.
- Cloud hosting: This includes a virtual server made of other web servers, if one starts crashing other kicks in, reducing downtime.
- Shared hosting: It stores files for multiple sites on one server and is more economical. It is used by most websites.
Whereas, podcast hosting is a service that makes an audio file into a deliverable product for subscribed users. A reliable podcast hosting site streamlines the podcasting experience.
The below table shows the key difference between podcast hosting and web hosting.
| Characteristic | Podcast Hosting | Web Hosting |
| Meaning | Makes a podcast file deliverable to the audience on various streaming services. | Allows individuals and companies to publish a web page or whole site on the internet. |
| Availability | It makes podcasts available for subscribed users. | The content will reach your website visitors only. |
| Storage | It stores and distributes podcast files to subscribers. | It gives your web apps and website a server on the internet. |
| Price | The cost range from free to paid. | Dedicated web hosting is expensive. |
How to choose the right podcast hosting for your podcast?
You need a hosting site for your podcast as it takes care of storing, distributing, and downloading audio as well as video files. Consider the following factors before choosing a host.
- Bandwidth limits and storage: The storage determines the number and the size of the file that you would host. Bandwidth affects the uploading, downloading, and accessing of your podcast.
- Analytical report: This tool helps you understand your audience better. Ensure that the podcasting site is IAB (Internet Advertising Bureau) certified or IAB compliant (at least).
- Compatibility: The platform should have the feature of creating a site or offer ease of integration with your website’s RSS feed and domain.
- Know the features: No matter how many features your podcast site offers if you don’t understand them, it is useless. Research all the features that podcasting platform offers to manage media files easily.
- Media player: As media players allow subscribers to stream your shows online, check out the look and functions that the hosting site provides.
- Monetization: Your podcast hosting site should enable you to handle premium subscriptions. Your host should allow you to discover novel methods to earn money from your podcast.
- Price: The price of your host depends on the storage and bandwidth limit. Consider investing money in a paid subscription that offers advanced features.
Is Podcast Hosting necessary?
Yes, you need a podcast hosting site to make sure every episode of your podcast reaches your audience. Unless you are thorough with handling your RSS feed, you will need a platform to store and make your audio and video files downloadable.
A podcast host act as an agent between you and your listeners. It is a place where you store your podcast episodes. Once you upload the very first audio file, it will generate your RSS feed. This feed is a link that notifies podcast directories whenever you release a new episode online. The most renowned podcast directories are Spotify, iTunes, Google Podcasts, etc.
Which podcast hosting is the best for beginners?
If you have just stepped into the world of podcasting, choosing the best hosting site can be challenging. As a beginner, when it comes to selecting a good host for your podcasts, you can consider the following:
- BuzzSprout: Excellent interface, easy navigation, ease of submitting episodes, and uncomplicated, BuzzSprout offers all these features, making it the ultimate choice for beginners.
- Podbean: Podbean is one of the affordable and feature-packed hosting sites that are best for beginners.
- Blubrry: It is easy to install and use hosting services with flexible plans. This platform is best for beginners as well as experienced podcasters.
- Transistor: This hosting site offers advanced features with a user-friendly interface, making it best for beginners.
Final Thoughts
Launching your podcast is not simple. Apart from a good plan, you will need a good host to reach your audience. Luckily, there is a host of podcasting sites that help you reach your goal. However, choosing the best out of many is difficult. So, understanding what features you need helps you pick the best.
All the aforementioned are the best podcast hosting sites that are top-rated, offer impressive features, and give you access to all the essentials that you need as a podcaster.
FAQs
What is the most popular podcast platform?
Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and Pocket Casts are among the most popular podcast platform or directories today.
Is RSS a good podcast hosting?
Yes, RSS is the only method your audience can to your podcast content. Without it, your podcast content will not get the desired visibility on podcasting directories or your website. Every type of podcast requires an RSS feed to reach its audience.
Can I post my podcast on Spotify?
Yes, you can do it free of cost. However, if you upload your podcast on Spotify with RSS.com you will be able to upload only one episode for free. You will have to opt for an annual plan that gives you access to unlimited features.
Do I need to copyright my podcast?
No, it is not required. When you create original podcast content, you own the copyright of your work automatically.
What is the cheapest podcast hosting?
Spreaker, SoundCloud, and Podcastics offer the cheapest plan for podcasting service ranging from $7 to $8 per month.
Where can I publish my podcast for free?
Anchor is the best free podcast platform to release your episodes online. This is a great option for those podcasters who can’t afford to invest in their podcasting interest.
Where should I publish my podcast?
All the aforementioned hosting sites are best for podcasting. It depends on you whether you are looking for a free/paid or the number of features you look for in a host for your podcasts.