Choose Your Podcast Hosting and Distribution

You are so close to launching your podcast! 

Podcast hosting stores and distributes audio and video content as podcasts on the internet. Podcast hosting services provide the necessary infrastructure and tools to upload, store, and distribute your audio files to listeners.

When selecting a podcast hosting service, review the following features:

1. Storage space: The amount of storage space you need will depend on the length and frequency of your podcast episodes. Make sure the hosting service you choose offers enough space to accommodate your needs.
2. Bandwidth: Bandwidth is the amount of data that can be transferred from the server to the listener’s device. Make sure the hosting service you choose provides enough bandwidth to handle the number of downloads and listens your podcast receives.
3. Distribution: A good podcast hosting service should distribute your podcast to major directories such as Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Spotify, making it easy for your listeners to find and subscribe to your show.
4. Analytics: Analytics are important for understanding your audience and how your podcast is performing. Make sure the hosting service you choose provides detailed analytics such as listener demographics, download numbers, and playback data.

PodBean

Discover all the features you can use to publish, promote and monetize your podcast.

• Cost: FREE – $79/MO

• Best For: People looking for an all-round podcast service.

• Features:

  • Get started without the learning curve. The intuitive interface makes publishing a podcast as simple as a few clicks.
  • MailChimp Integration
  • No limits on downloads, episodes or recording time. Flat-rate, affordable plans for worry-free podcasting.
  • Podbean includes a free podcast website with your account. Choose from a variety of professional themes that you can customize to fit your needs.
  • Use your own branded domain for your podcast website.
  • Convenient publishing on your timetable. Upload your audio and schedule episodes to post at designated times.
  • Live Streaming and listener engagement tools

• Analytics: Yes

• Monetization: Yes

  • Podcast Advertising: List your podcast in the Podbean advertising marketplace for free to get matched with potential advertisers. Use the PodAds SaaS for sophisticated ads management with dynamic insertion capability. Run ads like a pro and maximize revenue.

  • Premium Podcast: Create and sell as much premium content as you want. No costs for storage or downloads. Take advantage of “in the moment” purchasing power: listeners can purchase content in a couple clicks when they’re listening in the Podbean app.

  • Patron for Podcasters: A seamless way for fans to support your podcast with recurring, monthly donations. Create a patron page in minutes, easily set different levels of donations/rewards. Podbean lets you publish patrons-only content just like you would any podcast episode.

  • Revenue Opportunities: You can sell virtual tickets for your live stream and receive virtual gifts from your listeners. Virtual gifts can be converted to US dollars and cashed out.

• Need To Know:

  • Free subscription is limited
  • Customer service is “iffy”

Anchor (Spotify)

Combining Anchor’s all-in-one free hosting and distribution with all the best features Spotify has to offer.

• Cost: FREE

• Best For:

  • Beginners, Hobbiest, BUT Spotify is a TOP platform. If you don’t have plans to become a network, this could be a valuable platform for even experienced podcasters.

• Features:

  • Creation Tools: All the tools you need to host, create, edit, and distribute your podcast like a professional—all for free. Whether you’re starting your first podcast or your fifth season, you can find what you need to make your best episode here. Branch out into new podcast formats. With Video Podcasts on Spotify you can show your story and engage more deeply with your fans. Music and Talk shows on Spotify allow an entirely new type of show by combining your talk content with the Spotify music catalog.
  • Growth Tools: Grow your podcast and deepen the way that millions of people on Spotify can enjoy your content. Video podcasts are the most engaging way to share your story. Fans can seamlessly switch between listening to and watching your video podcast—meaning they can enjoy your episodes however they want, wherever they go.
  • Growth Tools: Get detailed insights into your audience behavior, engage directly with millions of fans on Spotify, and grow your show. Let your fans share their opinions by engaging them directly with Q&A and polls. Share your favorite replies on social media to drive continued engagement with your episode long after it’s published. Don’t know what topics your audience is most interested in? Want to figure out what guests you should bring on? Tap your loyal fans on Spotify to guide you in the right direction.
  • Earn: Our flexible podcast monetization tools are made for everyone. Earn with ads or through the direct support of your most engaged fans.

• Analytics: Yes,

• Monetization: YES!

