20 Best Podcast Hosting Sites of 2023 (Free & Paid)

Podcast hosting sites are plentiful, making it challenging to decide which one to go with.

No matter which podcast host you choose, one thing is for sure. Podcast hosting is critical to becoming a podcaster. I have ranked and reviewed twenty of the best podcast hosting sites online. 

For transparency, the podcast hosting sites mentioned on this list were ranked and reviewed based on:

• Cost
• Ease-of-use
• Storage capacity
• Additional features

Before I share my findings for the best podcast hosting sites to use, let me answer the following question: 

What is podcast hosting, and why is it needed?

Podcast hosting sites store your audio files and RSS feeds. Podcast hosting also provides the following: 

• Analytics dashboard
• Embeddable web players
• Scheduling tools

The time to start a podcast is now. According to Statista, there could be over 100 million podcast listeners in the United States by 2024.

Buzzsprout

My number one pick for the best podcasting site- Simple & Intuitive- you can start for free.

Buzzsprout has been around for a decade now and has grown into one of the most feature-rich, easy-to-use podcast hosting platform on the market. You can start a podcast quickly and easily on Buzzsprout. 

Buzzsprout offers you a fully guided setup. Additionally, transferring a podcast from another podcast hosting platform is very simple. 

Key Features

The biggest perk is an entirely free plan for uploaded content. Buzzsprout gives you two hours each month on a free plan.

Additionally, You do not need to add your credit card to start a podcast on Buzzsprout. 

Once you have signed up for Buzzsprout, you can drag and drop your audio file, and – voila! – you are ready to stream a podcast online. 

Analytics

Advanced stats are also accessible to all-free and paid plan users. The Buzzsprout algorithm will estimate the count of listeners each episode receives within the first 90 days. Additionally, Buzzsprout offers data on the following metrics: 

• Total downloads over a set time 
• Podcast overview to track the overall growth
• Apps and devices used by the audience
• Geography of listener location 

Embed podcast player

If you want to embed a podcast player on your website, you can easily add a Buzzsprout podcast player on your website. With a few customizations, you can make the podcast player match your site’s look and feel.

List your podcast in all the top directories

Buzzsprout also makes it simple to upload your podcast to the directory of your choice. 

You can add a podcast transcription

Buzzspourt makes uploading a transcription simple to do right from the main “episodes” screen with paid plans. 

You will also get the option to style your transcript according to your taste using a toolbar. I highly recommend using transcriptions to increase search engine discoverability.

Easy uploading 

With Buzzsporut, you can upload almost any file, but it is recommended to use a WAV file. The WAV files are heavy and require a fast internet connection, so if that doesn’t work out, you can also upload OGG, AAC, M4A, AIFF, or MP3 files.

Pricing:

• Free: Upload 2 hours each month and get the episodes hosted for 90 days. 
• $12 a month: Upload 3 hours each month – more content for $4 per hour – hosted indefinitely. 
• $18 a month: Upload 6 hours each month – more content for $3 per hour – hosted indefinitely. 
• $24 hrs a month: Upload 12 hours each month – more content for $2 per hour – hosted indefinitely. 

Fusebox  

Great for Beginners-Transforms your Website to Broadcast your Podcast

Fusebox was created by the well-known podcaster Pat Flynn; who better to create a podcast hosting platform than a podcaster?

Pat Flynn was tired of struggling with unimaginative podcast players, so he decided to gather a group of developers to create his own podcast hosting platform. 

Key Features

Embed your podcast anywhere on your site 

Fusebox is a powerhouse software for podcasters that lets you embed a podcast on every page of your website.

You retain complete control over the user experience and engagement while giving your listeners a premium podcasting experience. 

Fixed window transcripts (better for SEO) 

Fusebox has remarkably taken care of the one thing that frustrates podcasters the most – Transcripts.

It offers an SEO-friendly transcript plugin that automatically generates a transcript of your podcast. And, the transcript are viewable with just a click. 

Three different customizable players 

Fusebox offers three different customizable podcast player options that are readily available.

When you embed a podcast player on your website, you need it to be customizable to fit your web page user experience. Fusebox offers Archive, Sticky, and Track player options. 

Advanced customization of the player (button shape, color, etc.) 

With Fusebox, you can also change the color to the button shapes and the color scheme of the player for readability, i.e., light or dark. 

Pricing: 

• The free option lets users upload three free shows on one account with up to 10K total views monthly. 
• The Pro Plan is billed annually and works out to $15.83 a month. 
• The monthly pricing starts at $19.

