Ideally, these places provide an easy way to upload audio files, generate an RSS feed for these files, distribute that RSS feed, and provide a place where an audience can listen. Other features a hosting service might provide are analytics, ad integration, and a website for your podcast. There are a lot of options for podcast hosts, both free and paid. If you don’t want to spend money to host your podcast, here are some free podcast hosting options.

Essentially, where can I upload podcasts?

You can upload podcasts at a hosting service of your choice. Some are paid, but many offer free options so you can launch a test balloon of your show before committing money.

A free podcast hosting service acts as the home for your show. Just like a website needs a hosting provider, podcasts also need some way to help store and distribute the podcast audio files. Though most have cost tiers associated with them, and you can read about our favorite podcast hosting services here, several have more affordable options and some even provide free podcast hosting. Below is a list of the pros and cons and reviews of the best free podcast hosting services.

In general, podcast hosting services:

• Create an easy method to upload audio files
• Generate an RSS feed to describe the files as well as establishes file locations for download
• Distributes your podcast RSS feed to iTunes (Apple Podcasts), Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, and more
• Provides a server where listeners can go and find the audio files

Another way to look at hosting is it serves as a vehicle that transports the show from its upload to its storage to its distribution and finally to its analytics as well as potential money-making opportunities. The host helps simplify everything in the creation and management process.

Don’t want to read the entire analysis? Here’s our quick winner:

Buzzsprout —  a simple, intuitive, and feature-rich podcast host perfect for most podcasters.

What to Look for with Podcast Hosting Free of Charge

Best Practices and How to Start a Podcast

In addition to its means as a platform that stores your important mp3 files and data, free services are also geared toward startup shows and traditionally has a lot of extra features and resources. These services may provide valuable tutorials and other reading material to learn more about what makes a good podcast and how to improve the overall quality of the audio recording. If you’re just starting out, make sure to check out our guide on how to start a podcast.

Podcast Analytics

Though the analytics for a podcast are basic at the free podcast hosting level, they can still help deliver important information and where and how your generating an audience as well as build upon that audience. The goal is to eventually have enough listeners that you can turn a profit on the podcast, though many still do it simply for the hobby of podcasting.

Pitfalls of Free Podcast Hosting

There are many other advanced features that are sometimes included with a free version and other times only granted to podcasters with paid accounts. These include a blog or website for listeners to stop in and visit, methods for listener feedback, automatic uploads to popular directories (Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, etc.) and customer service for any questions or problems you run into regarding the hosting or RSS feed.

The same rule applies with podcast hosting with any product: you get what you pay for and once again the old adage is true, “if you’re not paying for the product, you’re the product.”

If after some time your podcast outgrows the free host tier,  there is always the opportunity to upgrade to a paid podcast hosting solution.

Many are reasonably priced between in $10 to $20 per month. Until then you can expect the upload time and bandwidth to be limited, which not only impacts the number of hours you can upload each month but also the playback speeds. Advanced metrics and potential money-making opportunities are usually restricted to paid subscribers as well.

In the end, free versions are basic means to an RSS feed and file hosting, but as your audience grows you’ll want to consider an upgrade. When you get to that point, make sure to read our best podcast hosting services review. For now a free account is sufficient for many new podcasts.

Compare Free Podcast Hosting

Best Free Podcast Hosting Services

Buzzsprout

Buzzsprout is a hosting service that features a basic, free podcast hosting plan along with affordable monthly options that require no contract or credit card to sign-up. Buzzsprout currently works with notable podcast directories like Apple/iTunes, Spotify, Google Podcast and Stitcher.

The website has worked to provide hosting for over 50,000 people since the website was launched in 2009. It boosts several 5 star reviews from satisfied customers.

Strengths

• Subscription includes your own custom website and ways to sync with popular directories
• 250 GB of bandwidth each month for paid plans, even less for the free version
• Supports multiple audio file types then optimizes the quality of the file
• Easily migrate a podcast from another source onto Buzzsprout with minimal effort

Weaknesses

• Unlimited storage for free plan, but can only upload 2 hours each month
• Only 90 days of hosting for a free podcast before Buzzsprout wants you to upgrade to a paid version

Buzzsprout is promoted as one of the easiest ways to host, promote and track a podcast. Like a lot of providers it includes detailed analytics to learn more about the audience tuning in.

The website is designed to make it easier to upload and publish once an episode is recorded. Publishing can take place within minutes of an upload, or even get scheduled days or weeks in advance.

It supports a number of different audio files. Not only that but the website optimizes the file based on if it’s more spoken word, or a show that also incorporates a lot of music. A purchasable add-on will event boost audio to 128k stereo.

One great feature on the dashboard is that it provides a notification of how much upload time is left in the current cycle, so you do not have to guess approximately how many more minutes you have left to upload each month.

Podcasters may learn everything about where and how listeners are connecting, what device or directory they are using to play the episode, and more advanced stats.

Buzzsprout helps get you listed on popular podcast directories and is also mobile-friendly. An embedded version is provided for your own domain. The hosting provider also includes your own website upon sign-up.

The free subscription delivers 2 hours of upload time each month and the episode is hosted for 90 days before its removed. The next step up costs $12 per month, and only one more hour of upload time each month yet is hosted indefinitely.

Deal: Get a $20 Amazon gift card when you sign up. Click here.

Spreaker

Spreaker is a well known provider for podcasters as it’s an all-in-one system for new as well as established shows. It provides a versatile program that helps you create, distribute, as well as potentially make money on your podcast.

Spreaker says they are “the one-stop-shop for recording, publishing, monetizing, and distributing your podcasts.” The free plan gives you basic stats, and the ability to store up to 5 hours of audio, and 10 episodes for the whole account.

The episode size limit is 300MB for all plans on Spreaker. You can host multiple podcasts on the same account, and they assist with distribution to iHeart Radio, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. Spreaker does not offer monetization for their free podcast hosting plan, though it is available on their paid ones.

You don’t need a credit card to sign up for the free plan. Spreaker has an app you can use to produce your show, and even go live (no other free podcast plan allows for live broadcasting). The free plan has a 15 minute limit per live broadcast session.

Spreaker was launched in 2010, and now hosts thousands of publishers along with millions of active listeners. It includes apps for Android and iOS as well.

Strengths

• The best recording studio of any free hosting service for podcasts
• External tools like broadcasting software and mixers supported for advanced audio production
• Unlimited bandwidth on all subscriptions including the free version
• Live streaming, including up to 15 minutes per episode for users not paying a dime
• Podcast monetization program with dynamics ads, giving 60% of the revenue to the podcaster
• IAB certified podcast statistics
• Allows a single account to manage multiple podcasts

Weaknesses

• Monetization is only available on the paid plans

Spreaker is unique in that it also features an onboard recording and editing system on its platform. Users may record a podcast and post at a later date, or even broadcast live. Content may also get migrated from an existing service through its RSS importer. The studio app is extremely resourceful and easy to use.

After you record or upload an audio file, it’s time to distribute. Spreaker supports various forms of social media for uploads as well as mainstream directories like Apple Podcasts and YouTube. Like most podcast hosting services, you may also embed a widget onto your own website for immediate playback.

Analytics are crucial to the success of any new podcast and Spreaker provides basic statistics for its free and $5.99 per month plans, as well as more detailed stats for the higher priced monthly subscriptions. The analytics for the free plan is good but not great, about what you would expect as well as comparable to other free hosting providers.

The free plan also includes 5 hours of audio storage and 15 minutes of max live streaming (in a single session). However, the podcast monetization tool is not available with the free sign-up. Bandwidth is unlimited on every type of subscription.

Deal: First month free with code “discoverpod”. Click here.

Simplecast

Simplecast is taking a big and bold approach, with a modern design aesthetic that looks more like a high end gym or streetwear brand than a podcast hosting service. But, don’t be distracted by the bold fonts — with a $15 per month unlimited plan and two-week trial with no credit card required, they clearly mean business.

Simplecast also offers tools aimed at growing podcasts in their $35 per month Essential plan and $85 per month Growth plan, including more advanced analytics, collaboration tools and an increase in the number of included monthly downloads. 

Simplecast also offers Professional and Enterprise plans for larger volume shows, which is rare for some of the newer podcast hosting platforms out there. You have to contact Simplecast’s sales team for pricing, but working with a growing host could be a great option for a growing podcast network looking to get competitive pricing and lots of access to customer support. 

Podbean

Podbean is self-described as an “easy and powerful” way to podcast. The podcast hosting service provides four different plans for users, including one completely free version. As your podcast grows it also offers two paid versions.

Podbean currently hosts over 240,000 podcasters with more than 7.4 million episodes combined. The site also boasts around 6 billion downloads.

