Last Updated on 2 years by First Guide
There are many different podcast hosting platforms and it can be difficult to decide which one to go with…
Some companies have been around a long time and new ones are popping up all the time.
The good news is whether you’re looking to start a podcast, save money, or move to a better hosting platform – we have you covered!
If you’re looking to start a podcast, you’ll need to sign up with a podcast hosting company to store your .mp3’s and create your podcast feed. Just like when you start a website or blog you need a web host, when you start a podcast you need a media host.
Or if you’re looking for a better place to host your podcast, the best podcast hosting sites make it super simple to migrate into their system.
We have researched and find out which platform is best for your needs.
Let’s get started. 😀
Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links that I receive a small commission for at no cost to you. However, these are merely the tools I fully recommend when it comes to podcast hosting.
Table of Contents
- What is Podcast Hosting?
- What is the Best Podcast Hosting?
- What is the Best Free Podcast Hosting?
- How to Choose the Best Podcast Hosting Site
- What are Podcast Directories?
- What Podcast Platforms to Publish Podcast On?
- Best Podcast Equipment Needed
- 7 Useful Tips to Start a Podcast
- Podcast Hosting (FAQ)
- To Wrap It Up
- Our Services
What is Podcast Hosting?
Podcast hosting provides the file hosting and RSS feed for your podcast. Hosting companies upload your audio files, tell the hosting platform your show’s details, and generate your feed. When a user subscribes to your podcast, the podcast host sends the audio files and media to the platforms directly.
A podcast is a series of audio files that are bundled into a single file. Naturally, they require a lot of space and bandwidth to be stored. However, personal website servers don’t have the amount of storage needed for files that large. Podcast hosting sites offer you the space to store your files so that your audience can easily download them.
In the end, it’s a simple setup. It’s made up of a webserver to allow file downloads, the .mp3 files themselves, and an RSS feed describing your audio file. The best providers do much more than that.
They provide advanced analytics reports on your listeners, marketing tools to grow your audience, social sharing options, 24/7 support, and more.
Additionally, podcast hosting sites may include features like streaming compliance, file storage, and unlimited bandwidth. They can also help you with a free website and domain.
When thinking of podcasts, I’m sure you’ve heard of places like iTunes or TuneIn, but these are podcast directories. Your podcast needs a host first.
It’s crucial to understand the importance of a good podcast host when starting a brand new podcast.
What is the Best Podcast Hosting?
The best podcast hosting companies are Buzzsprout, Podbean, Transistor, Simplecast, Captivate, Spreaker, Fusebox, Libsyn, Blubrry, and Castos. It’s exciting to start a new podcast. You get to create the podcast episodes you’re interested in producing, buy shiny new equipment, record audio, and share your very own podcast with the world.
But don’t forget you have to start by choosing a platform. Different podcasters will require various hosting services, and there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach.
This guide will provide you with the best options to save you time, so you have to focus on recording great podcasts.
Here are my top picks for the best podcast hosting in 2020.
1. Buzzsprout
Buzzsprout was designed to make podcasting simple, but not limited. They have one of the best-designed dashboards I’ve seen, which lets you spend more time creating content than messing around with uploads.
What I really like is that they are regularly coming out with updates and new features.
In the past couple of months, they have added a built-in transcription integration, created a brand new embed player, updated the publishing workflow, updated the text editor for show notes, and added the ability to add chapter markers, just to name a few!
Buzzsprout’s New Wave Embed Player
They also give you excellent statistics (recently updated in 2020) and a mobile-friendly podcast website.
Buzzsprout added an affiliate marketplace (to help you make money with your show) and the ability to add team members (admin or editor access levels).
There’s a forever free plan (no credit card needed to sign up) but your episodes get removed after 90 days, then their plans start at $12/month. Great value!
Ultimately, with their month-to-month pricing and an easy-to-use dashboard, Buzzsprout is my #1 choice.
Try Buzzsprout2. Transistor
Transistor is one of the newer podcast hosting and analytics platforms and have a great team behind them. They are focused on brands (one of their early customers is Cards Against Humanity) and people who take podcasting seriously (vs those just dabbling or as a hobby).