Keep in mind with a paid plan; you will be allowed the following:

• Up to 100k monthly views 
• Unlimited number of pro players on one account
• All advanced player features, including customization
• Premium support 

Transistor

Every Podcaster’s Dream Come True- Host, Analyze, Distribute.

Transistor launched in 2018, so it is relatively new compared to most podcasting hosting sites on the list.

Still, in such a short period, it has succeeded in winning over podcasters, with its sleek and fun interface, collaborative options, and the freedom to create multiple podcasts from a single account. 

Key Features

No extra charge for starting additional podcasts 

Transistor is one of those wholesome platforms that will do anything to protect your engagement.

Therefore, it treats each podcast as its own separate show containing an unlimited number of episodes with no extra charges. 

Distribute to Apple, Spotify, and more

What podcasters want is a platform that will take their audio, serve it with in-depth analytics, polish it, create a global CDN for each of their audio files, make a podcast-ready RSS feed and get their podcast ready for distribution.

Transistor provides all of the above and provides one of the best podcast analytics on this list. 

Robust podcast analytics 

Transistor users rave about their analytics. Transistor shows users where they stand in the larger scheme of things, trends, number of downloads, the subscriber count, engagement, and much more. 

Embed podcast directly on your website 

As a hosting platform, Transistor is nearly perfect. Users can directly embed the podcast on their website and can create private podcast feeds.

Transistor generates a unique RSS feed for each of your subscribers and gives them their exclusive rights, and of course, they provide a way for you to embed podcasts directly on your website.  

Pricing:

• $19/month for the Starter Plan – 15,000 monthly downloads
• $49/month for the Professional Plan – 75,000 monthly downloads 
• $99/month for the Business Plan – 200,000 monthly downloads 

PodBean  

A Starter Kit for the Newbies, a solid Platform for Growth and Engagement for Professionals

PodBean has been around for fifteen years now, and it is more relevant than ever before. Overall, Podbean is a dynamic podcast hosting and distribution platform. Podbean has a lot to offer for podcasters on all scales of popularity. Let’s take a look at some of them: 

Key Features

Unlimited podcasting for a flat rate 

PodBean has a free starter pack for new podcasters with a total of 5 hours of storage and a bandwidth of 100 GB monthly.

All the paid plans from PodBean offer unlimited storage space and bandwidth. 

Powerful analytics help you understand your audience

A unique set of statistics are provided in terms of trends and data-specific user engagement.

PodBean considers parameters such as geolocation data, your clients’ software, and how they use it—giving its users an in-depth look into the user behavior. 

Customize the podcast player on your site 

PodBean offers a lot of advanced design features for its paid users. From customizing the header of your podcast to customizing the look and feel of the podcast site. 

URL customization is also provided for your podcast, which is beneficial for SEO.  

Crowdfunding platform to convert patrons 

A very critical aspect of PodBean is its vision for its users. PodBean has set up multiple programs for podcasters on its platform to make money while podcasting. 

PodBean offers recurring payments for earnings from ads. PodBean’s patron program, which provides crowdfunding, is unique to its platform and has helped many creators come out of financial ditches. 

Pricing: 

• The Basic Plan is always free and gives 100GB monthly. 
• The Unlimited Audio Plan is $9/month and has no limits.
• The Unlimited Plus plan is $29/month. 

Castos

A genuinely unlimited hosting service: No cap on bandwidth or storage, regardless of your plan

Castos has always maintained loyalty to its users and alliance with up-and-coming creators.

Castos has never restricted the storage or bandwidth like other platforms. From private podcasting to hosting and analytics, Castos has a lot to offer. 

Key Features

Castos’ plugin specifically for WordPress

The Seriously Simple Podcasting Plugin from Castos is exactly what the name suggests. It allows you to create, publish, analyze all your Castos podcasts directly from your WordPress Dashboard.

You can republish to YouTube.

Possibly the most sought-after aspect of Castos is the ability to import all your audio podcasts into beautiful-looking publish-ready videos for YouTube (automatically).

Once you connect a YouTube account with your Castos, Castos automatically converts audios to videos with your thumbnail choice and post them on your YouTube account. 

Analytics

Castos has a range of comprehensive analytics to offer to its users – from total playtime to filtered category-wise playtime and platform-based engagement.

Castos offers geo-location-based analytics and soon hopes to provide downloadable analytics. 

