Choosing the right podcast hosting software is crucial when starting a podcast. From pushing your podcast to iTunes and Spotify to storing your files and marketing your show, the best podcast hosting can help grow your audience. In this guide, I ranked and reviewed the 3 best podcast hosting, along with our top pick, so you can pick the best one for you.
Our Picks
- Buzzsprout (Best Overall)
- RSS.com (Best for Growing)
- Podbean (Best for Hosting)
Buzzsprout
Buzzsprout allows you to embed a podcast player right on your website – and you can feature just one episode or a whole playlist of episodes.
They offer an easy-to-use analytics dashboard with an algorithm that estimates how many listeners each episode receives within the first 90 days. You can also view which countries your listeners are tuning in from to help you understand your audience. These analytics features are super helpful and better than most other tools.
Audio quality is also excellent, as you can upgrade to 128k stereo optimization for better sound. Not only that, but they also offer podcast transcription services as an extra add-on.
They make it super easy to upload and schedule your podcast too. You simply upload your audio file, change the episode title and description, and submit your podcast to all significant directories. Another benefit is that you can easily add episode chapter markers. This feature helps listeners better understand quick details about your episodes at a glance.
Features
- Get your podcast listed in all top podcast directories so more people can find it.
- Advanced podcast statistics will track your progress to see how well your podcast is doing.
- Automatic episode optimization will ensure your episodes sound great and are easy to listen to.
- Dynamic content will keep your podcast fresh and exciting.
- Transcriptions make your podcast more accessible to everyone.
=== Click Here to Buzzsprout Today ===
Pricing
Their free plan allows you to upload two hours of content hosted for 90 days. If you’re serious about podcasting, you can scale up and upgrade your plan based on how many hours of content you need to upload per month.
- $12/month: upload 3 hours each month, hosted indefinitely, with unlimited storage.
- Free: upload 2 hours each month and episodes hosted for 90 days.
- $18/month: features above, plus upload 6 hours each month.
- $24/month: features above, plus upload 12 hours each month.
Buzzsprout is currently giving Episodes Hosted for 90 days for free. Additionally, $20 Buzzsprout credit waiting for you. This is an speical offer. Don’t miss it out. Click Here To Get Started with Buzzsprout →
Pros
- A modest fee makes it affordable for people starting.
- Super easy to use and user-friendly.
- Excellent customer service with great support.
- Stats show you how your podcast is doing, which is excellent to help improve.
Cons
- Better analysis data would make it easier to understand what is working (and what’s not) on your podcast.
Bottom Line
If you’re looking for an excellent podcasting platform, I recommend Buzzsprout. They offer helpful free learning material that helps you get started and powerful tools that help you make the most out of your recorded podcasts. Their customer support is another plus when using Buzzsprout, With their month-to-month pricing and easy-to-use dashboard, Buzzsprout is my #1 choice.
I recommend you get started for free and upgrade to any plan you want based on how many hours of content you plan to upload each month.
As a bonus for my readers, when you sign up for Buzzsprout and upgrade, you Receive a $20 Buzzsprout credit
RSS.com
RSS.com also offers a wide range of tools, such as episode scheduling and social media integration, making it easy for you to manage your podcast and engage with your audience.Podcasters using RSS.com seem to appreciate the ease with which their platform enables them to get started – in fact, in just five minutes, most users can be up and running.
In addition to a quick and easy setup, podcasts can use RSS.com’s various partnerships to help boost their audience and find the right sponsor to meet their needs.With unlimited downloads and episodes that one can record, RSS.com makes it easy for users to scale their podcast’s growth – even when starting from just a few episodes and getting to hundreds, or thousands, of regular listeners.
Detailed data and analytics help you dial in and tweak your podcast for maximum impact. Such data is the key to taking your podcasting to the next level, allowing you to adapt and focus on relevant content for your audience.
Features
- Automatic and guided distribution to the major podcast directories, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts.
- Monetization options include sponsorship opportunities via Podcorn and a donate button on your free public podcast website.
- There are multiple ways to monetize your podcast using RSS.com, including enabling a donation button.
- A professional-looking podcast website will give your content an added level of legitimacy, while episode transcription can make it easier for fans to follow along.