Strengths

• Provides excellent resources for sharing and building audience
• Features an app for Android and iPhone users
• RSS Feed and iTunes Support included even with free plan
• One of the largest podcast hosting platforms available
• Will scale as you grow

Weaknesses

• Free version is limited to 5 hours of storage
• Cannot use your own domain name for a podcast through free subscription

Podbean advertises as a service that presents everything you need to create, manage, and promote a podcast. The website features everything from custom domains to upload and publishing tools, methods to promote a podcast, as well as embedded players for the episodes.

The provider is like a lot of the podcast hosting companies featured in the article in that little programming knowledge is necessary to record, produce, upload and share your new podcasts. It is also mobile-ready which is a must for any podcast hosting service these days.

Though the three paid options do deliver unlimited bandwidth, the free version is capped at 100GB monthly, and five hours of storage space. The hosting is described as reliable with a robust network that is flexible based on where and how your viewers listen.

Podcasters may connect their own website to the hosting provider or embed a player on their own domain for easy playback. Sharing tools enable listeners to connect with you on social media, while other types of audience engagement like enabling feedback are nice additions.

Podbean presents a breakdown of how the podcast is performing, and also provides advertising sponsorship opportunities for its members. The website can help introduce premium subscription services to your podcast as well as crowdfund.

Related reading:

• Libsyn vs. Podbean Podcast Host Review
• Blubrry vs. Podbean Podcast Host Review

Deal: Get your first month free if/when you upgrade for a paid account. Click here.

Acast

Acast says they are “the world’s leading independent podcast company.” The free podcast hosting plan gives you basic analytics, unlimited episodes, and a basic podcast website. You can’t integrate with Patreon, customize your website, monetize with advertising, or distribute to Amazon Music, Spotify and Youtube using Acast on the free plan (as these features require a Pro account).

You’ll have to submit your RSS feed to listening platforms manually. There is not a limit to episode size for the free plan specifically, though the max episode size is 150MB for all plans on Acast to match the file download limit on Apple Podcasts. You don’t need to input any billing info to sign up on the free plan. Acast allows for multiple shows, but you are billed one plan per podcast – not an issue for using the free plan, but could potentially make upgrading costly if you have multiple podcasts on Acast.

Anchor

Anchor is self-proclaimed as “the easiest way to make a podcast.” When it started, Anchor had some controversy about who owns the content uploaded to it, but they have since clarified in their terms of service that “You retain ownership of your User Content. Using Anchor does not cause you to lose ownership of your content.”

Since being acquired by Spotify, Anchor has had numerous issues with the podcast community including producing podcasts in a non-compliant manner, making their podcasts unplayable in some podcast players, several large-scale bugs, deleting podcasts without cause, allowing pirated podcasts on their platform (and here) — and to be monetized, and many others. I would recommend staying away from Anchor.

They only offer a free plan, which allows for unlimited episodes, basic analytics, a simple website, and some monetization options, though the latter is available only to users in the US. There is no episode size limit, though you can only upload 250MB at a time (but multiple files can be combined into a single episode).

The biggest downside of Anchor is that you can only create one podcast per free podcast hosting account. If you want to use Anchor for multiple feeds, you’ll need multiple emails – but only a different email, as you don’t need a credit card to sign up. Anchor also assists with distribution to a number of listening platforms, and has an app that podcasters can use to make their show.

Castbox

Castbox is a podcast app (self-proclaimed as “the best free podcast app with over 95 million volumes of content”) that also allows podcasters to host their feeds for free. Their plan allows unlimited hosting, but they only offer statistics from people who listen using their app.

If you want additional analytics on your show, you’d have to use a third party service, and this can be a dealbreaker to many (especially because many third party services aren’t free themselves). You can host multiple feeds in the same account on Castbox, and you don’t need to input any billing info to sign up. The episode size limit is 400M, the second largest of all the free hosting services. There are no monetization options available through Castbox, and you’ll need to submit your RSS feed to other platforms manually – though it will automatically show up on the Castbox app.

Pinecast

Pinecast’s tagline is “podcast hosting made easy.” The free plan gives you basic analytics, up to two podcast feeds, and access to the tip jar (which lets you collect donations from your listeners). Pinecast also assists with distribution to a number of listening platforms.

On the free plan, you can upload an unlimited number of episodes, but only the ten most recent episodes per podcast are available to listeners – previous episodes are not deleted, and if you join a paid plan your full backlog will be available to all. If you’re making a serialized show with more than 10 episodes, this might be a dealbreaker, but if you’re doing topical episodes this might not be an issue.

The free plan has a 48MB episode size limit, which becomes 80MB on a paid plan (along with unlimited feeds instead of two). You don’t need a credit card to sign up for the free plan, and there are no monetization options available through Pinecast beyond the tip jar. 

Podomatic

The free podcast hosting plan gives you 15 GB of bandwidth per month and 500MB of storage a month, by far the most technical limits of any free podcasting plan. There is not a limit on the number or length of episodes beyond the available bandwidth and storage on your Podomatic account. The episode size limit for Podomatic is 350MB for all plans.

On the free plan, you cannot get any analytics for your show, integrate with Patreon, or get sponsorships with Podcorn using Podomatic, but they will help assist with distribution to a number of listening platforms. Like with Castbox, the lack of analytics is Podomatic’s biggest drawback.

You can manage multiple feeds using one email, but must have separate accounts with different usernames. Podomatic also offers a way to record your podcast directly on the podomatic website (though it does not support guest callers), and you don’t need to input any billing information to sign up.

SoundCloud

SoundCloud is not a podcast host. Do not use SoundCloud for podcasts.

The post The 9 Best Free Podcast Hosting Services in 2023 appeared first on Discover the Best Podcasts | Discover Pods.

Behind any successful podcast is a reliable, manageable podcast hosting platform. From editing tools to file management, you will not be able to find success as a podcaster without a platform that clicks with your production methods, and before you can begin racking up the 5-star reviews, you will need to understand the schematics of RSS feeds, audio storage and file distribution. 

The best and the worst part about podcast hosts is just how many there are, though. Digging through the sea of options can be overwhelming, but lucky for you, we’ve selected two of the most popular and will provide a full breakdown of the pros and cons of each. 

Spreaker vs. Buzzsprout 

Spreaker definitely knows how to grab your eye the second you show up to their website. The platform is bright, modern and inviting. In October 2020, iHeartMedia acquired Spreaker’s parent company Voxnest, and although the changes to the Spreaker platform itself have been minimal, this should also give you an extra sense of security that your episodes will be safe with Spreaker. You will also have the added promotional benefit of being part of such a large network. 

While aspects of monetization, publishing or growing a podcast can be complicated or intimidating, Spreaker does a great job at presenting their tools and resources in an easy to understand way. Spreaker is working hard to be a one-stop shop that can be used by a newbie podcaster or an experienced host looking to transfer a large library of audio to a new, more modern or robust platform. 

Spreaker’s Dynamic Ad Insertion is an industry leading feature that makes monetization simple and accessible. The tool allows for programmatic advertising, which lets podcasters easily and seamlessly integrate ads into their episodes without having to seek out individual sponsors or advertisers. Speaker has an entire marketplace of advertisers ready and willing to deliver targeted, relevant ads on podcasts hosted with their platform, and is set up for these ads to be inserted into an episode with the click of a button.

Not unlike Spreaker, Buzzsprout looks to be an easy to use, modern platform with a powerful offering of tools. Their free plan will allow your episodes to be accessible for ninety days with total series length limited to two hours every month. If you want to step up to $12 per month, it comes with a slew of benefits like unlimited storage and the ability to import podcasts for free.

The two platforms actually look very similar visually at the moment, but where Spreaker and Buzzsprout are differentiated is in regards to the features offered. For example, on their paid plans Buzzsprout offers a proprietary Magic Mastering tool to help you nail the perfect audio balance. They also have an option to have episodes automatically transcribed for an additional cost. On the other hand, Buzzsprout currently has less monetization tools available than Spreaker. 

Pricing and plans

Many new podcasters will look at price first, and Spreaker and Buzzsprout are two of the best platforms available that still offer a free hosting option. 

Spreaker’s tiered plan system is flexible and easy to understand, because you are paying for hours of storage rather than bandwidth or file size. Their most popular is the $20 per month “Broadcaster” plan, which will be more than sufficient for most new podcasters. This plan, and all of Spreaker’s plans for that matter, allows for easy uploading to Spotify, Apple Podcasts and iHeart Radio, and also provides users with advanced statistics and tools for monetization like paid subscriptions. 

Buzzsprout’s plans are for storage per month, rather than total storage. Experienced, longtime will appreciate this, as it means they are not paying a big fee upfront for preexisting content that is being moved over. The most popular plans are $12 per month or $18 per month for 3 hours or 6 hours of storage respectively, plus the option to get Magic Mastering as an add on. With all Buzzsprout plans, more content can be uploaded for an additional cost if a plan maximum is exceeded. 

In many cases, Spreaker will be the more affordable option. Your limitation comes from exceeding their total audio storage option, however newer podcasters will have plenty of room before hitting the storage caps, and when they do, there is the option to easily upgrade to a larger plan.

