Top 13 Best Podcast Hosting Sites to start your project in 2023
If you have decided to try your hand at podcasting and want to join the world’s successful streamers who create high-quality and popular content, then it’s time to research the best podcast hosting sites to choose the most reliable platform.
This is an absolute necessity because you will definitely need this kind of third-party platform to store and distribute your audio files. In most cases, all of these hosting platforms are already correctly configured and organized, and you just have to enter your information; the system algorithms will promote your material and find interested listeners for your topic.
When choosing a hosting service for your podcasts, it is important to pay attention to some specific details and points as listed below.
Selection criteria:
- the amount of data storage
- usage statistics
- compatibility with popular players
- download speed
- availability of technical support
- additional functions
We have put together a list of popular podcast platforms for you, and we hope this will help you succeed in your endeavor.
Captivate
Captivate is one of the newest podcast hosting platforms focused on growing audiences. The company also operates a variety of podcasting websites. Captivate has been designed to be easy to use for new podcasters, meaning you can focus on the fun parts.
The platform offers a free course with professional teachers. This course is designed for people who are new to the industry and are looking to learn everything about podcasting. It features several bite-sized modules that are designed to help you get started. In addition to learning about the various aspects of podcasting, it also provides you with the necessary tools to create a quality show.
The company also updates its software regularly to add new features and improve its performance. In addition, it works with the IAB to create reports that can be used to monitor the effectiveness of its programs.
Key Features:
- unlimited podcasts & storage with all plans
- free domain name registration
- automatic podcast distribution in every podcast app, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.
- easy-to-use, customizable, embeddable players
- automatically created podcast website & Captivate Sync WordPress plugin
- smart speaker “Flash Briefing” feed
- private podcasts with up to 5k listeners maximum
- easy team collaboration
- free trial
- international support & community
Check out prices for hosting here.
Transistor
The professional service Transistor.FM is known for hosting popular podcasts such as Cards Against Humanity and Honeybadger. They also provide their users with built-in analytic tools and everything they need to grow their audience.
With Transistor.FM, you can also track the success of your podcasts and get valuable insights about how they resonate with your listeners. It’s a great choice for networks, amateur and professional podcast hosts, and organizations.
Transistor’s features make it incredibly easy to create and manage multiple shows. You can also assign different users different permissions and roles, which makes it easier for others to produce and distribute your content. Overall, the platform has taken care of everything to be the best website for podcasts.
Key Features:
- unlimited podcasts & storage with all plans
- host multiple shows without additional costs
- dynamic ad insertion is also available in the DAI tool
- add multiple team members to each of your Transistor shows
- automatically insert announcements and audio at the end, middle, or beginning
- works with other platforms such as Twitter and YouTube for automatic posting
- web page builder can create a variety of landing pages for each of your shows
- through email and live chat, Transistor can help you with your inquiries
- free trial
- international support & community
Check out prices for hosting here.
Castos
Castos is a cloud-based platform that allows podcasters to store their audio and video files. Audio hosting site plans come with a variety of features, such as a private podcasting feature.
The Castos app is designed to sync with WordPress and seriously simple podcasting, allowing users to upload new episodes or update their RSS feed automatically. A no-coding required website is a perfect way to showcase all of your episodes. You can customize the color scheme, add social media buttons, and even use the domain name of your choice to fit your brand.
Key Features:
- password-protected podcast to keep people from accessing your content
- episodes will automatically be distributed to various platforms such as Apple, Spotify, Google, and Pocket Casts
- create 4-hour-long or large-scale episodes, and you can migrate hundreds of files from your existing catalog with no storage limit
- easily host multiple podcasts on a single account
- each show has its own unique analytics and RSS feed
- private subscribers can use the app to securely browse and listen to their private content; it perfectly suits some courses or training
- easy transferring from an existing podcast platform to Castos
- a subscription discount for non-profit or religious organizations
- free trial
- international support & community
Check out prices for hosting here.
SimpleCast
After testing out Simplecast, we were able to confidently claim that it is the most user-friendly platform for creating and managing podcasts. It is ideal for groups of people who are dedicated to making audio content. Over the years, Simplecast has been used by some of the biggest companies in the podcast industry, such as Nike, Facebook, and HBO.
