New In 2024, The Elite List 10 Best Podcast Hosting Platforms to Watch

New In 2024, The Elite List 10 Best Podcast Hosting Platforms to Watch

Jacob Lv12

The Elite List: 10 Best Podcast Hosting Platforms to Watch

10 Best Podcast Hosting Platforms

author avatar

Benjamin Arango

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Covering interesting topics in your podcasts or using professional audio recording and editing tools to process them, won’t mean much if you cannot reach your audience. Uploading a large numbers of audio files to your own website is not always an option, since the storage space, you have at your disposal may be too small to store all of your podcasts.

That is where podcast hosting platforms like Buzzsprout or Podbean come in, to help podcasters store their content safely and deliver their latest podcast to different apps and directories through the RSS feed.

With so many options out there, finding a podcast hosting platform can be a daunting task for podcasters who are just starting out. So, in this article, we are going to take you through the ten best podcast hosting platforms and provide you with answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about podcast hosting services.

Comparison of the Best Podcast Hosting Platforms

Are you too busy to go through all of the podcast hosting platforms we featured in this article? Do not worry, here’s a quick comparison of the best podcast hosting platforms.

Hosting Platform Subscription Cost Storage Bandwidth Podcast Analytics RSS Support Website host
Buzzsprout Ranges from free to $24 Unlimited 250 GB Yes Yes Yes
Blubrry Ranges from $12 to $80 per month 100 MB Unlimited Yes Yes Yes
Castos Ranges from $19 to $49 per month Unlimited Unlimited Yes Yes Yes
Podbean Ranges from free to $99 per month Unlimited Unlimited Yes Yes Yes
Podiant Ranges from $12,99 to 35,97 per month Unlimited Unlimited Yes Yes Yes
Transistor.fm Ranges from $19,00 to $99 per month Unlimited Unlimited Yes Yes Yes
Simplecast Ranges from $15 to $85 per month Unlimited 20,000 downloads Yes Yes Yes
Speaker Ranges from free to $50 per month Varies from 5 to 1500 hours Unlimited Yes Yes No
Libsyn Ranges from $5 to $150 per month Varies between 50 MB and 80 MB Unlimited Yes Yes Yes
PODOMATIC Ranges from free to $20, 82 per month Limited, depends on the subscription model Limited, depends on the subscription model Yes Yes Yes

Part 1: Top Ten Podcast Hosting Platforms

Building an audience for your podcast can take months, sometimes even years, and for that reason having access to a reliable hosting platform that lets you distribute new episodes of your podcast effortlessly is vital for their success. Factors that range from subscription fees to RSS support can influence your choice of a podcast hosting platform, so let’s take a look at what some of the best hosting platforms for podcasters have to offer.

1. Buzzsprout

Price: Free, pricing options start at $12 per month

The fact that over 100,000 podcasters used Buzzsprout’s services to launch their podcasts, shows how highly esteemed the platform is within the podcasting community. The episode automation feature enables you to just upload an audio file and it takes care of the ID3 tags and bitrates for you. Buzzsprout grants you access to a huge audience by allowing your subscribers to listen to your podcast from Spotify, Apple and Google Podcasts, Alexa or Overcast. The platform also provides you with advanced statistics for each episode of your podcast you upload. So, you can easily find out which apps they are using to listen to your podcasts or to learn the location at which your podcast was played.

Pros

  • Unlimited storage space
  • 90-day trial period
  • Grants users access to most popular podcast directories
  • Offers monetization options through affiliate marketing

Cons

  • Bandwidth is limited to 250 GB
  • The free version of Buzzsprout places ads to your podcasts on public sites

2. Blubrry

Price: Pricing options start at $12 per month

Uploading a new podcast and publishing it through Blubrry is a simple three-step process that can be completed in just a few minutes. This hosting platform grants you complete control over the iTunes’ RSS feed and it is optimized for the use on Android devices. In case you are considering moving from another platform like Libsyn or SoundCloud, you can easily migrate all of your content to Blubrry. Even though this podcast hosting platform features analytics tools you must purchase the Podcast Statistics package if you want to have a clear overview of the statistics your podcasts are generating.

Pros

  • The effortless podcast publishing process
  • Offers WordPress plugins
  • Free and easy media migration
  • Unlimited bandwidth

Cons

  • Storage space depends on the subscription plan
  • Access to analytics tools is not free

3. Castos

Price: Pricing options start at $19 per month

If you are searching for a platform that places no limits on your storage space or the bandwidth then you shouldn’t look much further than Castos. The platform lets you create as many new shows as you want and allows you to upload an unlimited number of episodes to each show you create. Podcasts you upload to Castos are automatically shared to all of the most popular podcast directories, including Sticher, iTunes, Spotify or Google Play. You can also transcribe all of your podcasts with a click of a button, but you must pay a small fee for each minute of the podcast you transcribe.

Pros

  • Fully customizable podcast player
  • Offers support for both audio and video podcasts
  • Advanced analytics tools
  • Grants podcasters access to all of the most popular podcast directories

Cons

  • Short free trial period
  • Video republishing to YouTube is only available within the Growth subscription model

4. Podbean

Price: Free, pricing options start at $9 per month

Podcasters who would like to have their own full-featured podcast website and gain access to a website builder can hardly go wrong if they opt for Podbean. Moreover, you’ll be able to use your own domain and your branding if you create an account on this hosting platform. Podbean offers a broad selection of podcast templates and lets you choose the layout. Furthermore, Podbean provides excellent monetization opportunities, either through advertising, crowdfunding or premium content. The free version of the podcast hosting platform offers only limited broadband and storage space, while video support is only available if you purchase Unlimited Plus or Business pricing plans.

Pros

  • Compatible with iPhone and Android apps and embeddable media players
  • Provides RSS and iTunes support
  • Offers a broad selection of podcast themes
  • Allows podcasters to create their own podcast sites

Cons

  • You must upgrade from the free version in order to have unlimited storage and bandwidth
  • Running multiple podcast channels is only possible if you have the Business pricing plan

5. Podiant

Price: Pricing plans start at $12,99

Podiant grants you access to all the tools you are going to need to upload and publish a new episode of your podcast. In fact, 22,200 podcast episodes are published through Poidant each day that are delivered to hundreds of thousands of listeners around the globe. The platform lets you choose from a broad range of themes, but it also features a templating engine that allows you to change the code on your podcasting site. Moreover, you can use Poidant to create a blog, embed content from Twitter, Instagram or YouTube in order to extend the reach of your podcasts and broaden their audience.

Pros

  • Allows users to host all their shows on one website
  • No bandwidth and storage space limitations
  • Compatible with all major podcasting directories and apps
  • Supports integrations through Zapier

Cons

  • The quality of the analytics data depends on the subscription plan
  • The free trial period lasts only two weeks

6. Transistor

Price: Pricing plans start at $19,00 per month

Professional podcasters and creatives from every corner of the world are already using Transistor to publish their podcasts. This podcast hosting platform makes all episodes of your podcasts available on Spotify, Overcast, and other popular podcast directories. Moreover, you can create unlimited podcasts and upload as many episodes as you want to the website you created with Transistor. The platform produces analytics reports for each of your podcasts, regardless of the pricing plan you own, but the number of collaborators on a single Transistor account depends on the subscription model. The number of monthly podcast downloads is limited and it varies from one pricing plan to another.

Pros

  • Allows users to create private podcast feeds
  • Supports integrations with email marketing platforms like Drip or MailChimp
  • Embeddable podcast player
  • The functionally organized RSS feed

Cons

  • You must purchase the Business subscription model to remove the Transistor’s branding
  • If you would like to create more than three private podcasts, you must contact the customer support

7. Simplecast

Price: Pricing options start at $15

The distribution, analytics, and sharing tools this podcast hosting platform provides are powerful enough to cater even for the most demanding podcasting needs. Simplecast lets you choose from a variety of themes that are optimized for mobile devices and search engines. It also enables you to customize the colors of each theme with its website builder. All podcasts you upload to Simplecast can be shared on all of the podcast directories that attract millions of listeners. What’s more, the platform makes monitoring the statistics your podcasts generate easy, so that you can discover new ways to reach new audiences.

Pros

  • Websites built with Simplecast are secure
  • Great selection of web-players
  • Provides detailed statistics for all podcasts
  • Doesn’t restrict the bandwidth or storage space

Cons

  • The size of the team using Simplecast can’t exceed eight members
  • Building more than three pages with Simplecast isn’t an option

8. Spreaker

Price: Free, pricing options start at $7 per month

Spreaker is an affordable podcast hosting platform for all podcasters who are just starting out or looking for a new platform they can use to host their shows. In addition, you can also stream your podcasts live, although their maximum duration depends on the subscription plan you have. The storage space you are going to have at your disposal also varies from one pricing plan to another, but even the free version of Spreaker lets you store up to five hours of audio on the cloud. However, there are no limits to the number of listeners which enables you to grow your audience continually.

Pros

  • An inexpensive option for both novice and seasoned podcasters
  • A fully customizable RSS feed
  • Supports content migrations through RSS feed
  • Provides excellent monetization options

Cons

  • The storage space is limited
  • You must purchase the Broadcaster subscription model in order to gain access to the platform’s analytics tools.

9. Libsyn

Price: Pricing options start at $5

This platform integrates with more than twenty podcast apps, social media platforms, and WordPress websites via the OnPublish feature. Libsyin features powerful scheduling tools, which enables you to choose the exact date and time when the next episode of your podcast is going to be published. The RSS is compliant with Apple Podcasts, which makes it easier to add a title, choose a category or write podcast summaries for each new episode you would like to optimize for playback on Apple devices. Libsyn offers Double Opt-in Advertising and MyLibSyn Premium Paywall monetization options so that you can choose the method of earning money through this podcast hosting platform that is the most convenient for you.

Pros

  • Supports audio, video, text and PDF hosting
  • Excellent podcast distribution capabilities
  • Cheaper than most of its competitors
  • Creating a publishing schedule for your podcasts is easy

Cons

  • Very limited storage space, regardless of the pricing plan you purchase
  • Underwhelming statistics tracking options

10. Podomatic

Price: Free, pricing options start at $8,32

The options you will have at your disposal if you opt to publish your podcasts with Podomatic, largely depends on the subscription model you have. Even though anyone can use this podcast platform for free, the bandwidth and storage space that are available on the free version of Podomatic can limit your options. Besides, publishing podcasts, you can also use the platform to listen to podcasts, from browsers or iPhone and Android devices. Podomatic lets you monetize your podcasts by connecting your Patreon account to your podcast website or by adding Podomatic Podcast to Advertise Cast.

Pros:

  • Podomatic app is available for both iOS and Android devices
  • Podcast published through Podomatic can be played directly from Twitter and Facebook feeds
  • Equipped with a powerful drag-and-drop website builder
  • Offers a variety of themes designed exclusively for podcasts

Cons

  • Unlimited storage space and bandwidth are only available in the Enterprise subscription model
  • Offers only basic podcast statistics

Part 2: The Most Frequently Asked Questions about Podcast Hosting Platforms

In order to add episodes of your podcasts to podcast directories, you must meet only three requirements. Your audio file must be saved in the MP3 format, you must have access to the podcast hosting platform, and you must be able to add a podcast to an RSS feed. The hosting platform you selected will utilize its RSS feed to distribute your podcasts to the apps and services your audience is using to listen to them and deliver a new episode of your show to your listeners as soon as you publish it. The reach of your podcasts, your monetization capabilities or whether or not you will be able to create custom domains depends on the podcast hosting platform you choose.

What is podcast hosting and what are its main benefits?

All podcast hosting platforms let their users store their podcasts online and create an RSS feed for them that is used to add podcast to different podcast directories. Besides sending each new episode of your podcast to your subscribers, podcast hosting platforms also enable you to track their performance and learn which apps were used to access them as well as a plethora of other relevant metrics. Some podcast hosting platforms feature website builders that allow you to create custom domain landing pages, blogs or add widgets.

Why do I need podcast hosting services?

