12 Best Podcast Hosting Platforms

There are quite a few things you need to produce a successful podcast. Sure, microphones, headphones, and other recording equipment are required. But did you know that you also need a podcast-hosting platform?

If you don’t know what a podcast hosting platform is, to put it simply, it’s an online space that allows you to store each episode of your show. It also gives you the power to publish your podcast onto various streaming platforms such as Spotify, Google Podcasts, and Apple Podcasts, so it’s essential to your show’s setup.

Below, you’ll find our list of the 12 best podcast hosting platforms available. Each of these will make storing and publishing your podcast easier so that you can spend less time doing mundane tasks and more time focusing on creating quality content.

Table of Contents

Why do you need a podcast hosting platform?

The main reason is that you have a secure place to host your audio files for streaming and downloading.

You might wonder why you can’t do this on your podcast’s website. This isn’t advised because web hosting requires a lot of storage and bandwidth, and most web hosting providers aren’t capable of offering this.

Remember, the vast majority of people listen to podcasts through directories such as Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts. Website hosting isn’t designed to work with these platforms, but a podcast hosting platform is. So, using one will make your show more accessible and discoverable to a wider audience.

Now you know why you need a podcast hosting platform. But which is the best? Let’s find out!

Buzzsprout

Key Features:

  • Easy to use and has a user-friendly interface
  • It has a transcribe option.
  • It can be trialed free of charge for 90 days
  • Allows you to migrate existing episodes from another podcast-hosting platform
  • Offers various affordable price plans

It first launched in 2009, and since then, Buzzsprout has drawn in over 100,000 podcast hosts. If you’re looking for a way to host, promote, and track each show episode easily, then it’s definitely the best podcast hosting platform.

With Buzzsprout, you can distribute your podcast straight to top directories, including Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, and Apple Podcasts, with a simple click of a button. All you need to do is upload your audio file and schedule what time and date you’d like each episode to be published, and Buzzsprout will take care of the rest for you.

You’ll also be able to see statistics about how each episode of your podcast performs and the number of downloads each episode has gotten. It even goes so far as to tell you where in the world people are tuning into your show from!

A free version of Buzzsprout offers limited use, allowing you to host 2 hours of audio per month. However, upgrading to the premium version will unlock all of Buzzsprout’s features, give you advanced statistics, and offers unlimited storage.

See Buzzsprout Review

Firstory

Key Features:

  • Unlimited storage and bandwidth
  • Unlimited shows under one single account
  • Dynamic Audio Insertion
  • FLink: The all-in-one podcast promotion tool
  • Audience engagement tools (Voicemail, comment link, etc.)
  • 2FA and chat support on all plans

Firstory is a freemium podcast hosting platform that’s pretty straightforward and easy to use. They offer unlimited storage and bandwidth for free across all plans, which is perfect for podcasts looking to grow without limits.

 

The platform has unique engagement tools and features designed to connect podcasters and listeners easily. Every podcast also has an auto-generated podcast website that supports tags, playlists, voicemails, and comments.

Subscribing to the Pro plan gives greater flexibility and customization options for link thumbnails, Firstory branding, and color schemes of the website, FLink, and embedded player.

Podbean

Key Features:

  • Offers live stream hosting
  • It gives you a free podcast website on a custom domain
  • It is available as an iPhone and Android app
  • Features social media auto-sharing
  • Offers video hosting

Podbean came to the market around ten years ago, and since then, it has gained a massive following of 460,000 podcast hosts worldwide.

One of the best things about Podbean is that a premium subscription offers unlimited storage space and bandwidth. There’s also an option for unlimited video storage, which is ideal if you want to create video content alongside your podcast to draw more listeners to your show.

As with all good podcast hosting platforms, Podbean allows you to publish your show onto the world’s best music streaming and downloads services (Spotify, Stitcher. Google Podcasts, and Apple Podcasts), and you can also embed each episode onto your podcast’s website.

See Podbean Review

Transistor

Key Features:

  • Can host unlimited podcast episodes
  • It has a podcast player that can be embedded into a website
  • Offers detailed analytics
  • Easy to use
  • It gives you access to 24/7 customer support.