Platform is using the function of ACH payments. The Automated Clearing House is a financial network that allows people to send and receive money transfers and electronic payments in the US. Also referred to as direct payments, these types of transactions don’t involve using cash, credit cards, or paper checks.
Key Features:
- managers can easily invite team members to work on their podcasts
- managing episodes through a centralized dashboard
- a variety of plans that include unlimited storage
- a new media player and marketing tools
- single sign-on (SSO) which allows users to sign on to multiple online services without re-authenticating
- available on both annual and monthly subscriptions
- a support team that can help users navigate through its features
- Simplecast also allows businesses to create their own websites with a variety of customizable colors and security features (HTTPS)
- free trial
Check out prices for hosting here.
Resonate Recordings
One of the best ways to distribute your podcast is through Resonate, which allows you to do so automatically across various platforms. You just have to upload the episode and set the publication date.
The platform has an active support center, which you can contact at any time and get an answer quickly. In addition, a separate section has been created with the most popular questions and detailed answers to them. Also you can get professional help from an experienced team of experts who will help you create and launch a powerful and effective podcast.
Key Features:
- one-click publishing allows you to schedule the release date and time of your podcast before it is sent to various platforms such as Apple, Google, and Spotify
- the tool displays data from different podcasting platforms and the embedded player of your website
- collecting shows listeners’ interaction with the episode, including pause, scrub, seek, and every play
- private hosting and micro podcast websites, are only available in higher plans
- record interviews on your iPhone using Resonate’s web app
- send a link to your guests so they can start recording
- add dynamic ads to any part of your podcast, which can be placed as pre-roll, post-roll, or mid-roll, and they can be chosen to play at the right time
- free trial
Check out prices for hosting here.
Spreaker
The top networks and creators choose Spreaker to grow their podcasts and monetize them. With over a million monthly ad spots, the company offers advertisers high-quality precision targeting.
You can easily collect and analyze data about your listeners. This includes information about their location, download history, and how they’re consuming your content. You can also customize the plan that gives you the most detailed data.
It is a podtech solution that enables large distributed teams and publishers to easily manage their podcasts. With the help of Ad Exchange, you can start making money from your inventory right away. The platform then closes the gap and provides you with the necessary ads to fill your content.
Key Features:
- The amount of storage, depending on the selected plan, will be different from 100 hours for the On-Air-Talent subscription to unlimited storage for as little as $120/month.
- with the Spreaker app, creators can easily publish their shows on various platforms, including Apple, Google, Spotify, Amazon, and more.
- with platform programmatic ads, you can easily insert them seamlessly into your podcast.
- monetization of your back catalog to keep the content fresh
- customize the plan that gives you the most detailed data
- easily edit and publish your entire show with the Spreaker App, which features a variety of editing options that you can select from
- the Live Podcast feature of the Spreakerapp allows you to broadcast from anywhere. It also lets you interact with listeners in real-time while you’re on the air.
- free trial
Check out prices for hosting here.
BuzzSprout
Since 2009, this company has been a respected and famous podcast host among audio hosting sites. They’re one of the few companies that offer a free plan that includes unlimited team members. With a variety of features and easy-to-use tools, BuzzSprout is the right choice for anyone who is looking to start a podcast.
One of the most interesting features of BuzzSprout is its ability to add post and pre-roll segments. This allows them to include relevant and updated content at the beginning and end of their shows.
Magic Mastering, which is an additional fee, is used by podcasters to improve their audio files. It can be used to remove background noise, and reduce file sizes, and level volume. It’s a great tool for people who are not experienced in sound editing.
Key Features:
- podcasters can easily upload their files to Buzzsprout, which automatically converts them to MP3
- the tool allows listeners to create chapter markers that help them navigate through the show and lets them skip the spoilers
- the free plan allows users to upload up to two hours of files per month
- three paid plans that have varying storage options
- most expensive of these plans cost $24 a month
- automatically optimization of ID3 tags, file types, or bitrates of your audio files
- free trial
- tools of boosting podcasts accessibility to search engines, speed readers, and people who can’t hear
- international support & community
Check out prices for hosting here.
