If you’re looking to become a podcast host, you’re going to need a podcast hosting site!
Don’t let the wordplay confuse you: “podcast host” can have two meanings.
The type of podcast hosts we’re discussing today ( also known as podcast hosting sites) are service providers that deliver your podcast files to their final destinations.
From there, listeners can access them.
Podcast hosting sites are necessary middlemen for helping your media files become accessible, and for providing analytics to help you grow your show.
We’ve researched and narrowed down your options for the best podcast hosting sites of 2023.
We’ll discuss the ins and outs of podcast hosting, the features of the best podcast hosting sites, and the benefits of using our recommendations.
If you’re unfamiliar with podcast hosting, we’ve also got the answers to some of your 101 questions at the bottom of this list.
We hope this guide helps you consider your specific needs and desires so you can pick the best podcast host for you!
What are the Best Podcast Hosting Platforms In the World?
The sites we’re going to discuss are all replete with high rankings and a plethora of satisfied customers.
That’s great, but how do you make an actual decision about which host to choose?
Our pros and cons list, as well as streamlined key features, offer a solid breakdown so you can tell which sites you’d like to further investigate.
We also recommend that you read reviews of these podcast hosts — not that we’re not reliable, but you know your podcast needs better than anyone!
RSS.com is one of the best podcast hosting sites for beginners and advanced podcasters alike.
It’s accessible while offering a plethora of features to optimize your media files and make your podcast episodes as great as possible.
Your first episode is free to upload and includes a walkthrough for setting up its title, episode description, and cover art.
Episode uploads are unlimited from thereon.
Podcast uploads on RSS.com can be any length.
Between RSS.com’s slew of features and affordable price packages, it was difficult to think of anything negative to say about this podcast hosting provider.
Key Features
- Stellar customer service team
- Intuitive, easy-to-use interface for customizing your podcast episodes
- Chapter markers
- Automatic episode distribution to Apple, Amazon Music, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and Samsung Podcasts
- Analytics tools to help you track your show’s success
- Resources for advertisement insertion and help finding sponsors for podcast monetization with certain pricing plans
- Public podcast website
Pricing Plans
RSS.com offers a few pricing plans.
Their lowest is $4.99/month, but it’s only for students and NGOs.
This plan comes with unlimited episodes, analytics, your own podcasting site, automatic distribution to podcast directories, automatic social media uploads, and customer service.
From there, they offer a plan at $12.99/month ($8.25/mo if you pay for a year upfront) which comes with the aforementioned features, as well as monetization options and 24/7 customer service.
Finally, there’s a price package for businesses and professional podcasters where you can work with a team at RSS.com to design your own package.
Pros
- Lots of features for a low price
- Enterprise-friendly with the business package
- Extra features like soundbites are available for creation on their interface
- Highly-regarded customer service team
- Solid promotion tools that work with SEO
Cons
- Semi-limited price packages
- Monetization not available on cheapest plan
Major news sources like The Daily Telegraph find Podbean reliable and solid enough to host their podcast files.
This podcast hosting site offers a thorough and useful score of features to help you get set up for podcasting success.
With their exceptionally easy site to use, complete with analytics and easy episode distribution, you should have little trouble getting your episodes uploaded and streaming.
If the thought of becoming a serious podcaster is far-off for you, we’d still recommend Podbean due to its amazing free plan.
Without putting down any money, you can experiment with podcasting and see if it’s a good option for you.
Key Features
- Insightful analytics
- Variety of plans offer major scalability
- Super simple interface
- Unlimited download and recording time
- Free website with option to integrate your domain
- Record episodes on the Podbean app
- Cover art generator
- Easy distribution to major podcast directories with customizable embedded players and social media sharing & Mailchimp integration
Pricing Plans
This podcast host comes with a variety of pricing options and abundant features, even for their free plan.
The free plan comes with 5 hours of storage space, mobile Podbean apps, your own Podcast site, and distribution to major directories.
For $9/month more with an annual payment, Podbean will boost your features to include unlimited storage space and bandwidth, monetization features, as well as your own site and custom embedded designs.
If you’re looking to start a video podcast, consider their Unlimited Plus plan for all the same features as well as options for video recordings and a patron program. This is listed at $29/mo for an annual subscription.
Finally, if you’re running a business-level podcast, opt for the Network plan at $79/mo annually for options to collaborate with multiple admins across multiple channels.