Transistor is also a super popular podcast hosting platform that will allow you to publish your show on various listening platforms. It’s also super easy to use and has a simple interface that even the most technophobic person can navigate without any issues.

All you need to do is upload your recording to Transistor and click ‘Publish.’ It’s really that easy! You can also schedule episodes to be released on certain days, which is ideal if you’ve saved up a bank of recordings.

 

Hosting is unlimited, so there’s no need to worry about older episodes falling into the ether. And, if you’d like to try before you buy, Transistor offers a 14-day free trial so you can get a feel for how it works before committing to a premium subscription.

See Transistor Review

Blubrry

Key Features:

  • Hassle-free migration from an existing podcast hosting platform
  • Offers unlimited storage
  • Can host video, PDF, and EPUB files
  • It comes with a PowerPress plugin that allows you to manage podcast episodes from your website.
  • Provides in-depth statistics of your podcast’s performance

If you already have a podcast hosting platform but you’ve been thinking about changing, Blubrry could be a perfect choice. This is because it offers free podcast migration from an existing platform.

Once you’ve moved over to Blubrry, you’ll find unlimited storage and a place to host and publish video, PDF, and EPUB files. And, if your podcast has a WordPress website, you can use Blubrry’s PowerPress plugin to manage your podcasts directly from your site.

You also get in-depth statistics about your podcast episodes, including the number of downloads, plays, and more.

See Blubrry Review

Spreaker

Key Features:

  • Ideal for live streaming or radio show podcasts
  • It has a monetization feature that offers complete control over adverts.
  • Features a CMS function that can be used to schedule and manage each episode of your podcast easily
  • Offers advanced analytics
  • It can be used on a desktop computer and through a mobile device.

If you host a radio show, podcast, or live stream, then Spreaker could be the best podcast hosting platform for you. It also allows you to live stream from various platforms, which is a great way to grow your audience numbers.

This is a user-friendly platform, and it has a simple dashboard with everything you need laid out in front of you.

Spreaker has desktop and mobile apps to be used anytime and anywhere, so it’s ideal for studio and remote recording.

There is also a monetization feature that gives you full control over the adverts played over your podcast, so you can find ones that match your audience better and increase your chances of bringing in some extra revenue.

See Spreaker Review

Simplecast

Key Features:

  • Unlimited storage and uploads
  • Easy to distribute your show across Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, and Apple.
  • It lets you manage multiple shows from one account
  • Provides in-depth analytics about each episode
  • It comes with a free website builder

Despite being relatively new to the podcasting market, Simplecast has made a name for itself and is now being used by some of the world’s biggest companies, including Facebook, Twitter, Shopify, Nike, McAfee, and more.

The beauty of Simplecast lies in its simplicity. It’s super easy to publish and distribute your podcast directly from the dashboard using just one click. You can also schedule future episodes for set times and dates, which is an excellent tool for anybody looking to be as organized as possible.

You’ve got unlimited storage and upload with Simplecast, and you can manage multiple shows from the same account.

It also comes with a free website builder. This is ideal if you want to keep everything in one easy-to-manage place. And, when you want to know how your podcast is performing, you can head over to the statistics section for a full breakdown of download numbers, average listening time, and which episodes are most popular.

See Simplecast Review

RSS.com Podcasting

Key features:

  • Easy-to-use interface — You can set up a new show in minutes.
  • Unlimited episodes.
  • Unlimited downloads.
  • World-class, cross-platform analytics to gain actionable insights into your audience.
  • Sponsorship opportunities through  Podcorn.
  • Episode scheduling.

With unlimited audio storage, real-time analytics, a free podcasting website, episode scheduling, social media integration, and more, RSS.com Podcasting is a hosting platform that delivers everything you need.

RSS.com offers a wide range of features, such as episode scheduling and a player embed tool, which allows users to schedule the release of new episodes easily and seamlessly embed the player on their website or social media channels.

With an easy-to-use interface that makes it simple to get started quickly, unlimited episodes and downloads for all your recordings and world-class analytics that give you valuable insights into your audience, RSS.com is the ideal choice for podcasters at any level.

Additionally, RSS.com also provides community podcast directory access for additional discovery and SEO visibility for your show, as well as automatic distribution to key platforms such as PodcastIndex and Listen Notes.

