Best Podcast Hosting Platforms of 2024

Everyone these days has a podcast, right? That might sound like an exaggeration, but it’s not entirely. Podcasting is a massive industry with so many creators and regular listeners. In fact, the industry is expected to be worth $94 billion by 2028. And with 464 million listeners worldwide, the art of creating a podcast isn’t going anywhere. It’s only going to grow. 

Creating your own podcast is as simple as having a phone and a microphone. But creating a highly successful podcast is another story. To do that, you’re going to need to find a niche audience, produce high-quality content, and then get your episodes into their headphones and car speakers. 

Distribution is a crucial part of the podcast production formula. However, to make that happen, you’re going to need to know all about the tools at your disposal. One important tool is a podcast hosting platform. Read on to learn about these podcast hosting platforms and the top 11 for 2024. 

What Are Podcast Hosting Platforms?

Podcast hosting platforms are an online service that stores and distributes the audio files for a podcast. They provide essential features like storage, bandwidth, RSS feed generation, analytics, and direct distribution to important platforms like Apple Podcasts and Spotify. 

Why Do You Need a Podcast Hosting Platform?

Does every podcaster need a hosting platform? Not necessarily but there are some key reasons why you should seriously consider finding one for your podcast. These are two of the main services a hosting platform can provide for you: 

Podcast Storage

A single podcast episode only takes up about 15 MB to 30 MB of space if your episodes are an average length of 20–40 minutes. That doesn’t sound like a lot of space, right? It isn’t. But when you’re creating a thriving podcast, you’re going to be producing episodes regularly. Ideally, you’ll create 1–3 episodes a week. Now if your episodes take up 30 MB and you produce 3 a week, you’d need 360 MB of storage a month. As you can see, that adds up quickly. 

A podcast hosting platform will take care of that storage for you. They’ll host it for you and store everything. This becomes particularly important for your listeners as well. If they’re coming to your website for episodes, your website then needs the bandwidth to store and stream the episodes. But if you put it on a hosting platform, you can get the necessary bandwidth for streaming. That will make your podcast run smoothly. 

Content Distribution

Another key function of a hosting platform is distribution. A good service will directly send your episodes to listening platforms via RSS. This makes your podcast easily accessible to people without having to upload content on different websites manually. Instead, the RSS feed will update automatically each time you publish a new episode. 

11 Best Podcast Hosting Platforms

Now let’s look at the best podcast hosting platforms. We’ll go over how much each one costs and what features make it particularly noteworthy. Remember that every business and podcast will have different needs, so there’s not one perfect solution. Consider what matters to your team and customers and pick the platform that will meet those needs. 

Spotify for Podcasters (Formerly Anchor)

If you’re just getting started with podcasting and dipping your toes in the water, there’s no better platform than Spotify for Podcasters. This free platform provides tools to help you create podcasts and then also hosts and distributes them for you. It’s a one-stop shop specifically for people who are just getting started. This platform isn’t as good of a fit for companies or people with big platforms. Not because this is a bad platform but because there are others with more finely tuned features that will help you. 

Costs

Free!

Features

• Audio enhancement while you make your podcasts
• “Record with Friends,” a feature that allows you to bring in remote guests
• “Music + Talk,” a special area for podcasts about music
• Analytics, including total plays, plays per episode, and audience location
• Tools for monetization 
• Support for video podcasts
• Q&As and polls

Castos

Castos is a hosting platform for everyone from the newbie to the expert. It provides tools for everyone. It stores both audio and video files for you, and you can even use its additional tool Castos Productions to outsource your editing. Castos is particularly known for its ability to integrate with WordPress really easily. With the click of a button, you can have your website fully integrated with your podcast hosting platform, allowing you to move your content seamlessly between the two. 

Castos also offers the ability to create content just for subscribers. You can also get transcripts for your podcasts for $0.10/audio minute. 

Costs

$29–$699 / month

Features

• WordPress integration
• Podcast transcriptions
• Relevant ads
• Analytics
• Donations from listeners
• YouTube compatibility 
• Ability to create exclusive subscriber content

Blubrry

Blubrry is one of the oldest podcast hosting platforms, so it’s a classic choice for many people. It’s had many iterations, which can make it both confusing and completely modern for different types of people. With Blubrry, you automatically get a WordPress site, though you’ll need to purchase the domain name separately. 