Pros
- Exciting scalability options
- Reliable customer support
- Video podcasting options
- Free plan
- Useful app features
- Analytics tracking
Cons
- Video podcasting only available on pricier plans
- Limited money-back guarantee
Spreaker is one of the best podcast hosting sites out there.
With its easy-to-use platform and intuitive user interface, podcast creators can easily manage their podcasts from start to finish.
Spreaker has a range of features that make podcast hosting a breeze.
These features climax at their advanced monetization options which include advertising and sponsorship.
Beyond monetizing, Spreaker offers the other features necessary for a legit podcast from ideation to execution.
These features include automated publishing services, built-in analytics and podcast statistics, and much more.
For podcast creators looking for the best podcast hosting available, Spreaker should be at the top of their list!
Key Features
- No thresholds for monetizing, so you can begin making money with your first episode
- Extra control over ad programming
- Features for recording, editing, hosting, distributing, and analyzing your podcast episodes available onsite
- Record on the go
- Straightforward interface
- One-click distribution
- Free dynamic ad insertion for successful podcasts
Pricing Plans
The best podcast hosting sites offer a plethora of pricing options to suit your needs.
Spreaker is no exception.
Like Podbean, Spreaker offers a free basic plan for beginning podcasters. This plan allows for 10 episode uploads, which is more than other options.
For $8/mo with the On-Air Talent plan, Spreaker offers automatic distribution, customizable RSS feeds, basic analytics, and 100 hours of storage.
Their most popular plan, the Broadcaster Plan, retails at $20/mo with advanced analytics, auto upload, in-app customer support, and 500 hours of storage.
If you want full-stack analytics, more storage time, and customizable player colors, opt for the Anchorman package at $50/month.
Finally, for larger-scale podcasts, there’s the Publisher plan that comes with all the aforementioned features, unlimited storage, priority customer support, and an ad campaign manager, all for $120/month.
Pros
- Variety of affordable plans with major scalability
- Exciting monetization options
- Simple interface
- Range of accessible and advanced options
Cons
- No video podcasting
- No patron options
The name Libsyn stands for “liberated syndication.”
Libsyn’s name represents its mission as a podcast hosting platform dedicated to “podcaster freedom.”
What does this mean, though?
To put it simply, this site offers streamlined features and options that can make any podcaster’s job easier.
With its built-in recording services and simplified audio tools, it’s a great podcast hosting site for beginners and successful podcasters alike.
The easy-to-use interface is powerful if you’re looking to keep your process uncomplicated.
Libsyn’s services can help you better understand the podcasting process and how you can rise to major success within this up-and-coming industry.
This is mainly thanks to their expertly-trained team and informational resources.
However, using their podcast hosting services will also likely help you discover your own vision of how to execute your podcasting plans.
Key Features
- OnPublish tool connects podcasters to most major podcast directories
- Libsyn player helps listeners organize their favorite episodes
- Options to create custom apps to go with your show
- Account management and ad management options with Pro plans
- Libsyn offers its own podcast complete with expert tips and tricks of the trade
Pricing Plans
Libsyn arranges its podcast hosting plans by price.
The plans range from $5/month to $20/month for audio recording.
There are also video podcasting plans from $40/month to $150/month.
All of these plans include IAB verification, built-in recording, fast publishing, social promotion, unlimited bandwidth, a custom player, and your own podcast website.
As you move up in price points, Libsyn will add features like the number of hours you can upload per month, analytics, and increasingly easy monetization.
Unlike other podcast hosting sites, Libsyn doesn’t offer unlimited storage with any of their plans.
Pros
- Long-standing presence in podcasting industry
- Constantly-improving interface
- Reliable and helpful customer support
- Free website even with basic plan
Cons
- Slightly more expensive than other sites
- No free plan
Buzzsprout has been a favorite of podcast creators for years.
It’s easy to see why!
Their user-friendly interface, helpful customer support team, and community forums are just some of the reasons they’re one of the best podcast hosting sites available.
To put it simply, podcasting with Buzzsprout is a fairly straightforward process.
Once you’ve got your podcast uploaded and ready to go, publishing it on the platform is easy.
Buzzsprout also offers podcast statistics that help track how your podcast is being received.
Buzzsprout provides reliable hosting services that help podcast creators optimize podcasting efforts.
Ultimately, their slew of features — including an integrated website and helpful analytics — offer near-complete insurance against regretting choosing them as your podcast hosting service.