Podcast editing services (priced per episode)

Castos has a team of editors exclusively for its users that manage the entire production process for a fee and make your recording publish-ready. From audio engineering to quality check to SEO and analytics, this team takes care of everything. 

Pricing:

• The Starter Plan is 190/year for up to 100 private subscribers. 
• The Growth Plan is 490/year for up to 250 private subscribers.
• The Pro Plan is 990/year for up to 500 private subscribers.

Captivate

Simple, Easy-to-Use, with a Focus on Growth- a Platform for Individual Podcasters.

Captivate is one of a kind podcasting platform – created with the sole purpose of growth enhancement.

Captivate has retained traditional podcast hosting platforms’ stability, pushing towards holistic support and increased engagement tools.  

Key Features

Unlimited storage space

Captivate offers an entirely unlimited upload space to users, with a cap only on the downloads. Rest, including the number of podcasts and the bandwidth, is truly unlimited. 

IAB Certified Analytics

Captivate has made leaps when it comes to analytics. They have created advanced analytics tools with Interactive Advertising Bureau to give users the intel they need.

From a thorough performance measure to marketing cues, Captivate has users covered. 

Captivate Sync – WordPress Plugin 

Captivate offers an easy-to-use, instantly synchronizable WordPress Plugin to host your podcasts on your website: Captivate Sync.

If you own a WordPress website, this will automatically manage and update your shows on the website. 

Create your Podcast Website with Captivate Sites

Not every podcaster wants to manage a heavy website. That’s why Captivate allows podcasters to create their own web page to host their podcasts. Users can create stunning web pages that are fit to view on any device. 

Pricing:

• The Personal Plan starts at $19 per month with 12000 downloads per month and one private podcast with 150 subscribers. 
• At $49 per month, the Professional Plan includes 60,000 downloads a month and one private podcast with 500 subscribers. 
• At $99 per month, the Business Plan allows 150,000 downloads a month and three private podcasts with 1000 subscribers per podcast. 

PodcastWebsites

Powerful Platform to Scale and Grow

PodcastWebsites is a platform created by podcasters for podcast lovers. Their goal is to bring about a podcasting experience through the web. 

Podcast Websites include web hosting, website security, backups, RSS feed creation, built-in publishing, and popular podcast players’ compatibility. 

Key Features

Podcast page design made easy with a web builder.

As the name suggests, Podcast Websites aim to create high-performance, good-looking websites for podcasters. And, to that effect, has a tool called Builder that allows users to develop creative websites with drag and drop. 

WordPress Themes 

Podcasts Websites has a unique curated library of WordPress Themes for its users, explicitly designed to engage a podcast audience.

Users can choose from a plethora of sleek designs that fit their branding. 

Ace Support team with Quick Response Time

A thoroughly trained group of real podcasters make up the support team for Podcast Websites.

Not only are they available to help you out 24×7 with quick, comprehensive response times, but they are also there to nurture your growth with podcasting advice and digital marketing support from industry veterans. 

Pricing:

• There is no free plan, but you get a personal one-to-one strategy/welcome call in both paid plans. 
• The $97 per month plan paid monthly gives you unlimited website pages, landing pages, podcast episodes, and designs with an additional $10 per month per RSS feed for built-in podcast hosting and advanced statistics download. 
• The $77 per month plan paid annually contains everything listed above and a free RSS feed. 

Spreaker

An End-to-End Platform for Recording, Managing, Distributing, and Monetizing Podcasts.

Spreaker is a complete platform for podcasters that holds your hand throughout the journey. Using Spreaker, podcasters can create impactful content effortlessly. You get the relevant tools to publish – right on your Spreaker dashboard. 

Key Features

Spreaker Studio for Recording Podcasts

Spreaker Studio is a free application from Spreaker that lets you record and broadcast your podcast live through its platform.

It allows you to mix your audio recordings, add sound effects, use the audio FX library, and control volumes and mix channels. 

Enterprise Podcasting 

Monetizing your podcasts can open up channels of growth unimagined before. Once you get enough traction, managing large teams can be a hassle.

Spreaker singlehandedly manages your podcasting enterprise with its pod-tech solution for publishers. And even helps fill the gaps with ads from its own partners. 

Collaboration Management 

Spreaker offers a seamless management platform with a built-in system to build different teams with hierarchy-based admins and permissions.

Meaning you can manage your entire network under one platform without compromising the integrity of your content. 

Customizations from Integrations to RSS Feeds

Spreaker offers an API version to integrate with your CMS (Content Management System) and complete production control, unlike any other podcasting platform. 