Read more: The 10 Best Podcast Hosting Services (for new & experienced podcasters)

Pro Tools

Buzzsprout’s flagship tool is Magic Mastering, and they also offer things like Episode Transcription for $0.25 per minute and automatic episode optimization. 

Magic Mastering defines itself as “an Instagram filter for your audio” and uses technology to adjust your files to sweeten and polish them. Audio engineers or experienced podcasters may not see the appeal, but if you are more interested in sharing ideas than dealing with levels and EQ, this might be a perk worth looking into. 

Buzzsprout also offers most commonly desired features for podcasters, such as advanced statistics, podcast websites, and the ability to easily put your podcast on all of the top podcast directories. Their monetization tools are fairly limited, although they do offer an affiliate marketing program to generate some revenue. 

Spreaker on the other hand has fully leaned into monetization as their specialty. They have an option to easily integrate programmatic ads into your show with their industry leading platform, allowing you to quickly monetize your episodes while still staying in control of your content. Spreaker also offers an affiliate program. Furthermore, their promotion tool, AdHub, allows you to promote your podcast within their platform and potentially gain new listeners overnight.

Another standout feature offered by Spreaker is the desktop and mobile Spreaker Studio app, which can make recording and uploading your episodes a breeze. While it does not have the “filter” effect of Magic Mastering, the Spreaker Studio App is another tool to look into if you are not tech-savvy and are looking to make the recording process as simple as possible. 

Who should use which?

Buzzsprout and Spreaker are both very capable podcast hosts with a generous supply of active users to vouch for them but their strengths come in two very different ways. Both hosts really understand the power behind statistics and storage, and if you are simply looking for a reliable host for basic podcasting, you will be in good hands with either. Overall, Buzzsprout has the best interests of the beginner in mind, while Spreaker has their eye on the consumer which can appeal to two spectrums depending on what specifically you’re looking for.

Buzzsprout aspires to be a beginners guide to all things podcast and comes equipped with tools that will come in handy in the long run, but Speaker builds on that by not only being understandable and modern and acknowledging the importance of making not just a podcast, but a profit. Buzzsprout is accessible but doesn’t approach podcasting with the business mindset, which is something Spreaker doesn’t seem that shy to discuss upfront with their customers. 

When evaluating the two platforms, first decide how much storage you need and what price you are hoping to pay, and then evaluate between the pro features available. For some people, Buzzsprout’s Magic Mastering or Transcription may be a top desire, but if you are a podcaster with dreams of monetizing your side hustle (or just making enough to get a free coffee every now and then), there is no denying that Spreaker is the way to go. 

The best news? Whichever solution you go with, we’ve got a discount code for you.

Spreaker — 90% off your first month with code: discoverpod

Buzzsprout — $20 Amazon gift card when you become a customer

The post Spreaker vs Buzzsprout: Podcast Host Review appeared first on Discover the Best Podcasts | Discover Pods.

If you’ve been around the podcasting space for a bit, you’ve likely heard people discuss the merits of podcast hosting services like Libsyn, Blubrry, Podiant, Spreaker, RedCircle, PodBean, Buzzsprout, Castos, Simplecast, SoundCloud (tip: don’t use SoundCloud for hosting podcasts, and several others. This post aims to objectively lay out the pros and cons of the top solutions to help with your decision.

In any case, we hope to help simplify the process with this comprehensive overview of why you need a podcast host, how to pick a podcast host, and what makes some of the options stand out amongst the pack. We’ll also help explain just why a free podcast hosting option may not be what it seems.

Why do you need a podcast hosting service?

To put it simply, the main reason you need a podcast hosting service is so you don’t have to worry about how your podcast is getting stored and shared. Podcast hosting services are engineered specifically for the type of content you will be recording and sharing and have features built in to eliminate some of the technological aspects of creating a podcast.

In addition to the ability to share to multiple distributors with RSS feeds, podcast hosting services can also simplify the process of adding cover art and descriptions, embedding or sharing files on social media or other websites and can even automatically optimize your audio to be the right file formats and sizes for your listeners.

Many of the best podcast hosting services are also committed to the podcast community and work tirelessly to update and improve their offerings to satisfy current trends. As you’ll see as we go into more detail about some of the best services, many of the top options have very similar offerings available, and it is the more niche, new features being rolled out that may help you decide where to host.

Maybe you are a show that would benefit from automatic transcription, so a hosting service that integrates directly with a place to do that will be helpful. Maybe you are making a longer show that needs chapter markers. Whatever it may be, chances are another podcaster has the same needs and there is a podcast hosting service that is one step ahead of you and already has the feature integrated.

Of course, not everyone wants or needs to be spending $100.00 a year for hosting, and there are plenty of free podcast hosting services as well. However, like all free things in life, you may notice that the storage space, speed, and availability of features in these plans are somewhat limiting. And is that what you want in your podcast hosting service?

You may also learn that free options pay for themselves by putting ads in your episodes that you didn’t approve and aren’t seeing any profit from. Be cautious of free plans and realize that if you want your podcast to grow, stand out amongst the competition, and be as enjoyable as possible for your listeners, the small investment will pay off in the long run.

Why can’t I use my website to host my podcast?

If you are a new podcaster exploring options of where to host your episodes, the thought of simply hosting them on your own website or even in Dropbox or Google Drive may have crossed your mind. Podcasting host services exist for a reason, both technical and financial.

Related reading: how to start a podcast

Podcasts typically are shared and distributed with a Really Simple Syndication (RSS) feed, a common system for online publishers to distribute content to Internet users. When you download a podcast from Stitcher, Google Play, or Apple Podcasts, the podcast hasn’t actually been updated individually to those platforms. Instead, the RSS feed was shared with each library and when a new episode is uploaded to the creator’s podcast hosting service, it is automatically pushed out to all of the audiences. Most websites or storage options that are not meant for podcasting are not suited for this and don’t have the bandwidth.

As you read on, you’ll learn that podcast hosting typically provides more than just a place to store files. If you think you don’t need the extra services, there are free options available that will still be easier to use, more effective for reaching new audiences, and less prone to issues than the systems you might use to store other files.

Our favorite podcast hosting services

Don’t want to read the entire analysis? Here’s our quick winner:

Buzzsprout —  a simple, intuitive, and feature-rich podcast host perfect for most podcasters.

Starter plan comparisons

As you can see from the rows of check marks in the table above, a lot of the best podcast hosting services offer similar features and are mostly differentiated by their price and some of the specialty options that they have available. We’ll now go more in depth into these several options, as well as a handful of newer companies or more specialized podcast hosts that are starting to make a splash.

Buzzsprout

Buzzsprout is one of the places you can host your podcast for free, offering competitively priced plans with various amounts of storage and bandwidth. The free plan removes episodes after 90 days, so while it might be nice for a breaking news show or as a trial run, we suspect you’ll grow out of that option early.

Buzzsprout’s main selling point is that it is clean, easy to use and understand, and more modern than some competitors. From the statistics offered to the easy-to-create websites, the platform feels very “21st century” in the fonts, colors, and aesthetics. Even though it has been around for a decade, the vibe feels very much like a start-up, which can be really appealing.

Buzzsprout also provides an audio transcription service, starting at $0.10 per minute, which is competitively priced compared to other similar services. They are one of the few platforms to have this option integrated directly into their dashboard.

Read our full Buzzsprout review.

Deal: Sign up for Buzzsprout and get a $20 Amazon card.

Alitu

Alitu, the podcast maker, is NOT just another place to host your podcast. While Alitu’s hosting options are robust and free for any user for up to 1k downloads, the platform does so much more to get new and time-strapped podcasters up and running.

Unique from other podcast hosting providers, Alitu, is an end-to-end podcast creation software where you can record, edit, produce, publish and HOST all from the same place. Not only will you get free hosting with any paid subscription, but you won’t have to shell out extra money for all the other tools necessary to create a podcast. Alitu also provides a highly accurate and fast transcription tool at no extra cost to subscribers. Talk about value. Right?

The best bit? It will save you time so you can focus on other important aspects of podcasting, such as promotion or booking your next guest. Alitu also provides audio transcription at no extra cost, and with new features launching every couple of months, it’s even harder to put a price on that value. 

Alitu is a highly preferred podcast editing software by startups, individuals, and SMEs. The pricing starts from USD $27 per month for a yearly subscription.

RedCircle

RedCircle is the podcast hosting platform that puts the creator first.

The company has been around since 2018 and has been growing quickly. They’re focused on helping their creators grow and monetize their Podcasts.

That RedCircle, unlike many other podcast hosts, is so focused on growing its business right alongside the bevy of creators on its platform is both novel and refreshing. Quite frankly, it’s a philosophy we really dig.

RedCircle makes money when its creators make money. Period. Even their free tier offering has sophisticated ways to monetize a podcast. RedCircle is unique in that it allows anyone to create a podcast for free — no matter how small or large your audience is today — and allows you to monetize from day one using pre-roll, mid-roll, and post-roll ads.