Podcast hosting services simplify the process of storing and publishing podcasts and ensure that each new episode you publish reaches your subscribers. In addition, most platforms offer a quick and easy way to add tags, cover art or podcast descriptions, so that you can provide all the information your listeners need to find your podcasts effortlessly.

How to select the right podcast hosting platform?

The reason why you are creating a podcast can often help you figure out which podcast hosting platform is the best option for you. If you would like to periodically share short interviews or simply have fun with your friends, then choosing a free version of a podcast hosting platform is your best option.

However, if you take podcasting seriously, finding out how much storage space a platform offers or the maximum bandwidth can help you decide if the platform you are considering is the right choice for you. Moreover, podcasters who also create video podcasts should check if the platform they would like to use to distribute their podcasts supports hosting and publishing video files. Ultimately, the amount of money you are willing to spend on subscription will determine which podcast hosting platform to pick since there is no reason to spend vast amounts of money on features you have no intention of using.

Is podcast hosting free?

Even though most podcast hosting platforms either have free versions or free trial, podcast hosting over an extended period of time is never free. Each platform offers different pricing options and lets you choose the one that is best suited for your needs. If you decide to publish your podcasts with a free version of the podcast hosting platform, you should keep in mind that the scope of your options is going to be limited.

What is the average cost of podcast hosting services?

The cost of a monthly subscription for a podcast hosting service can be anywhere between $7 and $99. The majority of basic and pro pricing plans can be purchased for less than $20, but if you would like to utilize all the features a podcast hosting platform has to offer, then your monthly subscription can cost much more than a hundred dollars. Lower priced options often lack advanced file-sharing tools or don’t provide integrations features, which is the reason why you should only consider them if you just need a quick way to publish a podcast.

Conclusion

Each step of the process of creating a podcast is equally important, and the quality of the microphone you’re using to record an episode of your podcast is of no less significance than the hosting platform you’re using to publish a podcast. Each podcast hosting platform we included in this article ensures that your podcasts are delivered to all of your subscribers, but which one you are going to choose depends on a plethora of factors that range from a platform’s storage capacity to the number of podcast directories to which your podcasts are added. Which podcast hosting platform are you using to publish your podcasts? Leave a comment and let us know.

author avatar

Benjamin Arango

Benjamin Arango is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Benjamin Arango

Benjamin Arango

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Covering interesting topics in your podcasts or using professional audio recording and editing tools to process them, won’t mean much if you cannot reach your audience. Uploading a large numbers of audio files to your own website is not always an option, since the storage space, you have at your disposal may be too small to store all of your podcasts.

That is where podcast hosting platforms like Buzzsprout or Podbean come in, to help podcasters store their content safely and deliver their latest podcast to different apps and directories through the RSS feed.

With so many options out there, finding a podcast hosting platform can be a daunting task for podcasters who are just starting out. So, in this article, we are going to take you through the ten best podcast hosting platforms and provide you with answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about podcast hosting services.

Comparison of the Best Podcast Hosting Platforms

Are you too busy to go through all of the podcast hosting platforms we featured in this article? Do not worry, here’s a quick comparison of the best podcast hosting platforms.

Hosting Platform Subscription Cost Storage Bandwidth Podcast Analytics RSS Support Website host
Buzzsprout Ranges from free to $24 Unlimited 250 GB Yes Yes Yes
Blubrry Ranges from $12 to $80 per month 100 MB Unlimited Yes Yes Yes
Castos Ranges from $19 to $49 per month Unlimited Unlimited Yes Yes Yes
Podbean Ranges from free to $99 per month Unlimited Unlimited Yes Yes Yes
Podiant Ranges from $12,99 to 35,97 per month Unlimited Unlimited Yes Yes Yes
Transistor.fm Ranges from $19,00 to $99 per month Unlimited Unlimited Yes Yes Yes
Simplecast Ranges from $15 to $85 per month Unlimited 20,000 downloads Yes Yes Yes
Speaker Ranges from free to $50 per month Varies from 5 to 1500 hours Unlimited Yes Yes No
Libsyn Ranges from $5 to $150 per month Varies between 50 MB and 80 MB Unlimited Yes Yes Yes
PODOMATIC Ranges from free to $20, 82 per month Limited, depends on the subscription model Limited, depends on the subscription model Yes Yes Yes

Part 1: Top Ten Podcast Hosting Platforms

Building an audience for your podcast can take months, sometimes even years, and for that reason having access to a reliable hosting platform that lets you distribute new episodes of your podcast effortlessly is vital for their success. Factors that range from subscription fees to RSS support can influence your choice of a podcast hosting platform, so let’s take a look at what some of the best hosting platforms for podcasters have to offer.

1. Buzzsprout

Price: Free, pricing options start at $12 per month

The fact that over 100,000 podcasters used Buzzsprout’s services to launch their podcasts, shows how highly esteemed the platform is within the podcasting community. The episode automation feature enables you to just upload an audio file and it takes care of the ID3 tags and bitrates for you. Buzzsprout grants you access to a huge audience by allowing your subscribers to listen to your podcast from Spotify, Apple and Google Podcasts, Alexa or Overcast. The platform also provides you with advanced statistics for each episode of your podcast you upload. So, you can easily find out which apps they are using to listen to your podcasts or to learn the location at which your podcast was played.

Pros

  • Unlimited storage space
  • 90-day trial period
  • Grants users access to most popular podcast directories
  • Offers monetization options through affiliate marketing

Cons

  • Bandwidth is limited to 250 GB
  • The free version of Buzzsprout places ads to your podcasts on public sites

2. Blubrry

Price: Pricing options start at $12 per month

Uploading a new podcast and publishing it through Blubrry is a simple three-step process that can be completed in just a few minutes. This hosting platform grants you complete control over the iTunes’ RSS feed and it is optimized for the use on Android devices. In case you are considering moving from another platform like Libsyn or SoundCloud, you can easily migrate all of your content to Blubrry. Even though this podcast hosting platform features analytics tools you must purchase the Podcast Statistics package if you want to have a clear overview of the statistics your podcasts are generating.

Pros

  • The effortless podcast publishing process
  • Offers WordPress plugins
  • Free and easy media migration
  • Unlimited bandwidth

Cons

  • Storage space depends on the subscription plan
  • Access to analytics tools is not free

3. Castos

Price: Pricing options start at $19 per month

If you are searching for a platform that places no limits on your storage space or the bandwidth then you shouldn’t look much further than Castos. The platform lets you create as many new shows as you want and allows you to upload an unlimited number of episodes to each show you create. Podcasts you upload to Castos are automatically shared to all of the most popular podcast directories, including Sticher, iTunes, Spotify or Google Play. You can also transcribe all of your podcasts with a click of a button, but you must pay a small fee for each minute of the podcast you transcribe.

Pros

  • Fully customizable podcast player
  • Offers support for both audio and video podcasts
  • Advanced analytics tools
  • Grants podcasters access to all of the most popular podcast directories

Cons

  • Short free trial period
  • Video republishing to YouTube is only available within the Growth subscription model

4. Podbean

Price: Free, pricing options start at $9 per month

Podcasters who would like to have their own full-featured podcast website and gain access to a website builder can hardly go wrong if they opt for Podbean. Moreover, you’ll be able to use your own domain and your branding if you create an account on this hosting platform. Podbean offers a broad selection of podcast templates and lets you choose the layout. Furthermore, Podbean provides excellent monetization opportunities, either through advertising, crowdfunding or premium content. The free version of the podcast hosting platform offers only limited broadband and storage space, while video support is only available if you purchase Unlimited Plus or Business pricing plans.

Pros

  • Compatible with iPhone and Android apps and embeddable media players
  • Provides RSS and iTunes support
  • Offers a broad selection of podcast themes
  • Allows podcasters to create their own podcast sites

Cons

  • You must upgrade from the free version in order to have unlimited storage and bandwidth
  • Running multiple podcast channels is only possible if you have the Business pricing plan

5. Podiant

Price: Pricing plans start at $12,99

Podiant grants you access to all the tools you are going to need to upload and publish a new episode of your podcast. In fact, 22,200 podcast episodes are published through Poidant each day that are delivered to hundreds of thousands of listeners around the globe. The platform lets you choose from a broad range of themes, but it also features a templating engine that allows you to change the code on your podcasting site. Moreover, you can use Poidant to create a blog, embed content from Twitter, Instagram or YouTube in order to extend the reach of your podcasts and broaden their audience.

Pros

  • Allows users to host all their shows on one website
  • No bandwidth and storage space limitations
  • Compatible with all major podcasting directories and apps
  • Supports integrations through Zapier

Cons

  • The quality of the analytics data depends on the subscription plan
  • The free trial period lasts only two weeks

6. Transistor

Price: Pricing plans start at $19,00 per month

Professional podcasters and creatives from every corner of the world are already using Transistor to publish their podcasts. This podcast hosting platform makes all episodes of your podcasts available on Spotify, Overcast, and other popular podcast directories. Moreover, you can create unlimited podcasts and upload as many episodes as you want to the website you created with Transistor. The platform produces analytics reports for each of your podcasts, regardless of the pricing plan you own, but the number of collaborators on a single Transistor account depends on the subscription model. The number of monthly podcast downloads is limited and it varies from one pricing plan to another.

Pros

  • Allows users to create private podcast feeds
  • Supports integrations with email marketing platforms like Drip or MailChimp
  • Embeddable podcast player
  • The functionally organized RSS feed

Cons

  • You must purchase the Business subscription model to remove the Transistor’s branding
  • If you would like to create more than three private podcasts, you must contact the customer support

7. Simplecast

Price: Pricing options start at $15

The distribution, analytics, and sharing tools this podcast hosting platform provides are powerful enough to cater even for the most demanding podcasting needs. Simplecast lets you choose from a variety of themes that are optimized for mobile devices and search engines. It also enables you to customize the colors of each theme with its website builder. All podcasts you upload to Simplecast can be shared on all of the podcast directories that attract millions of listeners. What’s more, the platform makes monitoring the statistics your podcasts generate easy, so that you can discover new ways to reach new audiences.

Pros

  • Websites built with Simplecast are secure
  • Great selection of web-players
  • Provides detailed statistics for all podcasts
  • Doesn’t restrict the bandwidth or storage space

Cons

  • The size of the team using Simplecast can’t exceed eight members
  • Building more than three pages with Simplecast isn’t an option

8. Spreaker

Price: Free, pricing options start at $7 per month

Spreaker is an affordable podcast hosting platform for all podcasters who are just starting out or looking for a new platform they can use to host their shows. In addition, you can also stream your podcasts live, although their maximum duration depends on the subscription plan you have. The storage space you are going to have at your disposal also varies from one pricing plan to another, but even the free version of Spreaker lets you store up to five hours of audio on the cloud. However, there are no limits to the number of listeners which enables you to grow your audience continually.

Pros

  • An inexpensive option for both novice and seasoned podcasters
  • A fully customizable RSS feed
  • Supports content migrations through RSS feed
  • Provides excellent monetization options

Cons

  • The storage space is limited
  • You must purchase the Broadcaster subscription model in order to gain access to the platform’s analytics tools.

9. Libsyn

Price: Pricing options start at $5

This platform integrates with more than twenty podcast apps, social media platforms, and WordPress websites via the OnPublish feature. Libsyin features powerful scheduling tools, which enables you to choose the exact date and time when the next episode of your podcast is going to be published. The RSS is compliant with Apple Podcasts, which makes it easier to add a title, choose a category or write podcast summaries for each new episode you would like to optimize for playback on Apple devices. Libsyn offers Double Opt-in Advertising and MyLibSyn Premium Paywall monetization options so that you can choose the method of earning money through this podcast hosting platform that is the most convenient for you.

Pros

  • Supports audio, video, text and PDF hosting
  • Excellent podcast distribution capabilities
  • Cheaper than most of its competitors
  • Creating a publishing schedule for your podcasts is easy

Cons

  • Very limited storage space, regardless of the pricing plan you purchase
  • Underwhelming statistics tracking options

10. Podomatic

Price: Free, pricing options start at $8,32

The options you will have at your disposal if you opt to publish your podcasts with Podomatic, largely depends on the subscription model you have. Even though anyone can use this podcast platform for free, the bandwidth and storage space that are available on the free version of Podomatic can limit your options. Besides, publishing podcasts, you can also use the platform to listen to podcasts, from browsers or iPhone and Android devices. Podomatic lets you monetize your podcasts by connecting your Patreon account to your podcast website or by adding Podomatic Podcast to Advertise Cast.

