Updated In 2024, Techniques for Regulating Audio Loudness in Video-Based Streaming with VLC

Updated In 2024, Techniques for Regulating Audio Loudness in Video-Based Streaming with VLC

Jacob Lv12

Techniques for Regulating Audio Loudness in Video-Based Streaming with VLC

How To Normalize Volume in VLC

How to normalize volume, why should we do it, and what is it after all? – these are the questions when it comes to editing our audio files, as well as the video clips we tend to change the sound of. So, first of all, the volume normalization is pretty much explained as follows: The process when a constant amount of gain is applied to the audio recording, bringing the amplitude to a desirable level, which is “the norm” for the project. If it is a little bit difficult to understand, we have to highlight that when this tool is applied to our volume, the whole recording has the same amount of gain across it, every piece affected the same way. Accordingly, when we normalize volume, the relative dynamics are not changed.

But, why bother at all and why not leave it the way it is? Well, the answer to this is almost the same as on why editing exists in general, right? Things are not perfect! This is the fact that prompts us to make our video clips and audio better, improve it at least on the level which can get us the right amount of viewers and listeners. Everyone have had some pain listening to several podcasts, when the volume was too high or too low, or there were so much background noise that the whole recording was hurting the ears of a person! People will not convert to being loyal subscribers, viewers and listeners if their user experience is not favored. So, it is in our best interest to serve their best interest, with a little bit of editing.

When it comes to normalizing audio, there are two reasons we refer to this tool. First is when we feel we need to get the maximum volume, and the second is when we need to match different volumes.

In the first case, you might have somewhat quite voice recording, and would like to make it better without changing its dynamic range, while making it as loud as possible. And when it comes to matching volumes, it is logical that you need to manipulate your editing this way in case you have a group of audio files, each or some of them are at different volumes, so, understandably, if not necessarily, you would like to make them come closer to the same volume.

So, until we give you the step-by step guide on how to normalize your volume in VLC player, we also need to inform you about audio normalization types. Here, generally, we come across three of them: a so-called peak normalization, helping adjust the recording based on the highest signal level present in the recording; another is called loudness normalization and it adjusts the recording based on perceived loudness. Last but not least, RMS (Root-Mean-Square), changes the value of all the samples, where their average electrical volume overall is a specified level.

Using any of this, making it better to listen to your voice, without people being annoyed and their ears becoming exhausting with what you have to offer, you will be making it enjoyable for them and easy to come back to your content, as they will not be obliged to change the volume on their own audio players. Instead, their experience with you will be calm and effortless, which you are aiming to achieve.

So, not, what about VLC? – this is a very popular media player, favorite for a lot of people all around the world, so you should already be quite familiar with what it is, at least by having streamed videos and movies there. Speaking more of what it represents, it is a free-to-use, robust, and feature-packed software that plays a wide range of audio, image, and video files. It is worth noting that it can also play multimedia files directly from extractable devices or the PC and additionally, the program can stream from popular websites such as Disney+, Hulu, Netflix, and so on.

As if it was not enough, you can do simple video and audio editing in VLC Media Player, which a lot of people are unaware of! For example, you can easily trim and cut videos. So, as it happens, we can also normalize volume in VLC Media Player. It is a very handy feature and it works on Windows as well as on Mac. Sooo… How to do that? Because, actually, it is so simple that you might be surprised you didn’t know about this earlier. To learn how to normalize volume in VLC, follow this simple guideline:

First, of course, as every time working with any software, you need to have VLC Media Player installed on your device. Once you have it installed, open VLC. Go to the Tools and Preferences and there, you will need to check the single box which is next to Normalize volume in Effects. Now, set the level to the one that works best for you. Then, when you are happy with the result, you can Save.