Speaker lets you create a subset of your listeners for exclusive content sharing via a private RSS feed. It also offers a completely white-labeled player that users can embed on their website. 

Pricing:

• The Starter Free speech Plan provides multiple podcast hosting with no fee.  
• The On-Air Talent Plan starts at $6 per month with customizable RSS Feeds and programmatic monetization. 
• The Broadcaster Plan starts at $18 per month – lets users gain insight into user behavior (advanced statistics and limited access podcasts).
• The Anchorman Plan is billed yearly at $45 per month – offers the full package of analytics, statistics, and customizable player options. 
• The Publisher Plan under Enterprise is a go-to for large groups and businesses. With audio ads trafficking tools, collaboration feature, and priority support, it will cost you $120 monthly.

Acast  

A Free Podcast Hosting and Distribution Service with Everything an Influencer Could Ask for.

Acast is a podcast hosting, monetization, and growth support platform that enables users to engage audiences with targeted advertising. Acast has helped many podcasters create a monetization strategy with a set of advertisements for their niche audiences. 

Key Features

Support for Enterprises from Publishing to Growth

Acast has a committed team to support enterprises and publishers with the growth of their podcasts.

From the moment the recording is done, Acast takes the podcast up and gets it publish-ready for its global audience.

Further, it provides support on all accounts, from account management to PR, marketing, and promotion. 

An Easy-to-Use Dashboard for Central Control

Acast lets users manage all shows through a central dashboard and manage teams. It is a thoroughly customized experience; podcasters can define access controls and interface for producers and team members. 

Analyze your Listener base with Acast Radar

Acast offers a paywall for paid subscribers and further has a tool called Acast Radar, IAB 2.0, GDPR, and CCPA compliant to track incoming revenue in real-time. Using the powerful analytics from Acast’s tech lab, users can have a comprehensive overview of their listener engagement daily.  

Customizable, good looking Embed Player 

Acaste has genuinely one of the most beautiful looking embed players out there that users can plug on their websites in a few simple steps. It is entirely customizable to match your website and theme. 

Pricing:

• The free starter plan offers a podcast RSS feed to every podcast app, basic analytics, and a basic podcast website.
• The Influencer Plan starts at $14.99 (per month – billed yearly), with advanced analytics, a customizable podcast website, unlimited episodes, downloads, and a Patreon integration. 
• The Ace Plan with publishing API and advanced support starts at $29.99 per month, billed yearly. 

Established podcasters, networks, or publishers can get a customized plan with dedicated service from Acast. 

Podcastics

Worldwide Podcast Sharing starting $0 a month with Unlimited Podcasts.

Podcastics is an up-and-coming platform for hosting podcasts that has a unique model.

It unconditionally supports unlimited episodes, even for its free users (however, these should be self-hosted), giving users the ability to create series and import podcasts from other platforms with a few clicks. 

Key Features

Import podcasts from multiple platforms

Whether it is from Apple Podcasts or your RSS feed, Podcastics imports all your data automatically within a few clicks.

For Apple Podcasts, all you need to do is type in the title, and Podcastics will gather the description, episodes, and every little detail for you. 

Create multiple podcasts series, with unlimited episodes

Podcastics lets creators create a show with any number of episodes, no caps! And one single account can manage multiple podcasts and even multiple series (for paid users).

These series could include seasons and further episodes within those seasons (even free users can avail the season and episode categorization).

20% Cashback Podcastics Affiliate Program

Podcastics supports users by an affiliate program. If you run a blog or are a podcaster, then you can receive 20% cash back for every 11 podcasters you bring in.

You will get a cashback of 20% of the amount your podcasters bring into Podcastics, and you will get this as long as they are active. 

A Plethora of Statistics

Podcastics offers many statistics and valuable analytics presented with heatmaps. These are visual graphs of your audience engagement per episode or series. From the number of hits to where they came from and how they access your podcast, Podcastics tells you all. 

Pricing:

• The free option provides unlimited episodes, RSS feed, and episode management. 
• The Premium Plan is $4 per month.
• The Pro Plan is $9 per month with hosting and delivery in 8 data centers, including Europe and North America. 
• The Max Plan is $39 per month that includes worldwide delivery. 

Resonate Recordings  

Simple, Easy-to-Use Hosting and Production Partner under one Roof.

Resonate Recordings is an all-in-one platform for podcasters to mix their audio, edit, host and distribute to various other platforms.