Pros:

  • Podomatic app is available for both iOS and Android devices
  • Podcast published through Podomatic can be played directly from Twitter and Facebook feeds
  • Equipped with a powerful drag-and-drop website builder
  • Offers a variety of themes designed exclusively for podcasts

Cons

  • Unlimited storage space and bandwidth are only available in the Enterprise subscription model
  • Offers only basic podcast statistics

Part 2: The Most Frequently Asked Questions about Podcast Hosting Platforms

In order to add episodes of your podcasts to podcast directories, you must meet only three requirements. Your audio file must be saved in the MP3 format, you must have access to the podcast hosting platform, and you must be able to add a podcast to an RSS feed. The hosting platform you selected will utilize its RSS feed to distribute your podcasts to the apps and services your audience is using to listen to them and deliver a new episode of your show to your listeners as soon as you publish it. The reach of your podcasts, your monetization capabilities or whether or not you will be able to create custom domains depends on the podcast hosting platform you choose.

What is podcast hosting and what are its main benefits?

All podcast hosting platforms let their users store their podcasts online and create an RSS feed for them that is used to add podcast to different podcast directories. Besides sending each new episode of your podcast to your subscribers, podcast hosting platforms also enable you to track their performance and learn which apps were used to access them as well as a plethora of other relevant metrics. Some podcast hosting platforms feature website builders that allow you to create custom domain landing pages, blogs or add widgets.

Why do I need podcast hosting services?

Podcast hosting services simplify the process of storing and publishing podcasts and ensure that each new episode you publish reaches your subscribers. In addition, most platforms offer a quick and easy way to add tags, cover art or podcast descriptions, so that you can provide all the information your listeners need to find your podcasts effortlessly.

How to select the right podcast hosting platform?

The reason why you are creating a podcast can often help you figure out which podcast hosting platform is the best option for you. If you would like to periodically share short interviews or simply have fun with your friends, then choosing a free version of a podcast hosting platform is your best option.

However, if you take podcasting seriously, finding out how much storage space a platform offers or the maximum bandwidth can help you decide if the platform you are considering is the right choice for you. Moreover, podcasters who also create video podcasts should check if the platform they would like to use to distribute their podcasts supports hosting and publishing video files. Ultimately, the amount of money you are willing to spend on subscription will determine which podcast hosting platform to pick since there is no reason to spend vast amounts of money on features you have no intention of using.

Is podcast hosting free?

Even though most podcast hosting platforms either have free versions or free trial, podcast hosting over an extended period of time is never free. Each platform offers different pricing options and lets you choose the one that is best suited for your needs. If you decide to publish your podcasts with a free version of the podcast hosting platform, you should keep in mind that the scope of your options is going to be limited.

What is the average cost of podcast hosting services?

The cost of a monthly subscription for a podcast hosting service can be anywhere between $7 and $99. The majority of basic and pro pricing plans can be purchased for less than $20, but if you would like to utilize all the features a podcast hosting platform has to offer, then your monthly subscription can cost much more than a hundred dollars. Lower priced options often lack advanced file-sharing tools or don’t provide integrations features, which is the reason why you should only consider them if you just need a quick way to publish a podcast.

Conclusion

Each step of the process of creating a podcast is equally important, and the quality of the microphone you’re using to record an episode of your podcast is of no less significance than the hosting platform you’re using to publish a podcast. Each podcast hosting platform we included in this article ensures that your podcasts are delivered to all of your subscribers, but which one you are going to choose depends on a plethora of factors that range from a platform’s storage capacity to the number of podcast directories to which your podcasts are added. Which podcast hosting platform are you using to publish your podcasts? Leave a comment and let us know.

author avatar

Benjamin Arango

Benjamin Arango is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Benjamin Arango

Benjamin Arango

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Covering interesting topics in your podcasts or using professional audio recording and editing tools to process them, won’t mean much if you cannot reach your audience. Uploading a large numbers of audio files to your own website is not always an option, since the storage space, you have at your disposal may be too small to store all of your podcasts.

That is where podcast hosting platforms like Buzzsprout or Podbean come in, to help podcasters store their content safely and deliver their latest podcast to different apps and directories through the RSS feed.

With so many options out there, finding a podcast hosting platform can be a daunting task for podcasters who are just starting out. So, in this article, we are going to take you through the ten best podcast hosting platforms and provide you with answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about podcast hosting services.

Comparison of the Best Podcast Hosting Platforms

Are you too busy to go through all of the podcast hosting platforms we featured in this article? Do not worry, here’s a quick comparison of the best podcast hosting platforms.

Hosting Platform Subscription Cost Storage Bandwidth Podcast Analytics RSS Support Website host
Buzzsprout Ranges from free to $24 Unlimited 250 GB Yes Yes Yes
Blubrry Ranges from $12 to $80 per month 100 MB Unlimited Yes Yes Yes
Castos Ranges from $19 to $49 per month Unlimited Unlimited Yes Yes Yes
Podbean Ranges from free to $99 per month Unlimited Unlimited Yes Yes Yes
Podiant Ranges from $12,99 to 35,97 per month Unlimited Unlimited Yes Yes Yes
Transistor.fm Ranges from $19,00 to $99 per month Unlimited Unlimited Yes Yes Yes
Simplecast Ranges from $15 to $85 per month Unlimited 20,000 downloads Yes Yes Yes
Speaker Ranges from free to $50 per month Varies from 5 to 1500 hours Unlimited Yes Yes No
Libsyn Ranges from $5 to $150 per month Varies between 50 MB and 80 MB Unlimited Yes Yes Yes
PODOMATIC Ranges from free to $20, 82 per month Limited, depends on the subscription model Limited, depends on the subscription model Yes Yes Yes

Part 1: Top Ten Podcast Hosting Platforms

Building an audience for your podcast can take months, sometimes even years, and for that reason having access to a reliable hosting platform that lets you distribute new episodes of your podcast effortlessly is vital for their success. Factors that range from subscription fees to RSS support can influence your choice of a podcast hosting platform, so let’s take a look at what some of the best hosting platforms for podcasters have to offer.

1. Buzzsprout

Price: Free, pricing options start at $12 per month

The fact that over 100,000 podcasters used Buzzsprout’s services to launch their podcasts, shows how highly esteemed the platform is within the podcasting community. The episode automation feature enables you to just upload an audio file and it takes care of the ID3 tags and bitrates for you. Buzzsprout grants you access to a huge audience by allowing your subscribers to listen to your podcast from Spotify, Apple and Google Podcasts, Alexa or Overcast. The platform also provides you with advanced statistics for each episode of your podcast you upload. So, you can easily find out which apps they are using to listen to your podcasts or to learn the location at which your podcast was played.

Pros

  • Unlimited storage space
  • 90-day trial period
  • Grants users access to most popular podcast directories
  • Offers monetization options through affiliate marketing

Cons

  • Bandwidth is limited to 250 GB
  • The free version of Buzzsprout places ads to your podcasts on public sites

2. Blubrry

Price: Pricing options start at $12 per month

Uploading a new podcast and publishing it through Blubrry is a simple three-step process that can be completed in just a few minutes. This hosting platform grants you complete control over the iTunes’ RSS feed and it is optimized for the use on Android devices. In case you are considering moving from another platform like Libsyn or SoundCloud, you can easily migrate all of your content to Blubrry. Even though this podcast hosting platform features analytics tools you must purchase the Podcast Statistics package if you want to have a clear overview of the statistics your podcasts are generating.

Pros

  • The effortless podcast publishing process
  • Offers WordPress plugins
  • Free and easy media migration
  • Unlimited bandwidth

Cons

  • Storage space depends on the subscription plan
  • Access to analytics tools is not free

3. Castos

Price: Pricing options start at $19 per month

If you are searching for a platform that places no limits on your storage space or the bandwidth then you shouldn’t look much further than Castos. The platform lets you create as many new shows as you want and allows you to upload an unlimited number of episodes to each show you create. Podcasts you upload to Castos are automatically shared to all of the most popular podcast directories, including Sticher, iTunes, Spotify or Google Play. You can also transcribe all of your podcasts with a click of a button, but you must pay a small fee for each minute of the podcast you transcribe.

Pros

  • Fully customizable podcast player
  • Offers support for both audio and video podcasts
  • Advanced analytics tools
  • Grants podcasters access to all of the most popular podcast directories

Cons

  • Short free trial period
  • Video republishing to YouTube is only available within the Growth subscription model

4. Podbean

Price: Free, pricing options start at $9 per month

Podcasters who would like to have their own full-featured podcast website and gain access to a website builder can hardly go wrong if they opt for Podbean. Moreover, you’ll be able to use your own domain and your branding if you create an account on this hosting platform. Podbean offers a broad selection of podcast templates and lets you choose the layout. Furthermore, Podbean provides excellent monetization opportunities, either through advertising, crowdfunding or premium content. The free version of the podcast hosting platform offers only limited broadband and storage space, while video support is only available if you purchase Unlimited Plus or Business pricing plans.

Pros

  • Compatible with iPhone and Android apps and embeddable media players
  • Provides RSS and iTunes support
  • Offers a broad selection of podcast themes
  • Allows podcasters to create their own podcast sites

Cons

  • You must upgrade from the free version in order to have unlimited storage and bandwidth
  • Running multiple podcast channels is only possible if you have the Business pricing plan

5. Podiant

Price: Pricing plans start at $12,99

Podiant grants you access to all the tools you are going to need to upload and publish a new episode of your podcast. In fact, 22,200 podcast episodes are published through Poidant each day that are delivered to hundreds of thousands of listeners around the globe. The platform lets you choose from a broad range of themes, but it also features a templating engine that allows you to change the code on your podcasting site. Moreover, you can use Poidant to create a blog, embed content from Twitter, Instagram or YouTube in order to extend the reach of your podcasts and broaden their audience.

Pros

  • Allows users to host all their shows on one website
  • No bandwidth and storage space limitations
  • Compatible with all major podcasting directories and apps
  • Supports integrations through Zapier

Cons

  • The quality of the analytics data depends on the subscription plan
  • The free trial period lasts only two weeks

6. Transistor

Price: Pricing plans start at $19,00 per month

Professional podcasters and creatives from every corner of the world are already using Transistor to publish their podcasts. This podcast hosting platform makes all episodes of your podcasts available on Spotify, Overcast, and other popular podcast directories. Moreover, you can create unlimited podcasts and upload as many episodes as you want to the website you created with Transistor. The platform produces analytics reports for each of your podcasts, regardless of the pricing plan you own, but the number of collaborators on a single Transistor account depends on the subscription model. The number of monthly podcast downloads is limited and it varies from one pricing plan to another.

Pros

  • Allows users to create private podcast feeds
  • Supports integrations with email marketing platforms like Drip or MailChimp
  • Embeddable podcast player
  • The functionally organized RSS feed

Cons

  • You must purchase the Business subscription model to remove the Transistor’s branding
  • If you would like to create more than three private podcasts, you must contact the customer support

7. Simplecast

Price: Pricing options start at $15

The distribution, analytics, and sharing tools this podcast hosting platform provides are powerful enough to cater even for the most demanding podcasting needs. Simplecast lets you choose from a variety of themes that are optimized for mobile devices and search engines. It also enables you to customize the colors of each theme with its website builder. All podcasts you upload to Simplecast can be shared on all of the podcast directories that attract millions of listeners. What’s more, the platform makes monitoring the statistics your podcasts generate easy, so that you can discover new ways to reach new audiences.