For one price you can:
- Host as many different shows as you want
- Add and manage team members (producers, editors, etc.)
- Get great podcast stats
- Have an excellent podcast site
- And more…
One thing I really like about the provided website is that you can browse around while an episode plays uninterrupted (check out their podcast about building Transistor).
They also have a great private podcasting feature that they just made even better. Because you host multiple shows you can create both private and public podcasts under the same account without paying for a new hosting plan.
Pricing starts at $19/month for 10,000 downloads per month, which is plenty for most people. If you need more than that, they have higher tiers with more downloads and team members as well.
They also have great comparisons for Transistor vs Anchor and Transistor vs Simplecast if you want to learn more.
Try Transistor3. Simplecast
Simplecast is known for is its industry-leading features starting at just $15/month.
They live up to their name and state on their website:
From your first listener to your first million, Simplecast provides powerful tools needed to manage, distribute, share, and grow your podcast.
Simplecast has been around for over six years and powers some of the largest brands in podcasting, including Kickstarter, Nike, Facebook, and HBO.
They give their podcasters powerful tools at any stage of podcasting with one-click publishing, different web players, a fully-functioning website, and advanced analytics tools.
One standout feature is their Recast™ tool, which allows you to schedule and share clips of your podcast on social media. Here’s an example of that feature from The Pilot Podcast on Instagram:
Another excellent feature is the ability to collaborate with multiple podcast managers in one account. You also get unlimited storage, unlimited uploads, and distribution to all major platforms.
Simplecast has three paid plans to choose from:
- Basic Plan ($15/month): Unlimited storage and uploads, two member accounts, customizable show website, 20k downloads per month, an embeddable web player, and email support.
- Essential Plan ($35/month): All basic plan features, plus two extra user seats, additional web players, location (country and state/region) and technology (apps, browsers) analytics, 50k downloads per month, and the addition of chat support.
- Growth Plan ($85/month): All features of previous plans, plus 5 more extra user seats (9 total), ISP analytics, detailed metro area location analytics, and 120k downloads per month.
Ultimately, if you’re just starting out, the Basic Plan will work out for you just fine. While the analytics tools are cool, you only need to upgrade if you need more users or downloads per month.
For industry-leading podasting on a budget, get started with a 14-day free trial of Simplecast.
Try Simplecast4. Captivate
Captivate is a brand new podcast host that is hyper-focused on growing podcast audiences. They were created by Rebel Base Media, which also runs Podcast Websites. This new addition is their best product yet, as they took everything they learned from years of podcast experience and putting into one new podcast hosting product.
All plans come with an unlimited number of podcasts, unlimited team members, a new podcast player, advanced analytics, and marketing tools.
A few standout growth features are their automatic podcast website and built-in calls to action. Every plan comes with a customizable, mobile-friendly website with donation support built-in. Second, you can build your email list and generate new leads with podcast player calls to action. For example, if someone is listening to your podcast player, they can sign-up directly to your email list via an opt-in form.
Captivate is also constantly upgrading its analytics software. They work with the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) to create more insightful intelligence to monitor the performance of your show.
You can also easily import your show from another podcast host like Blubrry with one simple import tool. Their podcast marketing tool allows you to automatically generate links to places like Overcast and Pocket Casts, which helps new subscribers find your show easily.
Captivate offers three plans based on your number of monthly downloads:
- Podcaster Plan ($19/month): Up to 12,000 downloads per month.
- Audio Influencer Plan ($49/month): Up to 60,000 downloads per month.
- Podcast Brand Plan ($99/month): Up to 150,000 downloads per month.
With a ton of great podcasting features in every plan and simple pricing that scales as you grow, Captivate is going to make waves as a new player in the space.
If you’re looking for a growth-oriented podcast host with lots of marketing features, get a 7-day free trial of Captivate.
Try Captivate5. Speaker
Spreaker has been around since 2010 and has a handful of unique features and software for podcasters.
One stand-out feature is that they have a Live Podcasting option. You can let listeners interact with you with the included chatbox and there are other integration options.