For the highest tier plan, you can get dynamic ad placement, which lets you place ads at any point in an episode and run multiple campaigns at once. You can also connect your Blubrry podcasts, which helps you run everything you’re doing from one platform. 

Costs

$12–$100 a month

Features

• Every podcast gets a WordPress website
• WordPress integration
• Professional podcast hosting
• Widgets and embeds
• Video to podcast service

Podbean

Podbean is an excellent platform for beginners because of its intuitive and user-friendly interface. It’s simple and secure—two crucial factors when you’re starting your new podcast. There’s even a free plan that offers up to five hours of storage or 500 MB. The paid plans provide unlimited storage, so you can continue to grow your podcast. Podbean also integrates with websites, and you get a free site attached to your podcast. 

Costs

$0–$79/month

Features

• Analytics 
• Podcast publishing
• Podcast promotion 
• Live streaming
• Podcast website 

Buzzsprout

Buzzsprout is another great option for beginners because it’s intuitive and helps you with the production side. It provides automatic episode optimization, so podcasters can upload their files without worrying about file types. Buzzsprout will automatically convert them for you. This platform also provides chapter markers on your podcasts, which lets your listeners jump around and avoid any content they’re not interested in. 

The mastering tool is a great way to make your podcasts sound very professional even if you’re new to the business. It can remove background noise, level volume, and reduce file sizes. However, while Buzzsprout is a great option to get started, some seasoned podcasters don’t find its capabilities to be advanced enough for massive productions. Buzzsprout is great for people who want to make podcasting a hobby. 

Costs

$0–$24/month

Features

• Embed players to make it easy to listen
• Podcast website integration
• Analytics
• Podcast directories and chapter titles
• Monetization made easy

Redcircle

If you’re looking for a free option with unlimited storage, Redcircle is the platform for you. Redcircle is also focused on helping you monetize your podcast, if you’re looking to make money with your podcast. It comes with options for donations, subscriptions, programmatic advertising, and more. Redcircle also comes with access to the Cross-Promotion Marketplace where you can find other podcasters to connect with to set up promotion campaigns. You can meet others and put ads for each other’s programs in your podcasts. 

Costs

Free but Redcircle receives a cut of the donations, usually started around 4.5%

Features

• Ad platform
• Analytics
• Cross-promotion
• Network capabilities
• Donations/subscriptions

Libsyn

Libsyn is a secure and trusted hosting platform that so many podcasters rely on. It supports a variety of files such as audio, video, PDF, and text, so it’s good for podcasters looking to create varied content. Libsyn also integrates with over 20 other platforms like Facebook, WordPress, YouTube, and LinkedIn. So it’s seamless to use any of these sites with your podcast. 

If you choose a higher paid plan, you’ll even have the option to receive a detailed report of the platform, location, and downloads every time you publish content. That’s insightful if you’re interested in learning more about what could increase your audience. You can learn where they go for your content and the best times to post. If you integrate with social media, you’re also able to get insights into your follower counts and statistics directly on the social media platform you’re using. 

You also have six pricing plans to choose from to get all the features you’re looking for. 

Costs

$5–$150/month

Features

• Monetization
• Podcast ads
• Analytics
• Built-in recording
• Distribution through a variety of channels
• Integration with 20 plus websites
• Detailed reports

Captivate

Captivate is a podcasting platform created by indie podcasters, and it’s one of the best platforms for other indie creators. It provides IAB-compliant analytics such as download overview, geographic data, and episode performance comparison. That can help you learn more about your audience. On top of that, you get unlimited collaborators, and it’s easy to build a team with customizable roles. 

You also get a podcast media player that you can embed on the site of your choice. Plus there’s a WordPress plugin that will allow you to sync to a WordPress website easily. 

Costs

$17–$90/month

Features

• No limitations
• Extensive integrations, including with Mailchimp and WordPress
• Private podcasting for internal corporate productions
• Monetization
• Dynamic show notes builder

Transistor

Transistor provides you with a wide range of services, including the ability to manage multiple shows from just one account. That’s part of what makes this one a good fit for indie producers and enterprise companies alike. It’s also super easy to move your podcast from another hosting platform to this one, so you can save all your past info if you’ve been using something else. 