Key Features
- Free website included so visitors can sample clips from your podcast
- Auto-transcription services through Temi to boost your podcast’s SEO visibility and potential to rank on SERPs (search engine results pages)
- Affiliate monetization services on a marketplace that connects you to relevant programs
- Buzzsprout-specific analytics dashboard
- Responsive customer support team
- Promotion tools including soundbites and distribution features
- Online resources to help you start your podcast
Pricing Plans
Lucky for beginners and potential podcasters, Buzzsprout offers a free plan.
This plan comes with 2 hours of upload space per month, advanced statistics, and customer support.
The options with this free plan are limited, so you can opt for their next-cheapest plan at $12/month.
With this plan, you’ll get an hour more of hosting time but the episodes will stay up indefinitely.
These two options are great for casual podcasters, perhaps people uploading as a side hustle.
For full-time podcasters, consider opting for a more expensive plan.
For $18/mo, you’ll have access to 6 hours of content uploads per month and unlimited storage.
Finally, at $24/month you can upload up to 12 hours monthly with unlimited storage.
Each of these plans comes with upgrades to the number of hours you upload.
They also all come with analytics, easy directory uploads, your own website, and custom embedded players.
Pros
- Easy podcast transcription
- Services are month-to-month instead of annual
- Intuitive interface
- Helpful, in-depth analytics
Cons
- Slightly pricier than other podcast hosts
- No plan with unlimited audio
Even though we’ve already mentioned quite a batch of great podcast hosting services, don’t let Transistor get lost in the mix.
Transistor simplifies podcasting with user-friendly tools that make creating, editing, and publishing episodes super easy.
In fact, it’s been renowned for its simplicity since its creation in 2018.
It offers many of the same great features as the other podcast hosts we’ve mentioned.
However, it does so through an extra-streamlined and beginner-friendly interface.
If you’re new to podcasting, we’d definitely recommend giving Transistor a go.
However, if you’re looking for high levels of complexity or customization, other podcast hosting services on this list might serve you better.
Key Features
- Built-in podcasting website
- Reliable analytics, including a world listening map and trend graphs per hosting directory
- Excellent platform for hosting multiple podcasts
- 14-day free trial
- High download limits
- Simple and intuitive interface
Pricing Plans
We’d like to emphasize first that Transistor offers a free trial, rather than a free plan.
These plans are available in monthly and annual subscriptions.
If you pay annually, you’ll only be charged for 10 months, rather than 12.
They list their Starter pack at $19/month.
It comes with live customer support, advanced analytics, unlimited collaborators, 20k monthly downloads, and unlimited podcast creation.
That’s a lot of special features for a basic package.
As their packages scale from Starter to Professional to Business, you’ll gain access to dynamic ads and show notes, increased monthly downloads, and auto-posting to YouTube.
These packs indicate that Transistor is also a really good option if you’re looking to collaborate with others on one podcast.
Pros
- Collaboration techniques
- Free trial option with all the starter features
- Unlimited recording
- Plans not limited by file size
- Multiple channels available on one account
Cons
- No built-in transcription
- No video podcast recording
Simplecast is another of the best podcast hosting sites available today.
With its comprehensive podcasting tools and easy-to-use interface, it’s a great choice for podcast creators of all experience levels.
The platform offers an integrated podcast production studio with options to upload audio files, create podcast episodes and customize playback settings.
There’s also one-click publishing to podcast directories, an ease-of-use function of great value to beginners and pros alike.
Simplecast also offers an advanced analytics platform specific to their site, complete with IAB certification.
Key Features
- Streamlined episode migration
- High-quality analytics platform
- Unique download metrics
- CD quality file conversion
- Customizable website for your podcast
- Multiple web player options
- Share audio clips with Recast software
Pricing Plans
Like Transistor, Simplecast offers a free trial rather than a free package.
Their plans are available for either monthly or annual payments.
The cheapest plan is $15/mo for the former and $13.50/mo for the latter.
This Basic Plan comes with unlimited storage, easy distribution, basic analytics, an embeddable player, email customer service support, 20k monthly downloads, Recast, a website, and the option to manage multiple shows on just one account.
From there, Simplecast offers an Essential plan at $35/mo or $31.50/mo for a year.
The Essential plan includes all the Basic features, as well as seats for 4 managers, slightly-more-advanced analytics, and 50k downloads per month.
Finally, the Growth plan allows for more managers, more downloads, and more advanced analytics for around $50/month more than the Essential plan.