As your audience grows, so does your income potential.

In addition to the free tier, paid hosting plans start at $9/month or $30/month (all plans include unlimited bandwidth and distribution). There are additional monetization options available through:

• RedCircle’s Ad Platform (RAP)
• Cross Promotions With Like-minded Podcasters
• Subscriptions and Pay Walls
• Donations

Libsyn

Libsyn launched in 2004 before you probably even knew podcasts existed. They are one of the original and most popular podcast hosts and help podcasters of all levels quickly create and share work.

As of late, Libsyn has given its offering a facelift that has made it much more attractive, adding to what was already a robust podcast hosting offering.

The in-depth tutorial, aptly named “How to Start a Podcast,” walks anyone looking to grow a show from how to hone a concept through the technicals of creation and promotion. Soon they will also be covering that oh-so-sweet concept of monetization. All within one helpful guide, which beats searching through random YouTube tutorials. Although they have spent a lot of time on their YouTube channel, that’s also a helpful resource.

On the software side, Libsyn now features an all-in-one recording studio that requires a simple USB mic to create a high-quality podcast. Integrated Canva templates make creating your episode cover art a breeze. An embeddable podcast player makes sharing and promoting your episodes easier than ever.

Plans begin at only $5/month, and the offerings have caught up to the competition. They are an established veteran worth considering if money is your top deciding factor.

PodBean

PodBean has a great basic plan for $9/month, as well as a smaller plan for just $3/month that is a step up from some free options. Their analytics are very visual, which can make them easy to understand and can also be really helpful for sharing with potential partners or advertisers. They have other features that may be appealing to podcasters looking to monetize, like a Patron service that is similar to Patreon in that it allows for a paywall on certain content.

PodBean truly has one of the widest arrays of features available, although some features only come at the higher priced plans. Still, the basic plan is a great, reliable option that podcasters big and small will love and find more than sufficient.

Read our full PodBean review, Libsyn vs. PodBean

Deal: First month free with code “discoverpods”.

Blubrry

In our recent full review of Blubrry, we spoke highly of their Powerpress option that allows for seamless publishing with WordPress websites and their support line where you can actually talk to a person, rather than wait for an email response. They also provide a free WordPress website for new customers if you don’t already have one.

Price wise, it falls right about at the middle of the pack and while it may not be flashy, Blubrry remains an excellent choice for podcasters. They offer a wide array of pricing options, so it is important to decide what your podcast future looks like before locking into a yearly plan. While the $12/month basic plan will be sufficient for some, larger networks of shows also have options up to $80 per month.

Blubrry is a veteran in the hosting space and really all about the simplicity of its interface and the speed of “post – upload – publish” with Powerpress.
One key differentiator, is they are one of the few players currently IAB certified, helping standardize the podcast analytics.

Read our full Blubrry review, Blubrry vs. PodBean

Deal: First month free with code “discoverpods”.

Castos

Castos may not be as recognizable of a name as some of the other options, but their WordPress integration is rivaled only by Blubrry in terms of ease of use, and they also do offer unlimited bandwidth and storage at only $15/month.

Castos has an automated import process that users switching from a competitor to their platform to easily move content over, and they also have an integrated Youtube publishing option that can convert your audio into video files that can be shared with the click of a button.

Don’t eliminate Castos simply because it costs a couple dollars more than some similar platforms. It is one of the few options out there that really does differentiate itself with the features available, and we think they’re worth an extra $30 a year.

Deal: First month free with code “discoverpods”.

Captivate.fm

Captivate is a relatively newcomer to the podcast hosting space from the UK. They are certainly making waves in the space and claim that if you move to their service, you’re going to stick there. In fact, one of their testimonials states that they tried seven different podcast hosts before landing on Captivate.fm.

Bold.

While they don’t offer a free plan, they do offer a 7 day free trial so you can get used to their platform. Before signing up, you can take a look at their extensive library of content designed to help independent podcasters grow their audience.

Since so many podcasts fail before reaching the fifth episode, having a host that is focused on your success makes a lot of business sense.

Here are some of the key things that make Captivate.fm worth a look:

1. Growth-oriented: Captivate.fm is designed to help podcasters grow their audience and build their brand. It offers a range of marketing and analytics tools to help podcasters track their growth and make data-driven decisions.
2. User-friendly: Captivate.fm has a simple, intuitive interface that makes it easy for podcasters to upload, publish, and manage their episodes. It also offers a range of customizable player options, so podcasters can match their player to their branding.
3. Podcast website: With Captivate.fm, podcasters can create a custom podcast website that integrates seamlessly with their hosting platform. This allows podcasters to have a dedicated website for their show that is fully customizable and easy to manage.
4. Support: Captivate.fm offers excellent customer support, with a team of podcasting experts on hand to answer any questions and help users troubleshoot any issues.
5. Pricing: Captivate.fm offers transparent pricing with no hidden fees. It also offers unlimited storage and bandwidth, so podcasters can upload as many episodes as they like without worrying about extra costs. If you pay annually, the starter plan sits right in the middle of the pack at $17 a month.
   
   To that end, Captivate does want some commitment from their content creators, but they return the favor with quite a bit of training and resources.

Overall, Captivate.fm is a podcast host that prioritizes the needs of podcasters and offers a range of features to help you, as an indie podcaster, succeed. Overall, Captivate.fm is a host we’re going to be doing a deeper dive on with a full review in the near future, but for now, it’s certainly worth a look as a paid podcast host.

Podiant

Podiant is one of the few podcasts that offers truly unlimited storage and bandwidth, and they won’t price you out or increase your rates as your listenership and following grows. Podiant has great statistics and analytics and offers users a free podcast website (but who doesn’t these days).

One way they do stand out is their Production Assistant system, which can help with scripting, reviewing and adding notes to edits and more all from your Podiant dashboard. For larger podcasts with precise scripts or lots of guests coming in and out, or for shows with hosts in different cities, this can be especially helpful with organization. We’ll also give props to Podiant for offering websites that are also pretty nice to look at and have more of an aesthetic focus than some competitors.

In addition to the basic $12.99/month plan, Podiant offers professional plans that allow you to host more than one podcast with a single account and provide you with one on one technical support.

Deal: Get 25% off your first 3 months with code “discoverpods”.

Spreaker

Spreaker’s plans are for total audio storage, rather than monthly limits, which can be beneficial or restricting. The $6 per month On-Air Talent plan allows for 100-hours of storage, which would be great for a show planning to only release a single season but would only last a little over a year for a weekly show with longer episodes. The Broadcaster plan, priced at $18 per month, increases to 500-hours of storage and the Anchorman plan allows for 1,500 hours of storage. It is easy to switch from one plan to another, so if you max out your storage you can just level up. 

A key differentiator for Spreaker is the ability to manage multiple podcasts through a single account. They’re also one of the few podcast hosts to have  their statistics IAB certified — a growing standard in the industry.

Spreaker offers live podcasting on all their plans (with time caps varied by plan), which is a new feature offered by some hosting services that will certainly be appealing to hosts looking to take live calls or interact more closely with their audiences. While they do not currently offer customized websites, you do get advanced distribution capabilities including embeddable players with all plans so it is easy to share episodes on other web platforms. Spreaker also has a monetization program through dynamic ad insertion. It works as a revenue-sharing program in which the podcaster gets 60% of the ad revenue, and Spreaker keeps 40% of it.

Other Podcast Hosts To Consider

Transistor.fm

Transistor sets to differentiate themselves from competitors by offering the ability to create unlimited podcasts within a single plan. You can add additional users per podcast as well, making it a great option for teams and small networks with multiple shows. The platform, analytics, customizable websites and other features are all very cleanly designed and easy to navigate. 

Transistor has download limits on their unlimited plans, with the lowest being 15,000 downloads on their $19 per month Starter Plan, but promises never to shut off an account if a download cap is reached, which is a nice touch. Instead, they’ll contact you and allow you to easily upgrade your plan. Those upgrades include the $49 per month Professional plan (75,000 monthly downloads) and $99 per month Business plan (200,000 monthly downloads). 

Simplecast

Simplecast is taking a big and bold approach, with a modern design aesthetic that looks more like a high end gym or streetwear brand than a podcast hosting service. But, don’t be distracted by the bold fonts — with a $15 per month unlimited plan and two-week trial with no credit card required, they clearly mean business. Simplecast also offers tools aimed at growing podcasts in their $35 per month Essential plan and $85 per month Growth plan, including more advanced analytics, collaboration tools and an increase in the number of included monthly downloads. 

