So you’re thinking about starting a podcast for your business or brand. This post will help you zero in on the best podcast host for beginners, as I’ll list your current options.
Podcasts can captivate the attention of millions of listeners, fast establishing themselves as the modern-day radio. But why have podcasts grown in popularity?
One of the key reasons is the mix of creators who like having their voices heard. And also listeners who want to be inspired with fresh ideas to their problems.
The content must be accessible on a podcast hosting site to meet these two sides of the coin. This, together with a website, is all you’ll need to make sure the rest of the world hears you.
There are so many sites to store and broadcast your work on the internet. It’s crucial to know what you can anticipate from the podcast hosting service you choose.
I’ve compiled a list of the 15 most fantastic podcast hosts. I’ve also included an evaluation of each platform’s unique characteristics. You can choose a host that best showcases your storytelling abilities.
Why Does Your Podcast Need A Host?
Podcast hosts store and broadcast your content. They also ensure that the audio files on your site do not slow down or overload it.
Your podcast is instantly available for listeners on your site after uploading it to one of these hosts. You just use their embedded web app. Podcast hosts also allow you to easily share your audio with third-party streaming platforms like Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Furthermore, advanced capabilities like podcast statistics, automatic transcription, and monetization tools frequently include hosting platforms. These integrations are critical for growing your program and reaching a larger audience.
Buzzsprout
Buzzsprout (get a free Amazon gift card with that referral link) is frequently mentioned among the top podcast hosts’ lists, and it is praised for its ease of use it’s actually what I use).
It’s a cutting-edge service that keeps things easy. The platform has all of the features that a podcast requires. It has all the bells and whistles, such as statistics, easy migration, and embedded podcast players.
It’s straightforward to upload and publish your episodes, thanks to their well-designed dashboard. On the other hand, you can plan concerts ahead of time. Your listeners will never be forgotten in this manner.
If you’re a stats nerd, you’ll appreciate the mobile dashboard, which allows you to run campaigns and keep an eye on your figures no matter where you are.
Buzzsprout, like the site itself, offers simply priced subscriptions. A free podcast hosting plan with two hours of upload per month is available, as are three paid plans with storage ranging from three to 12 hours per month. Even the most expensive of the premium options is only $24 per month.
Instead of imposing a hard limit on the number of audio hours you can listen to, Buzzsprout will demand payment for additional hours. Your current paid plan determines the exact amount you’ll be charged every extra hour. It’s a handy option to have just in case one of your podcast episodes takes longer than you anticipated.
Notable Features:
- The dashboard is optimized for mobile use.
- Free use for up to 90 days.
- It’s easy to migrate from other platforms.
PodBean
With only a few mouse clicks, you can upload, publish, manage, and market your podcasts using PodBean’s user-friendly interface. But crowdfunding opportunities for more serious creators set them apart from the competition.
The platform is straightforward and intuitive in terms of functionality. One of the enormous benefits of signing up with PodBean is that your podcast will be featured in their network. This gives you an extra layer of discoverability.
There are four different plans available with PodBean. Its free plan is a no-frills, no-nonsense five hours of audio per month with 100GB of bandwidth. It also includes basic statistics, embeddable players, and your own podcast landing page website.
The first paid tier adds paid monetization, unlimited audio, unlimited upload hours and bandwidth, and a few more features.
If you’re a newbie, the first two paid options will most likely provide you with what you need. If you already have some excellent podcasting talents and are searching for ways to expand your podcast or need free business tools, PodBeans’ last two paying alternatives will be more appropriate.
Notable Features:
- Alexa integration
- Options for monetization
- Free plan
Related Reading: Buzzsprout vs. Podbean – Check Them out Here
Wix Podcast Player
The Wix Podcast Player isn’t a typical hosting platform. But it is one of the simplest and most elegant methods to display your podcast on your website.
There are ready-made podcast website templates available to help you get started quickly. The best thing is that all you need for the first setup is your podcast’s RSS feed URL. The Wix Podcast Player will then take care of the rest.
The player will take up the page with your logo, episodes, and photographs and descriptions that go with them.
It will also generate a set of dynamic pages, creating a page for each episode in a consistent format.
