15 Finest Podcast Internet hosting Platforms

Podcasts are on the rise. In 2020 consumption of podcasts reached 332.2 million web customers, and this quantity grew to 383.7 in 2021. And it’s rising steadily – with the variety of listeners slated to achieve about 509.4 in 2024.

Podcasts have moved from a distinct segment market of discussants of their mother or father’s basements to being unfold throughout the globe into everybody’s earsets. 

Nevertheless, it’s extra complicated than simply creating an honest present and importing it. First, your web site wants to have the ability to deal with the site visitors, lest you need your listeners making an attempt to enroll in your publication on a frisbee. However the place does one begin?

And that’s the place podcast internet hosting websites come into the image! 

You want a podcast internet hosting service to publish your podcast episodes on-line and make them obtainable to your viewers. Podcasts are referred to as interactive audio content material for a motive. Your podcast listeners can get in contact with you thru the feedback part, emailing you their suggestions, sharing your episodes on social media, and extra.

It doesn’t matter in the event you’re trying to grow to be a mega-star or need to solidify your model; understanding which podcast internet hosting platform to make use of is crucial to the podcasting course of.

In right now’s article, we’ve got lined the 15 greatest podcasting websites. So whether or not you’re in search of free or paid podcast internet hosting websites, we’ve got lined every part intimately.

1. Podbean

Podbean is a podcast internet hosting and monetizing platform that allows you to publish your podcasts in minutes. Simply arrange some fundamental details about your podcast – and you’re set to publish your first episode on Podbean. With Podbean’s intuitive consumer interface, getting began with the service is as simple as pie!

Within the above picture, you’ll be able to see how Podbean will ask you to arrange your podcast. Podbean makes it simple to create a professional-looking web site from title and outline to class and podcast brand. When you add your episode, you may also decide a theme on your web site. 

As you see within the under picture, you’ll be able to customise its fonts and colours and take a look at the audio and look earlier than it launches. 

Podcasts can be listened to on Apple, Google, Shopify, and different podcast apps. If you wish to embed your podcast in your web site or blogs, Podbeans Embeddable Gamers will make that simple for you. The Embeddable participant can also be customizable and allows you to add branded components, making the design skilled. 

You possibly can even join your social media deal with along with your Podbean account to instantly share podcasts in your social pages.

It doesn’t skimp on statistics, both. Podbean statistics will provide you with all of the insights it’s good to find out about your podcast’s viewers, together with the highest 10 episodes, what number of downloads there are at a selected time, the place your prospects come from, and consumer retention information.

All in all, it’s an important choice to get began along with your podcasting journey. Nevertheless, one draw back is that the podcast web site isn’t as polished as some podcasters would possibly favor.

Different key options embody

• You possibly can host audio and video information with out limits on storage and bandwidth.
• You possibly can personalize your podcast with your individual area.
• You can too schedule your podcast episode upfront.
• When you publish your podcast, customers can entry it on Alexa gadgets.
• Its Mailchimp integration will enable you accumulate emails for future distribution.
• You possibly can monetize your podcast utilizing adverts.
• Reside stream your podcast with a distant co-host or visitor.

Execs

• They provide a free plan, which offers iPhone and Android app gamers with 100GB of month-to-month bandwidth and their very own podcast web site.
• Despite the fact that the interface could be very intuitive, the assets of their information base can be useful to inexperienced persons.

Cons

• You possibly can’t host video podcasts until you’re on their Plus & Enterprise plans.
• The podcasting web site ought to be extra skilled. 

Pricing

It begins at $9/month for limitless cupboard space, unmetered bandwidth, distribution on important podcast apps, customizable themes, and extra.

2. Buzzsprout

Buzzsprout is a podcasting platform that gives internet hosting, promotion, and analytics options. You possibly can instantly distribute your podcast on Google, Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, iHeartRadio, Alexa, Overcast, and extra via Buzzsprout.

You can begin with simple and free studying materials supplied by Buzzsprout, together with podcasting guides, programs, video tutorials, trade podcasts, and neighborhood.

It’s additionally value noting that Skilled-sounding podcasts don’t come simple. That’s why Buzzsprout’s MagicMastering instrument is obtainable so that you can use. It’s an audio filter that sweetens your podcast and optimizes it for the very best trade requirements.

That mentioned, the Magic Mastering function is simply obtainable with the pricier plans, so that you’ll must shell out extra money for it. 

You don’t have to fret about optimizing your episodes your self both as a result of Buzzsprout optimizes all episodes when it comes to file kind, bitrates, ID3 tags, and so on.

One of the best half is that it has dynamic content material flexibility, letting you determine whether or not audio ought to go originally or finish of an episode. It does every part to make your podcast search engine pleasant, together with transcribing every episode for individuals with listening to disabilities.

Buzzsprout’s customers additionally normally have good issues to say concerning the platform. 

For instance, Neil Thacker, founding father of Informal Automotive Information, who makes use of Buzzsprout himself, is a giant fan of the platform.