I have a lot of people ask me about this option and Spreaker definitely makes it easy.
They have both a desktop app (for Windows and Mac) and a mobile app (for iPhone and Android) for recording, live streaming, viewing stats, and more. Features vary depending on the device, but they’re both included free with your account.
There is a free plan to test things out, but the $18/month Broadcaster option is the sweet spot.
Try Speaker6. Fusebox
Fusebox is a great invention created by famous podcaster Pat Flynn of Smart Passive Income. After years of podcasting, he was looking for the best possible podcast player for your website that your visitors will love.
Who better to create the perfect podcasting product than a prolific podcaster himself?
Fusebox has a lot of great features, including email capture (one of the only podcast players to offer this) and other top-notch features:
They also have a transcript plugin with SEO-friendly live text that automatically adds podcast transcripts to your website.
And if you’re interested in how the player works, it’s very straightforward.
You install the Fusebox WordPress plugin and add your RSS feed. Next, you enter your subscription URLs to push your show to the major directories. Finally, you customize the colors of your podcast player, and then add the player to your posts and pages.
Overall, if you want to host your files, send them to podcast networks, and display them on your WordPress website, try Fusebox.
If you’re looking to add some great podcasting tools to your arsenal, check out Fusebox.
Try Fusebox7. PodBean
Podbean has great pricing and plans for new podcasters. There is a 5-hour limited upload plan for free with basic stats. You won’t be able to use your own domain name on this tier though.
They also have an unlimited upload plan starting at $9/month (when paid annually) that includes advanced stats, a website, custom domains, and more.
Podbean also has their own podcast app for iOS and Android and an Alexa skill so you can use your voice to listen to your favorite podcasts.
Try PodBean8. Podcast Website
This podcast host features a simple podcasting workflow that allows podcasters access to the fully responsive website hosting and security, daily backups, built-in statistics, and 24/7 support.
As a Podcast Websites member, you also receive digital marketing support to help promote your podcast, ads, and podcasting advice from real, experienced podcasters. Their academy features video tutorials, media, and a helpful community forum to discuss strategies with other podcasters too.
Additionally, you can use Builder – a drag and drop website builder with themes unique to podcasters. These themes are mobile-friendly, and you can also add landing pages when you need to market your podcast.
Podcast Websites is a high quality podcast hosting option for you.
Try Podcast WebsiteWhat is the Best Free Podcast Hosting?
There are low cost and even free options you can pick from if your budget is tight. Many of the free plans come with limited functionality, but if you’re starting, free hosting services a great way to test out their features.
You might not be able to host hours of content on your podcast server, but a free trial or free plan can get your feet wet in how podcast hosts work.
Here are my picks for the best free podcast hosting.
1. Buzzsprout
I mentioned Buzzsprout up top as my favorite podcast hosting service. They have a free plan that you can use as long as you want.
You can upload 2 hours of audio per month, but the episodes are only hosted for 90 days.
This is a great way to get started – check out the pricing page for more details.
2. Libsyn
Libsyn is one of the most popular hosts focused on helping everyone from novices to podcasting pros looking to monetize their work quickly. They are also one of the original podcast hosts, launching in 2004.
With over 35,000 hosted podcasts, 62 million+ audience members, and 4.6 billion podcast downloads in 2016, they are a prominent player in the space. Like other podcast hosts, they give their users between 50 and 1500MB of monthly storage, provide analytics reports, RSS link generation, premium content, and their app.
Yes, they aren’t 100% free as their plans start at $5, but for that value, I had to add them to the list.
3. Podbean
Podbean has a free plan with 5 hours of storage and 100MB of bandwidth per month.
This is another easy way to start off, but you’ll need to upgrade to get more advanced stats, a custom domain, or more website customization.
4. SoundCloud
SoundCloud is the world’s largest music and audio hosting site and introduced its hosting platform in 2015. They boast 175 million unique monthly visitors and an incredible 12 hours of content uploaded every minute on their website.
Using their hosting services, you get access to all of their embedded players, Twitter cards, and timed comments. With a free account, you can upload 3 hours of content per month and get basic reporting.