As a result, each episode will open on its own page. But the design will remain consistent throughout – all without requiring any further effort on your part. After setting it up, you can change the player’s style and design to go with your site.
Best of all, the Wix Podcast Player is completely free, and all features are available without restriction.
Notable Features:
- You can connect your site to the hosts using RSS feeds.
- You can feature and stream your episodes from one location.
- It comes with free web hosting where you can upload all your content.
- You can instantly create podcast feeds and episode pages for SEO.
Libsyn
Libsyn is at the top of best podcast hosting lists on the internet, and for a good reason: it’s fantastic. It has been around since the beginning of podcasting, offers a terrific collection of features, and is reasonably priced.
While other providers offer a comparable feature set or even better price, Libsyn has a great track record. They have numerous plans to select from depending on your demands. This makes Libsyn a decent place to start when looking for podcast hosting.
Libsyn offers a variety of options, each with more features as you progress. Plans range in price from $5 to $150 per month. The main difference is storage possibilities, which vary from 50MB to 3000MB.
Notable Features:
- Easy publishing on YouTube
- It comes with a mobile app.
- Advanced analytics
Simplecast
Simplecast is an easy-to-use podcast hosting site, as its name suggests. Despite its focus on simplicity, this podcast hosting site provides a professional service with a variety of sophisticated tools for every stage of your podcast’s life.
Unlimited storage, analytics tools, one-click publishing, and a customizable site are among the platform’s many capabilities.
Simplecast’s website demonstrates that the platform has a current and bold brand identity, which translates to beautiful players that can be embedded into your website.
Recast is another significant differentiator that has helped Simplecast become one of the finest podcast hosting companies. This one-of-a-kind application allows podcasters and listeners to easily upload snippets to social media platforms, which is an excellent social media marketing technique for reaching a larger audience.
Simplecast provides three podcast hosting plans for independent artists and two high-end customized solutions for professional podcasters and businesses.
For $15 a month, you can access unlimited storage and uploads, as well as capabilities like distribution and multiple show management. You’ll need to upgrade your account if you need to add more than two users or use premium services like tailored audience reports and website analytics tools.
Notable Features:
- Easily integrated sharing tools for social media
- Unlimited uploads and storage
- Your show comes with a custom domain name for its dedicated site.
Podcastle Hosting Hub
If you’re looking for an efficient and user-friendly podcast hosting solution, look no further than Podcastle Hosting Hub.
Initially known for its podcast recording and editing tool, Podcastle has also recently introduced its brand new Hosting Hub, which now makes the platform an all-in-one place to create and host your podcasts!
With Podcastle, you can finally put an end to the forever struggle of juggling files across various tools and experience a smooth content creation process.
Another great feature of Podcastle is that it makes it super easy to get your show onto major networks like Apple and Spotify Podcasts.
Create your show, polish your episodes, and then submit them to your preferred podcasting platforms in just a few clicks.
It’s a simple way to ensure your content reaches a broader audience.
Finally, Podcastle goes the extra mile by providing you with a dedicated page for your podcast on their website. This dedicated page not only showcases your podcast but also serves as a hub for your audience to access your episodes.
You can easily share this link with your listeners and even embed a media player on your own website for added convenience.
Notable Features:
- Streamlined creation and hosting process
- Dedicated Show Page
- Easy distribution tools
Spreaker
Everything about Spreaker feels professional, from its website to its feature descriptions to the structure of its plans. One feature that distinguishes them from the majority of the other providers on this list is that they offer unlimited daily sessions, allowing you to start a live stream as many times as you want during the day.
The plan you’re on will determine how long you can keep the live stream going. While this isn’t something that everyone will use or care about, it’s a relatively excellent and unusual tool to have (for free).
Aside from its unique ‘live’ aspect, Spreaker has all of the usual capabilities for any aspiring or experienced podcaster, with an emphasis on marketing and other professional services.
Spreaker offers a free podcast hosting plan dubbed “Free Speech,” as well as a $50 monthly “Anchorman Plan.” As you progress through the levels, the value of each plan grows dramatically. The more-priced plans all provide a higher daily session limit, more storage, and better analytics, marketing, and monetization options.