Simplecast also offers Professional and Enterprise plans for larger volume shows, which is rare for some of the newer podcast hosting platforms out there. You have to contact Simplecast’s sales team for pricing, but working with a growing host could be a great option for a growing podcast network looking to get competitive pricing and lots of access to customer support. 

bCast

bCast is a podcast host built for marketers, by self-confessed marketers, Tom Hunt and Neil Morgan. Their unique pitch is they build every feature around making your podcast more profitable. A few notable features:

• Automated transcription for SEO growth
• Audio inserts to easily add calls to action or sponsor ads to the start or end of any episode for any period of time in a few clicks
• Custom domains to allow you to host your podcast website on your own domain or subdomain
• Auto opt-in which is a smooth strategy for converting listeners (downloads) into leads (email addresses)

bCast plans start at $15 per month, which gives access to most features and 10,000 downloads per month, plans scale up to unlimited podcasts, downloads, premium support and the ability to remove branding for $75 per month.

Fireside

A platform that is quickly gaining popularity is Fireside, which was founded in 2016 and is working to grow their network by offering a competitively priced unlimited plan and a seamless, 1-click hosting platform transfer process. Their standard plan is $19 per month for unlimited storage, with a cap at 75,000 downloads per month. The plan is definitely worth considering, especially if you are looking for a plan that also includes a robust, customizable website builder. In addition to the Standard plan, there is a $9 per month starter plan and a $49 per month Professional plan, where downloads are unlimited and you can work with up to 10 collaborators. 

Which podcast host is right for you?

We hope that this list helped narrow things down a bit, but chances are you are still facing a dilemma and are having a tough time choosing between a couple options. Take these final tips to heart when deciding where to host your show.

First, think about the growth you want your show to have and what platform will allow for that. If you are confident that you may need a plan larger than a basic plan in six months, look for a host that will allow you to upgrade. If you think this podcast is mostly just a hobby, consider a lower priced plan and save a bit on hosting that could instead be invested in slightly nicer podcast recording equipment.

Second, consider the websites. If you already have a personal website that is run through WordPress, Blubrry and Castos automatically stand out as front runners. If you don’t have a website, look at samples of each platforms websites and decide what you like best aesthetically.

Finally, remember that you can switch. Podcast hosts know that the space they operate in is very competitive, and they make it easy to seamlessly move your files from one host to another (usually for free). While this is an important decision to make, you are buying a hosting service, not a house, and ultimately the best way to choose between the top options is to go with your gut, see which hosts some of your favorite shows use, and go with the option that feels right to you.

Podcast Hosting FAQs

What is podcast hosting?

Regardless of where you find your podcasts, from Apple to Spotify to Stitcher, the audio files have to be stored — or hosted — somewhere. You may have heard of some of the most popular podcast hosting services, like Podbean, Blubrry and Buzzsprout, and a quick Google search will reveal dozens more options catering to podcasts both big and small. 

The primary benefit of a podcast hosting platform is that it provides the ability to share files automatically with multiple distributors using an RSS feed. This means that when you upload your new episodes to your podcast host, they can be easily pushed out to any platform you’ve set your feed up with, rather than having to upload to multiple platforms individually. Cover art, descriptions and data like downloads and listenership also all can be managed with your podcast host. 

In addition to pricing, storage space allotment and ease of use, you’ll find that podcast hosts differentiate themselves with a variety of helpful features like easy-to-build podcast websites, social media integration, post scheduling and in-depth statistics. 

Can I host my podcast on my website?

If you have a personal, business or even a website exclusively built for your podcast established, you may be considering simply using that site to host the files. While you may find a way to do this and potentially save a few dollars, the storage space and bandwidth required to host a growing podcast will quickly add up and you’ll realize it is not an effective or reliable way to host your files.  

Some popular website creation sites, like Squarespace and WordPress, have RSS publishing capabilities available that work well and are relatively easy for smaller podcasters. Again, storage and bandwidth will be an issue as your site grows but if you are dedicated to putting your audio files directly on your website consider an easy to use platform like Squarespace. 

Podcast hosting services are not the same as other file storage, so you cannot use a platform like Dropbox or Google Drive for your podcast (although these tools are very useful for collaborating while you are recording your episodes). 

Can I use SoundCloud to host my podcast?

The short answer to the question of whether you can use SoundCloud to host a podcast is yes, but you may not want to. SoundCloud is a streaming service, rather than a service built for hosting podcasts, and you will run into various obstacles if you decide to host with SoundCloud. 

While SoundCloud is free, you will be limited to three hours of uploaded audio per month. For musicians, this is typically more than enough, but podcasters will quickly run out. The free option also does not provide any statistics or the ability to schedule postings, which are both useful capabilities for podcasters. Paid plans are $7/month for SoundCloud Pro, or $15/month for SoundCloud Pro Unlimited, in which case it makes more sense to use a comparably priced dedicated podcast host. 

You don’t need to take my word on it, either. Steve Wilson, head of marketing for Apple Podcasts, discourages podcaster from using SoundCloud as their podcast host.

That being said, it doesn’t hurt to upload episodes to SoundCloud as a supplemental place for listeners to find your content. SoundCloud has a great social component and is actively growing their podcast capabilities, so it is a good platform to get familiar with. 

Related reading: SoundCloud alternatives for hosting podcasts

Which podcast host is right for me?

You can choose your podcast host strictly based on cost, but you’ll be better off if you look at the bigger picture and see what the benefit add of some of the top plans are. For example, Buzzsprout offers discounted audio transcription for podcasts using their service, and Castos has integrated Youtube publishing. Think about what you will really need when you are podcasting and what your goals are and then factor in the extra perks with how much you value them.

If you are setting up a podcast that you expect will have large listenership off the bat, we recommend an established host like Buzzsprout or Podbean because of the unlimited monthly storage and comprehensive podcast analytics. If you are not worried about maxing out your bandwidth or storage, take some time to look through all the options out there to see what interface feels right.   

How much does podcast hosting cost?

In most cases, expect to be paying around $10.00 to $15.00 / month for podcast hosting. If you are working with video, or looking to host a large commercial podcast, that rate will be higher depending on your specific needs. 

Most hosting sites will allow you to either increase your plan capacity if you are running out of space or provide an option for a one-time purchase of extra storage. Check your plan details before signing up if you are not sure exactly how much space you’ll need. 

You’ll also notice that some plans have hourly storage limits while others have limits based on file sizes. Episode file sizes can vary a lot based on the recording and exported file specifics, but a very rough ballpark is that a 60-minute spoken podcast will be around 50MB. 

Can I use a free podcast host?

If you are just starting out with a new podcast, looking to see if you have any audience at all, and are not even sure you’ll want to make more than a few episodes then by all means use a free podcast hosting plan offered by a reliable service. Buzzsprout, Libsnn and Soundcloud are just a few options you could use to try out podcasting for free.

Make sure you are using a platform that will allow you to move to a different plan though when you are ready to start growing your podcast! 

Related reading: best free podcast hosting

Where should I publish my podcast?

In our guide to podcast hosting services, we explain the pros and cons of some of the best podcast hosting platforms for any budget. Blubrry, Castos Simplecast and many other services have offers for a free first month, which can be helpful if you want to see exactly what a podcast host is capable of before committing. It tends to be pretty easy to transition from one host to another with integrated file transfer services and most plans are monthly, so remember that while this decision is important, you are not locked in for life. 

The post The 10 Best Podcast Hosting Services (for new & experienced podcasters) appeared first on Discover the Best Podcasts | Discover Pods.

Podcast Hosting Plan Options and Pricing

Most searches for a new hosting plan will start with pricing and storage options. Libysn and Buzzsprout have very similar plan options, structured based on the amount of audio you can upload per month. Buzzsprout has the advantage of offering a free podcast hosting plan, which caps you at two hours of audio per month. Their next plans are $12 per month, $18 per month, and $24 per month, offering 3, 6, or 12 hours of uploads per month respectively. In all options, audio is stored indefinitely and you have the option to upload more content at an hourly rate. 

Libsyn’s plans are by MB rather than hours of audio, starting at $5 per month for 50 MB of audio, then $15 per month for 250 MB, $20 per month for 400 MB, and $40 per month for 800 MB. If you are a new podcaster, you are certainly asking how much storage capacity you would actually need and how big a single podcast file might be. While sizes will vary, a general rule of thumb is that the average hour-long audio podcast is about 25 MB. Because audio file sizes vary, it is hard to give one platform an edge over the other. 

Spreaker, however, structures its plans based on total audio storage rather than a monthly limit. The $6 per month On-Air Talent plan allows for 100-hours of storage, the Broadcaster plan, priced at $18 per month, increases to 500-hours of storage, and the Anchorman plan allows for 1,500 hours of storage. These pricing options are appealing if you are transferring over an existing library of audio files or if you are planning to release episodes less frequently or only for a single season. In fact, if that is your situation it means you will be less likely to overspend if you are using Spreaker compared to other options. For podcasters with bigger ambitions or enterprise clients, there is also the unlimited Publisher plan at $120 per month. Spreaker also offers a free plan which allows for five total hours of uploads, which would be a great place to start if you are not sure you are ready to commit to a paid hosting plan. 

