Are you thinking about your next successful podcast and sharing your voice with the world? You need podcast hosting. Podcasting isn’t something like recording some voice content and uploading it to iTunes; you need to host your audio files.
So how do you are planning to pick the right podcast hosting?
Here my top 7 picks for best podcast hosting
- BuzzsproutÂ
- Spreaker
- Transistor
- Podbean
- SimplecastÂ
- CaptivateÂ
Buzzsprout
Buzzsprout is the best podcast hosting platform for many reasons. They are a podcast host since 2009 and trusted by over 100,000 podcasters. In addition, they are the only podcast hosting companies that offer a free podcast hosting plan with unlimited team member accounts.
Buzzsprout allows embedded podcast players right on your website, and you can feature one or a whole playlist of episodes.
They offer easy to use analytics dashboard to estimate how many listeners receive each episode within 90 days. You can also see from which regions your listeners are coming. It will help you to understand your audience.
Buzzsprout makes it super easy for new podcasters to upload and schedule podcasts. You can simply record and upload your audio file, give title and description and submit your podcast to all major podcast directories.
Pricing :
In their free Plan, you can upload 2 hours of audio content hosted for 90 days. If you feel serious about your podcasting, you can simply upgrade your plans based on how many hours of audio content you need to upload and host per month.
- Free: Upload and host 2 hours of audio content each month for 90 days.
- $12/month: Upload and host 3 hours of audio content each month
- $18/month: Upload and host 6 hours of audio content each month
- $24/month: Upload and host 12 hours of audio content each month
Ultimately for their easy-to-understand analytics dashboard and month-to-month pricing, Buzzsprout is my number one choice.
I recommend starting with their free Plan and upgrade based on how many hours of the podcast you need to upload and host per month.
Spreaker
Spreaker is the best one-stop-shop for podcasters. For a newbie to Expert podcasters who are developing tons of content,spreaker makes podcasters’ journey easy, smooth, and profitable.
Spreaker connects listeners, podcasters, and advertisers just in one place and makes it easy for content creators to monetize their content catalog.
- Its content management system allows you to distribute automatically new episodes to significant podcast listening platforms.
- You can manage and schedule multiple podcasts under the same account
- You can strategically set your monetization at the episode and catalog level
- Team management features and collaborations
Pricing :
- Free Speech ($0/month):5 hours of audio storage, up to 10 episodes, up to 15 minutes per podcastÂ
- Broadcaster ($16.50/month):500 hours of audio storage, unlimited episodes, up to 3 hours per podcast, AD revenue sharingÂ
- Anchorman($41.25/month):1500 hours of audio storage, unlimited episodes, up to 5 hours per podcast, AD revenue sharingÂ
The broadcaster plan is the most popular Plan of Spreaker.
Transistor
Transistor. FM is a top-rated podcast hosting platform that built-in analytics for their podcasters.
They provide a very professional and high-quality podcast hosting service. They host some popular podcasts like drift, honeybadger, and cards against humanity.
- You can host unlimited podcast shows
- You can generate a branded website with your domain name
- Advanced analytics and reportingÂ
- You can distribute your podcast to significant podcast platforms
Pricing :
Starter ($19/month): Unlimited podcast and episodes, up to 2 users and 15000 monthly downloads
Professional ($49/month): Unlimited podcast and episodes, up to 5 users and 75000 monthly downloads
Business ($99/month): Unlimited podcast and episodes, up to 10 users, and 200,000 monthly downloads
They allow you to scale your podcast as your podcast audience grows. You need to choose your Plan depending upon the number of downloads you need per month.
Podbean
Podbean is in the podcast hosting space for 10 years, and they are the easiest to use podcast hosts on this list.
- all in one podcast hosting solution
- High performing audio live without limits
- Dynamic ad insertion for podcastÂ
- The best podcast player and podcast app
- Easy to use audio recorder app
Pricing :
- Basic ($0/month):5 Hours of storage and 100GB monthly bandwidth
- Unlimited audio Plan ($9/month): unlimited storage and bandwidth, PRO themes, advanced custom design, multiple podcast channel, and AD marketplace
- Unlimited plus Plan ($29/month): unlimited storage and bandwidth, video podcast, pod Ads, and patron program
- Business Plan ($99/month): unlimited storage and bandwidth, video podcast, unlimited podcast channels, unlimited admins, private podcast with SSO authentication, remove Podbean branding and live chat support.