Notable Features:
- Easy iHeartRadio distribution
- Chat feature with live streaming
- Pages have no ads
Blubrry
Blubrry made it a point to make it as simple as possible to start your own podcast. The platform provides a number of detailed statistics that users enjoy in addition to their hosting and plugin capabilities.
Their analytics allow staying on top of your data and gaining insight into things other than the number of listeners a breeze. You’ll be able to check where your listeners are from and what platforms they’re using to listen to your podcast, for example.
This podcast hosting site isn’t just for standard B2C (business to consumer) interactions. Blubrry also provides private podcasting, allowing you to use their secure audio and video for internal communications, training, interviews, and even guest speakers.
Starting at $12 per month for 100MB of monthly storage and scaling up to $100 for limitless storage, Blubrry offers a series of tiered options based on monthly storage requirements. All of their programs include professional statistics, unlimited bandwidth, a custom embedded player, and free file migration.
Notable Features:
- Option to put your podcast on private
- It has robust analytics to keep track of your progress.
- It comes with easy-to-use plugins.
Transistor
Transistor is a relatively new podcast hosting site that has swiftly risen to become one of the most well-known in the industry. This platform is for both huge businesses and beginner podcast creators. It has a variety of solid and easy-to-use features.
One of Transistor’s distinguishing features is that it provides all users with limitless storage for an endless amount of podcasts. Embedded coding, professional websites, distribution tools, and configurable domains are among the other significant features. But it’s Transistor’s powerful analytics dashboard that actually sets it apart from the competition. Users may keep track of statistics such as average downloads of each episode, listening applications, trends, and historical performance.
Transistor has three monthly options that range from $19 to $99 per month. Subscriptions are available on a month-to-month or year-to-year basis. Those who sign up for a yearly plan will receive two months of free service.
Unlimited podcasts, live customer service, in-depth analytics, and a customizable website are included in all tiers. The critical differences between subscriptions are the monthly downloads accessible, additional users per podcast, and the number of private subscribers.
Notable Features:
- Easy to distribute episodes on different platforms
- Advanced analytics
- Unlimited number of podcasts
Castos
What’s unique about Castos is that you’ll never run out of storage or bandwidth capacity, regardless of which plan you choose, because they don’t have any ceilings or limits on those capacities.
Castors’ limitless storage space appeals to users who wish to record lengthier episodes, try out new styles, or start a second channel because they don’t have to be constrained by time constraints.
Casto is one of the top podcast hosting platforms for cross-platform publication because of its capacity to repost your material to YouTube and create automatic podcast transcriptions. These skills are also recognized to aid in improving SEO and increasing the visibility of your material, both of which are necessary for reaching new audiences.
Castos’ plans have three categories: starter, growth, and professional. Even the names of the packages might assist you in determining which type best fits your needs. Remember that you can have an unlimited number of podcasts, episode uploads, and downloads with all of them.
The only distinction between the $19/month Starter package and the $99/month option is the number of private members you can have. The cheapest plan allows you to have up to 100 subscribers, while the most expensive plan allows you to have up to 500 subscribers.
You can always start with their free 2-week trial and upgrade at any moment if you’re not sure how quickly you’ll expand.
Notable Features:
- Automated YouTube transcriptions and republishing
- No limit to the number of episodes, downloads, and podcasts on any plan
- All data is in a singular dashboard
Captivate
Captivate was created by a team with a long and successful track record in the podcast industry, as evidenced by the platform’s distinct style.
This podcast hosting platform is all about growth, with a long list of unique features designed to empower producers and give them everything they need to start and run a successful online company.
Captivate’s growth-oriented features include a mobile-friendly website that you can customize with your brand theme and use mailing list tools to power your email marketing campaigns. You also get a downloadable PDF report with your most recent stats that you can include in your press kit or show potential sponsors.
Of course, these ground-breaking tools are available in addition to standard podcast features like cross-platform distribution, in-depth analytics, bespoke plugins, and more.
Captivate is available in three price categories, ranging from $17 to $90 per month. Unlike other podcast hosting companies, these tiers are only linked by monthly downloads.