The more advanced SoundCloud Pro Unlimited account gives you unlimited upload time, scheduled releases, embed controls, and the ability to pin five podcasts to your profile.
5. RedCircle
RedCircle launched in February 2019 focused on “semi-pro” podcasters.
For now, one of their unique features is the ability to reach out and cross-promote your podcast within the platform.
You can search for podcasts, reach out to them to pitch and set terms, and swap pre-recorded messages promoting each other’s podcasts.
RedCircle Podcast Cross-Promotion
People listening to other similar podcasts make some of the best potential listeners for your show, so I love this idea and excited to see more from them.
Hosting is free – with the goal to help podcasters monetize their shows and share in their revenue. Win-win.
RedCircle just added dynamic ad insertion – all for free. Amazing!😀
6. Anchor
Anchor is probably the most well-known free podcast platform.
Their main focus is on mobile podcasting, but you can also use their web interface to edit and manage your episodes.
They have a built-in ad platform, easy editing of your audio files, and are constantly updating with new features.
One big downside is that you cant change the email address in your RSS feed, which is used to verify your podcast on many services.
7. Podomatic
Podomatic allows creators to record, upload, and promote your new audio content, all in one dashboard. One of their strengths is the ability to develop your podcast advertising and crowdsourcing with the help of Patreon and Advertisecast.
Plus, Podomatic has social sharing options, and your podcast can be played directly on Facebook and Twitter feeds. They are partnered with Weebly to help you create a website and have a free podcast app for iOS and Android.
In addition to their free plan, they have four pro plans ranging from $9.99 to $24.99 per month.
How Do I Choose from the Best Podcast Hosting Sites?
Twelve million people listened to a podcast for the first time within the last year. To tap into this growing market and pick the best option, you have to consider some different questions.
- What is the right amount of storage?
- How much audio storage and content will you be uploading per month?
- Do you need a new WordPress site or align each episode with a blog post?
- Can you work with video podcasts or any video format?
- What kinds of analytics would you like to view?
- Is it easy to dynamically add advertisements and sponsorships throughout your podcast episodes?
- Finally, how much do you want to spend on hosting services?
These are just a few of the questions you’ll have to answer when choosing from the best. Consider these questions before finalizing your podcast episode’s cadence and length.
For example, if you’re running a weekly one-hour podcast, you’ll need less storage than if you’re running a half-hour show five days a week. However, don’t let prices limit your show’s options.
Here are some tips for choosing the best podcast website:
1. Know how many hours of monthly audio hosting you need per month.
Many podcast hosts only give you two hours of upload time per month, while others provide unlimited uploads.
2. Research signup prices vs. renewal prices, as they may be different.
You can also save money by paying annually vs. monthly, so do your homework.
Dive into a free trial to test the product’s ease of use.
3. Look into server reliability, bandwidth options, and uptime guarantees.
Look into upgrade options if scalability is essential. With premium plans, you can get access to unlimited storage, upload times, and monthly downloads.
4. Make sure the host has a lot of essential features.
Look for things like no-fault overages, media validation, FTP uploading, and ID3 tagging.
What Are Podcast Directories?
Podcast directories are services like iTunes, Spotify, and Google Play. They receive your podcast files, and RSS feeds, and push them to their front end systems. These directories easily allow your audience to find your show with a podcast app, their computer, iPhone, or Android device.
Here’s how it works. You upload your audio, and when the directory detects something new in your feed, it downloads the file and displays the latest episode to its users.
What Podcast Platforms Should I Publish My Podcast On?
So after you’ve chosen a podcast host, how do you release your podcast? It’s simple. Once you upload files to your podcast host, you’re ready to decide where you want your audience to find you.
These directories ensure you get in front of the most listeners and your feeds are updated automatically after each episode. Here’s a quick list of some of the top podcast platforms.
1. How to Submit Your Podcast to iTunes.
iTunes is one of (if not the) most popular podcast apps. In March 2018, Apple Podcasts passed 50 billion all-time podcast downloads and over 550,000 shows. Impressive numbers!