Even though Simplehost doesn’t offer a major variety in their amount of plans, these three cover pretty much everything a podcast host on any scale could need.
Pros
- Unique analytics will be helpful for podcast promotion and growth
- Customizability with website and player
- Easy episode migration
- Monthly or annual payment options
- Multiple podcast managers come with each plan
Cons
- Re-encodes files larger than 128kbps, which can impact audio quality
- Slightly expensive hosting plans
RedCircle.
Its position as last on our list doesn’t represent our thoughts on this podcast hosting service.
It’s one of the best podcast hosting sites available.
It offers podcast creators an empowering array of features to make podcasting easier and more successful.
Redcircle is unique in its varied approaches to podcast hosting.
These approaches apply to individual podcasters, like many of the other sites we’ve discussed, but they also have targeted features for brands and agencies with podcasts.
Its primary focus is on monetizing podcasts.
If you’re looking for an intuitive uploading experience and to make money off your podcast, Redcircle is a great option.
Key Features
- Unique ad platform called RAP
- Cross-promo marketplace for monetizing
- Dynamic ad monetization
- Options for businesses and individuals
- Onsite podcasting studio with production support and branding assistance for podcasters with a larger budget
Pricing Plans
Redcircle offers flexible pricing without contracts or commitments.
Each plan also includes a 7-day free trial.
With each plan, you’ll receive unlimited podcast uploads, the cross-promo marketplace instant payouts, video generation, and ad-free podcast webpages.
As you upgrade, you’ll get team seats for collaborators, easy video uploads, analytics, and even an account manager for an extra cost.
These plans range from $9/month to $30/month.
There’s also a customizable plan like the one offered by RSS.com.
Pros
- Unique analytics
- Unique monetization options
- Video and audio options
- Advanced opportunities to make money off your podcasts
- Unlimited file storage
Cons
- Slightly pricier than other podcast hosting services
- Redcircle takes 12% of payouts
Alright, alright!
There’s our list of the best podcast hosting services of 2023.
Each of these podcast hosts comes with a great and abundant score of features.
As such, they were a pleasure to discuss and will be a pleasure for you to use!
But before you choose the best podcast hosting service for you, let’s get into what podcast hosting really is.
What Exactly is Podcast Hosting?
A podcast host is a type of intermediary that delivers your audio files to your final hosts (or user site), such as Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Podcast hosting sites are where you upload the final, edited media files that will become podcast episodes.
Before podcast files get uploaded to a podcast host, they’re usually formatted and converted to an mp3 audio file.
You can also upload files on different podcast hosting sites in formats like m4a, wav, mpg, mp4, and mov.
Podcast hosting is a file storage system from where you can upload your files on your listeners’ applications.
What is a Podcast Directory?
Podcast directories are the final destination for podcast episodes.
They’re where listeners will actually engage with your content.
Some popular examples are Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Directories don’t store your actual podcast files, though.
They read your episode’s RSS (Really Simple Syndication) file, rather than the complex file stored on a podcast hosting site.
RSS files allow sites like Spotify to access media in a standardized format that’s easily readable by a computer.
In the case of podcasting, it’ll usually contain simple necessities like your name, date of publication, episode name, and various metadata.
This type of web syndication is ultimately how your podcast can be sent from your podcast hosting site to a podcast directory.
From there, podcast directories present your podcast episodes on their feed or under your name.
Where Should You Publish Your Podcast?
If you’ve ever listened to podcasts, it was probably on one of the sites we’re about to mention.
We’d ultimately recommend uploading to all of these sites.
This is because it’s best to cater to as many of your audience’s preferences as possible — including their preferred streaming service.
Here’s some background on each of them.
Apple Podcasts
Apple Podcasts has the biggest directory of podcasts available.
It launched in 2005, well before podcasts became majorly mainstream, so its team has had time to perfect its platform.
Stitcher
Stitcher’s popularity has mainly come from its being an alternative to Apple for Android users.
Unlike other podcast directories, Stitcher offers in-site analytics to help you understand how your episodes are doing.
If you’re looking to cater to a dedicated fanbase and find out more analytic information, don’t skip over Stitcher.
Google Podcasts
Google Podcasts replaced Google Play Music and is the primary way to access podcasts on the Google platform.
It launched in 2019.
Google Podcasts uses Google’s SEO technology to crawl the web to compile podcast info.
If your podcast is hosted on Google Podcast, it will appear on Google SERPs.