- If you are using another platform provider right now, it is seamless to export your current podcast to RSS.com and benefit from their service immediately.
- Create custom embedded players compatible with any platform, allowing you to showcase your podcast uniquely.
- With an exceptional NPS (net promoter score) of 63 and an average star rating of 4.9, podcasters are thrilled with RSS.com’s service.
Pricing
Signing up and hosting your first episode is free, allowing you to test out the service without any financial commitment or credit card required. If you’d then like to switch to their paid service, the price plans are as follows:
- Student & NGO: $4.99/Month
- All In One Podcasting: $8.25/Month
If you have a .edu email, you’ll get automatic approval for the Educational plan. Regarding the RSS Podcast plan, you can switch to annual billing and get a 35% discount.
Finally, if you are part of a non-profit organization, get in touch with their sales team to discuss special discounts that might apply.There’s also a Podcast Networks plan for those who require more advanced features.
Pros
- Super easy to spread content to various social media platforms with just a few clicks.
- Reaching out to your audience is done elegantly and doesn’t feel like spam.
- Integrates with leading podcast distributors to be sure as many people hear your show as possible.
- Easy to pull stats showing how well your podcast is doing and where your listeners are coming from.
Cons
- Sometimes it’s challenging to track your subscribers.
- The free version is quite limited regarding what you can do and how many shows you can have.
Bottom Line
RSS.com is my go-to recommendation when it comes to three main features. If you’re looking for unlimited storage, powerful analytics, and a podcasting website that goes along with your recording, then look no further than RSS.com. These features ensure that your podcast platform can handle any business growth you experience as you scale.
Podbean
PodBean is my #3 recommendation. They’ve been in the podcasting hosting space for over ten years, host 540,000 podcasters, and are the easiest-to-use host on this list. Best Easy Podcast Hosting Service ($29/Month + 1 Month Free).
Features
- 5 hours of storage on the free plan.
- Unlimited storage on the $9/month plan.
- Dynamic ad insertion.
- Patreon program to accept recurring revenue from listeners.
- Auto-uploads to YouTube.
- Mobile app.
- Auto-posting to social media like Facebook and Twitter.
Pricing
- Basic (Free and Open-Source): 5 hours of storage and 100 GB monthly.
- Unlimited Audio ($9/month): Unlimited storage and bandwidth, pro themes, advanced design, and ad marketplace.
- Unlimited Plus ($29/month): Features above, plus Patreon program and dynamic ad insertion.
- Business ($99/month): Features above, plus multiple domains, private podcasts, advanced statistics, and live chat support.
I recommend podcasters serious about running their professional show get their $29/month PodBean Unlimited Plus Plan, as you get unlimited audio hosting and video storage.
Pros
- A short podcast hosting provider that makes it easy to get your show online.
- No downtime and fast downloads mean your listeners can always hear your latest episode.
- Upload video and audio podcasts with just a few clicks, making it easy to get started.
- Easy to distribute shows to a broad audience, thanks to integrations with major podcast platforms.
Cons
- Image dimensions and best practices are lacking in creating covers and episode art.
- The dashboard can be customized more so it’s easier to find your needed information.
Bottom Line
Podbean makes setting up and monetizing your podcast as easy as can be. I love that newbies and professionals can use this platform to find the podcasting success they’re looking for. You can even use your phone to start sharing your message with the world in just a few clicks. I also like that they provide a podcasting website with every account, so your audience can easily find your content online.
Final Thoughts
There you have it – my list of the best podcast hosting services to try this year. When making your choice, first dig deep into the platform’s features. You should be able to upload as much monthly content as needed, be compliant, view analytics, and have enough storage space.
Second, decide if you want free unlimited hosting or are willing to pay extra to get more features.
Third, do you need a new website? Look for options that couple web hosting with WordPress or Weebly so you can add show notes and blog posts. Ensure your hosting company works with the best podcast networks.
Finally, examine which hosts can promote you with marketing, crowdsourcing, ads, monetization, expert guidance, and support.
These companies take the guesswork out of storing your podcast, distributing your audio content to the right places, and supporting you on your podcasting journey.
My recommendation for new podcasters is to get started with Buzzsprout and get a free $20 gift credit.
So pick the best option tailored just for you, and happy podcasting!