Pros

  • Websites built with Simplecast are secure
  • Great selection of web-players
  • Provides detailed statistics for all podcasts
  • Doesn’t restrict the bandwidth or storage space

Cons

  • The size of the team using Simplecast can’t exceed eight members
  • Building more than three pages with Simplecast isn’t an option

8. Spreaker

Price: Free, pricing options start at $7 per month

Spreaker is an affordable podcast hosting platform for all podcasters who are just starting out or looking for a new platform they can use to host their shows. In addition, you can also stream your podcasts live, although their maximum duration depends on the subscription plan you have. The storage space you are going to have at your disposal also varies from one pricing plan to another, but even the free version of Spreaker lets you store up to five hours of audio on the cloud. However, there are no limits to the number of listeners which enables you to grow your audience continually.

Pros

  • An inexpensive option for both novice and seasoned podcasters
  • A fully customizable RSS feed
  • Supports content migrations through RSS feed
  • Provides excellent monetization options

Cons

  • The storage space is limited
  • You must purchase the Broadcaster subscription model in order to gain access to the platform’s analytics tools.

9. Libsyn

Price: Pricing options start at $5

This platform integrates with more than twenty podcast apps, social media platforms, and WordPress websites via the OnPublish feature. Libsyin features powerful scheduling tools, which enables you to choose the exact date and time when the next episode of your podcast is going to be published. The RSS is compliant with Apple Podcasts, which makes it easier to add a title, choose a category or write podcast summaries for each new episode you would like to optimize for playback on Apple devices. Libsyn offers Double Opt-in Advertising and MyLibSyn Premium Paywall monetization options so that you can choose the method of earning money through this podcast hosting platform that is the most convenient for you.

Pros

  • Supports audio, video, text and PDF hosting
  • Excellent podcast distribution capabilities
  • Cheaper than most of its competitors
  • Creating a publishing schedule for your podcasts is easy

Cons

  • Very limited storage space, regardless of the pricing plan you purchase
  • Underwhelming statistics tracking options

10. Podomatic

Price: Free, pricing options start at $8,32

The options you will have at your disposal if you opt to publish your podcasts with Podomatic, largely depends on the subscription model you have. Even though anyone can use this podcast platform for free, the bandwidth and storage space that are available on the free version of Podomatic can limit your options. Besides, publishing podcasts, you can also use the platform to listen to podcasts, from browsers or iPhone and Android devices. Podomatic lets you monetize your podcasts by connecting your Patreon account to your podcast website or by adding Podomatic Podcast to Advertise Cast.

Pros:

  • Podomatic app is available for both iOS and Android devices
  • Podcast published through Podomatic can be played directly from Twitter and Facebook feeds
  • Equipped with a powerful drag-and-drop website builder
  • Offers a variety of themes designed exclusively for podcasts

Cons

  • Unlimited storage space and bandwidth are only available in the Enterprise subscription model
  • Offers only basic podcast statistics

Part 2: The Most Frequently Asked Questions about Podcast Hosting Platforms

In order to add episodes of your podcasts to podcast directories, you must meet only three requirements. Your audio file must be saved in the MP3 format, you must have access to the podcast hosting platform, and you must be able to add a podcast to an RSS feed. The hosting platform you selected will utilize its RSS feed to distribute your podcasts to the apps and services your audience is using to listen to them and deliver a new episode of your show to your listeners as soon as you publish it. The reach of your podcasts, your monetization capabilities or whether or not you will be able to create custom domains depends on the podcast hosting platform you choose.

What is podcast hosting and what are its main benefits?

All podcast hosting platforms let their users store their podcasts online and create an RSS feed for them that is used to add podcast to different podcast directories. Besides sending each new episode of your podcast to your subscribers, podcast hosting platforms also enable you to track their performance and learn which apps were used to access them as well as a plethora of other relevant metrics. Some podcast hosting platforms feature website builders that allow you to create custom domain landing pages, blogs or add widgets.

Why do I need podcast hosting services?

Podcast hosting services simplify the process of storing and publishing podcasts and ensure that each new episode you publish reaches your subscribers. In addition, most platforms offer a quick and easy way to add tags, cover art or podcast descriptions, so that you can provide all the information your listeners need to find your podcasts effortlessly.

How to select the right podcast hosting platform?

The reason why you are creating a podcast can often help you figure out which podcast hosting platform is the best option for you. If you would like to periodically share short interviews or simply have fun with your friends, then choosing a free version of a podcast hosting platform is your best option.

However, if you take podcasting seriously, finding out how much storage space a platform offers or the maximum bandwidth can help you decide if the platform you are considering is the right choice for you. Moreover, podcasters who also create video podcasts should check if the platform they would like to use to distribute their podcasts supports hosting and publishing video files. Ultimately, the amount of money you are willing to spend on subscription will determine which podcast hosting platform to pick since there is no reason to spend vast amounts of money on features you have no intention of using.

Is podcast hosting free?

Even though most podcast hosting platforms either have free versions or free trial, podcast hosting over an extended period of time is never free. Each platform offers different pricing options and lets you choose the one that is best suited for your needs. If you decide to publish your podcasts with a free version of the podcast hosting platform, you should keep in mind that the scope of your options is going to be limited.

What is the average cost of podcast hosting services?

The cost of a monthly subscription for a podcast hosting service can be anywhere between $7 and $99. The majority of basic and pro pricing plans can be purchased for less than $20, but if you would like to utilize all the features a podcast hosting platform has to offer, then your monthly subscription can cost much more than a hundred dollars. Lower priced options often lack advanced file-sharing tools or don’t provide integrations features, which is the reason why you should only consider them if you just need a quick way to publish a podcast.

Conclusion

Each step of the process of creating a podcast is equally important, and the quality of the microphone you’re using to record an episode of your podcast is of no less significance than the hosting platform you’re using to publish a podcast. Each podcast hosting platform we included in this article ensures that your podcasts are delivered to all of your subscribers, but which one you are going to choose depends on a plethora of factors that range from a platform’s storage capacity to the number of podcast directories to which your podcasts are added. Which podcast hosting platform are you using to publish your podcasts? Leave a comment and let us know.

author avatar

Benjamin Arango

Benjamin Arango is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Benjamin Arango

Benjamin Arango

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Covering interesting topics in your podcasts or using professional audio recording and editing tools to process them, won’t mean much if you cannot reach your audience. Uploading a large numbers of audio files to your own website is not always an option, since the storage space, you have at your disposal may be too small to store all of your podcasts.

That is where podcast hosting platforms like Buzzsprout or Podbean come in, to help podcasters store their content safely and deliver their latest podcast to different apps and directories through the RSS feed.

With so many options out there, finding a podcast hosting platform can be a daunting task for podcasters who are just starting out. So, in this article, we are going to take you through the ten best podcast hosting platforms and provide you with answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about podcast hosting services.

Comparison of the Best Podcast Hosting Platforms

Are you too busy to go through all of the podcast hosting platforms we featured in this article? Do not worry, here’s a quick comparison of the best podcast hosting platforms.

Hosting Platform Subscription Cost Storage Bandwidth Podcast Analytics RSS Support Website host
Buzzsprout Ranges from free to $24 Unlimited 250 GB Yes Yes Yes
Blubrry Ranges from $12 to $80 per month 100 MB Unlimited Yes Yes Yes
Castos Ranges from $19 to $49 per month Unlimited Unlimited Yes Yes Yes
Podbean Ranges from free to $99 per month Unlimited Unlimited Yes Yes Yes
Podiant Ranges from $12,99 to 35,97 per month Unlimited Unlimited Yes Yes Yes
Transistor.fm Ranges from $19,00 to $99 per month Unlimited Unlimited Yes Yes Yes
Simplecast Ranges from $15 to $85 per month Unlimited 20,000 downloads Yes Yes Yes
Speaker Ranges from free to $50 per month Varies from 5 to 1500 hours Unlimited Yes Yes No
Libsyn Ranges from $5 to $150 per month Varies between 50 MB and 80 MB Unlimited Yes Yes Yes
PODOMATIC Ranges from free to $20, 82 per month Limited, depends on the subscription model Limited, depends on the subscription model Yes Yes Yes

Part 1: Top Ten Podcast Hosting Platforms

Building an audience for your podcast can take months, sometimes even years, and for that reason having access to a reliable hosting platform that lets you distribute new episodes of your podcast effortlessly is vital for their success. Factors that range from subscription fees to RSS support can influence your choice of a podcast hosting platform, so let’s take a look at what some of the best hosting platforms for podcasters have to offer.

1. Buzzsprout

Price: Free, pricing options start at $12 per month

The fact that over 100,000 podcasters used Buzzsprout’s services to launch their podcasts, shows how highly esteemed the platform is within the podcasting community. The episode automation feature enables you to just upload an audio file and it takes care of the ID3 tags and bitrates for you. Buzzsprout grants you access to a huge audience by allowing your subscribers to listen to your podcast from Spotify, Apple and Google Podcasts, Alexa or Overcast. The platform also provides you with advanced statistics for each episode of your podcast you upload. So, you can easily find out which apps they are using to listen to your podcasts or to learn the location at which your podcast was played.

Pros

  • Unlimited storage space
  • 90-day trial period
  • Grants users access to most popular podcast directories
  • Offers monetization options through affiliate marketing

Cons

  • Bandwidth is limited to 250 GB
  • The free version of Buzzsprout places ads to your podcasts on public sites

2. Blubrry

Price: Pricing options start at $12 per month

Uploading a new podcast and publishing it through Blubrry is a simple three-step process that can be completed in just a few minutes. This hosting platform grants you complete control over the iTunes’ RSS feed and it is optimized for the use on Android devices. In case you are considering moving from another platform like Libsyn or SoundCloud, you can easily migrate all of your content to Blubrry. Even though this podcast hosting platform features analytics tools you must purchase the Podcast Statistics package if you want to have a clear overview of the statistics your podcasts are generating.

Pros

  • The effortless podcast publishing process
  • Offers WordPress plugins
  • Free and easy media migration
  • Unlimited bandwidth

Cons

  • Storage space depends on the subscription plan
  • Access to analytics tools is not free

3. Castos

Price: Pricing options start at $19 per month

If you are searching for a platform that places no limits on your storage space or the bandwidth then you shouldn’t look much further than Castos. The platform lets you create as many new shows as you want and allows you to upload an unlimited number of episodes to each show you create. Podcasts you upload to Castos are automatically shared to all of the most popular podcast directories, including Sticher, iTunes, Spotify or Google Play. You can also transcribe all of your podcasts with a click of a button, but you must pay a small fee for each minute of the podcast you transcribe.

Pros

  • Fully customizable podcast player
  • Offers support for both audio and video podcasts
  • Advanced analytics tools
  • Grants podcasters access to all of the most popular podcast directories

Cons

  • Short free trial period
  • Video republishing to YouTube is only available within the Growth subscription model

4. Podbean

Price: Free, pricing options start at $9 per month

Podcasters who would like to have their own full-featured podcast website and gain access to a website builder can hardly go wrong if they opt for Podbean. Moreover, you’ll be able to use your own domain and your branding if you create an account on this hosting platform. Podbean offers a broad selection of podcast templates and lets you choose the layout. Furthermore, Podbean provides excellent monetization opportunities, either through advertising, crowdfunding or premium content. The free version of the podcast hosting platform offers only limited broadband and storage space, while video support is only available if you purchase Unlimited Plus or Business pricing plans.

Pros

  • Compatible with iPhone and Android apps and embeddable media players
  • Provides RSS and iTunes support
  • Offers a broad selection of podcast themes
  • Allows podcasters to create their own podcast sites

Cons

  • You must upgrade from the free version in order to have unlimited storage and bandwidth
  • Running multiple podcast channels is only possible if you have the Business pricing plan

5. Podiant

Price: Pricing plans start at $12,99

Podiant grants you access to all the tools you are going to need to upload and publish a new episode of your podcast. In fact, 22,200 podcast episodes are published through Poidant each day that are delivered to hundreds of thousands of listeners around the globe. The platform lets you choose from a broad range of themes, but it also features a templating engine that allows you to change the code on your podcasting site. Moreover, you can use Poidant to create a blog, embed content from Twitter, Instagram or YouTube in order to extend the reach of your podcasts and broaden their audience.