This is great for building popularity.
Spotify
Spotify is a major apple music competitor with around 271 million active users per month.
It’s easy to upload to Spotify from any of our listed podcast hosting services.
With that major user base, don’t miss it.
TuneIn
TuneIn offers podcasts to a unique niche of radio enthusiasts.
If your podcast fits into the talk-friendly, informational essence of radio shows, it’s likely to find success with TuneIn”s user base.
What Podcast Equipment Do You Need?
So you know how to upload your podcast files, but do you know how to make them listenable?
To operate a legit and pleasurable podcast, make sure you’re set up with the right equipment.
An Awesome Microphone
This is podcasting 101!
Any good podcast starts with an awesome microphone.
For podcast hosts, having a good microphone is the foundation for their podcasting success.
It’s like the symbolic masterpiece of creating quality content that your audience will enjoy.
Basically, you want your audience to hear your voice and nothing else.
Static and background noise can be distracting and irritating, causing your listeners to seek a more pleasurable listening experience.
Don’t skimp on your mic!
A Great Laptop
You want to make sure you’re recording, editing, and uploading your podcast from a reliable computer.
If not, you’re at a higher risk of losing your files and progress.
If it’s in your budget, we’d even recommend getting a laptop specifically for your podcast.
A Crisp Webcam
Having a crisp high-quality webcam is essential for webinars or video podcasting.
Like our tips for the microphone, investing in quality will keep your audience engaged and relaxed.
Booming Headphones
Podcasting isn’t podcasting without a pair of booming headphones.
These will allow you to hear every detail while recording and editing your podcast.
Your podcast hosting site or platform must top-notch sound quality, as well as the best podcast hosting options available.
Finally, having the proper headphones can help you ensure that your microphone is top-notch.
Podcast Software
While the podcast hosting platforms we discussed often offer onsite editing studios, it might work in your favor to invest in good podcast software.
Audio and video editing programs like Logic Pro and Alitu will help you edit thoroughly and seamlessly.
Zencastr
If you want to keep all your podcasting ins and outs in one place, try Zencastr.
It’s an editor, host, and recording studio all in one.
It also offers monetization and customer support.
Pro Tools
Pro Tools is an industry-standard for podcast production, used by professionals like radio stations, podcast studios, musicians, and more.
With its ability to record multiple tracks at once and offer comprehensive editing tools, it’s a highly-comprehensive editing and recording software that will guarantee you the best quality for your finished episodes.
Podcast Hosting Platform Benefits
So, why use a podcast hosting service?
Beyond their necessary function to get your podcasts available for listening, they offer some extra benefits.
Save Money on Storage
Nearly any podcast hosting service offers storage space for uploading your files.
If you opt for one of these podcast hosting platforms, you won’t have to worry about taking up storage space on your computer.
Data Transfers
Podcast hosting sites design their software specifically for transferring podcast data.
This means your episodes will be smoother and more pleasurable to listen to, as their formats won’t get jumbled.
Faster Speeds
As we said about data transfers: podcast hosting platforms are designed to optimize your podcast content.
This includes speeds.
If you upload your files on a podcast hosting platform, the files will be converted in such a way that the episodes are easy for your listeners to download.
Security for Your Data
Choosing a popular and reliable hosting platform comes with the added benefit of data security.
You shouldn’t have to worry about major podcast hosting platforms going out of business and taking your show out of business as well.
So, which podcast host will you choose?
Podcast hosting isn’t one-size-fits-all.
It’s up to you to decide which podcast hosting site is best for your podcasting needs.
Whether you’re just uploading for fun or trying to grow your business with podcasting, you’ll need a hosting site.
We hope these options gave you some robust ideas about your next steps forward.
Happy podcasting and good luck!
Podcast Hosting Service FAQ
The best podcast hosting site depends on your podcasting needs.
Our major pick is RSS.com due to its abundant features for a low price point.
Podbean comes with the most uploadable hours on a free plan, so it’s an excellent option for podcasters not looking to invest any money.
Apple Podcasts and Spotify Podcasts are widely-used, so we’d recommend streaming your show there for maximum accessibility.
The best beginner podcast hosting service is Libsyn, because of it resources for learning how to start a podcast.
A podcast host is essential for any podcaster.
Without a podcast host, you won’t be able to get your audio files from your recording device to a streaming service.
Podcast hosts also come with customizable websites and SEO features to help you grow your show.