Here’s how to get your podcast uploaded:
1. First, make sure you have an active Apple ID to submit your podcast.
2. Sign in to iTunes Connect.
3. Click on the top-left area of the podcast dashboard and enter your RSS feed into the text box.
4. All of your podcast’s information will load from your podcast host and show you a feed preview. Make sure that all of your text and artwork looks ready to go.
5. Click submit and wait for the approval.
2. How to Submit Your Podcast to TuneIn
TuneIn is a growing site with over 75 million listeners and over 120,000 live radio streams. They also have a lot of live sports, music, news, and global Internet radio stations.
Here’s how to submit your podcast to TuneIn:
1. Fill out the TuneIn contact form and add all of your podcast information.
2. Accept their terms and condition.
3. Click submit and wait for the approval.
3. How to Submit Your Podcast to Google Play
Google Play is another one of the most popular apps, with over 1 billion monthly active users. They also have a new service called Google Podcasts, which is a way to discover free and trending podcasts.
Here’s how to submit your podcast to Google Play:
1. First, make sure you have an active Google account and go to Podcasts in Google Play Music.
2. Click the Publish button, login to your Google account, and accept their terms of service.
3. Next, enter the URL for your RSS feed.
4. Click submit and check your inbox for a verification email, proving you own the podcast.
5. Click publish and wait for the approval.
4. How to Submit Your Podcast to Spotify
Spotify is quickly becoming one of the largest podcast sites, boasting an impressive 191 million active listeners and 87 million paid subscribers. Their premium plan is $9.99/month and allows users to download music, listen ad-free, play any song with unlimited skips, and feature higher quality podcast audio.
In the past, you couldn’t get your podcast on Spotify within their website itself. Instead, you were forced to use your host and push your podcast to Spotify that way. However, that has changed.
They just released their beta program Spotify for Podcasters where you can learn how to upload your podcast to Spotify and get started right away. All you have to do is log in to your Spotify account (through Spotify or Facebook), submit your RSS feed and Spotify does the rest.
If you’d like to go the old fashioned route, this article will help you get your podcast on Spotify as your hosting provider.
5. How to Submit Your Podcast to Stitcher
Stitcher is an on-demand radio service that is focused on informational news broadcasts and podcasts.
Here’s how to submit your podcast to Stitcher:
1. Apply on their content provider page and enter your information.
2. Once logged in and approved, add your new show.
3. Add your podcast’s RSS feed and click submit.
4. Wait to get approved.
What is the Best Podcast Equipment I Need for My Show?
1. Blue Yeti: Best Podcast Microphone
Don’t use your computer’s built-in microphone. Start with a USB microphone instead – they’re affordable and super easy to use. Just plug in your microphone into your laptop, switch your audio input settings, and record.
The only consideration for microphones is whether you choose a dynamic or condenser mic. Typically a condenser mic is best for one-person shows, and dynamic mics are useful for recording a group.
- A fantastic and highly-rated condenser podcast microphone is the Blue Yeti
- A high dynamic mic is the Audio-Technica ATR2100
2. Logitech C920S: Best Webcam for Streaming
If you’re getting into podcasting, you need a good webcam. Your webcam can be used to record video podcasts and upload them to YouTube. More importantly, your webcam will be used to look professional in meetings.
I must say, one thing that podcasters are great at is looking good on video. Every podcaster I’ve met via Skype or Zoom had a microphone with a boom arm, crystal clear video, and a nicely-designed background in their room or office.
For audio podcasters, a video may not be vital for your episodes themselves, but more for meetings, you’ll have with interviewees, influencers, and potential sponsors.
And you don’t have to shell out hundreds or thousands for an expensive camcorder or DLSR camera. You need a good webcam for streaming in at least 1080p.
1080p and even 4k webcams are very powerful nowadays (and affordable).
The webcam that I use and recommend is the Logitech C920S.
3. Audio-Technica ATH-M50x: Best Headphones for Podcasting
Since audio quality is one of the most critical aspects of your show, a good pair of headphones can listen for p-pops, distortion, feedback, and other issues. You’ll want a pair of closed-back headphones so that none of the sound coming through the headphones gets picked up by your microphone.