Pros

  • Allows users to host all their shows on one website
  • No bandwidth and storage space limitations
  • Compatible with all major podcasting directories and apps
  • Supports integrations through Zapier

Cons

  • The quality of the analytics data depends on the subscription plan
  • The free trial period lasts only two weeks

6. Transistor

Price: Pricing plans start at $19,00 per month

Professional podcasters and creatives from every corner of the world are already using Transistor to publish their podcasts. This podcast hosting platform makes all episodes of your podcasts available on Spotify, Overcast, and other popular podcast directories. Moreover, you can create unlimited podcasts and upload as many episodes as you want to the website you created with Transistor. The platform produces analytics reports for each of your podcasts, regardless of the pricing plan you own, but the number of collaborators on a single Transistor account depends on the subscription model. The number of monthly podcast downloads is limited and it varies from one pricing plan to another.

Pros

  • Allows users to create private podcast feeds
  • Supports integrations with email marketing platforms like Drip or MailChimp
  • Embeddable podcast player
  • The functionally organized RSS feed

Cons

  • You must purchase the Business subscription model to remove the Transistor’s branding
  • If you would like to create more than three private podcasts, you must contact the customer support

7. Simplecast

Price: Pricing options start at $15

The distribution, analytics, and sharing tools this podcast hosting platform provides are powerful enough to cater even for the most demanding podcasting needs. Simplecast lets you choose from a variety of themes that are optimized for mobile devices and search engines. It also enables you to customize the colors of each theme with its website builder. All podcasts you upload to Simplecast can be shared on all of the podcast directories that attract millions of listeners. What’s more, the platform makes monitoring the statistics your podcasts generate easy, so that you can discover new ways to reach new audiences.

Pros

  • Websites built with Simplecast are secure
  • Great selection of web-players
  • Provides detailed statistics for all podcasts
  • Doesn’t restrict the bandwidth or storage space

Cons

  • The size of the team using Simplecast can’t exceed eight members
  • Building more than three pages with Simplecast isn’t an option

8. Spreaker

Price: Free, pricing options start at $7 per month

Spreaker is an affordable podcast hosting platform for all podcasters who are just starting out or looking for a new platform they can use to host their shows. In addition, you can also stream your podcasts live, although their maximum duration depends on the subscription plan you have. The storage space you are going to have at your disposal also varies from one pricing plan to another, but even the free version of Spreaker lets you store up to five hours of audio on the cloud. However, there are no limits to the number of listeners which enables you to grow your audience continually.

Pros

  • An inexpensive option for both novice and seasoned podcasters
  • A fully customizable RSS feed
  • Supports content migrations through RSS feed
  • Provides excellent monetization options

Cons

  • The storage space is limited
  • You must purchase the Broadcaster subscription model in order to gain access to the platform’s analytics tools.

9. Libsyn

Price: Pricing options start at $5

This platform integrates with more than twenty podcast apps, social media platforms, and WordPress websites via the OnPublish feature. Libsyin features powerful scheduling tools, which enables you to choose the exact date and time when the next episode of your podcast is going to be published. The RSS is compliant with Apple Podcasts, which makes it easier to add a title, choose a category or write podcast summaries for each new episode you would like to optimize for playback on Apple devices. Libsyn offers Double Opt-in Advertising and MyLibSyn Premium Paywall monetization options so that you can choose the method of earning money through this podcast hosting platform that is the most convenient for you.

Pros

  • Supports audio, video, text and PDF hosting
  • Excellent podcast distribution capabilities
  • Cheaper than most of its competitors
  • Creating a publishing schedule for your podcasts is easy

Cons

  • Very limited storage space, regardless of the pricing plan you purchase
  • Underwhelming statistics tracking options

10. Podomatic

Price: Free, pricing options start at $8,32

The options you will have at your disposal if you opt to publish your podcasts with Podomatic, largely depends on the subscription model you have. Even though anyone can use this podcast platform for free, the bandwidth and storage space that are available on the free version of Podomatic can limit your options. Besides, publishing podcasts, you can also use the platform to listen to podcasts, from browsers or iPhone and Android devices. Podomatic lets you monetize your podcasts by connecting your Patreon account to your podcast website or by adding Podomatic Podcast to Advertise Cast.

Pros:

  • Podomatic app is available for both iOS and Android devices
  • Podcast published through Podomatic can be played directly from Twitter and Facebook feeds
  • Equipped with a powerful drag-and-drop website builder
  • Offers a variety of themes designed exclusively for podcasts

Cons

  • Unlimited storage space and bandwidth are only available in the Enterprise subscription model
  • Offers only basic podcast statistics

Part 2: The Most Frequently Asked Questions about Podcast Hosting Platforms

In order to add episodes of your podcasts to podcast directories, you must meet only three requirements. Your audio file must be saved in the MP3 format, you must have access to the podcast hosting platform, and you must be able to add a podcast to an RSS feed. The hosting platform you selected will utilize its RSS feed to distribute your podcasts to the apps and services your audience is using to listen to them and deliver a new episode of your show to your listeners as soon as you publish it. The reach of your podcasts, your monetization capabilities or whether or not you will be able to create custom domains depends on the podcast hosting platform you choose.

What is podcast hosting and what are its main benefits?

All podcast hosting platforms let their users store their podcasts online and create an RSS feed for them that is used to add podcast to different podcast directories. Besides sending each new episode of your podcast to your subscribers, podcast hosting platforms also enable you to track their performance and learn which apps were used to access them as well as a plethora of other relevant metrics. Some podcast hosting platforms feature website builders that allow you to create custom domain landing pages, blogs or add widgets.

Why do I need podcast hosting services?

Podcast hosting services simplify the process of storing and publishing podcasts and ensure that each new episode you publish reaches your subscribers. In addition, most platforms offer a quick and easy way to add tags, cover art or podcast descriptions, so that you can provide all the information your listeners need to find your podcasts effortlessly.

How to select the right podcast hosting platform?

The reason why you are creating a podcast can often help you figure out which podcast hosting platform is the best option for you. If you would like to periodically share short interviews or simply have fun with your friends, then choosing a free version of a podcast hosting platform is your best option.

However, if you take podcasting seriously, finding out how much storage space a platform offers or the maximum bandwidth can help you decide if the platform you are considering is the right choice for you. Moreover, podcasters who also create video podcasts should check if the platform they would like to use to distribute their podcasts supports hosting and publishing video files. Ultimately, the amount of money you are willing to spend on subscription will determine which podcast hosting platform to pick since there is no reason to spend vast amounts of money on features you have no intention of using.

Is podcast hosting free?

Even though most podcast hosting platforms either have free versions or free trial, podcast hosting over an extended period of time is never free. Each platform offers different pricing options and lets you choose the one that is best suited for your needs. If you decide to publish your podcasts with a free version of the podcast hosting platform, you should keep in mind that the scope of your options is going to be limited.

What is the average cost of podcast hosting services?

The cost of a monthly subscription for a podcast hosting service can be anywhere between $7 and $99. The majority of basic and pro pricing plans can be purchased for less than $20, but if you would like to utilize all the features a podcast hosting platform has to offer, then your monthly subscription can cost much more than a hundred dollars. Lower priced options often lack advanced file-sharing tools or don’t provide integrations features, which is the reason why you should only consider them if you just need a quick way to publish a podcast.

Conclusion

Each step of the process of creating a podcast is equally important, and the quality of the microphone you’re using to record an episode of your podcast is of no less significance than the hosting platform you’re using to publish a podcast. Each podcast hosting platform we included in this article ensures that your podcasts are delivered to all of your subscribers, but which one you are going to choose depends on a plethora of factors that range from a platform’s storage capacity to the number of podcast directories to which your podcasts are added. Which podcast hosting platform are you using to publish your podcasts? Leave a comment and let us know.

author avatar

Benjamin Arango

Benjamin Arango is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Benjamin Arango

The Future of Filmmaking: Bridging Audio and Visuals in the Digital Age

How to Merge Video and Audio

author avatar

Shanoon Cox

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Sometimes you want to merge an new audio track to the source video or overlap the original audio of the video. Then Wondershare Filmora might come in handy. This video editing application supports various video formats like MP4, FLV, AVI and MKV and has an ability to add/replace the audio in a video file without requiring any extra codec. You can even record your own voiceover and add it to the original video. This article introduces how to merge video and audio with this powerful tool.

To begin with, get a free trial of Wondershare Filmora.

Download Win VersionDownload Mac Version ](https://tools.techidaily.com/wondershare/filmora/download/ )

1. Import the video and audio files

Wondershare Filmora has a simplistic and intuitive interface. You can either drag and drop files to the media library directly or click “Import” button to load as many audio or video files as you need. This video editing tool supports a vast range of formats, so you don’t need to worry about any loading problems.

import-source-files

2. Merge Video and Audio

After importing your videos to the media library, you can drag-n-drop the video and audio files to the video and audio track respectively. After that, you can align the video with the audio file on the timeline to merge them. Or if you want to replace the audio in the source video with the new audio file, you can right click the video on the track, select Detach Audio, and the original audio from the video will be detached out to the audio track. Then you can delete the detached audio from the track, add your new audio file to the audio track again, and finally align it with the video.

filmora9-detach-audio

Tip: If the audio file needs further editing, just double click it on the audio track, and the audio editing panel will pop up. Then you can adjust the volume, set fade in/fade out, tune the pitch and denoise the audio as you like.

3. Export the file

After aligning the video with the audio on the timeline, hit “Export” to merge them together. You can save it as any file format you like. Besides that, you can also upload the merged video to YouTube directly, or burn to DVD.

filmora9-export-panel

So if you need an audio or video merger for your media files, give Wondershare Filmora a try and see what it does for you.

Download Win VersionDownload Mac Version ](https://tools.techidaily.com/wondershare/filmora/download/ )

author avatar

Shanoon Cox

Shanoon Cox is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Shanoon Cox

Shanoon Cox

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Sometimes you want to merge an new audio track to the source video or overlap the original audio of the video. Then Wondershare Filmora might come in handy. This video editing application supports various video formats like MP4, FLV, AVI and MKV and has an ability to add/replace the audio in a video file without requiring any extra codec. You can even record your own voiceover and add it to the original video. This article introduces how to merge video and audio with this powerful tool.

To begin with, get a free trial of Wondershare Filmora.

Download Win VersionDownload Mac Version ](https://tools.techidaily.com/wondershare/filmora/download/ )

1. Import the video and audio files

Wondershare Filmora has a simplistic and intuitive interface. You can either drag and drop files to the media library directly or click “Import” button to load as many audio or video files as you need. This video editing tool supports a vast range of formats, so you don’t need to worry about any loading problems.

import-source-files

2. Merge Video and Audio

After importing your videos to the media library, you can drag-n-drop the video and audio files to the video and audio track respectively. After that, you can align the video with the audio file on the timeline to merge them. Or if you want to replace the audio in the source video with the new audio file, you can right click the video on the track, select Detach Audio, and the original audio from the video will be detached out to the audio track. Then you can delete the detached audio from the track, add your new audio file to the audio track again, and finally align it with the video.

filmora9-detach-audio

Tip: If the audio file needs further editing, just double click it on the audio track, and the audio editing panel will pop up. Then you can adjust the volume, set fade in/fade out, tune the pitch and denoise the audio as you like.

3. Export the file

After aligning the video with the audio on the timeline, hit “Export” to merge them together. You can save it as any file format you like. Besides that, you can also upload the merged video to YouTube directly, or burn to DVD.

filmora9-export-panel

So if you need an audio or video merger for your media files, give Wondershare Filmora a try and see what it does for you.

Download Win VersionDownload Mac Version ](https://tools.techidaily.com/wondershare/filmora/download/ )

author avatar

Shanoon Cox

Shanoon Cox is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Shanoon Cox

Shanoon Cox

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Sometimes you want to merge an new audio track to the source video or overlap the original audio of the video. Then Wondershare Filmora might come in handy. This video editing application supports various video formats like MP4, FLV, AVI and MKV and has an ability to add/replace the audio in a video file without requiring any extra codec. You can even record your own voiceover and add it to the original video. This article introduces how to merge video and audio with this powerful tool.

To begin with, get a free trial of Wondershare Filmora.