This is not something perfect, because it’s so simple to do and actually what it does is just help adjust the general volume, so it leaves the specifics alone.

help adjust general volume

But, it might be the case that you are not so satisfied with the simple editing and want a little more to get from the editing process on VLC. So, you can do more with the Audio Effects menu there. And the steps are as follows:

First, on your VLC player, find Tools and then, in the menu, go to Preferences. The window will open, and there you need to select All in Show settings – actually it is a little bit hard to find because this is in the bottom left corner of the window. From there, you will need to navigate to Audio, and then, a little below, click on Filters and highlight it. The checkbox next to the Dynamic range compressor will probably be unchecked – so, check in it.

find tools and go to preferences

Next, see where Compressor is in the left panel? Select it. And now, you are free to make the changes to the levels as you see fit.

see compressor

Here, if you are a little bit overwhelmed with the wide range of options to work on, you can just concentrate the most on Makeup gain, Threshold, and Ratio. The first one is by which you adjust in quiet sequences to raise the volume, the second will help you reduce louder sequences to even things out, and ratio is the maximum level of all audio within a movie, let’s say.

Don’t underestimate Attack time and release time, either. They graduate the changes to ramp them up at first, then down again, rather than initiating them immediately. So, if you set them to your liking as well, this will ensure that you have a more fluid transition in and out of the scene and there are less sudden, sometimes scary volume changes.

Therefore, you are now equipped with the most information you will need to normalize volume in VLC Player – so free to give it a go, play around with the different settings and carry out the best result imaginable for you!

How to normalize audio in Wondershare Filmora?

Now, even though we already know how to normalize audio in VLC in the simplest, as well as in the more advanced way, it might be even better if we know some more about normalizing audios in different programs. Something worth discussing is a software called Wondershare Filmora , which carries out the same task wonderfully. Although, unlike VLC Media Player, it is a real video editor , but don’t panic if you have never laid your hand on editing – it is one of the easiest to use ini the word, operating also both on Mac and Windows, and its interface is utterly understandable for beginners right away. And, actually, it is a qhile that Wondershare Filmora X introduced the feature to normalize the audio for the first time. What to say more - you might want to stop now and download the latest version of Filmora because now we are about to learn how to normalize audio from the video there – so, tune in!

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

Free Download For macOS 10.14 or later

When it is done installing, open the software. Now, click and drag the video of which the audio you want to normalize. Now you can select the clip you have chosen – if there are multiple, select all of them, then right-click and choose Detach Audio.

choose detach audio

Now if you have this kind of graphic before your eyes, you can be pretty sure without even listening, that the noises are really, really different from each other, which highlights once again how useful audio normalization can be:

noise are different from each other

Select these files, right-click and choose Adjust Audio. New panel will be opened on left top and there, you will see Audio Normalization – check the box there.

select files

choose adjust audio

After you have clicked on it, wait until the normalization completes.

complete normalization

Soon, all audio will be normalized, and you will already be able to see on the graphics that the volumes are almost on the same level and when you listen to it, you will make sure that there is no longer apparent difference between how they sound. And from there on, you can save the file you just normalized!

So, in this article, we learned a lot about normalizing volumes, why and how it is done, and, more specifically, how to get this task completed in VLC Media Player as well as in Wondershare Filmora X. you can proceed to putting this new information into a good use and come back to learn more about video and audio editing here!

Free Download For macOS 10.14 or later

When it is done installing, open the software. Now, click and drag the video of which the audio you want to normalize. Now you can select the clip you have chosen – if there are multiple, select all of them, then right-click and choose Detach Audio.

choose detach audio

Now if you have this kind of graphic before your eyes, you can be pretty sure without even listening, that the noises are really, really different from each other, which highlights once again how useful audio normalization can be:

noise are different from each other

Select these files, right-click and choose Adjust Audio. New panel will be opened on left top and there, you will see Audio Normalization – check the box there.

select files

choose adjust audio

After you have clicked on it, wait until the normalization completes.

complete normalization

Soon, all audio will be normalized, and you will already be able to see on the graphics that the volumes are almost on the same level and when you listen to it, you will make sure that there is no longer apparent difference between how they sound. And from there on, you can save the file you just normalized!