4. MacBook Air: Best Laptop for Podcasting
You don’t need the latest and greatest laptop to start a podcast. Most computers will do just fine. Make sure that your machine was built at least in the last three years. It will also need to be able to handle your audio software.
5. Mackie PROFX8V2: Best Mixer for Podcasting
A USB mixer helps manage inputs, outputs, levels, and effects. Reverb, flanging, delays, echos, and other effects are not only fun to mess around with, but give your show a professional sound.
7 Useful Steps to Start a Podcast
Ever since the revolutionary release of the iPod in 2001, podcasts have been growing in popularity. And there seems to be no sign of stopping.
According to a report by Nielsen, 50% of US households are podcast fans. That’s more than 60 million homes in the United States alone.
With the popularity of podcasts at an all-time high, there hasn’t been a better time to start your first podcast.
If you want to should you go about starting your first podcast, you need to follow a series of steps, including:
- Choose a name for your podcast
- Select a cover image
- Introductory music
- Get the necessary equipment
- Create an environment and process
- Record your first podcast and release
- Promote and market your podcast
1. Choose a Name For Your Podcast.
There are three significant naming conventions that you could follow to name your podcast:
- Creative – Ex: ‘Podfast’
- Descriptive – Ex: ‘Start Your Blog Like a Startup’
- Personal – Ex: ‘The Adam Enfroy Show,’ #AskAdamEnfroy
The naming convention you choose to follow should depend on your own preference. For instance, if you want to highlight your core topic, a descriptive name would give a fair idea.
Adding a tag line to the name is also something that accentuates your brand value. For example, ‘Podfast’ – simply the fastest.
2. Add a Cover Photo.
An appropriate cover photo helps create an image of your brand in the mind of the consumer. It has to be communicative, catchy and should uphold the niche of the podcast.
The good news is that a lot of the covert art specifications are taken care of by podcasting hosting platforms. You can also customize them to align with your expectations.
3. Add Your Intro Music.
Begin your podcast with a theme song to captivate the interest of the listeners. Opening theme music is also an element of the broader branding of your podcast, and listeners will identify your channel right away based on that music.
Typically, it should be about 5-10 seconds long.
All you need to do is create something unique that aligns with your niche so that your listeners begin to associate it solely with your brand.
4. Get The Necessary Equipment.
For a seamless podcasting experience, you need the best equipment.
The best part is that you don’t need to shell out a massive budget to produce excellent quality podcasts.
The simple basic are:
- Good microphone
- Recording software
- A good podcasting host
Some of the great microphones in the market are Blue Encore and Audio Technica.
5. Create Your Environment.
You’ve got to create the perfect environment to attract listeners. This is where you need to get creative and market your podcast to reach your target audience.
For starters, you need an appealing welcome message to start off the monologue on a positive note. You’ll basically talk about who you are and what are you aiming to do in your podcast.
Once that’s done, now you’ve got to get ready with the content you need for each episode :
- The topic
- Outline of the episode
- Key takeaways
Podcasting involves numerous methods. Whether it be banter, pre-planned segments, or an interview, devising a proper structure for your podcast is essential.
6. Record and Release.
How you want to record your podcasts depends entirely upon you. Some podcasters record more than 5-10 podcasts in one go, while some believe in producing one podcast at a time.
I’d suggest using this format for your podcast editing:
Teaser + Intro + Podcast + Advertisement + CTA + Podcast + Subscription Reminder + Outro
Now, to be able to reach the right audience, you need to upload your podcasts on popular platforms like iTunes, Soundcloud, Google Podcasts, and more.
Even better, if you already have a YouTube channel or a blog page, you can share your podcast on those channels as well. That way, you can also invite your regular viewers and readers to check out your new podcast.
7. Promotion and Marketing.
It’s challenging to record a large number of streams immediately after you start. Using social media sites like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, and running ad campaigns could be an excellent way to promote your podcasts in the market.
You can connect with industry leaders, and tie up with radio stations to spread the word at a reasonably lower cost.
