Looking to start a podcast? Got your shiny new mic and snazzy headphones. (Question: Does anyone say “snazzy” anymore? Moving on.) But before you can get your podcast out into the world, you need a podcast host.
“Ahem, aren’t I the host?”
Yes, you are the podcast host. But to actually launch a podcast, you need a platform to host your podcast. Simple, right?
But it really is.
What is a podcast host?
A podcast host hosts your audio files on their website, along with your cover art, and other metadata needed, and delivers it all to listeners via platforms like Apple Podcasts and Spotify via an RSS feed.
In other words, a podcast host is the delivery system between you and your listeners.
Podcast hosts take care of everything for you, so you’re not stuck with the technical task of syndicating your feed or storing big audio files on your own server.
So, podcast hosts are important. But how do you pick the right one?
The great news is that there are so many podcast hosting sites out there. And there are even a number of great free options for those of you looking to get your podcast off the ground on a budget.
You just need to find the podcast host that will best meet you and your podcast’s needs.
But you don’t have to go into your search blindly! Keep reading for our picks of some of the top podcast hosts out there.
Let’s start with podcast hosts offering free options.
Free Podcast Host Options
1. Buzzsprout
Buzzsprout was launched back in 2009 and has since experienced tremendous growth. They offer many great features and are constantly developing innovative tools to help podcasters podcast better. Buzzsprout syncs with all popular podcast directories such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts and Stitcher, so your podcast will appear wherever people are searching for it.
Buzzsprout has a free plan that offers 2 hours of audio each month, with episodes hosted for 90 days. Their plans make it easy to sign up, no contract or credit card needed, and you can cancel at any time. They have packages that offer more advanced features, and these range from $12 – $24 per month.
We love Buzzsprout for their simple approach to hosting podcasts. We host a few hundred podcasts with them and we haven’t had any issues. We highly recommend them. You can view their full list of packages here.
Check out our Partners page for more companies we love and some special offers!
2. PodBean
Podbean is a great podcast hosting option as it offers an easy way to start podcasting without any difficult technology to learn.
Podbean automatically submits your episodes to all top podcast directories and social media. And they offer podcasters great tools to help them share their podcast and grow their audience.
More than 600,000 podcasters trust Podbean podcast hosting for all the services they need to start their podcast and achieve their goals. Their always free, basic podcast starter package offers 5 hours of storage space with 100GB of bandwidth per month. You will also be able to build your own podcast website with access to beautiful podcast themes and a basic comprehensive podcasts stats overview.
You can view the full breakdown of their pricing and packages here.
3. Spreaker
With its appealing design and easy to use interface, Spreaker is a popular choice when it comes to podcast hosting. Not only focused on distribution, the platform also has features to help podcasters grow and monetize their podcasts.
Spreaker offers 5 packages, ranging from $0 to $120 per month for pro podcasters.
A big drawcard of this podcast hosting platform are its apps. The Spreaker app greatly simplifies the recording process. It makes it possible to record your show at home or on the go. The app even includes voice mixing tools with music and sound effects. While their podcast listening app is a user-friendly way to get your podcast fix.
You can check out Spreaker’s plans and pricing here.
4. Soundcloud
Another great free option when it comes to podcast hosting is SoundCloud.
SoundCloud is the world’s leading audio discovery platform, providing the right tools for artists, podcasters, and labels alike to share and grow your audience. It’s a popular podcast hosting choice based on its impressive history in music distribution and consumption.
But they also offer features for podcasts and podcast hosts. With their embeddable player and RSS capabilities, you can share your podcast to any blog or website as well as podcast directories like Apple Podcasts and Stitcher, all from one central hosting platform.
Their SoundCloud Basic free package gives you three hours of content per month and some basic podcast analytics.
SoundCloud does also offer paid packages which range from their SoundCloud Pro for $7.50/month or their SoundCloud Pro Unlimited plan for $15/month..
5. Spotify for Podcasters
Spotify for Podcasters is a comprehensive site catering to all your podcasting needs. You can use Spotify for Podcasters to create, distribute, analyze, and grow your show as well as gain access to exclusive earning tools and formats like video podcasts on Spotify. And great news, Spotify for Podcasters free for everyone, all the time.
Enjoy unlimited hosting and distribute your podcast everywhere. You can also take advantage of all that Spotify for Podcasters has to offer, with all-in-one, free platform with recording, editing, analytics, fan engagement, and monetization tools.
6. Podomatic
Another podcast host with a free plan is Podomatic. Podomatic allows podcasters to record, upload and promote their episodes. It’s all super easy as everything you need is right there in a single dashboard. Podomatic also has an app which makes it possible to record your episode with your device.
Podomatic also gathers all sorts of stats about your podcast so you can see how your audience is growing and how they engage with your show using their detailed geographic stats and analytics on podcast plays, downloads, devices, apps, directories, and so much more.
Their free Basic package is free with no strings attached. You receive 500 MB of storage and 15GB of bandwidth per month.
Podomatic also offers paid packages which you can view here.
7. Podcasts.com
Podcasts.com is another great free option for podcast hosting. Hosting your podcast with them is 100% free, and there are no fees for anything we provide. This includes hosting, SEO optimized directory listing, automatic subscriber updates, unlimited everything, easy Apple Podcasts integration, and Google Analytics integration.