Users need not worry about downloading the master audio and meta tags for each platform. Resonate Recordings lets users schedule podcasts on multiple platforms through one account.  

Key Features

Post Podcast with One Click

Resonate Recordings allows users to post episodes directly through their dashboard on other platforms with a seamless distribution channel. Users can also schedule posts for publication on different dates. 

Audience Insight Dashboard

Resonate Recordings offers a unique graph for user engagement statistics that enables users to visualize engagement through the total podcast listens, downloads on the app and platform, analytics on the embed player, and percent total playtime. 

Podcast Microsite and Player

Resonate Recordings allows users to customize the color palette of the player, attach podcasts or episode-wise art or thumbnails on the player. Further, users can create a podcast microsite with a detailed description and playlist. 

Private Hosting and Customer Support

With an incredible download speed, Resonate Hosting has claimed to be the best in the business.

It also offers in-house live person support and Slack channel integrations with a dedicated account representative. Also, users can manage subscribers, create unlistable private feeds. 

Pricing:

• The Basic Plan at $25 per month offers live chat support, detailed embed player analytics, and unlimited show users.  
• The Premium Plan at $49 per month includes a podcast microsite and unlimited downloads. 
• The Professional Plan includes a private Slack channel for support and Private hosting, pricing available on request. 

SoundCloud

The World’s Largest Audio Hosting Service- More like a social media to podcast listeners across the globe.

SoundCloud has been around since 2008 and has surfaced as one of the more popular podcast hosting websites on the internet today. SoundCloud has seen popular podcasters, creators, and artists share its platform with a community more diverse than on any other platform. 

Key Features

A Community of over 135 Million

SoundCloud has a massive community from pretty much every demographic out there. And, it uses the same interface and explore page for all its users.

Making its explore page a huge promo page from any new podcaster out there. Further, viewers can filter out the Explore page based on what they want to see. 

Easy to Start and Follow 

SoundCloud is more a social media for podcasters and audio listeners than anything else. It is a comprehensive interactive platform that anybody can sign up for within a few clicks.

Not just this, listeners can follow their favorite creators and receive notifications every time something new is posted. 

Clean and Crisp Analytics 

Pocasters can easily view the numbers of plays, downloads, and interactions on SoundCloud under “Your Stats.” Even with a free account, basic statistics are visible to them.

For an in-depth analytics overview, like demographics, source, and other metrics, you will have to sign up for the Pro account. 

Groups and Apps for Networking and Interaction

SoundCloud has groups that contain similar artists or creators based on genre, audience, or simply language. Users can create their own groups or subscribe to different groups. This is highly relevant to B2B podcasters out there looking to stand amongst their industry folks.  

Pricing:

• The Basic Plan is free with 3 hours of upload storage and basic insights.   
• The Repost Plan billed yearly at $2.50 per month with premium services and split payments for collaborations and promotional tools—also an added distribution tool for seamless sharing. 
• The Unlimited Plan is billed yearly at $12 per month with unlimited upload time and monetization. Users also get a suite of audio plugins from SoundCloud- Gobbler. 

Anchor

Beginner Friendly and 100% free podcast creation and hosting platform

Since its creation in 2015, Spotify acquired Anchor and now operates under the streaming company. It is an highly reliable hosting and podcast creation platform that serves a considerable audience base with its simple and easy-to-use design. 

Key Features

Free Unlimited Hosting 

Anchor offers free unlimited hosting for a lifetime to all its users, unconditionally.

Users can host an unlimited number of episodes for their podcast on Anchor’s worldwide podcast and distribute these with one click. Furthermore, users can manage and distribute podcasts using the RSS feed. 

Engagement Insights and Performance Tools

Much like SoundCloud, Anchor offers a clean and crisp analytics panel. The cherry on the top is that these analytics are powered by none other than Spotify, making them all the more robust and reliable. Detailed and IAB 2.0 certified metrics help users grow. 

Creation Tools, Flexible Recording and Uploading 

Anchor’s recording tools capture audio from a device of your choice and sync these throughout their application.

This means you can access your content from wherever you please. Or even upload existing audios. 

Intuitive Design and Collaboration Tools

Anchor has a sleek design, possibly the best one out of all the podcast hosting websites listed here. It even offers segments to your audio recordings; you can just arrange these segments and forget about unnecessary trimming and editing.

It also provides collaborative recording, allowing multiple people to record at the same time for one episode. 

Pricing:

Anchor is 100% free.

Zencast

The Go-To Platform to Distribute your Podcast Across all Platforms.