You can also invite a celebrity or an industry stalwart with a considerable following on your show. That’s a great way to reach out to new listeners.
21 Final Tips to Be Successful with Your Podcast [Infographic]
Source: Superfastbusiness.com
Podcast Hosting FAQ
What Is Podcast Hosting?
A podcast host is a place to store and distribute your podcast’s audio files. They provide a podcast RSS feed (basically a listing of all your episodes) that you will submit to Apple Podcasts and other podcast directories.
They also provide analytics, web players, scheduling tools, and other features to make publishing and growing your podcast easy.
Some of them also integrate ad networks, social sharing features, and additional distribution options.
Is starting a podcast worth it?
Starting a podcast is worth it if you have all of the necessary and unique skills for podcasting. You need to be a great speaker, entertainer, self-promoter, digital marketer, and be willing to spend a lot of time marketing your podcast and building your audience.
If you started a podcast solely to make money online, there are some easier alternatives out there like learning how to start a blog. However, you can be successful but the odds are stacked against you.
The vast majority of podcasts aren’t successful because podcasters don’t have digital marketing knowledge or relationship-building skills to make it successful.
Where can I host a podcast?
To host a podcast, there are plenty of services to choose from. You need to host your podcast with one of the best podcast hosting companies. Here are my top picks:
1. Buzzsprout.
2. PodBean.
3. Transistor.
4. Simplecast.
5. Captivate.
How Do I Choose A Podcast Host?
Not all podcast hosting platforms are the same. Some are designed for beginners, brands, or enterprise customers – with pricing to match.
I’ve looked ease of use, pricing, customer service, audio quality, embed players, analytics, storage options, and more to help you choose the right host for your needs. I would recommend starting with the Best Podcast Hosting section at the top of this page.
Where can I host a podcast for free?
Yes, you can host a podcast for free. However, free services come with a lot of limitations compared to their paid alternatives. When you start a podcast and need to host your audio files, you should pay for a high-quality option rather than a free, less feature-rich alternative.
How Much Does Podcast Hosting Cost?
On average, pricing for podcast hosting ranges from $5/month to $50/month.
Pricing varies depending on which company you go with, how many episodes you produce, and how many downloads you get.
To make things slightly more complicated, different companies base pricing on Megabytes (MB), hours, downloads, or bandwidth.
Most people don’t spend more than $19/month when starting out. If you have a popular podcast, you could easily pay much more.
Can you make money podcasting?
Yes, you can make money with a podcast but you need to build an audience first. Once you build an audience, you can’t make money from sponsorships, affiliate marketing, and product sales.
The main way to make money with a podcast is to sell sponsorships (ad slots) to companies that want to be mentioned on your show. You can sell these slots in increments of 5, 10, 20, or even a full year to make sure your slots are filled.
Another great way to make money is to partake in affiliate programs. By mentioning a webpage to visit over the air and linking to it in the show notes, you can drive sales for other companies and make a commission.
To Wrap It Up
There you have it – my list of the best podcast hosting to try this year.
When making your choice, first dig deep into the platform’s features. You should be able to upload as much monthly content as needed, be compliant, view analytics, and have enough storage space.
Second, decide if you want free unlimited hosting, or are willing to pay extra to get more features.
Third, do you need a new website? Look for options that couple web hosting and email marketing software with WordPress or Weebly so you can add show notes and blog posts. Ensure your hosting company works with the best podcast networks.
Finally, examine which hosts can promote you with marketing, crowdsourcing, ads, monetization, expert guidance, and support.
These companies take the guesswork out of storing your podcast, distributing your audio content to the right places, and supporting you on your podcasting journey.
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Do you want to build & design a website to your specification or taste ?. Do you need a specific design for your WordPress Blog or need help setting up your blog on WordPress fast?. Do you need a specific logo, or any graphic designs for your blog or Business?. Do you need a app developer that can develop an app to your specification for your Business or Blog?
Then Look no further, First Guide can help you with all of that and even more.
We offer the best services to our clients at a very affordable price and you get to pay a small amount upfront until your project is finished
You can contact us for more info through our WhatsApp Business Account
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