Each time you release a new episode, we automatically alert all your Podcasts.com subscribers with a link to listen to the episode. Listeners can easily reach your podcast from Podcasts.com wherever they are in the world using their web player, or the iOS or Android app.
Top paid podcast host options
8. Libsyn
Libsyn is one of the first podcast hosting sites, and just celebrated its 18th birthday! (Happy Birthday, Libsyn!) Libsyn pioneered the system to host and publish podcasts and since then has grown by leaps and bounds.
Libsyn hosts an incredible amount of podcasts, and is a top hosting choice for podcast networks.
They provide everything your podcast needs, including publishing tools, media hosting and delivery, RSS for podcast players, a website, and all the important statistics you want to know about your show. Libsyn is also focused on helping podcasters monetize their show. And as such, have features that focus on this, too.
Check out the breakdown of their packages here.
9. Podigee
Podigee makes podcasting as easy as 1-2-3! They offer many powerful features which aim to make podcasting simple. After uploading your episode, Podigee will publish your show on your website and all other major podcast directories. Their analytics engine has been specifically designed to measure podcast usage and give you statistics that are actually beneficial in growing your audience.
With their services, they handle everything from enhancing your audio quality, adding metadata and sharing in-depth analytics with you so you can track, measure and improve your podcast. Another great feature Podigee offers is that their RSS feeds are compatible with Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Google Podcasts.
You can check out their features and pricing here.
10. Blubrry
Another popular paid podcasting hosting choice is Blubrry. Blubrry podcast hosting makes podcast publishing easier with our smooth publishing platform, live customer support, stress-free migration, and impactful statistics.
Blubrry also offers simplistic WordPress integration. So if you host you podcast website via WordPress, Blubrry could be an easy pick for you.
Blubrry offers two packages, ranging from $10 – $17 per month. You can view the packages and their features here.
11. Simplecast
Next up, there’s Simplecast. When it comes to podcast hosting, Simplecast is trusted by thousands of podcasters. They offer one-click publishing to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever your audience listens. Simplecast is a popular podcast hosting option for professional podcasters and podcast networks.
Simplecast also offers advanced listener analytics, which are super beneficial when it comes to tracking your growth and improving your show. And another great feature is their advanced team collaboration tools. If this is something you’re after, this could be the podcast host for you.
You can view their pricing and plans here.
12. Castos
Next on the list is Castos, another very popular choice for podcast hosting. Castos is a great option for WordPress users! With their Seriously Simple Podcasting WordPress plugin, publishing your podcast content is completely simplified!
Another pro for Castos is that they also provide world-class analytics for your podcast. You can see who’s listening, and where they’re listening from. They give you location, device type, and even playback duration for each episode.
And their YouTube republising feature is perfect if you’re also hosting a video podcast on YouTube.
They have a number of plans on offer, and many top features are available on all plans.
You can find all of that information here.
13. ZenCast
ZenCast provides fast and unlimited hosting, helping you to import your podcast with one click, scheduling your podcast with ease. They are focused on helping you optimize your workflow through scheduling and growing your audience by understanding your listeners and staying on top of your ratings and reviews.
Their service also allows you to keep track of hosts and guests who have appeared on your show while also providing dedicated support when needed.
ZenCast also offers a customisable podcast player that looks great on all websites and is engineered to get you more subscribers.
Find out more about their pricing options here.
14. Captivate
Created by podcasters, for podcasters, Captivate is another innovative podcast hosting platform. There are plenty of great features, and a dashboard that makes running and promoting your show a complete breeze.
Captivate also boasts that it is the only podcast host with everything that podcasters need to share their podcast with the world. Some of these features include websites, sponsor kits, private feeds, and more.
Find out more about all their features, as well as their plans and pricing here.
15. Audioboom
Audioboom aims to connect podcasters and advertisers with engaged and passionate audiences. You make your content, and Audioboom does the rest.
Audioboom is home to well known personalities, influential creators, and the biggest shows in podcasting, like No Such Thing as a Fish, and Redhanded.
It’s also a great pick as a podcast host if you have a focus on monetization. With two powerful advertising products and true global scale, they have options to help you deliver your campaign goals.
Take a look at their two packages here.
16. OmnyStudio
OmnyStudio is a complete audio management solution for podcasters and radio stations, where enterprise podcasting is made simple. They offer the most advanced on-demand audio management and publishing platform and offer all the functionality you need, to go from on-air to online in seconds.
There are a whole range of features, from editing, to analytics, to monetization. You can view all the features here.
Then find out all about their pricing options here.
In Conclusion
Finding a host for your podcast isn’t always easy. There are many different hosting sites that offer all sorts of features.
It can be tough to know which one is the right fit for you and your show.
But hopefully, this list has helped you see some of the best options out there, and helped you narrow down your options.
While it is difficult to make that final choice, the plus side is that there are so many great companies committed to the podcasting space and committed to helping podcast hosts on their podcasting journey.
Did this list help you pick your perfect podcast host? Comment with your choice!
Hey! Awesome! Thank you a lot for the recommendation! Being on this list and in your blog makes us proud. 😉 I wish you all the best! Gordon from Podigee