Podbean
One of the best websites for podcasts and the most affordable one is Podbean. It supports various useful features and is very user-friendly. Despite the fact that Podbean pricing is low, it still manages to provide a great service to podcasters.
With a free podcast website, you can easily create and distribute your own content. You can also customize it with various professional themes.
After you connect your Podbean account to your social networks, you can automatically post new episodes. You can also generate videos for YouTube, Facebook, and other platforms. Also, new episodes will automatically be available on Alexa-enabled devices as soon as they’re published.
Key Features:
- easily create and sell premium content, without the costs of storage or downloads
- unlimited downloads, episodes, and recording time, so you can enjoy worry-free podcasting
- with the Podbean app, listeners can easily purchase content within a couple of clicks
- easily create and customize beautiful cover art for your podcast
- reach your audience on various platforms, including Apple, Google, and Spotify
- clients can easily schedule and upload their episodes to post at certain times
- Podbean’s integration with Mailchimp allows you to automatically distribute new episodes to your followers
- support your podcast by recurring monthly donations
- free trial
- easily add your own background music or choose from the multiple predefined sound effects that are available in the app
- community tools can help you build a stronger relationship with your listeners and make connections within the app
- remote interviews can be done from anywhere
- schedule and invite up to seven guests or co-hosts, and all they need to do is open the app
Check out prices for hosting here.
Anchor
A Spotify-powered platform, Anchor is a great option for podcasters who are looking for a free and unlimited storage option.
Through the sponsorship monetization feature of Anchor, podcasters can easily connect with their potential sponsors. It allows them to generate revenue from every ad that’s played on their shows. However, this function is only available to those who are in the U.S.
The platform has an active blog in which professional authors create content about trending features by creating podcasts, various tips, and secrets. This is relevant both for beginners and experienced podcasters.
Key Features:
- The analytics dashboard of Anchor allows podcasters to collect and analyze data such as audience location, total plays, and per episode.
- easily distribute content to various platforms such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google podcasts
- podcasters may use their RSS feed to let other apps know about their projects
- sync audio and video files across different devices with the help of recording tools
- free trial
- easy importing of existing content
- create custom cover art for your podcast with the help of images and fonts, to easily make it look incredibly attractive
- international support & community
RSS.com
The platform comes with a variety of features, such as a free website and an automatic distribution tool. Which makes it probably the best podcast hosting platform. Users are allowed to share their content through social media.
Through its cross-platform analytics, RSS.com can help you understand your audience’s behavior and download trends. It can also provide you with valuable information on your audience’s location and devices. It helps you distribute your podcasts to various platforms such as Apple, Google, Spotify, Amazon, and Pandora. Unfortunately, podcasters can’t directly record their episodes on the platform.
Key Features:
- With the help of their RSS.com Dashboard, podcasters can easily manage their content from their devices.
- free trial period to help new users get started
- easily create a customized funding page for your show and find the ideal sponsor for host-read ads through our partnership with Podcorn
- dynamic Ads Insertion feature can automatically add various advertisements to your episodes for high-traffic shows
- chapter and soundbite feature to add more engaging content to your podcasts
- scheduling your episodes allows you to work more efficiently and publish them at the right time
- detailed analytics which determine the optimal times to publish your content and maximize its engagement
- 30-days money-back guarantee with no questions asked
- free trial
- international support & community
Check out prices for hosting here.
SoundCloud
SoundCloud, a music streaming platform, has grown to become a place where podcast files can be stored. In 2015, SoundCloud podcast hosting appeared. The company has 175 million monthly visitors and has over 12 hours of content being uploaded every minute.
SoundCloud’s free plan gives users up to 3 hours of upload time, while its Pro Unlimited plan allows users to upload unlimited hours. The latter allows users to monetize their podcasts according to the number of plays in certain countries. This method ensures that only those listeners from these regions are counted, resulting in a higher payment.
You can read detailed instructions on how to start your podcast with the podcast hosting platform in the blog on the website. This step-by-step instruction will help beginners who are just getting acquainted with this activity.