Zencast offers unlimited uploads, downloads, and ad-free hosting on its platform with a two-click distribution channel for getting your podcast listed on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and YouTube, Stitcher, Pocket Casts, and more! 

Key Features

Ad-Free Environment with No limits

Zencast caps no limits on episodes, including the number of episodes, uploads, or even downloads. One-of-a-kind hosting platform, Zencast, doesn’t interrupt the listening experience with ads. 

Self-Updated Podcast Website

With Zencast, users can create their always in-sync podcast website without worrying about storage space, plugins, or integrations. All your podcasts are automatically updated on the podcast website. 

Embed Player and Multiple Distribution Channels

Zencast offers a basic embed player for you to plugin on your website. It is a simple player that goes with any look.

With the RSS feed, you can publish your podcast to many other directories like Google Play, Stitcher, Spotify, and much more. 

Whenever you upload a new podcast via Zencast, all your subscribers on other channels get notified. 

Analytics and Integrations

Zencast also offers analytics on podcasts hosted through its platform. Users can track reviews and metrics through one platform. Also, Zencast offers integrations with Google analytics for those seasoned marketers out there. 

Pricing:

• The Hobby Plan is $12 per month with unlimited episodes, automatic publishing to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, embedded player, and standard analytics.
• The Professional Plan at $35 per month includes an episode scheduler, review tracker, CDN, and advanced analytics. 
• At $89 per month, the Plus Plan from Zencast includes private podcasts, custom reports, and unlimited contributors and podcasts. 

Pinecast

A Simple yet Powerful Platform to Host, Run and Fund your Podcasts.

Pinecast is a premium podcast hosting service with a focus on quick uploads and easy distribution. Pinecasts premium user base is loyal to the service’s tools and publication platform and swears by it. 

With a dedicated distribution tab, and a directory approval process inbuilt, Pinecast offers a quick solution to publish your podcast on all major directories. 

Key Features

Publish and Import Podcast in a Jiffy

Pinecast has a fairly simple way of uploading your podcasts to its platforms, including seamless imports from other hosting platforms. 

Furthermore, users can publish their podcasts wherever they wish through the Pinecast dashboard, from the Distribution tab. This tab is maintained for analytics for each source. 

Get Tips from your Viewers

The Tip Jar is a unique concept from Pinecast that allows listeners to contribute or donate to their favorite podcast creators. This can be done directly through Pinecast’s platform. All tips are received through a bank account of the user’s choosing.

Manage Metadata and Artworks for your Podcasts

Pinecast automatically adds ID3 tags to any MP3 file you upload and updates the file with cover art.

These will include Title, Author, Name, and Podcast. However, users can customize further as they wish. The artwork is also encoded with the ID3 tags and injected as APIC. 

World-Class Analytics

Pinecast offers IAB-certified analytics with a crisp visual approach of graphs and maps. Pinecast also provides listening history, CSV exports, near real-time metrics, and subscriber counts. Furthermore, Pinecast also captures source-specific analytics. 

Pricing:

• Pinecast offers add-ons on each of its plans, and users can pick and choose the tools or services they want. 
• The Free Plan from Pinecast lets users have up to two podcasts on their feed. With the Tip Jar and basic analytics.  
• The Starter Plan is a flat rate $10 per month plan with an unlimited number of episodes, storage, bandwidth, and no service fee on Tip Jar. 

Podomatic

Podcast Creation Simplified with Free Podcast Recording 

Podomatic is one of those rare platforms that prides itself on launching independent creators. This podcast hosting platform encourages users to bring in the talk and claims to substantiate users with the tools to make it into a podcast. 

Since 2005 Podomatic has created credibility by becoming one of the top podcast hosting websites for independent podcasters out there. 

Key Features

Upload and Store all your Podcasts on One Platform

Podomatic allows free hosting with limited storage space with no expiration other than the end of the internet itself.

The first 6 hours of recording are stored for free, and so are the first 20 episodes. So, it is a win-win package for all!

Social Media Sharing Through One Platform

Podomatic focuses on promotions via social media more than any other platform on this list. It offers users a directly playing channel on Facebook and Twitter feed with the added benefit of embedding your podcast on other social media. 

Monetizing and Crowdsourcing

Possibly the only platform on the list to feature multiple means of crowdsourcing, Podomatic has partnered with Patreon, Popcorn, and What for Apparel to ensure its users get the support from their audience they deserve. 