Up to 12,000 downloads are allowed on the Personal podcaster plan, while 60,000 and 150,000 downloads are allowed on the Professional and Business plans, respectively. All of Captivate’s basic features are included in all plans.
Notable Features:
- Calls-to-action is built into the platform.
- Unlimited team members and podcasts
- Intuitive analytics dashboard
SoundCloud
You’ve definitely heard of SoundCloud, but it’s understandable if you didn’t realize it’s also a popular podcasting platform. In actuality, the company’s decision is hardly shocking. While music is its primary focus, it has positioned itself as a podcast hosting firm without ever aiming to be one.
SoundCloud’s popularity as a music platform offers it a “mindshare” edge that few other names on this list can match.
Another reason people use SoundCloud is that it allows them to communicate with their fans and receive rapid feedback. You may also schedule releases, pin your most popular episodes to the front page, and access advanced stats with their Pro Unlimited package.
SoundCloud keeps things simple: Free podcast hosting with a monthly upload restriction of three hours with only three plans to choose from. You may have unlimited uploading, planned releases, and more on their $135 per year plan.
Notable Features:
- Easy fan interaction
- Free podcasting hosting plans
- You can schedule your releases.
Audioboom
Audioboom could be the choice for you if you want to generate money online with your podcast. The slogan of this platform is “Host, distribute, and monetize your audio,” and it prides itself on being the most fantastic podcast hosting site for content monetization.
Podcasters and Podcaster Pros are the two tiers of the platform’s offering. The first package includes unlimited episode hosting, cross-platform distribution tools, embeddable players, and comprehensive statistics for content creators with fewer than 10,000 listeners per podcast episode.
You’ll gain access to Podcaster Pros and all of the monetization tools that come with it after your podcast reaches 10,000 listeners per episode. Audioboom offers sponsorships and a patented targeted ad network, branded content partnership opportunities, premium sales services, live stream collaborations, and more to established podcasters.
Audioboom has a number of tiers of plans based on the number of monthly plays your podcast receives. The basic Podcasters plan begins at $9.99 per month that goes up to 10,000 monthly plays, and may be upgraded to a Podcast Pros plan for unlimited plays per episode for an additional fee.
Unlimited episode hosting, analytics, cross-platform distribution, and embeddable players are included in each plan. For a monthly fee, the platform’s professional plan, provides monetization possibilities.
Notable Features:
- Easy distribution to multiple platforms
- Tons of monetization tools
- Sleek, embeddable players and social media integration
Megaphone
Megaphone works with sponsors as well as hosting podcasts. Their technology is a place where two worlds collide nicely, allowing both ends of the spectrum to thrive, with a focus on enterprises and more prominent podcasters.
The platform’s offering encompasses the complete podcasting ecosystem, allowing you to produce and earn money and track your progress. Their monetization options employ industry-leading targeting to ensure highly relevant advertising and content.
You also have complete control over when, when, and how commercials and promos appear in your program, allowing you to optimize revenue.
There is currently no pricing information available on their website. However, you can contact them for an estimate via their contact page. Other experts have stated that there is a minimum need to join their network and that Megaphone is intended toward larger publishers.
Notable Features:
- Excellent customer support (live chat)
- Intuitive ad insertion
- Audience targeting
- Straightforward workflow
Anchor
Anchor is a free podcast hosting service that allows you to create, distribute, and monetize your podcast. Its mission is to make everyone’s stories heard throughout the world. Spotify, the popular streaming service, owns it.
This free podcast hosting site includes handy creation tools that allow you to capture audio directly from your phone, tablet, or computer and easily edit the content with building blocks that help you visualize your editing process.
After you’ve finished recording your podcast, you may efficiently distribute it. You can quickly manage your RSS feed and spread your podcast throughout the app directory and beyond by going to a specific section on their website.
The most excellent feature of Anchor is that it allows users to get paid to a podcast, and it also allows you to include a donation button so that listeners may contribute to your cause.
You can also make money by having people listen to advertisements that you can read and record with your own voice. Finally, Anchor started in April 2021 that paid subscriptions will be available, making it simple for you as the content creator to offer paid exclusive content to your listeners.
Anchor is a 100% free podcast hosting service. Keep in mind that the file size you can upload is limited to 250MB. This size is often used for files that are longer than 15 minutes.