Thacker says, 

“I’ve been fortunate sufficient to host just a few totally different podcasts in varied industries. Each time, my internet hosting platform of selection is Buzzsprout. They only get it. Buzzsprout makes it tremendous simple to publish and syndicate your podcast episodes throughout varied mainstream streaming platforms and directories. 

When you want a web site on your podcast, Buzzsprout provides you the instruments to create one. Merely decide a site and host your podcast there for the world to see. It’s fast and simple to arrange and received’t value you the earth. Go, Buzzsprout!” 

Different key options embody

• It affords a customizable podcast participant that allows you to skip to the subsequent observe or transfer backward. You can too share your episode on social media and make the participant match your web site’s branding.
• One account can maintain a number of podcasts and workforce members.
• You’ll find all the required assist via its YouTube channel and Fb neighborhood.
• It integrates with instruments equivalent to Chartable, Podtrac, Hindenburg, and extra.
• It additionally affords Visible Soundbites to match your model colours.

Execs

• It affords aggressive pricing and options.
• Clear & easy-to-use UI.
• Loads of studying assets.
• Free model for 90 days.

Cons

• Restricted add time, even with paid plans.
• Your episodes can be hosted just for 90 days with the fundamental plan.
• The essential plan doesn’t embody Magic Mastering.

Pricing

Begins at $12/month for 3 hours of add, superior statistics, limitless storage, and extra.

3. Simplecast

Simplecast is the all-in-one resolution on your podcasting wants – together with podcast publishing, distribution, analytics, and sharing. Whether or not you’re a big or small enterprise, it additionally has related instrument entry for all sizes of firms.

Your podcast will be arrange anyplace, together with Shopify, Google Podcast, Apple Podcast, and different podcast directories. Simplecast will get your podcast on these directories and apps as quickly as you publish any episode after which robotically sends it to your listeners.

Then it can offer you superior analytics to indicate what number of listeners you may have, what number of downloads you get, your listeners’ areas, and extra. See under for a visible illustration of how this works:

It additionally has a web site. That’s proper; you’ll get your individual web site. 

This web site robotically updates as you publish new episodes and is customizable, mobile-friendly, search engine optimized, and Google Podcast optimized. You possibly can even use your individual domains.

As well as, it permits the consumer to handle a number of reveals in a single account. The picture under will present you what the Podcast Dashboard seems like. It shows the variety of episodes for every present and different info, equivalent to function and proprietor.

Different key options embody

• Its audio analytics are available easy-to-understand visuals and present you totally different traits – for instance, which system listeners use to hearken to your podcasts.
• Simplecast’s framework is a rock-solid, no-nonsense platform that retains your stream taking part in 24/7.
• You possibly can import your current podcast from any platform with just some clicks.
• You should utilize its gamers to embed your podcasts in your net.

Execs

• All of its plans supply limitless uploads and storage.

Cons

• It doesn’t supply a free model.
• I see customers getting annoyed with the restricted customization choices for web site themes.

Pricing

It begins at $15/month for 2 seats, limitless storage and uploads, fundamental analytics, a customized area, a customizable web site, and extra.

4. Anchor.fm

Anchor is without doubt one of the – if not the very best free podcast internet hosting providers by Spotify that takes care of creation, distribution, monetization, analytics, and extra.

Creating Music+speak episodes on Anchor is as simple as pie. Select any music from Spotify’s library, place it in your episode builder, add an audio file that you simply want to go together with the music file, after which submit your episode for assessment.

A few of the greatest methods to make cash out of your podcast are by constructing an viewers and monetizing that viewers. And with Anchor, you’ll be able to monetize in varied methods, together with by including paid commercials to your podcast or asking for donations from listeners.

As well as, the IAB 2.0-certified metrics from Spotify allow you to measure your podcast’s efficiency intimately. For instance, you’ll be able to see the place listeners are abandoning you on the observe and modify accordingly by including content material that actually issues to them. You can too see what kind of listeners work together along with your podcasts – how previous they’re, what gender they establish with, and extra.

Luciano Colos, founder and CEO of PitchGrade, who makes use of Anchor for his personal podcast, talks about his expertise with the platform.

He believes that the end-to-end management of the entire course of is what makes Anchor.fm distinctive. 

Colos additional shares, 

“Even in the event you’re not a technical particular person, the interface is so easy that you simply’ll be capable to study it in minutes. I’ve been utilizing it because the day I began my podcast, and I’m so glad I discovered it. It’s additionally value mentioning that the help on the platform is nice. When you ever have a query, you’ll be able to contact the employees on their Discord channel and can get a solution inside minutes.”

Different key options embody

• All of the content material rights are yours.
• You possibly can distribute your podcast to Google, Apple, Pocket Casts, Spotify, and extra.
• You possibly can instantly document out of your cellphone, pill, or pc and sync them to all gadgets.
• You possibly can create each audio and video podcasts.
• The episode builder has easy-to-visualize constructing blocks.