Captivate

Key Features:

  • Works on desktop and mobile devices
  • Offers unlimited hosting
  • It gives you the ability to create an email subscriber list
  • It comes with a player that can be shared across various social networks
  • It is super easy to use and navigate

If you’re new to podcasting or are not 100% confident with podcast hosting platforms’ technicalities, then choosing Captivate would be a good bet. Uploading each episode of your show and managing them is easy, as is publishing them onto different listening platforms.

Hosting is unlimited, and the ‘Podcaster’ price plan allows you to deliver 12,000 downloads per month. There are also other price plans with larger download allowances, which you can upgrade to as your podcast becomes more successful.

Captivate works across all platforms and on all devices, too, so you can easily manage your podcast episodes while you’re on the go through your phone or tablet, as well as through your studio’s podcasting laptop.

See Captivate Review

Audioboom

Key Features:

  • It has a monetization feature.
  • It offers you the ability to create a simple website for your podcast.
  • It provides you with detailed analytics.
  • There are two subscription options, each of which has unlimited monthly storage.
  • It gives you the ability to create a subscriber email list.

Audioboom is primarily used for its monetization features, so it’s a good choice if you’re using your podcast to bring in some extra revenue. This podcast hosting platform has a simple design and is easy to use, so it’s suitable for podcasters of all skill levels.

You can also use Audioboom to create a simple website for your podcast, which your audience can use to find old episodes or learn more about your show.

Detailed analytics can be found directly from Audioboom’s dashboard. These will allow you to track each episode’s performance and give valuable insights into your audience’s favorite episodes.

There are two subscriptions to choose from, “Podcasters” and “Podcast Pros,” as each offers unlimited episodes per month.

See Audioboom Review

Libsyn

Key Features:

  • Optimized for mobile users
  • Easy to upload and publish your podcast straight from your smartphone
  • It offers you detailed analytics and a fully compliant RSS feed
  • Available in several price plans, allowing you to find the most suitable option for your storage needs
  • It has an embeddable media player
  • Fully compliant RSS feed

Libsyn is one of the few podcast hosting platforms optimized for mobile users, so it’s an excellent option for any podcaster who needs to manage their episodes while they are away from the studio.

Libsyn also offers a monetization feature so that you can add advertisements to your podcast as a way of making a little extra income.

Your monthly storage allowance is limited by the price plan you choose, ranging from 50MB to 800MB per month.

But you won’t be paying for storage you don’t need! So, if you only publish a half-hour episode once a week, you’ll be able to choose a plan that lets you do this without spending any extra money on storage you don’t need.

Likewise, suppose you’re publishing hour-long episodes once or twice a week or have multiple podcasts. In that case, a subscription with a larger storage allowance will stop you from being restricted over what you can upload and when.

See Libsyn Review

Fusebox

Key Features:

  • A budget-friendly, easy-to-use platform that is ideal for new podcasters
  • It makes it easy to upload and publish your podcast to Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, and Apple Podcasts
  • It has an auto-transcript feature that transcribes each episode for you.
  • Features an embeddable media player that can be customized to match your podcast’s branding
  • It is optimized for mobile devices.

Fusebox isn’t only one of the best podcast hosting platforms available; it’s also one of the least expensive. This makes it an excellent choice for anybody just starting on their podcast journey or who wants to keep expenditure as low as possible.

Like all good podcast hosting platforms, you can use Fusebox to store and publish your show episodes onto several different listening platforms, including Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, and Apple Podcasts.

Additionally, it offers a podcast transcript plugin that automatically adds podcast transcripts to your website.

It also features an embeddable player that can be customized to color-match your podcast’s branding. Your listeners can also control playback and speed and download your podcast directly from your website with just one click.

See Fusebox Review

Final Word

In conclusion, there are many things one should keep in mind when looking for a podcast hosting platform.

One of the most important things is certainly the amount of storage you need. If you host a smaller, single show, you won’t need much storage. But, if your episodes run over 1-hour at a time, or if you host several shows, you’ll need more storage space.

As we can see from our top picks above, there is a podcast hosting platform to suit every need. Whether you’re new to podcasting or want a cost-effective way to store and publish each episode, the above platforms can help you create the podcast of your dreams.