All three platforms allow you to add extra storage as you go, and offer larger options for enterprise clients. The most important consideration to make is how much storage space you need both monthly and as a whole. If you know you will not need more than 100 or 500 total hours of storage, Spreaker is a great option that will likely end up being less expensive. However, if you are not sure, Libsyn and Buzzsprout are both great providers with competitive pricing.

Spreaker Review and Features

Spreaker has a nice balance of simplicity and power, combining some of the best features offered by Buzzsprout and Libsyn, and leads the pack in several areas as well. You will immediately notice Spreaker’s clean, simple to navigate design and the ease of use when it comes to publishing is on par with Buzzsprout. Where Spreaker excels above the pack is in innovation and modern features, as the company continues to rapidly update its offerings to meet modern needs. One example is the ability to host live podcasts, which can be streamed directly through a Spreaker platform and then distributed to other podcasting apps. They also offer a podcast recording app, Speaker Studio, which would be a nice benefit for a new podcaster who is less experienced with editing. 

Spreaker has also found a niche appealing to professional podcasters with straightforward monetization tools, as well as features like the ability to host multiple podcasts on the same account. Monetization is another area where Spreaker is pushing the boundaries and providing modern features. For example, they have integrated programmatic advertising, easy dynamic ad insertion, and other tools that make monetizing easy for podcasters of all sizes. Spreaker also offers podcasters a way to grow their audience with their AdHub. Podcasters can upload an audio ad — for example, promoting their show — and then specify both a budget and target audience and then it will be dynamically inserted as an additional promotional method.

When looking at a list of features offered by Spreaker, you may notice that a few common offerings are missing, but in many cases that will not be a disadvantage. For example, Spreaker does not offer podcast websites (Buzzsprout, Libsyn and some other hosts do), but not all users will need that feature and frankly, making a website with Squarespace, Wix or WordPress is usually a better option. Ultimately, in our opinion, nothing essential is missing. If you evaluate what your key needs are, and decide which features offered will actually be useful for you, we are fairly certain that all of your top needs, and more, are going to be met with Spreaker. 

Spreaker has great support, and provides lots of resources for their network of podcasters, including tools and articles on how to start a podcast, how to monetize, and how to understand your analytics. They also like to prominently feature podcasts that use their services, which could give your show a nice boost. 

Buzzsprout Review and Features

Buzzsprout prides itself on being intuitive, straightforward, and long-term contract-free (meaning only monthly plans are available). Their platform makes it incredibly easy to transfer over files from another hosting provider.

One of Buzzsprout’s recent releases is Magic Mastering, which was first announced in May 2020. The company describes it as an Instagram filter for your audio, again putting an effort into making their platform one of the easiest to use for podcasters of all skill levels. While some people may prefer to do their own touch-ups, it is a nice option have especially for podcasters that do not work with an editor or want to spend time mastering. The extra option can be added to all of Buzzsprout’s paid plans. 

Other features that are unique to Buzzsprout or less common include the option to automatically get uploads transcribed, and a Dynamic Content tool that can help with adding pre-roll or post-roll segments. The Dynamic Content tool is especially helpful as it allows you to automatically add a pre-roll message such as an ad, announcement, or show update to all of your past episodes with a single click. 

Buzzsprout also offers many of the key features that have now become standard in the podcast hosting space. This includes detailed podcast statistics, easy-to-create podcast websites, custom embed players, and monetization options integrated into the platform. 

Related reading: Buzzsprout podcast host review

One benefit of using a platform like Buzzsprout (or Spreaker and to an extent Libsyn) is that their network is large, support is quick and helpful and options for enterprise or professional podcasters are extensive. Although other plans may be slightly less expensive, Buzzsprout does a good job of getting you your money’s worth without taking any shortcuts or short-changing users with their features. Although many of Buzzsprout’s key features are aimed at new podcasters or early-stage podcasts with simplified actions and automated add-ons, they are a great bet for professionals as well. 

Libsyn Review and Features

If Buzzsprout and Spreaker excel at making things modern and automated, Libsyn excels at offering powerful, robust features. While they certainly are a top option for enterprise-level producers, their long list of features and capabilities will also be helpful for podcasting newbies as well. 

Libsyn offers some of the most complete and comprehensive statistics available, with the ability to review stats from specific date ranges, stats related to social media engagement, location-specific stats, and more. They have also integrated the option to easily download statistics for quick marketing reports or other analysis. 

The platform and their publishing formats are extremely customizable, with the ability to seamlessly schedule episodes to be released at a later time, set episode expiration dates, or limit who a released episode is available to. While some of these features will not be useful for all podcasters, having the ability to several of these things just in case is a nice perk. 

In addition to the competitively priced Enterprise plans, Libsyn also excels in the professional market because of its monetization features. The platform provides users at certain tier levels with dynamic ad insertion, as well as ad management tools and stats. There is also the MyLibsyn service, which is similar to Patreon or another paywall platform, allowing you to set up premium content that listeners can subscribe to through the Libysn app.

Are There Any Standout Disadvantages?

All three platforms have been in the podcast hosting market for over a decade, and as a result they all have the basic features on lock, with helpful support and an array of features for podcasts of all sizes. If you are just looking for a reliable way to get your podcast on as many platforms as possible, you cannot go wrong with any of the three. 

With that, you will certainly notice that Spreaker and Buzzsprout have a much more modern interface than Libsyn and although Libsyn has a lot of features, it tends to be less intuitive. Do not think that just because Spreaker and Buzzsprout feature simplified design and emphasize their ease equates to key features or a lack of functionality. In fact, it is just the opposite. In almost all regards, Spreaker and Buzzsprout’s simplicity is an advantage. 

Although Spreaker has some areas where it is different or takes a different approach than it’s competition, transitioning to the platform is very easy and we truly feel that a lot of the choices they are making are better for many, if not all, users. Take for example their pricing structure. While at first it will stand out as different, it is actually much more intuitive than a monthly cap and gives you more freedom, more transparency and more bang for your buck. 

So, Which Podcast Host Should You Choose?

In the battle between Buzzsprout, Libsyn, and Spreaker the first thing to consider is pricing. Buzzsprout and Libsyn have similar enough plans that it really just comes down to which way of thinking about the cost you prefer. On Spreaker, you will have to take into consideration if you will max out the lower-priced 100 or 500-hour audio storage plan. While some podcast hosts may see 500+ episodes in their future, in most cases 500 hours of storage will be more than enough. If you only see yourself releasing a short episode or two a month, the Spreaker On-Air Talent plan at $6 per month is probably the most cost effective of all three platforms. 

Next, evaluate which features you will actually use. Assume that the statistics and RSS and distribution options available on all three will be substantial, and consider what would then become the most important features for you. Perhaps you are eager to monetize and like the idea of live podcasting. In that case, Spreaker may be the right tool for you. 

Ultimately, there are very few cons with all three of these options and the choice really becomes about which platform is best for you. All three strive to appeal to users of all skill levels and storage needs and have the features and range of plans to prove it. Most importantly, they all also offer flexible plans and have simplified the process of moving content over to their platforms if you change your mind after committing to a different service. Instead of thinking of choosing a podcast host as a stressful choice you have to make, instead let it be an exciting chance to choose between several great options all eager to welcome you into their podcasting communities. 

The post Podcast Host Comparison: Buzzsprout vs. Libsyn vs. Spreaker appeared first on Discover the Best Podcasts | Discover Pods.

What differentiates the leaders in the podcast hosting game tends to be the range in plans (both in regards to pricing and storage space), as well as the add-on features that you get with a plan. For the most part, quality, reliability and functionality will be about the same especially with established hosting services like Buzzsprout, Podbean and Libsyn. In this comparison, we will break down pricing and plan options, as well as add-on features that come with each plan, and explain what type of podcasters will benefit most from the offerings of each platform. 

Buzzsprout vs. Podbean vs. Libsyn

Podcast Host Pricing 

Regardless of which hosting platform you select, you will likely have the option to choose between several plans, typically starting with a free plan that offers limited storage space, and going up to an unlimited (or nearly unlimited) plan aimed at professional podcasters or even podcast networks. 

The widest range comes from Podbean, with pricing starting at a free plan that allows for 5 hours of total storage, as well as limitations on some other services and functions. Their two most popular options are Unlimited Audio ($9per month) and Unlimited Plus ($29 per month), both of which offer unlimited storage space and unmetered bandwidth, but differ in regards to what customizations and features are available within the platform’s site builder. A final plan, Business, is $99 permonth and aimed at networks or business with multiple podcasts. 

Buzzsprout offers very similar pricing options, again starting with a free plan. If you want a free podcast host, Buzzsprout is a better option because it allows for 2 hours of audio each month, rather than Podbean’s five hours total. In theory, you could host a show using Buzzsprout’s free plan if episodes were relatively infrequent and short. Their three paid plans, priced at $12per month, $18per month and $24per month allow for 3 hours, 6 hours or 12 hours of uploads each month respectively, with the option to add more as needed. All of Buzzsprouts pay plans include full access to statistics, embedded players and a podcast website. The advantage of this pricing structure is that if you know exactly how much audio  you plan to release, it can be much more affordable than a plan like Podbean’s Unlimited Plus. That being said, the cap at 12 hours in their most expensive plan means it probably is not the right platform for a daily show or podcast network. 