Transistor supports a high number of listeners even on the lower tier plans. Plus you get a lot of in-depth insights about the average downloads per episode, subscriber estimation based on the number of downloads, and statistics from other platforms such as Apple Podcasts and Spotify. 

Costs

$19–$199+/month 

Features

• AI transcription
• Youtube posting
• Podcast website integration
• Distribution tools
• Integration with things like Hubspot and Drip
• Internal private podcast hosting
• Unlimited podcast capabilities

Spreaker

Spreaker works well for people who want a wide range of distribution channels. It doesn’t just connect with Apple and Spotify. You’ll also be able to instantly distribute to Google, iHeartRadio, and even Deezer. You also get a free recording tool and an editing studio to help you make your podcasts within the platform. 

You also get dynamic ad placement and insights into how to keep your ads relevant to your listeners. There’s a free plan as well that gives you five hours of audio storage and up to 10 episodes. 

Costs

$0–$250/month

Features

• Live stream recordings with a chatbox for listeners during live streams
• Listener analytics
• Ad revenue sharing
• Ad exchange where you get pick where you want ads, and Spreaker inserts an ad from a partner
• The Supporters Club that lets you create a monthly paid subscription 
• Free speech subscription that allows you to upload unlimited podcast episodes

Simplecast

Simplecast is a good fit for both small and large businesses, as well as individuals. It gives you the capability to manage multiple podcasts with one account, as well as manage unlimited collaborators. Simplecast is also designed to be SEO-friendly with all of its hosting sites, which will help you reach new audiences. 

Costs

$15/a month with the option for custom enterprise plans

Features

• Analytics
• Podcast website automatically created where you can use your own branded domain
• Recast™ tool that allows you to schedule and share clips of your podcast on social media
• Intelligent web player with three options to choose from 
• Simplecast 2.0 API that allows you to create your own custom podcast experience 

How to Choose the Best Podcast Hosting Platform

As you can see, there are a lot of great podcast hosting platforms out there. How do you pick the best one? Here are some key factors to consider as you choose your hosting service. 

Storage

A big thing to consider is how much storage you need. If you’re looking to make a mini-series of only about 10 episodes, you could choose a hosting platform that’s free or that charges for more storage. But if you’re looking to create a regular podcast that produces content every week, you may want to consider platforms with unlimited storage. That way you’re not restricted as you grow your brand. 

Experience Level

Are you a pro podcaster or a newcomer? The answer to that question can affect what platform you need. If you’re new to the field, you’ll likely want to choose a platform geared towards beginners. You likely will want a platform that also includes recording options and maybe even an editing studio. That will help ensure you have the tools you need to create a professional podcast and distribute it easily. 

If you’re already a seasoned pro, you might want to consider more advanced platforms with deep analytics. You also may need a platform that allows you to manage multiple shows from one platform and to move your shows to one centralized account. 

Analytics

Depending on your goals with your podcast, you may need different kinds of analytics. Maybe you are looking to build your business. You might need analytics about how many listeners, followers, and conversions you get from your podcast. If you’re looking to build a strong listener base, you might want analytics on how you’re reaching people, so you can amplify your efforts. 

Consider what data would be valuable to your team, and choose a platform that will provide you with reports that answer your questions. 

Accessibility

You may also want to consider where you want your podcasts posted and what kind of accessibility features you need. For example, do you need transcripts? You might want a hosting platform that provides you with automatic transcripts. That will save you a lot of time and provide you with the accessibility features you need. 

Revolutionize Your Podcast Game with Sweet Fish

If you’re ready to start your own B2B podcast, you’re probably all too familiar with the amount of decisions you need to make and the extent of the details to make it run smoothly. You have to pick a hosting platform (and that takes some work), find a way to record everything, set up editing abilities, run reports on performance, and find ways to grow your audience. When you’re busy running your business, a lot of this feels like too much. 

That’s where podcast agencies come in. A B2B podcast agency can do the heavy lifting of getting a podcast off the ground. We take care of the details while you get to reap the benefits of having a thriving podcast for your business. You’ll get to do all the fun parts too! Sit down with your guests or record some thought-provoking leadership content, and we’ll take care of getting that content out into the world. 

So whether you’re looking to start or revamp a podcast, consider partnering with Sweet Fish. We’ll help you revolutionize your podcast game and take of all the hard parts—yes, even the podcast hosting platforms and details there. 

Learn more about the top 7 services your podcast production agency should be offering!