Analytics and Relevant Statistics at your Fingertips

Whether it is geolocation data for all aspects like downloads, plays, comments, share follow, or visits. Or standalone metrics for the same. Podomatic has you covered on all counts of statistics!  

Pricing:

• The Basic Plan is free with 15 GB bandwidth per month and 500 MB storage.  
• Starting at $2.49 per month, the PRO Plan allows a 100 GB bandwidth per month with a 2 GB storage space. 
• The Pro Plus plans start at $8.32 per month with 200 GB bandwidth per month and 3 GB storage. 
• The Pro Platinum Plan offers 500 GB bandwidth per month with 5 GB storage at $20.82 per month. 

Broadcasters can get in touch with Podomatic for their customized plan with unlimited storage and bandwidth and a hosting gig with Weebly. 

Podigee

An Easy-To-Use Podcast Hosting and Distribution Platform for Teams.

Podigee is a simple, straightforward podcasting platform for teams. It gives you the ability to collaborate and create fun podcasts using powerful features just like that. 

The best thing about Podigee is its intuitive interface and insightful analytics. Also, it allows users to publish their podcast on all platforms, including the website, with just one click. 

Key Features

Hosting Originals and Migration

Whether it is the embed player, podcast site, or simply sharing on Apple Podcasts, Podigee does it all in one go. Podigee has such a sleek non-tech interface, nothing seems impossible with it.

Using Podigee, podcasters can change hosting platforms without losing out their listeners. 

Automatic Audio Enhancement Tools 

The coolest podcasting feature on this list comes from Podigee, with the ability to enhance audio with a push of a button. This powerful feature makes raw audio transform into publish-ready radio audio. 

Analytics done right

Podigee claims to have the best analytics out there, and that certainly has some truth to it. Podigee serves extremely realistic and accurate real-time analytics, and it serves it on an extremely user-friendly analytics dashboard. 

Premium support and Value 

Since dealing with teams, Podigee has developed an inherently wholesome support system that takes care of podcasters no matter where and how badly they are stuck. 

Pricing:

• The Basic Plan facilitates podcast feeds for Apple, Spotify, Amazon, Google, and more with GDPR compliance and embed player starting at $13 a month paid annually.  
• The Advanced plan is $29 a month includes up to 2 team members and 6 hours of audio encoding per month. 

Users can get an individual offer for a white label podcast player, priority customer support, and unlimited team accounts. 

Red Circle  

A Free Podcasting Platform for Everyone: Podcasters, Brands and even Agencies.

RedCircle looks at podcasting with the eye of scale and brand development. And, to that effect, it offers tools for growth, maintenance, and scalability. However, even first-time users can avail this platform if they have an eye towards scaling their audience. 

Key Features

Uploading and Distribution 

RedCircle offers free podcast hosting on its platform through a sustainable network-based model. It will give you unlimited storage to host podcasts with distributions to all major channels. 

Dynamic Audio Experience 

RedCircle uses a dynamic insertion technology for a quality, dynamic audio experience by using audio blocks. RedCircle doesn’t upload the audio file as you put it out. Instead, it mixes it with ads, repeatable content, and promotional content. 

Monetizing Podcasts

RedCircle is free to use, so how does it make any money? The RedCircle Ad Platform or RAP is one of the most sophisticated monetization platforms for podcasts out there.

Users share a cut of the revenue they receive through ads with RedCircle, and RedCircle gets them the payment, the ads, the best CPM rates, and much more. 

Sponsored and Exclusive Content

Exclusive content is on the rise in every field of entertainment, including podcasts. RedCircle allows users to sign up for exclusive content through a sponsorship channel with its application. 

The listener can then copy the RSS feed and choose to listen to the podcast on their choosing platform. 

Pricing

• RedCircle hosting is free without limits on storage but if you plan to explore podcast monetization options that are offered on the platform they will take a small percentage.
• When you’re sponsored by a listener, RedCircle takes 4.5% from the payout on the donations option.
• For subscriptions option RedCircle takes 12% of the subscriptions fees from your podcast.
• RedCircle can connect you with advertising sponsorships, which they will keep 30% of the payout from sponsors.
• When you use RedCircle programmatic ads on your podcast, the platform will keep 50% of the payout.

OmnyStudio

Power-packed Podcasting Platform for Enterprise Podcasting.

OmnyStudio is a complete audio management platform for enterprise podcasting and radio stations. OmnyStudio carries a vast user base of world-renowned podcasters from radio networks around the world. 