Finally, Libsyn starts with a $5 plan, which includes 50 MB of storage. Their larger plans are $15per month, $20per month and $40per month to upload 250 MB, 400 MB or 800 MB of audio respectively. Libsyn explains that one minute of audio is about 0.5 to 1.0 MB, and encourages someone releasing four 60 minute episodes a month to get their $15per month plan. File sizes of course depend on how the audio was recorded, exported, and if it contains music or just spoken words. They also offer two larger plans, maxing out at $150per month for 3000 MB of storage, and LibsynPRO which offers unlimited storage. The pricing here may be a bit confusing to a new podcaster, but if you are an existing show and know much much storage you would need monthly, the pricing is affordable and inviting. 

Ultimately, if pricing is your top consideration, consider Buzzsprout if you want a free plan, any of the three platforms if you are a semi-regular show that needs a “normal” amount of storage, and Podbean or Libsyn if you’re looking for an unlimited or nearly unlimited plan. 

Podcast Statistics and Metrics

One of the most important features to have access to for a podcast of any size is statistics, and all three hosts offer comprehensive podcasts stats that will help you grow your audience and potentially find advertisers. Only Podbean’s Basic (free) plan and Libyn’s $5per month 50 MB plan limit what statistics you will have access to. 

While the exact statistics and information you will get access to will be relatively similar, the way information is presented varies a bit with each option. Buzzsprout stands out because their interface is very clear, easy to read and organized logically. Podbean also has very clear statistics, as well as a bit more detail than their competitors. Their User Engagement intel, which comes as an optional add-on, is a great advantage and can help growing podcasts understand why episodes are or are not working. Libsyn statistics are also incredibly detailed, including data like a basic social media stats, download statistics and more. 

Podcast Website Creation

An increasingly common feature of podcast hosting platforms is the ability to easily create a podcast website and automatically publish episodes to it. Libsyn, Podbean and Buzzsprout all have integrated this feature at all price points. 

Libsyn calls their websites “Mini Sites,” which should give you an idea of the functionality and features. While the websites won’t compete with a page created with Squarespace or WordPress, they work just fine for a new podcast and can be customized to match your podcasts branding. 

Podbean gives all their users the ability to create a site, with increased functionality such as more themes to choose from, customized design and custom domains for paid plans. This is one of the key differences between the Unlimited Audio and Unlimited Pro plans that Podbean offers, and their Pro and Business plans give you the ability to create robust, fully customized sites. 

Finally, Buzzsprout again stands out because of the clean design, and the ability to use a custom domain. Buzzsprout’s sites are a bit less customizable than with Podbean, but their default pages are modern and easy to navigate. If you prefer to use your own website, Buzzsprout also has a very easy to use embedded player generator with a wide range of features like customizable colors and full listening control. 

Pro / Business / Monetization Tools

Libsyn and Podbean both offer business or enterprise level plans, but you will find great tools aimed at professional podcasters in plans from all three of these hosts. 

While Buzzsprout does not bill one of their plans as meant for pros, they do give their creators access to an affiliate marketing program which can be used to monetize a podcast. You can manage unlimited podcasts under the same account, each on their own plan, and give unlimited team members access to the account. This could be helpful if you work with an editor or business manager and want to give them full or limited access to the podcasts backend. Buzzsprout allows for lots of customization in their platform which makes it easy to represent your brand clearly while using their platform, too. 

Podbean allows podcasts of all sizes to join their ad marketplace to potentially gain revenue from ads, and has an integrated Patron Program that allows for additional monetization. In their Business plan, you can also set up multiple podcast channels and have multiple management admins. Podbean also offers customized enterprise solutions that are robust and go beyond the Business plan, including 24/7 premium support, advanced statistics and sophisticated podcast management. 

LibsynPRO is a full suite of tools for professional podcasters, including multi-user account management,and management tools for running advertising campaigns. LibsynPRO plans can be customized based on your shows needs, and their team encourages you to contact them directly for demos and pricing. 

Other Podcast Host Features

A few additional features stand out, which may just be your deciding factor when choosing between Podbean, Libsyn and Buzzsprout. 

One of Buzzsprout’s coolest features is integrated audio transcription, starting at $0.10 per minute. If you are looking to increase your SEO, convert audio episodes to blog posts, or reach new audiences, this can be a useful feature. Sharing episodes is also easy with Buzzsprout’s Visual Soundbite feature, which are eye-catching videos that can be automatically created and feature your podcast’s logo and selections from an episode. The videos can then be shared on social media and are a unique, visually appealing way to share a segment of an episode with fans. 

One of Libsyn’s unique features are their custom iOS and Android apps, which give fans more access to a favorite show, and allow for more features than some other podcast listening apps. Users can create lists of their favorite episodes, integrate their social media for sharing, and utilize listening features like a sleep timer and speed settings. Apps can be added as a feature to Libsyn’s plans above 400 MB. 

Podbean offers their own app, which has over a million active users and can be used to record podcasts and engage with audiences. Podbean also has a live streaming feature, where hosts can go on air and take calls or instant messages from listeners. Live streams can be free or ticketed, and hosted from the Podbean website or using the app. 

Which Podcast Host Do I Choose? 

If there is one thing to know about podcast hosting, it is that it is very hard to go wrong. Of course pricing and features will vary a bit, but Buzzsprout, Libsyn and Podbean are all great services with easy access to customer support and reliable services. 

If you are not tech-savvy, and do not want to worry about optimizing audio to stay within storage limits, Buzzsprout is likely your best bet. They offer automatic episode optimization and their free plan is one of the best free plans you will find. Buzzsprout’s publishing interface is also very easy to use, as is their website builder and other publishing features. 

If you are looking for an unlimited plan at a low price, Podbean is an excellent option. If you have a single podcast, it is hard to beat their $9 per month Unlimited Audio Plan. Their Unlimited Plus and Business plans have some additional features that will definitely be helpful when monetization comes into the picture. 

Finally, for existing podcasts that know how much space they need, or for professional podcasters or businesses, Libsyn’s advanced and business features are top notch. Their more basic plans are also certainly worth considering too if you know how much storage you will need monthly. 

With all three platforms, you will be in good hands and most importantly, flexible sign up options allow you to commit to just a month at a time. Do not be afraid to give a platform a trial run if you are starting a new podcast, as Libsyn, Podbean and Buzzsprout also all make it very easy to move from one platform to another. Happy podcasting!

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Related articles: best podcast hosting services, Podbean vs. Blubrry review, best free podcast hosts.

Like many of the veteran competitors in this space, such as Blubrry or Podbean, the differences between the top hosting services are fairly niche. One factor that makes Buzzsprout stand out is that they offer a free option, although it is very limited amount of storage space and only provides hosting for 90 days. Paid plans begin at $12 / month for 3 hours of content, with the ability to add more content on a pay-per-hour basis. The largest plan offered, and the best option for full-time podcasters putting out a show or two a week is the $24 / month plan, which provides 12 hours of space.

Buzzsprout pricing differs from many competitors that price their plans by storage size, not time of episodes. The hourly plans are nice for beginners who may not exactly how much storage space they need. It is really hard to make a comparison between audio duration and file size, because recording methods and export settings can lead to a lot of variation. 1 GB of audio could be around 3 hours of WAV files recorded at 48K Sample Rate at 16 Bit Depth, or it could be around 24 hours of MP3 audio  at a 96K Sample Rate and 16 Bit Depth. To evaluate how much space you need, it’s best to look at your past episodes or ask an audio engineer if you work with one to record.

Beyond pricing, Buzzsprout stands out because of the support and assistance they offer, their easy to use platform, and the aforementioned website and transcription services. In the remainder of this review, we’ll look closely at some of the features Buzzsprout offers to help you decide which podcast host is right for you.  

What Makes A Good Podcast Host?

If you have spent any time searching for a service to use to host your podcast, you know that the space is crowded and can sometimes be hard to navigate. In addition to pricing or any specific features you may be looking for, reviews and reputation are really the best way to evaluate which hosting platform is best. Buzzsprout has a great reputation, with over 50,000 podcasters currently using it.

In addition to their hosting platform, Buzzsprout is well-known for their comprehensive “How to Make a Podcast” guide, which is free to read and provides guidance on how to record, what equipment to consider, and how to optimize your episodes to be discovered. The guide is supplemented by dozens of great blog articles about the podcasting industry, proving the expertise of the Buzzsprout community and helping to provide resources for both paid Buzzsprout users and those still deciding on a hosting platform.

Buzzsprout is a full, robust platform but their interface is simpler and may be easier to use than some competitors, which could be appealing.