Download Win VersionDownload Mac Version ](https://tools.techidaily.com/wondershare/filmora/download/ )

1. Import the video and audio files

Wondershare Filmora has a simplistic and intuitive interface. You can either drag and drop files to the media library directly or click “Import” button to load as many audio or video files as you need. This video editing tool supports a vast range of formats, so you don’t need to worry about any loading problems.

import-source-files

2. Merge Video and Audio

After importing your videos to the media library, you can drag-n-drop the video and audio files to the video and audio track respectively. After that, you can align the video with the audio file on the timeline to merge them. Or if you want to replace the audio in the source video with the new audio file, you can right click the video on the track, select Detach Audio, and the original audio from the video will be detached out to the audio track. Then you can delete the detached audio from the track, add your new audio file to the audio track again, and finally align it with the video.

filmora9-detach-audio

Tip: If the audio file needs further editing, just double click it on the audio track, and the audio editing panel will pop up. Then you can adjust the volume, set fade in/fade out, tune the pitch and denoise the audio as you like.

3. Export the file

After aligning the video with the audio on the timeline, hit “Export” to merge them together. You can save it as any file format you like. Besides that, you can also upload the merged video to YouTube directly, or burn to DVD.

filmora9-export-panel

So if you need an audio or video merger for your media files, give Wondershare Filmora a try and see what it does for you.

Download Win VersionDownload Mac Version ](https://tools.techidaily.com/wondershare/filmora/download/ )

author avatar

Shanoon Cox

Shanoon Cox is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Shanoon Cox

Shanoon Cox

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Sometimes you want to merge an new audio track to the source video or overlap the original audio of the video. Then Wondershare Filmora might come in handy. This video editing application supports various video formats like MP4, FLV, AVI and MKV and has an ability to add/replace the audio in a video file without requiring any extra codec. You can even record your own voiceover and add it to the original video. This article introduces how to merge video and audio with this powerful tool.

To begin with, get a free trial of Wondershare Filmora.

Download Win VersionDownload Mac Version ](https://tools.techidaily.com/wondershare/filmora/download/ )

1. Import the video and audio files

Wondershare Filmora has a simplistic and intuitive interface. You can either drag and drop files to the media library directly or click “Import” button to load as many audio or video files as you need. This video editing tool supports a vast range of formats, so you don’t need to worry about any loading problems.

import-source-files

2. Merge Video and Audio

After importing your videos to the media library, you can drag-n-drop the video and audio files to the video and audio track respectively. After that, you can align the video with the audio file on the timeline to merge them. Or if you want to replace the audio in the source video with the new audio file, you can right click the video on the track, select Detach Audio, and the original audio from the video will be detached out to the audio track. Then you can delete the detached audio from the track, add your new audio file to the audio track again, and finally align it with the video.

filmora9-detach-audio

Tip: If the audio file needs further editing, just double click it on the audio track, and the audio editing panel will pop up. Then you can adjust the volume, set fade in/fade out, tune the pitch and denoise the audio as you like.

3. Export the file

After aligning the video with the audio on the timeline, hit “Export” to merge them together. You can save it as any file format you like. Besides that, you can also upload the merged video to YouTube directly, or burn to DVD.

filmora9-export-panel

So if you need an audio or video merger for your media files, give Wondershare Filmora a try and see what it does for you.

Download Win VersionDownload Mac Version ](https://tools.techidaily.com/wondershare/filmora/download/ )

author avatar

Shanoon Cox

Shanoon Cox is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Shanoon Cox

Podcast Directories: Your Complete Resource List

Submitting your podcast show on different platforms is essential to get the right audiences. As we all know, the more podcast directories you publish your show, the more listeners you get.

Yet, finding the ideal choices can take time and effort with many podcast directories available online. Worry less. We’ve compiled a list of the best podcast directories you can always count on to publish your podcast show anytime.

  1. YouTube
  2. Spotify
  3. Apple Podcasts
  4. Google Podcasts
  5. Pandora
  6. Audible
  7. NPR One
  8. Tune In
  9. Podcast Addict
  10. RadioPublic
  11. Overcast
  12. Pocket Casts
  13. CastBox
  14. Stitcher

Part 1. What are podcast directories?

A podcast directory is a listening app. It’s the place where podcasts and their listeners meet. Podcast listeners search for, subscribe to, and listen to your Podcast using their podcast directory of choice. Popular podcast directories include Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts.

Part 2. 15 Top podcast directories to focus on in 2024

Thankfully, research conducted by EdisonResearch shows the weekly audience reach of top podcast directories. So this list will help us locate the best podcasting directories. And it can multiply your audience size and quickly reach a more extensive user base.

According to Edison Research, the top 15 Podcast Networks are:

edison podcast metrics

You must retain that Edison’s research only analyzes the US podcast services. Yet, our guide has compiled the best podcasting directories to connect with users worldwide.

Below you will find the list of top podcast directories and their reviews. But keep in mind that when it comes to podcast directories, there is no such thing as best or worse. Instead, it’s all about the user base and audience reach. So, it is best to submit your podcasts to multiple podcasting directories.

1. YouTube

With a monthly active user base of 2.5 billion, YouTube should be the top choice of any podcast creator. According to a recent survey by Statista, YouTube took over Spotify to become the largest platform for podcast consumption worldwide. Additionally, 47.7% of the US audience prefers YouTube over other platforms for listening to podcasts.

Not to forget, YouTube comes pre-installed on all smartphones and is also accessible via the Web to users worldwide. Another benefit of YouTube is that it is free for creators and users. Plus, once you grow your user base, it also allows you to get surplus revenue.

podcast directory youtube

Of course, YouTube is a video-only platform. Still, you can use tools like Wondershare Filmora to create video-based podcasts seamlessly. You can simply convert the video podcasts into an audio format using Filmora itself and then reupload the same Podcast to even audio-based podcast directories.

Free Download For Win 7 or later(64-bit)

Free Download For macOS 10.14 or later

Tools like Fimora also allow you to directly publish the created Podcast on YouTube (so you do not have to worry about video requirements mandatory for YouTube).

  • User Review of YouTube on G2: “YouTube is one of those sites that you can’t live without for a business. Everyone knows what YouTube is, and users (globally) use the platform daily.”
  • Monthly User Base: Over 2.5 billion active users.
  • Supported OS: All major OS and web browsers.

2. Spotify

Spotify has over 389 million listeners across 187 markets worldwide. Available on all major OS and its web presence makes it one of the best directories of podcasts on the internet.

Aside from its audience base, Spotify also provides real-time insights, like who your audience is, what they like, which episodes they prefer, and even what songs they want. All these insights will also help you plan your future content according to the audience.

podcast directory spotify

Spotify’s personalized recommendations and algorithms are another pluses, given you can get discovered easily/ Like YouTube, Spotify allows you to upload even video podcasts. While you can also create and upload podcasts in audio format only.

  • User Review of Spotify on G2: “I can find any song, artist, album, and even podcasts at any time and no commercials.”
  • Monthly User Base: Over 360 million active users.
  • Supported OS: All major OS and web browsers.

3. Apple Podcasts

Apple Podcast is another top directory for a podcast that creators cannot ignore. Given it is an exclusive-podcast platform, its 28.5 million active user base in more than 170 countries and regions is enough to tell its greatness.

It is essential to understand that YouTube and Spotify are not exclusive podcast platforms like Apple Podcasts. And while Spotify and YouTube are best for connecting novice podcast listeners, Apple Podcast is the way to go if you want to connect with a dedicated podcast community.

podcast directory apple podcast

The best thing about the Apple Podcast directory is it allows you to create a podcast (via Apple Podcast Connect), but you must be an Apple user. However, you can submit your podcasts to Apple Podcast via RSS feed even if you are not an Apple user.

In all, given Apple Podcast is available for Apple users and is known by default on all Apple devices (the most prominent smartphone company in the world), Apple Podcast is a must-use podcast directory.

  • User Review of Apple Podcast: “Apple once again nails with simplicity, millions of shows of my interest, and freemium service.”
  • Monthly User Base: Over 28.5 million active users.
  • Supported OS: All Apple devices.

4. Google Podcasts

Google Podcasts has over 100 million downloads on Play Store alone and is also available on the web, App Store, Blackberry, and ChromeOS users. A completely subscription-free and ad-free platform, Google Podcasts is one of the top podcasting directories among users.

However, unlike the Apple Podcast directory, it does not have a studio, so you can only submit your podcasts via RSS feeds. Still, its user base and the advanced algorithms are an opportunity to connect with users who like the subjects you discuss.

podcast directory google podcasts

Like Spotify and Apple Podcast directories, Google Podcasts also show you real-time analytics and guide you about users so that you can plan your content accordingly. Given that it only requires a Google account to start, it is another top podcast directory you cannot ignore.

  • User Review of Google Podcast

“Google Podcast includes everything that a podcast listener wants. It’s simple, free, and includes valuable options like Sleep Timer, Playback speed, and more.”

  • Monthly User Base: Over 30 million active users.
  • Supported OS: Dedicated apps for all major OS and web presence.

5. Pandora

Pandora has over 64 million monthly active users, with a listener spending up to 24 hours/monthly on the platform. It explains that users spend up to 45 minutes on the Pandora platform tuning in to their favorite podcasts. Again, its search-based algorithms allow you to get discovered by users that like subjects and topics on which you’re creating podcasts, meaning it is simple to connect with a large user base conveniently.

podcast directory pandora

Pandora only accepts podcasts via RSS feed, which should be in MP3 format. But recent notifications have shown more audio formats will be added.

However, it is vital to retain that Pandora Podcast’s team critically analyzes all submissions manually. So, it might take up to 4-6 weeks for your first Podcast to appear on the platform.

  • User Review of Pandora Podcast

“Pandora Podcasts recommendations are a blessing for me, who always finds it confusing to locate the right episode to spend my time on.”

  • Monthly User Base: Over 64 million active users.
  • Supported OS: Dedicated apps for all major OS and web presence.

6. Audible

Although popular among audiobook lovers, Audible has a considerable podcast following too. Its monthly active user base is around 41 million. The biggest benefit of registering your Podcast on the Audible directory of podcasts is that it connects with users who use Alexa to discover new podcasts.

Besides Audible, the Podcast will also be available for users of the Amazon Music app. That means you can connect with even more users via one submission only. Not to forget, Amazon Prime Video (a massive following) users get a free subscription to Amazon Music, so there’s a perfect chance that you will connect with users conveniently.

podcast directory audible

It is important to note that both Amazon Music and Audible offer podcasts for entirely free to users, so a more extensive user base prefers these platforms over paid platforms.

  • User Review of Pandora Podcast

“You get to listen to any audiobook in the “included” library no matter which subscription you purchase..”

  • Monthly User Base: Over 64 million active users.
  • Supported OS: Android, iOS,

7. NPR One

podcast directory npr one

With an average listener spending up to 145 minutes weekly, the NPR One podcast directory is one of the best podcast directories you can trust to submit your show online. The podcast directory has a userbase of over 500 thousand users globally, and

  • User Review of NPR One Podcast

“I’ve been using this app for years now. It’s been my trusty companion to give me the news. I primarily use it with the sleep timer. I’m not a super picky consumer, especially when I don’t pay for the app!

But for many months now, the sleep timer will frequently think the time is up and shut off the player well before it should. The player will often shut off within 5 minutes of using the 30 min sleep timer. It’s annoying to open the player hit resume, and reset the sleep timer.”

  • Monthly User Base: 500 thousand
  • Supported OS: Android, iOS

8. Tune In

podcast directory tunein

Technically, TuneIn is a radio. But lately, it has become prevalent amongst podcast listeners to find their favorite shows and also listen to music. The podcast directory has a global user base of over 75 million and a monthly visit of 7million+, which makes it a great spot for any podcaster to publish their show.

  • User Review of Tune In Podcast

“I’ve been using the app for 4 years. I like it, but there are some annoying “features.”

  1. the screen won’t time out when the app is active.

  2. the developers must have recently made a change. I used to search through my list of “recent” (there were about 20) to look for new episodes of my favorite podcasts.

Now, the app only allows me to see the last four podcasts or stations I have listened to. So it is not helpful.’