Key Features

Hosting and Broadcasting 

OmnyStudio supports regular podcast hosting with RSS feeds compliant to Apple Podcasts. It also allows users to manage multiple podcasts with one account.

The unique thing about OmnyStudio is that it supports radio broadcast capture, which means it can capture and store talk-break on the cloud and create a searchable file for all recordings. 

Drag and Drop Web Based Editing 

Catering to radio stations and enterprise podcasters, OmnyStudio offers a state-of-the-art editor tool with a simple drag and drop interface and allows enhancements within a single click. 

Live Analytics

OmnyStudio not only serves reports and statistics based on all the usual metrics but gives its users second by second tracking of audio consumption on a live tracking dashboard. 

Monetization and Live Ad Reads

OmnyStudio facilitates users with an array of monetization options to choose from, from programmatic reads to live real-time ad insertions and host reads. Omny Campaign Manager uses a dynamic insertion technology to insert geographically relevant target advertising. 

Pricing:

The Starter Plan at $29 per month allows users to broadcast, host, publish and monetize their audio content.  

Interested enterprises and radio stations can get a quote for unlimited archive capacity, secure cloud backups, and recording to podcast conversion tools. 

Blubrry

Podcast Hosting with WordPress and On-Call Tech Support.

Blubrry has a plethora of tools to offer for podcasters interested in making a mark. From a traditional hosting and distribution service to a dedicated plugin for on-site hosting, Blubrry does it all. It’s on call, and the email tech support has been a hit with users.

Key Features

Free WordPress Site

No matter the plan you choose, Blubrry offers an optional WordPress website free.

PowerPress plugin from Blubrry is a simple tool you can use to publish your podcasts not just on the said site but anywhere you would like. Additionally, it offers a paid version of the plugin for advanced features. 

Pro-Production Services and Support 

Blubrry offers FREE tech support in the form of phone calls, emails, and videos. Their support team also provides additional services like advanced statistics, development support. 

A production team takes care of your recordings, edits and uploads them, and ensures a healthy follow-up throughout production. 

Podcast Distribution Directories

Blubrry supports Apple, Google, Spotify, TuneIn, iHeart, RSS, Stitcher, and Pandora. Further, it supports all networks and directories with a downloadable HTTPS RSS feed. 

Long Tail Podcasting

With Long Tail Podcasting, Blubrry gives its users the ability to edit and republish existing content and reach a wider audience. It also allows users to replace media files without requesting additional storage and insert advertisements as they come into past episodes. 

Pricing:

• The Small Plan starts at $12 per month with 100 MB of monthly storage, unlimited bandwidth, and professional statistics. 
• The Medium Plan is priced at $20 per month with an additional custom embedded player and 250 MB storage. 
• The Large Plan allows users 500 MB of monthly storage, at $40 per month.
• The Extra Large Plan offers 1000MB of monthly storage.  
• Blubrry offers a Pro Hosting plan with unlimited monthly storage and network plugin, with dynamic ad insertion at $100 a month. 

How can I monetize a podcast? 

3 ways to monetize a podcast 

Pre-roll Advertising

Before the podcast starts, you can insert an audio ad. Pre-roll advertisements command a premium since listeners are highly attentive.

Mid-roll Advertising

An audio ad will be inserted in the middle of the episode. Mid rolls are the second-tier option, and while not as effective as pre-rolls, mid-rolls still command a high price for the ad spot since users are actively engaged during the episode. 

Post-roll Advertising

After the podcast has concluded, post-roll advertisements will be inserted. Post rolls do not command as much money for the ad spot since listeners are dropping off at this point.

Source:

How can I find sponsors for a podcast ad spot? 

Look for online companies that are currently running ads and approach them with a proposition. Since companies are actively investing in advertising, they will be more open to listening to your pitch. 

The key to landing any podcasting advertising partner is understanding your audience.

I recommend that you pull data from your Google Analytics account to answer the following questions for advertisers.

1. What age demographic do you reach?
2. What income level does your audience have?
3. Where is your target audience located geographically?

In conclusion

The best podcast hosting sites review convinced me that the noise around podcast hosting sites is real- you only have to find what works for you to hit the right chord. 

That said, podcasts demand a lot of hard work- from naming to editing, storage, and monetization.

The podcast hosting site you invest in today can make a difference to your success as a podcaster tomorrow- so look at all aspects like marketing, monetization, support before picking one. 

If you have further thoughts or questions about the hosting platforms reviewed above, then let me know in the comments. Please feel free share this post.

Podcast hosting FAQ’s