Notable Features:
- Simple distribution to all significant listening apps.
- Uploading, recording, editing tools are built-in.
- Two major monetization options are listener donations and sponsorships.
Podcast Websites
Podcast Websites was formed by a group of podcasters who wanted to ensure that other podcasters had all of the resources they needed to succeed. This service can be thought of like a one-stop shop for everything from website design to podcast hosting.
Their services include website hosting, 24/7 support, and a variety of learning materials to assist you in your podcasting career. If you choose their hosting platform, you’ll get access to an extensive collection of video tutorials, a support group, and monthly Academy instruction sessions, for example.
You can choose between two podcast hosting plans: one that costs $97 per month and one that costs $77 per month and is paid annually. The latter offers a free RSS feed and unlimited monthly visitors, a free domain registration, and access to their video tutorial collection.
Notable Features:
- Round-the-clock support
- Helpful tutorials
- Drag-and-drop site customization
Podcast Host For Beginners FAQs
Is it possible to get my podcast hosted for free?
There are several free podcast hosting choices available, of course. On the other hand, free options frequently have additional constraints on features such as analytics and storage space, which you should be aware of.
Because many free podcast hosting sites do not have the same revenue stream as paid podcast hosting sites, listeners are frequently served adverts. Be aware that this may have a negative impact on your audience’s experience and dissuade them from returning in the future to consume more material.
What goes into choosing the best podcast host?
When picking the finest podcast hosting site, there are several essential elements to consider. Even though the price will almost certainly play a significant role in the decision, it should not be the only factor to consider.
Tracking statistics, interoperability with a landing page or website, embeddable media player, audio quality, and monetization choices are all important factors to consider. You should also consider the amount of storage space, upload bandwidth, and download constraints.
You can prioritize these different aspects based on the size of your podcast to choose the optimal host for your needs.
Can a podcast host spread my podcast to different platforms?
Podcast hosting platforms do not usually handle distribution for you automatically. However, specific systems, such as Captivate and Buzzsprout, allow you to submit your files to podcast distribution pages and folders built into the platform. This simplifies and expedites the procedure.
Is podcasting a lucrative venture?
Yes. There are ways to make money if your podcast gets popular and attracts a large number of listeners, such as through a podcast ad network. You can also generate revenue by soliciting donations or charging a membership fee.
The key to getting money from your work is to have excellent digital marketing skills and high-quality, engaging content. After you’ve launched your podcast, you’ll want to promote it as much as possible.
How can I advertise my podcast?
Other marketing and promotional steps you may do to help promote your show include asking listeners to share your podcast on social networks and leave favorable reviews, in addition to submitting and sharing your podcast to significant directories like those mentioned above.
In this field, community networking and word-of-mouth referrals are also very beneficial. Finally, consider guest-hosting or appearing as a guest on another podcast with a similar audience to your own.
What podcasting equipment should I have?
To get started with podcasting, you don’t need to buy any equipment. However, depending on how much money you’re ready to put into your efforts, there are a number of solutions that might help you take your podcast to the next level.
The most specific piece of equipment purchased is a high-quality microphone, which you can usually plug into a USB port on your computer. Other podcast equipment to consider is soundproofing material, such as foam panels, for soundproof recording space. Finally, a sound mixer, professional recording software, and noise-canceling headphones are all options.
Related Reading: How to Create a Podcast Studio – See Here
Final Thoughts
When you record a podcast, you generate a lot of media assets that you’ll need to share with your audience online. You could construct a website to host and share those media assets if you know what you’re doing.
However, most internet servers lack the capacity and bandwidth required for colossal audio and video files. Using your own website may result in a poor user experience, including difficulties such as slow page load times or even page crashes.
Get your podcast online using a podcast hosting provider for the most significant results. A podcast hosting site gives you plenty of storage capacity to save your files for as long as you desire. Many platforms will even help you with distribution so that people can find and listen to your show.
My goal was to be neutral and show you what is available. But, I am in love with Buzzsprout. We use them and have been extremely pleased. They’re cutting edge.
I hope this list significantly narrows down your search for the best podcast host for you. Good luck!