If you are serious about professional podcasting, you can get started with their unlimited plus plan of $29/month as you get unlimited audio and video hosting.
Simplecast
Simplecast is a well-known podcast hosting service provider with industry-leading features. Simplecast provides all the powerful tools that need to grow your podcast from single listener to million listeners and manages, distribute and grow your podcast.
It has been six years Simplecast is powering some of the largest brands in podcasting like Nike, Facebook, and HBO.
- One-click publishingÂ
- Collaborate with a team member with one account
- Advanced analytics tool
- Multiple podcast players
Pricing :
Basic ($15/month): unlimited storage and uploads, two team member seats, basic analytics,20k downloads per month, customize show website with a custom domain and email support
Essential ($35/month): Everything in basic plus crucial tools for growing podcast, location analytics,4 team member seats, additional web players, technology analytics,50k downloads per month, and additional chat support
Growth ($85/month): Everything in Essential plus collaboration tools and deeper insights,9 team member seats, detailed device analytics, network analytics, and 120k downloads per month
Ultimately when you are just starting out, the Basic Plan is right for you; although the analytics are too cool, you only need to upgrade your Plan once you need more users and downloads per month.
Captivate
Captivate is a hyper-focused podcast hosting platform specializing in growing your podcast audience. Captivate is created by Rebel base media, which also runs podcast websites.
Key Features :
- unlimited number of the podcast and unlimited team membersÂ
- Advanced analytics and marketing toolsÂ
If you are only looking for a growth-oriented podcast, Captivate is the right podcast host you need.
What is the best free podcast hosting?
Buzsprout
Buzzsprout offers free podcast hosting plans that provide more features than all podcast hosting sites on this list.
With their free Plan, you can upload 2 hours of audio content hosted for up to 90 days and a complete podcast hosting dashboard. If you are just starting in podcasting, Buzzsprout free plan is perfect for getting your feet wet. They provide the easiest way to start podcasting. You can upload your file easily, add them to major podcast directories and start tracking your podcast listeners with their advanced analytics.
Pricing :$0-$24/month
Website:Buzzsprout.com
Soundcloud
Soundcloud is already one of the world’s most prominent music and audio hosting sites that introduced its podcast hosting in 2015. They have 175 million monthly unique visitors and 12 hours of content uploaded every single minute on their platform. With SoundCloud free plan, you can upload 3 hours of audio content per month and get basic analytics reporting.
The advanced Soundcloud pro unlimited account provides you unlimited upload time, schedule release, and the ability to pin 5 podcasts to your profile.
Price: $0-$16 per month
Website:soundcloud.com
Common Podcast hosting Questions
What is Podcast Hosting?
A podcast host is a place where you store and distribute your audio files. In addition, they provide you a podcast RSS feed that you can submit to major podcast directories.
How to choose a podcast host?
Every podcast hosting platform is different. Some are specially designed for beginners, brands, and enterprise customers. You should sign up according to your needs and pricing match.
How much does podcast hosting cost?
On average, podcast hosting costs range between $5 to $50/month. Pricing depends upon which company you go with, how many downloads you get, and how many episodes you produce.
Most people do not spend more than $19/month when they are just starting with. If you have a popular podcast, then you can easily pay more.
Can I use a free podcast host?
Yes, you can, but it’s not recommended. When you are using a free service, basically, either you or your data is the product. There have been many cases of different podcast hosting platforms shutting down.so I recommend you to play it safe and go with paid podcast hosting.
Where should I publish my podcast?
Google podcast, apple podcast, and Spotify is the top 3 service you should start with. Most people listen to podcasts in these three podcast directories.
Most of the podcast hosting platforms will help you with these steps to publish your own podcast. You can also check the podcast directory guide to help you get started well.