So, in this article, we learned a lot about normalizing volumes, why and how it is done, and, more specifically, how to get this task completed in VLC Media Player as well as in Wondershare Filmora X. you can proceed to putting this new information into a good use and come back to learn more about video and audio editing here!

Essential MP3 Labeling Tools: The Five Must-Have Online Editors

Do you like songs? Generally, people love and enjoy listening to songs because it relaxes them. Some people work with music, some study with music, whereas some go to the gym and sweat on the beats. The question is, do you just enjoy the music or do you get proper knowledge about it?

ID3 tags are the metadata in MP3 files which contain information regarding the content like its title, artist, album, genre, and other things. In case you want to change the tags, you can take help from the online MP3 tag editors. Let us discuss the 5 best tag editors that could be used.

Part 1. 5 Best Online MP3 Tag Editor Websites That You Can’t Miss

There are two types of music lovers, one who just listens to enjoy. Whereas others like to collect music and maintain a tag library. MP3 files have metadata, and this consists of information regarding the music file other than its name. Do you know the MP3 tag is the best business? Let’s talk more about it and share 5 great music tag editors online.

1. TagMP3.net

TagMP3.net is a free website for changing music tags, album arts, and other ID3 as well. With this website, you don’t have to download or install any software or application to change the ID3 tags of your MP3 files. A cool thing about TagMP3.net is that it can be accessed from any platform regardless of the device being used. You only need a strong internet connection to use the online editor.

This online automatic MP3 tag editor updates the ID3 version to ID3v2 for the MP3 files. This editor comes with a very easy and user-friendly interface, and you don’t need much assistance to use it. With TagMP3.net, you can easily upload the audio file from your hard drive, or else for uploading a file from an online database, enter its URL.

How to Use TagMP3.net?

Step 1: Start by searching and opening the TagMP3.net editing tool on your browser. Then you have to upload the files for that, hit the ‘Choose Files’ button and add the file. Or else, you can also copy-paste the URL or drag and drop the file.

add your mp3 file

Step 2: Now, the music tag editor online will spontaneously add the metadata found on the internet. You can then check and verify the added information and make changes if required.

insert the information

Step 3: After all the data is finalized, you can tap on the ‘Generate New File’ button. As soon as you do this, you are redirected to the ‘Download’ page. At this point, download the copy of the audio file that contains the correct metadata.

click on download link

2. MP3Repair

MP3Repair is an online MP3 tag editor with many other diverse features. Apart from editing MP3 tags, the tool could also be used for repairing online audio lengths and playtimes, cutting MP3 files and removing advertising, etc.

MP3Repair is a freeware, online editor that allows both repair and edit of MP3 files uploaded from your device or else from an online database. This online tool has a clean and understandable interface that users can work with easily.

Guideline to Use MP3Repair

Step 1: Open the web browser on your device and search for MP3Repair, then open its official webpage to start the work. After that, upload the MP3 file by pasting the URL to get the file from an online database. Or, hit the big ‘Upload’ button to add files from your device.

insert your mp3 file

Step 2: After the file has been added, tap on the ‘Upload MP3 File’ button. Now, among the provided options, select the ‘Edit ID3 Tags’ option. All the detailed information will appear on the screen; from here, edit the metadata and tap on the ‘Repair/Edit your MP3 File Now!’ option.

click on upload mp3 file button

Step 3: Lastly, when the repaired MP3 file is displayed on the screen, hit the ‘Download your new MP3 File’ button. This will automatically download the MP3 file with the edited ID3 tags.

download your new mp3 file

3. Watermark Images

Looking for a tool to add metadata? Let’s talk about Watermark Images. This online tool is free to use for unlimited time. You can add metadata to any of your files like images, audio, etc. The best part about using Watermark Images music tag editor online is that it offers an active customer service help center.

Moreover, this online freeware tool supports you to add or change the album artwork. This easy-to-use tool has no requirements to download anything on your machine; you just need good internet connectivity.