  • Monthly User Base: Over 7 million active users
  • Supported OS: Dedicated apps for all major OS and web presence.

9. Podcast Addict

podcast directory podcast addict

With over 10 million downloads on Google Playstore, Podcast Addict is one of Android’s most popular podcast apps. You can publish your podcast show, as it allows you to connect with the ideal audience quickly and easily.

Also, Podcast Addict is one of the few podcast directories available in various languages, including French and German. So it’s a perfect choice non-English podcasters.

  • User Review of PodcastAddit

**”**Been using this for years. It does everything I could ever want when listening/ referencing/ re-listening to my favorite podcasts and a lot more.

I’ve suffered through having to use other podcast players (e.g., listening to something “exclusive”), but I couldn’t stand the inane simplicity of other players long enough to finish their content.

Also, it takes a bit to get used to (especially if you’re coming from other stripped-down players), but very worth the small effort for a powerful app.”

  • Monthly User Base: Over 750 thousand active users.
  • Supported OS: Dedicated Android App and web presence.

10. RadioPublic

podcast directory radiopublic

Having been in the game for over 15 years, RadioPublic is another excellent podcast directory you can count on to submit your show. Although the platform does not have a massive user base compared to its competitors, it will help you grow your listeners and business by getting your podcast show to the right audience.

On RadioPublic, an average listener spends up to 72 minutes every day finding new podcast shows and listening to new episodes from their favorite podcasts. And given that the platform offers many robust features, listeners can enjoy a seamless listening experience on any device.

Overall, the RadioPublic podcast directory offers you a smart way to publish your show and grow your audience without going through stress.

  • User Review of RadioPublic

“Glad I waited a while to find a podcast website provider. Starting from scratch in WordPress seemed too much hassle. Luckily the site came along while I was dithering about what to do.

The RadioPublic team onboarded the other 5 billion podcasts as one of the first examples, and I’m delighted to have chosen this option. Already, my pod site feels “complete” to look at, and more features are coming soon that will help with marketing, understanding listeners, and building a podcast brand.”

  • Monthly User Base: Over 300 Thousand active users
  • Supported OS: Dedicated apps for all major OS and web presence.

11. Overcast

podcast directory overcast

Overcast is a dedicated podcast app for Apple devices, and what makes it a great podcast directory is that it offers unique features that attract many listeners.

On this platform, you’ll be allowed to display advertising slots, enabling listeners to subscribe to your podcast show within a few clicks. Plus, unlike many of its competitors, listeners have control over what podcast show is displayed in the featured podcast section. It is helpful as it lets listeners quickly discover every new episode you publish.

Overall, many incredible features make Overcast a good choice, and chances are your Podcast will get to real listeners when you publish them here.

  • User Review of Overcast

**”**Nice alternative to Apple’s. I’ve been well pleased so far. It isn’t always the most intuitive, but I’ve eventually figured out how to achieve almost everything I’ve wanted to. The benefits of adding a show via RSS have become immediately clear.

Being a subscriber to a show and getting early access episodes and bonus material right in my podcast manager makes it easy to stay up with all my shows.”

  • Monthly User Base: Over 70 Thousand active users.
  • Supported OS: Dedicated app for iOS and web presence.

12. Pocket Casts

podcast directory pocketcasts

If you’re looking for a free podcast directory to publish your Podcast show, Pocket Casts is the ideal one for you. This podcast directory is packed with many rich features that podcasters will find very helpful. In addition, thanks to its beautifully designed website interface, you won’t find the platform difficult to use.

Besides, many listeners love Pocket Podcasts as it offers them incredible features—for example, improved discovery options, playback speed options, and lots more. In addition, they’ve enhanced how they find and listen to podcasts on the platform. You can’t go wrong publishing your show on a platform like this one.

  • User Review of Pocket Casts

“Wonderful app, the most reliable one I’ve found. Even with accounts, most others lose all your progress data which hasn’t happened once with this, and I’ve switched phones 3 times. The progress tracker is so accurate you can pause on one device, open the same account and continue listening. Most apps can’t even keep things downloaded. Search does take a minute but finds stuff no other app does.”

  • Monthly User Base: Over 1 Million active users.
  • Supported OS: Dedicated apps for all major OS and web presence.

13. CastBox

podcast directory castbox

CastBox is another unique podcast directory that podcasters trust to publish their show online. The platform boasts an optimized SEO and artificial intelligence that lets listeners find new podcast shows. Thanks to its massive user base of up to 20 Million users, your Podcast could reach a wide range of audiences quickly and easily.

Also, CastBox offers social media features that allow listeners to comment and share your podcast show on their social media page, thus helping you get your show to more listeners and potentially increase your fanbase.

  • User Review of CastBox

“I’ve been a podcaster for years and an avid podcast listener for a while. So I searched high and low for the best podcast app and distribution service, Castbox. They have a great app and website, a huge content library, and a superb feature set. Also, their app allows offline listening, as I can download my favorite podcast show.”

  • Monthly User Base: Over 1 million active users
  • Supported OS: Dedicated apps for all major OS and web presence.

14. Stitcher

podcast directory stitcher

Last but not least podcast directory on our list is Stitcher. The platform boasts more than 14.5 Million active listeners, with an average listener having up to 25 hours of listening duration per month.

Stitcher helps you alleviate the stress of getting your show to the right audience, and thanks to the platform’s easy podcast submission requirements, you only need to have at least one podcast episode on your RSS Feed to get approved.

Also, Stitcher offers a unique analytic tool that allows you to track the performance of your show on the platform, and what more impressive is that it’s integrated into more than fifty car models. In addition, it works with any vehicle that supports Apple’s CarPlay and Android Auto, which makes it a great choice for podcasters who believe their audience loves to listen to their show while driving.

  • User Review of Stitcher

“So glad I switched! I have my podcasts but didn’t listen to them much - partially because Apple Podcasts is so hard to use. I switched to Stitcher to listen to The Magnus Archives, and I love it!”

  • Monthly User Base: Over 1.5 million active users.
  • Supported OS: Dedicated apps for all major OS and web presence.

Part 3. More choices to submit your podcast shows

The above Podcast directories are great choices you can always count on any day. However, if you’re looking for more options, the following are reliable podcasting directories to choose from;

Part 4. How to submit a show to podcast directories?

Submitting a podcast show to podcast directories is pretty simple. Here, we used Spotify as an example to show you how you can easily submit your podcast show within a few clicks. The steps are as follows;

Step1 Create a Spotify account using the email attached to your podcast host.

create a spotify account

Step2 Open Spotify for Podcasters in your browser and login into your account. Then, click Get Started on the new screen.

click get started on the new screen

Step3 Provide your Podcast’s RSS Feed and click Next to proceed.

click next to proceed

Step4 You’ll be asked to add information about your Podcast, from its description to the title, artwork, etc.

Step5 Verify the Podcast by submitting the code sent to your email.

Step6 Review the information you’ve provided so far and submit it to Spotify for review.

Once you complete the steps, keep an eye on the submitted Podcast, as Spotify won’t message you even if your Podcast has been published.

Hot FAQs on Podcast Directories

1. Are podcast directories free?

Almost all top podcast directories are entirely free for creators. All you have to do is sign up on the platforms. Then, check the platform’s requirements to submit your podcast episodes, like the format, cover photos, and description. Of course, the requirements vary depending on the platform.

2. Can any podcast be on a directory of podcasts?

Yes, you can choose from any podcast directory to publish your Podcast. There’s no limitation. When submitting, you must select the ideal category for your podcast show so it can be displayed to the right audience.

3. Does it cost to join a podcast directory?

Yes, and the cost of joining a podcast directory varies depending on your platform.

Conclusion

The podcast directories introduced above are reliable for submitting podcast shows. So, chances are there, no matter what your podcast show is about. It’ll help you connect with the right audience. However, one thing is vital you need to make sure you choose the podcast directory that suits you.

Part 1. What are podcast directories?

A podcast directory is a listening app. It’s the place where podcasts and their listeners meet. Podcast listeners search for, subscribe to, and listen to your Podcast using their podcast directory of choice. Popular podcast directories include Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts.

Part 2. 15 Top podcast directories to focus on in 2024

Thankfully, research conducted by EdisonResearch shows the weekly audience reach of top podcast directories. So this list will help us locate the best podcasting directories. And it can multiply your audience size and quickly reach a more extensive user base.

According to Edison Research, the top 15 Podcast Networks are:

edison podcast metrics

You must retain that Edison’s research only analyzes the US podcast services. Yet, our guide has compiled the best podcasting directories to connect with users worldwide.

Below you will find the list of top podcast directories and their reviews. But keep in mind that when it comes to podcast directories, there is no such thing as best or worse. Instead, it’s all about the user base and audience reach. So, it is best to submit your podcasts to multiple podcasting directories.

1. YouTube

With a monthly active user base of 2.5 billion, YouTube should be the top choice of any podcast creator. According to a recent survey by Statista, YouTube took over Spotify to become the largest platform for podcast consumption worldwide. Additionally, 47.7% of the US audience prefers YouTube over other platforms for listening to podcasts.

Not to forget, YouTube comes pre-installed on all smartphones and is also accessible via the Web to users worldwide. Another benefit of YouTube is that it is free for creators and users. Plus, once you grow your user base, it also allows you to get surplus revenue.

podcast directory youtube

Of course, YouTube is a video-only platform. Still, you can use tools like Wondershare Filmora to create video-based podcasts seamlessly. You can simply convert the video podcasts into an audio format using Filmora itself and then reupload the same Podcast to even audio-based podcast directories.

Free Download For Win 7 or later(64-bit)

Free Download For macOS 10.14 or later

Tools like Fimora also allow you to directly publish the created Podcast on YouTube (so you do not have to worry about video requirements mandatory for YouTube).

  • User Review of YouTube on G2: “YouTube is one of those sites that you can’t live without for a business. Everyone knows what YouTube is, and users (globally) use the platform daily.”
  • Monthly User Base: Over 2.5 billion active users.
  • Supported OS: All major OS and web browsers.

2. Spotify

Spotify has over 389 million listeners across 187 markets worldwide. Available on all major OS and its web presence makes it one of the best directories of podcasts on the internet.

Aside from its audience base, Spotify also provides real-time insights, like who your audience is, what they like, which episodes they prefer, and even what songs they want. All these insights will also help you plan your future content according to the audience.

podcast directory spotify

Spotify’s personalized recommendations and algorithms are another pluses, given you can get discovered easily/ Like YouTube, Spotify allows you to upload even video podcasts. While you can also create and upload podcasts in audio format only.

  • User Review of Spotify on G2: “I can find any song, artist, album, and even podcasts at any time and no commercials.”
  • Monthly User Base: Over 360 million active users.
  • Supported OS: All major OS and web browsers.

3. Apple Podcasts

Apple Podcast is another top directory for a podcast that creators cannot ignore. Given it is an exclusive-podcast platform, its 28.5 million active user base in more than 170 countries and regions is enough to tell its greatness.

It is essential to understand that YouTube and Spotify are not exclusive podcast platforms like Apple Podcasts. And while Spotify and YouTube are best for connecting novice podcast listeners, Apple Podcast is the way to go if you want to connect with a dedicated podcast community.

podcast directory apple podcast

The best thing about the Apple Podcast directory is it allows you to create a podcast (via Apple Podcast Connect), but you must be an Apple user. However, you can submit your podcasts to Apple Podcast via RSS feed even if you are not an Apple user.

In all, given Apple Podcast is available for Apple users and is known by default on all Apple devices (the most prominent smartphone company in the world), Apple Podcast is a must-use podcast directory.

  • User Review of Apple Podcast: “Apple once again nails with simplicity, millions of shows of my interest, and freemium service.”
  • Monthly User Base: Over 28.5 million active users.
  • Supported OS: All Apple devices.

4. Google Podcasts

Google Podcasts has over 100 million downloads on Play Store alone and is also available on the web, App Store, Blackberry, and ChromeOS users. A completely subscription-free and ad-free platform, Google Podcasts is one of the top podcasting directories among users.