  • Earn with ads or through the direct support of your most engaged fans. Mix and match monetization options, like ads and fan-supported subscriptions, to maximize your earnings. Change or try new features at any time to adapt to your goals. We know podcasting is a lot of work, so we built streamlined-yet-powerful monetization tools. Just tell us where to place your ad, or set a monthly subscription price, and we’ll do the rest. Increase your revenue and advertising options, not your sales team. With Automated Ads, you’ll get paired with world-class brands that want to reach your audience with their ads.

• Need To Know:

  • Can only host ONE podcast per account
  • Limited editing and creation tools
  • Compatible with video podcasts
  • From one of the TOP podcast platforms

Buzzsprout

Easy and powerful tools, with free learning materials, and remarkable customer support.

• Cost: Free-$24/MO

• Best For: Beginners and Hobbyists

• Features:

  • Advanced Stats
  • Magic Mastering
  • Accept Payments
  • Get Paid with Ads
  • Auto Episode Optimization (additional charge)
  • Dynamic Content
  • Transcripts (additional charge)
  • Pod Website, Add Your own URL
  • WordPress Plugin

• Analytics:

  • Get to know your listeners with podcast statistics. See stats like your total downloads over time, what apps people are using to listen to your podcast, and where people are listening to your podcast.

• Monetization:

  • Start by accepting recurring support from your listeners in less than 2 minutes. Then when you’re ready to do more, incentivize listeners to support your show by offering premium subscriber-only content.
  • Make money by running ads for products and other podcasts within your episodes. It’s quick, easy, and you maintain full control by accepting or declining ad opportunities that match your audience’s interests.

• Dynamic Ads

  • Our Dynamic Content tool lets you add and remove pre-roll and post-roll segments to and from your podcast episodes. Send a message to all of your listeners, regardless of the episode they are enjoying.

• Need To Know:

  • It’s tough to estimate the true cost, because there are add-ons depending on your needs.

RedCircle

Grow your podcast, reach new audiences, and monetize your content.

• Cost: $15/MO – Enterprise

• Best For: Monetization

• Features:

  • All-in-one platform to host, distribute, and measure your podcast.

  • Ad Platform: Your one-stop shop to monetize your show with advertising, all from right inside your RedCircle account.

  • Cross Promotions: Partner with like-minded podcasters to grow your audiences together.

  • Subscriptions: Build subscription revenue from your most dedicated listeners with exclusive content.

  • Donations: Get rewarded for your work, accept one-time and recurring donations.

• Analytics: Yes, but limited

• Monetization:

  • Diversify your podcast ads with host-read and programmatic advertisements. Complete control over ad categories and brand deals. There’s no exclusive contracts or commitments, you’re free to pursue every money-making opportunity on platform and off.
  • While you’re busy recording your episodes, we’ll be working behind the scenes to fill your available inventory. Our dynamic insertion technology will swap ads in and out of your episodes and keep even your oldest episodes fresh and up to date.
  • We have integrated with Stripe to allow more flexible payout schedules. Creators deserve to get paid fairly for the hard work they do. Transfer any available balance directly into your bank account with a click of a button.
  • Build subscription revenue from your most dedicated listeners with exclusive content.
  • Accept donations to create additional income and let your biggest fans show their support. It’s easy for listeners to make a one-time donation, or commit to ongoing support by subscribing to weekly, monthly, or yearly donations.

• Need To Know:

  • Grow your podcast without having to join a podcast network.
  • Very limited analytics: just downloads, revenue, and ad statistics.

Libsyn

Libsyn’s built-in podcast recording ensures that everyone, beginner to expert, can easily share their unique voice with the world. Our audio podcast creation tools simplify achieving your individual podcasting goals — podcaster freedom is our thing

• Cost: $5-$40/MO

• Best For: Enterprises & Networks

• Features:

  • Built-in Podcast Recording and Creation

  • Robust Podcasting Statistics & Audience Insights

  • Podcast Marketing Tools to Grow Your Audience

  • Custom Free Podcast Player & Website For Every Plan

  • Always unlimited downloads, never any automatic ads, free show import, and a commitment to authentic, independent voices.

• Analytics: Robust

• Monetization:

  • Promote your show to thousands of paying advertisers on Libsyn’s AdvertiseCast Marketplace.
  • LibsynGLOW Easily build a paying subscription or membership program. Your listeners WANT to support you. Let them.

• Need To Know:

  • Lower tier plans have limited features and bandwidth