Follow these Steps to Use Watermark Image MP3 Tag Editor

Step 1: To use Watermark Images online MP3 tag editor; first of all, browse for its official webpage. As soon as it opens, hit the ‘Select MP3 File’ button and select your preferred file to add metadata; it takes a few seconds to upload the file.

select your mp3 file to upload

Step 2: Next to the ‘MP3 output settings’ section, you will see a long list of empty fields asking for genre names, artists, etc. Here, search for all the asked questions and then enter them in the empty fields. After that, tap on the ‘Process MP3’ button below the details to add the information in the MP3 file.

add your mp3 information

Step 3: At the end, click on the ‘Download File’ button. This will insert all the metadata and information regarding the audio file, and lastly, a link will be shared to download the final file.

click on download file button

4. MP3 ID3 Tag Editor

Are you a beginner? Try MP3 ID3 Tag Editor for adding and editing tags in your MP3 files. This tool is very useful and simple because of its easy interface. Your audio files can be edited like compressing, album title, album artist, genre, etc.

With MP3 ID3 Tag Editor, you can either add or also change the album art. Moreover, the online automatic MP3 tag editor extends support to auto-fill bags. The best thing, save your files to Google Drive or your computer with this tag editor.

Use MP3 ID3 Tag Editor by Following these Steps

Step 1: For editing the metadata in any MP3 file, start by opening the webpage of the tag editor. Next, you have to upload the file, for that either import file from the available cloud storages options. Or else, tap on the ‘Choose Files’ option to browse the file from your device.

upload mp3 using available options

Step 2: As soon as you have uploaded the file, the screen will display different options and various fields. You should fill out the form and update the metadata.

edit mp3 tags

Step 3: After all the amendments are made in the metadata, tap on the ‘Save Tags’ option to save the file to your computer or Google Drive.

tap on save tags button

5. NeatMP3

If we talk about another nice tag editor, then, NeatMP3 is on the list. This online tool provides you with complete assistance, and you simply have to search for the metadata and fill in the correct spaces. This online automatic MP3 tag editor has a free version, and a premium version is also available. Are you ready to know about the most amazing thing? The offline version of this tool comes with a built-in media player.

Learn From Us to Use NeatMP3

Step 1: To edit the tags, first of all, search for the official website of ‘NeatMP3’ on any browser on your computer. Next, for uploading the MP3 file, tap on the ‘Choose File’ option from the webpage.

click on choose file option

Step 2: We have mentioned this earlier; this online MP3 tag editor does not automatically fill the metadata. Users have to fill out the form after searching for the information manually. After filling out the information, tap on the ‘Write Tags’ button and download the MP3 file.

click on write tags button

Last Words

Was the above article helpful? Like we said earlier, we will introduce the 5 best online MP3 tag editors, so we did that. We hope that the article has shared a sufficient level of detail to increase your knowledge. Talking about increasing your knowledge, let’s also introduce a great video editor.

We are talking about Wondershare Filmora . This editor offers a wide variety of tools and diverse features. You can edit videos, audio, and a lot more than that. Features like Split Screen, Stabilize Video, AI Portrait, etc., are not a big deal for Filmora.

Apart from advanced features, you can also get your hands-on basic editing features like trim, cut, split, merge, join, etc.

Try It Free

For Win 7 or later (64-bit)

Try It Free

For macOS 10.12 or later

Try It Free

For macOS 10.12 or later

Try It Free

For macOS 10.12 or later

Try It Free

For macOS 10.12 or later

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.

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Benjamin Arango

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

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  • Title: Updated In 2024, Techniques for Regulating Audio Loudness in Video-Based Streaming with VLC
  • Author: Jacob
  • Created at : 2024-05-05 04:07:11
  • Updated at : 2024-05-06 04:07:11
  • Link: https://audio-shaping.techidaily.com/updated-in-2024-techniques-for-regulating-audio-loudness-in-video-based-streaming-with-vlc/
  • License: This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.
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Updated In 2024, Techniques for Regulating Audio Loudness in Video-Based Streaming with VLC