Customizable Podcast Websites and Easy Embedding To Other Sites

While it is not unique to Buzzsprout, the ability to easily create a podcast website is sought-after and a great added benefit to any podcast hosting platform. Buzzsprout just announced this service and offers websites that are simple, clean and easy to integrate with your existing audio feed and connect to your social platforms.

Perhaps the best way to understand what the Buzzsprout website creation system offers is to check out the two sample websites they created, for Buzzcast and How to Start a Podcast. While the sites are not as complex as the websites you could create with WordPress, Squarespace or from scratch, they are certainly a step up from having no website at all and would be sufficient for plenty of podcasters.

If you already have a website for your podcast, Buzzsprout offers an easy to embed podcast player called Wave that can be integrated with your site. The Wave Podcast Player can be customized and can include one episode or a feed of multiple episodes. It looks very similar to embeds that you may have seen before from Spotify or Soundcloud, and includes and single-click “Information” section, as well as the ability to change the playback speed and easily share an episode on social media.

Easy To Understand Podcast Statistics

At this point, most top hosts have fairly similar statistics available, and not much differentiates the top competitors when it comes to stats. Buzzsprout’s statistics are very clear and easy to read, but the information itself (number of downloads, method of download, location of listeners) is fairly typical. That being said, all of the information you will want is there, and the fact that it is presented in such a clean and approachable way could set Buzzsprout slightly above some competition that do not have as approachable statistics pages.

Although every host will sell their stats as the best, the playing field has been leveled out and most of the top options will provide you with very comparable statistic offerings.

Podcast Episode Transcription

One unique offering that Buzzsprout provides is audio transcription services, starting at $0.10 per minute. Audio transcription of podcasts is useful for growing your reach with SEO and providing alternative ways for your audience to engage with your episodes, but transcription has always been an expensive and slow process.

Buzzsprout’s transcription is competitively priced compared to other similar services, but would be worth considering if you want your episodes transcribed because it is connected directly to the platform and therefore is very easy to work with. Editing and revising transcriptions is seamless, and you can publish the transcription directly to your public Buzzsprout page in addition to copy / pasting it to other websites.

Buzzsprout API Integration

If you use an editing platform like Alitu or Hindenburg, you may be drawn to the recently released Buzzsprout API that allows you to upload your episodes directly into your Buzzsprout account, eliminating the need to download and re-upload every episode. If you don’t use a platform that can integrate the API, exporting and uploading is still relatively simple.

Hopefully if the partnership with Alitu and Hindenburg goes well and customer feedback is positive, Buzzsprout will consider adding more partners for easy publishing directly to a Buzzsprout account.

Critique

While it may be appealing to some customers, Buzzsprout’s hourly plans instead of storage size plans are a bit confusing. Presumably, Buzzsprout converts all uploaded files to an optimized size, but there is no information provided about how this might affect podcasts that are more than just voices talking into a microphone. Although they do offer a monthly “128k Stereo Optimization” add-on, audiophiles still may prefer a storage-sized based plan where they know exactly how many files they can upload monthly. On the contrary, if you are not recording a podcast that has any complex audio structure, the hourly plans may be easier to understand than file-size plans.

What really makes Buzzsprout stand out is that a lot of their best features, like their customizable websites, were recently implemented features and it is very clear that Buzzsprout is committed to adding new features and making sure the platform stays up to date with current trends. The platform is definitely one to consider for smaller podcasts, individuals looking for an easy to use and simplified platform, and professionals that could take advantage of offerings like the API integration or transcription services.

Podcast Host Comparisons

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I previously wrote about my theory about The Great Consolidation. To quickly summarize the idea, larger companies will buy up podcasts creating original content (Creators), companies supplying the distribution of podcasts (Distributors) — both hosting and streaming, and companies controlling the advertising on the podcasts (Advertisers). E.W. Scripps fits this example to a tee and Spotify isn’t far behind.

Scripps has the Creator (Earwolf), the Distributor (Stitcher), and the Advertiser (Midroll).

Here are my picks for potential companies to be acquired next. However, I should note here this is complete speculation and I have no insider knowledge.

Wondery

Wondery follows in many of the same footsteps as Gimlet. They’re the podcast network behind mega true crime podcast hits like Dr. Death and Dirty John. The latter of which was part of the first wave of podcast adaptations with Bravo premiering the Dirty John show in 2018 starring Eric Bana and Connie Britton. Wondery CEO, Hernan Lopez even alluded to the fact they’re specifically creating podcasts for adaptations to larger mediums.

They’re a machine for creating compelling original content, some with the potential to be big gainers. They’re my pick to be the next acquisition.

Cadence13

Cadence13 might be a new name for many not directly involved in the podcast industry. However, they’re the marketing and sales arm behind podcast behemoths like Pod Save America, Revisionist History, Up and Vanished, Atlanta Monster, and What Really Happened?

Though they have a star-powered stable of podcasts, their team is still relatively small — 65 employees according to LinkedIn. They could make for a bargain buy for the right company.

Audioboom

Audioboom is a unique company on this list. In my Consolidation image, they already play a bit in all three buckets yet don’t quite excel in any. The London-based company has a hosting element, an ad platform, and also creates original podcasts like Mission to Zyxx and Deliberations.

I don’t know what their finances look like at the moment, but in 2018 they hit some rocky waters after their acquisition of Triton Digital was called off, they were late to pay podcasters, and there were constant rumors they were circling the drain. In the end, they raised $6 million and righted the ship.

Megaphone or Simplecast

In the same strategy idea as Anchor, Simplecast is a sleek podcast host looking to gain a stronger foothold with an easy-to-use platform and a powerful tool. If they’re able to gain a substantial market share (or equivalent buzz), they have the potential to be a key piece in the podcast lifecycle for a larger buyer.

Megaphone is a podcast host built to scale for large networks. They’ve already proved their value with networks like Stuff Media, Gimlet Media, Slate, WSJ, Vox, and more.

Night Vale Presents

I don’t have any data on this, but it seems like a disproportionate amount of audio drama fiction podcasts are getting adaptation deals. If this indeed is a major revenue stream for podcasts, it makes sense to target the networks creating these types of podcasts. Night Vale Presents with their titular podcast, Welcome to Night Vale and Alice Isn’t Dead, have massive built-in followings.

Plus, it never hurts to bring on super creative people and let them create more cool stuff.

Podbean, Blubrry, Libsyn, Spreaker, Buzzsprout

I’m lumping these five together since they’re stalwarts in the podcast hosting space. Together, they host a vast majority of the top podcasts out there. While Anchor is popular and has a large market share for new podcasts, these hosts pick quality over quantity. Libsyn, for example, only has 7% of the overall market, but over 25% of the top 400 podcasts according to Chartable.

Whether the consolidation strategy is geared to entice new podcasters — like Spotify’s — or to gain a bigger foothold with existing podcasts, aiming for the proprietary host technology is a smart way to own an underrepresented area of podcasting.

Related reading: The best podcast hosting services

Maximum Fun

See everything I wrote for Night Vale Presents and add wacky and fun. I’m not sure exactly how they do it, but many of their podcasts obtain huge cult followings. The Adventure Zone has people dressing in cosplay to their live events and Bubble is a legitimately great and funny audio drama.

A Max Fun acquisition would follow the same line of thinking as Earwolf — comedy podcast networks with supremely talented people.

Headgum

Headgum would definitely be an interesting acquisition. On the surface, they’re a great podcast network producing popular shows like All Fantasy Everything, Doughboys, and Buckets with Amir Blumenfeld. However, the majority of their shows are personality-driven instead of story-driven. This makes it hard to separate the person(s) and the podcast. For example, ESPN “owns” The BS Report but when Bill Simmons left the podcast is essentially worthless.  

Radiotopia

I should be clear upfront here, I would be SHOCKED if Radiotopia were acquired. But, I’d be remiss if I didn’t include them in a list like this because of the sheer quality of the podcasts they create. For a company looking to buy a Creator, they probably couldn’t do much better than Radiotopia. With podcasts like 99% Invisible, Criminal, This is Love, Song Exploder, The Allusionist, and many other blue-chip podcasts under their helm, the network doesn’t really have a misstep.

Radiotopia is currently run by the nonprofit, Public Radio Exchange (PRX).

Crooked Media

Again, I don’t think an acquisition is in the cards here, but like Radiotopia their roster only has mega hits. They face a similar problem that I outlined with Headgum since the allure of their podcasts is their political commentators who bring a unique blend of expertise and entertainment.

Overcast and Pocket Casts

Two of the more popular “niche” streaming apps, both Overcast and Pocket Casts provide extra features and ease-of-use over their counterparts from Apple, Google, and even Spotify. I don’t think it makes sense for Spotify — or any of the big three, really — to buy either since they could simple reconfigure their UI to replicate some of the more popular features. That said, an enterprising company looking to make waves could scoop up one of these.

Pocket Casts was acquired in 2018 by NPR but it remains to be seen exactly what they’re doing with the app and even at the time left some people questioning their strategy.

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