Key Features:
- Podcasters can easily distribute their episodes by sharing their RSS feed to various platforms such as TuneIn and SoundCloud.
- customize the player to add their own content to their websites
- easy team collaboration
- free trial
- international support & community
- receive donations through various payment methods
- interface is simple and allows users to drag and drop episodes
- unlimited storage space and unmetered bandwidth
Check out prices for hosting here.
RedCircle
RedCircle is a leading podcast hosting provider that focuses on monetization. It allows users to earn money from their content. There are a variety of payment options available, including subscriptions, donations, and programmatic advertising.
You can easily diversify your ad types and control the categories and deals you’re involved in. With RedCircle, you’re free to take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way. There are no restrictions on how you can earn money from your content.
Platform offers a free unlimited amount of episodes, as well as storage and downloads. They believe that every podcaster should have access to a free option, and this is why they provide the most comprehensive service in the industry.
Key Features:
- free unlimited number of episodes, as well as storage and downloads
- with dynamic insertion, easily swap out old ads and keep older episodes fresh
- easily transfer funds into your bank account through RedCircle’sintegration with Stripe
- easily publish your podcast on various top platforms, including Google Play, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify
- the best possible support and reliability to users
- built-in analytics, to easily grow your audience and track the downloads of your podcast
- get detailed insights about your listeners’ location and device
- free trial
Check out prices for hosting here.
Libsyn
With Libsyn, you can easily create a new podcast and start presenting a variety of media files, including audio, video, and PDF. It’s ideal for people who want to introduce new content to their projects.
The built-in recording studio of Libsyn allows you to create a variety of audio and video formats, including podcasts, from intro to outro. It’s easy to use, and it comes with a variety of features that make it the fastest and easiest way to launch a new podcast. You can also add music and create a teaser using drag-and-drop assembly.
Key Features:
- monthly plans start at $5 and go up to $150
- the main difference between the plans is the storage quota
- built-in global map, audience demographics, unique stats codes, and app analytics allow you to create a customized content planning framework that is optimized for your audience
- certified analytics are backed by the “IAB”
- files are verified and ready for you to start advertising and sponsoring your new podcast really fast
- customizable 90-day, 30-day, and seven-day breakdowns help you keep track of your audience’s growth
- helpful and reliable support team
- free trial
- supports integration with various other platforms, such as WordPress, YouTube, Facebook, and LinkedIn
Check out prices for hosting here.
Conclusion
We have presented you with an overview of all podcast hosting providers and then, of course, the choice is yours. To make it easier to do, understand what is a priority for you when choosing a platform. For example, if you’re looking for a budget option, RedCircle, SoundCloud, and Podbean fall under that description. If storage is a priority, then Captivate, SimpleCast, and Transistor are great choices, while for beginners we can recommend Castos, Anchor, and Buzzsprout.
$44/month – professional plan $90/month – business plan |
||||||
$49/month for the Growth plan $99/month for Pro Plan. |
||||||
$35/month Essential $85/month Growth |
||||||
$49/month for premium podcast hosting |
||||||
$20/month Broadcaster $50/month Anchorman $120/month Publisher |
||||||
$24/month to upload 12 hours each month |
||||||
$11.99/month All in One Podcasting |
||||||
$30/month pro plan |
||||||
$15 per month for 324 MB storage, $20 per month for 540 MB storage, $40 per month for 800 MB storage |
FAQ
Here are a few frequently asked questions about the best podcast hosting platforms
Where can I host a podcast for free?
You can host your podcasts for free on platforms like Buzzsprout, RedCircle, Podbean, and Anchor.
What is the cheapest podcast host?
If we talk about paid subscriptions, the cheapest one will cost you $4.99/month at the student & NGO level on the platform RSS.com.
Is Buzzsprout the best podcast hosting?
Yes, Buzzsprout is one of the best podcast hosting platforms.
What are your concerns?
Thanks for your response!
Disclosure: MasterBundles website page may contain advertising materials that may lead to us receiving a commission fee if you purchase a product. However, this does not affect our opinion of the product in any way and we do not receive any bonuses for positive or negative ratings.