However, unlike the Apple Podcast directory, it does not have a studio, so you can only submit your podcasts via RSS feeds. Still, its user base and the advanced algorithms are an opportunity to connect with users who like the subjects you discuss.

podcast directory google podcasts

Like Spotify and Apple Podcast directories, Google Podcasts also show you real-time analytics and guide you about users so that you can plan your content accordingly. Given that it only requires a Google account to start, it is another top podcast directory you cannot ignore.

  • User Review of Google Podcast

“Google Podcast includes everything that a podcast listener wants. It’s simple, free, and includes valuable options like Sleep Timer, Playback speed, and more.”

  • Monthly User Base: Over 30 million active users.
  • Supported OS: Dedicated apps for all major OS and web presence.

5. Pandora

Pandora has over 64 million monthly active users, with a listener spending up to 24 hours/monthly on the platform. It explains that users spend up to 45 minutes on the Pandora platform tuning in to their favorite podcasts. Again, its search-based algorithms allow you to get discovered by users that like subjects and topics on which you’re creating podcasts, meaning it is simple to connect with a large user base conveniently.

podcast directory pandora

Pandora only accepts podcasts via RSS feed, which should be in MP3 format. But recent notifications have shown more audio formats will be added.

However, it is vital to retain that Pandora Podcast’s team critically analyzes all submissions manually. So, it might take up to 4-6 weeks for your first Podcast to appear on the platform.

  • User Review of Pandora Podcast

“Pandora Podcasts recommendations are a blessing for me, who always finds it confusing to locate the right episode to spend my time on.”

  • Monthly User Base: Over 64 million active users.
  • Supported OS: Dedicated apps for all major OS and web presence.

6. Audible

Although popular among audiobook lovers, Audible has a considerable podcast following too. Its monthly active user base is around 41 million. The biggest benefit of registering your Podcast on the Audible directory of podcasts is that it connects with users who use Alexa to discover new podcasts.

Besides Audible, the Podcast will also be available for users of the Amazon Music app. That means you can connect with even more users via one submission only. Not to forget, Amazon Prime Video (a massive following) users get a free subscription to Amazon Music, so there’s a perfect chance that you will connect with users conveniently.

podcast directory audible

It is important to note that both Amazon Music and Audible offer podcasts for entirely free to users, so a more extensive user base prefers these platforms over paid platforms.

  • User Review of Pandora Podcast

“You get to listen to any audiobook in the “included” library no matter which subscription you purchase..”

  • Monthly User Base: Over 64 million active users.
  • Supported OS: Android, iOS,

7. NPR One

podcast directory npr one

With an average listener spending up to 145 minutes weekly, the NPR One podcast directory is one of the best podcast directories you can trust to submit your show online. The podcast directory has a userbase of over 500 thousand users globally, and

  • User Review of NPR One Podcast

“I’ve been using this app for years now. It’s been my trusty companion to give me the news. I primarily use it with the sleep timer. I’m not a super picky consumer, especially when I don’t pay for the app!

But for many months now, the sleep timer will frequently think the time is up and shut off the player well before it should. The player will often shut off within 5 minutes of using the 30 min sleep timer. It’s annoying to open the player hit resume, and reset the sleep timer.”

  • Monthly User Base: 500 thousand
  • Supported OS: Android, iOS

8. Tune In

podcast directory tunein

Technically, TuneIn is a radio. But lately, it has become prevalent amongst podcast listeners to find their favorite shows and also listen to music. The podcast directory has a global user base of over 75 million and a monthly visit of 7million+, which makes it a great spot for any podcaster to publish their show.

  • User Review of Tune In Podcast

“I’ve been using the app for 4 years. I like it, but there are some annoying “features.”

  1. the screen won’t time out when the app is active.

  2. the developers must have recently made a change. I used to search through my list of “recent” (there were about 20) to look for new episodes of my favorite podcasts.

Now, the app only allows me to see the last four podcasts or stations I have listened to. So it is not helpful.’

  • Monthly User Base: Over 7 million active users
  • Supported OS: Dedicated apps for all major OS and web presence.

9. Podcast Addict

podcast directory podcast addict

With over 10 million downloads on Google Playstore, Podcast Addict is one of Android’s most popular podcast apps. You can publish your podcast show, as it allows you to connect with the ideal audience quickly and easily.

Also, Podcast Addict is one of the few podcast directories available in various languages, including French and German. So it’s a perfect choice non-English podcasters.

  • User Review of PodcastAddit

**”**Been using this for years. It does everything I could ever want when listening/ referencing/ re-listening to my favorite podcasts and a lot more.

I’ve suffered through having to use other podcast players (e.g., listening to something “exclusive”), but I couldn’t stand the inane simplicity of other players long enough to finish their content.

Also, it takes a bit to get used to (especially if you’re coming from other stripped-down players), but very worth the small effort for a powerful app.”

  • Monthly User Base: Over 750 thousand active users.
  • Supported OS: Dedicated Android App and web presence.

10. RadioPublic

podcast directory radiopublic

Having been in the game for over 15 years, RadioPublic is another excellent podcast directory you can count on to submit your show. Although the platform does not have a massive user base compared to its competitors, it will help you grow your listeners and business by getting your podcast show to the right audience.

On RadioPublic, an average listener spends up to 72 minutes every day finding new podcast shows and listening to new episodes from their favorite podcasts. And given that the platform offers many robust features, listeners can enjoy a seamless listening experience on any device.

Overall, the RadioPublic podcast directory offers you a smart way to publish your show and grow your audience without going through stress.

  • User Review of RadioPublic

“Glad I waited a while to find a podcast website provider. Starting from scratch in WordPress seemed too much hassle. Luckily the site came along while I was dithering about what to do.

The RadioPublic team onboarded the other 5 billion podcasts as one of the first examples, and I’m delighted to have chosen this option. Already, my pod site feels “complete” to look at, and more features are coming soon that will help with marketing, understanding listeners, and building a podcast brand.”

  • Monthly User Base: Over 300 Thousand active users
  • Supported OS: Dedicated apps for all major OS and web presence.

11. Overcast

podcast directory overcast

Overcast is a dedicated podcast app for Apple devices, and what makes it a great podcast directory is that it offers unique features that attract many listeners.

On this platform, you’ll be allowed to display advertising slots, enabling listeners to subscribe to your podcast show within a few clicks. Plus, unlike many of its competitors, listeners have control over what podcast show is displayed in the featured podcast section. It is helpful as it lets listeners quickly discover every new episode you publish.

Overall, many incredible features make Overcast a good choice, and chances are your Podcast will get to real listeners when you publish them here.

  • User Review of Overcast

**”**Nice alternative to Apple’s. I’ve been well pleased so far. It isn’t always the most intuitive, but I’ve eventually figured out how to achieve almost everything I’ve wanted to. The benefits of adding a show via RSS have become immediately clear.

Being a subscriber to a show and getting early access episodes and bonus material right in my podcast manager makes it easy to stay up with all my shows.”

  • Monthly User Base: Over 70 Thousand active users.
  • Supported OS: Dedicated app for iOS and web presence.

12. Pocket Casts

podcast directory pocketcasts

If you’re looking for a free podcast directory to publish your Podcast show, Pocket Casts is the ideal one for you. This podcast directory is packed with many rich features that podcasters will find very helpful. In addition, thanks to its beautifully designed website interface, you won’t find the platform difficult to use.

Besides, many listeners love Pocket Podcasts as it offers them incredible features—for example, improved discovery options, playback speed options, and lots more. In addition, they’ve enhanced how they find and listen to podcasts on the platform. You can’t go wrong publishing your show on a platform like this one.

  • User Review of Pocket Casts

“Wonderful app, the most reliable one I’ve found. Even with accounts, most others lose all your progress data which hasn’t happened once with this, and I’ve switched phones 3 times. The progress tracker is so accurate you can pause on one device, open the same account and continue listening. Most apps can’t even keep things downloaded. Search does take a minute but finds stuff no other app does.”

  • Monthly User Base: Over 1 Million active users.
  • Supported OS: Dedicated apps for all major OS and web presence.

13. CastBox

podcast directory castbox

CastBox is another unique podcast directory that podcasters trust to publish their show online. The platform boasts an optimized SEO and artificial intelligence that lets listeners find new podcast shows. Thanks to its massive user base of up to 20 Million users, your Podcast could reach a wide range of audiences quickly and easily.

Also, CastBox offers social media features that allow listeners to comment and share your podcast show on their social media page, thus helping you get your show to more listeners and potentially increase your fanbase.

  • User Review of CastBox

“I’ve been a podcaster for years and an avid podcast listener for a while. So I searched high and low for the best podcast app and distribution service, Castbox. They have a great app and website, a huge content library, and a superb feature set. Also, their app allows offline listening, as I can download my favorite podcast show.”

  • Monthly User Base: Over 1 million active users
  • Supported OS: Dedicated apps for all major OS and web presence.

14. Stitcher

podcast directory stitcher

Last but not least podcast directory on our list is Stitcher. The platform boasts more than 14.5 Million active listeners, with an average listener having up to 25 hours of listening duration per month.

Stitcher helps you alleviate the stress of getting your show to the right audience, and thanks to the platform’s easy podcast submission requirements, you only need to have at least one podcast episode on your RSS Feed to get approved.

Also, Stitcher offers a unique analytic tool that allows you to track the performance of your show on the platform, and what more impressive is that it’s integrated into more than fifty car models. In addition, it works with any vehicle that supports Apple’s CarPlay and Android Auto, which makes it a great choice for podcasters who believe their audience loves to listen to their show while driving.

  • User Review of Stitcher

“So glad I switched! I have my podcasts but didn’t listen to them much - partially because Apple Podcasts is so hard to use. I switched to Stitcher to listen to The Magnus Archives, and I love it!”

  • Monthly User Base: Over 1.5 million active users.
  • Supported OS: Dedicated apps for all major OS and web presence.

Part 3. More choices to submit your podcast shows

The above Podcast directories are great choices you can always count on any day. However, if you’re looking for more options, the following are reliable podcasting directories to choose from;

Part 4. How to submit a show to podcast directories?

Submitting a podcast show to podcast directories is pretty simple. Here, we used Spotify as an example to show you how you can easily submit your podcast show within a few clicks. The steps are as follows;

Step1 Create a Spotify account using the email attached to your podcast host.

create a spotify account

Step2 Open Spotify for Podcasters in your browser and login into your account. Then, click Get Started on the new screen.

click get started on the new screen

Step3 Provide your Podcast’s RSS Feed and click Next to proceed.

click next to proceed

Step4 You’ll be asked to add information about your Podcast, from its description to the title, artwork, etc.

Step5 Verify the Podcast by submitting the code sent to your email.

Step6 Review the information you’ve provided so far and submit it to Spotify for review.

Once you complete the steps, keep an eye on the submitted Podcast, as Spotify won’t message you even if your Podcast has been published.

Hot FAQs on Podcast Directories

1. Are podcast directories free?

Almost all top podcast directories are entirely free for creators. All you have to do is sign up on the platforms. Then, check the platform’s requirements to submit your podcast episodes, like the format, cover photos, and description. Of course, the requirements vary depending on the platform.

2. Can any podcast be on a directory of podcasts?

Yes, you can choose from any podcast directory to publish your Podcast. There’s no limitation. When submitting, you must select the ideal category for your podcast show so it can be displayed to the right audience.

3. Does it cost to join a podcast directory?

Yes, and the cost of joining a podcast directory varies depending on your platform.

Conclusion

The podcast directories introduced above are reliable for submitting podcast shows. So, chances are there, no matter what your podcast show is about. It’ll help you connect with the right audience. However, one thing is vital you need to make sure you choose the podcast directory that suits you.

Also read:

  • Title: New In 2024, The Elite List 10 Best Podcast Hosting Platforms to Watch
  • Author: Jacob
  • Created at : 2024-05-05 04:08:26
  • Updated at : 2024-05-06 04:08:26
  • Link: https://audio-shaping.techidaily.com/new-in-2024-the-elite-list-10-best-podcast-hosting-platforms-to-watch/
  • License: This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.
On this page
New In 2024, The Elite List 10 Best Podcast Hosting Platforms to Watch