Execs

• Anchor affords free and limitless internet hosting in all plans.
• Straightforward monetization choices, that too with adverts in your individual voice.
• You possibly can distribute your podcast to all main podcasting platforms.

Cons

• You possibly can host just one podcast per account.
• Interview options on cellphone internet hosting are restricted.
• Buyer help is restricted to on-line assets.

Pricing

It’s a free platform. 

5. SoundCloud

SoundCloud is a platform for each streaming audio and internet hosting podcasts. Majorly, it’s a preferred music-sharing platform, but it surely additionally affords a strong podcast-hosting platform utilized by over 75 million individuals worldwide.

Making a SoundCloud profile can also be so simple as pie. You possibly can personalize your profile with your individual username, profile URL, customized profile picture, and header.

SoundCloud can also be one of many few podcast-hosting platforms that let you create a neighborhood round your podcasts. That is helpful if you wish to develop consciousness about your podcast amongst different customers.

Customers can touch upon particular moments of the observe, and different customers can see these feedback after they attain that second on the observe.

The podcast internet hosting platform is obtainable for Android and iOS, and you’ll join free. After all, there’s an inexpensive price for upgrading your account to a creator account. 

As well as, SoundCloud allows you to distribute your tracks on varied channels, together with Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music, and extra.

Then you may have the SoundCloud Analytics dashboard that offers you a fast overview of the variety of streams, income, and prime tracks — but it surely’s not as detailed as you will get with different podcasting websites. In spite of everything, it’s a music streaming platform primarily somewhat than one particularly for podcasts.

There may be little to no information on their web site for inexperienced persons, which is one other drawback. That mentioned, it’s fairly simple to make use of, so anybody with out expertise in podcasting can simply use the platform.

Different key options embody

• SoundCloud means that you can share your music on Apple Music, TikTok, Spotify, and extra.
• Apart from the free model, SoundCloud affords limitless add time.
• When you have collaborators in your profile, you’ll be able to break up the funds with them.
• You can too schedule your podcast releases upfront. 

Execs

• It affords a free plan with 3 hours of add time.
• The internet hosting price is inexpensive.
• Listeners can touch upon particular moments out of your observe.

Cons

• Many customers report that it takes a very long time to load the observe.

Pricing

It begins at $2.50/month for monetization, distribution, promotion, and break up cost options.

6. Transistor.fm 

Transistor’s like different podcasting platforms – you’ll be able to create a podcast from scratch or import it from one other platform. Simply observe the directions, and also you’re good to go.

As soon as your podcast is recorded and able to go, you’ll be able to invite a number of members to contribute. Its analytics software program offers clear visuals and sturdy insights into listener traits. 

As an example, the under picture is an outline of the podcast efficiency: 

Now observe that the quantity of knowledge and clear visuals make this much less overwhelming. As you’ll be able to see, it provides you insights into common downloads per episode for the particular interval, estimated subscribers, and complete downloads (month-wise visible presentation).

Along with offering one-click submissions to important podcast platforms equivalent to Spotify, Google, Apple Podcasts, Podcast Addict, and extra, Transistor additionally affords one-click submissions to serps like Pay attention Notes and The Podcast Index. Transistor is without doubt one of the few podcasting internet hosting platforms to supply a service like this. 

Corey Haines, Founding father of SwipeWell, shares his expertise with the platform, 

“I’ve been tremendous proud of Transistor.fm for internet hosting all my podcasts. As an alternative of paying for every one individually, Transistor permits me to host all of the podcasts I would like for a single worth. This made me be at liberty to experiment and begin as many podcasts as I needed. Additionally they have nice integrations, analytics, and sharing capabilities to embed on a web site or publication.”

Different key options embody

• You possibly can create, import, and host a number of podcasts in a single Transistor account.
• You get a novel RSS feed, superior analytics, a fundamental webpage, and collaborator invitations for every podcast you create.
• The analytics instrument provides you insights just like the variety of performs, complete performs per episode, common obtain, gadgets, and extra. 
• It affords a podcast participant you could embed in your web site, touchdown web page, or tweet.

Execs

• A number of podcast internet hosting choices let you take a look at totally different podcast codecs for various teams of listeners.
• You possibly can host limitless podcasts in a single account.
• It affords a free trial.

Cons

• The starter plan, which is a paid one, doesn’t embody dynamic adverts. It additionally doesn’t let you automate YouTube posting.
• There are many assets of their information base, however discovering what you’re in search of is complicated.
• Solely the Marketing strategy means that you can take away Transistor branding from the participant.

Pricing

It begins at $19/month for limitless podcasts, personal podcasts, reside buyer help, a built-in podcast web site, and extra.

7. Libsyn

Libsyn has the instruments that can assist you get began no matter your stage of podcasting experience. It assists you in recording, publishing, distributing, and monetizing your podcasts. 

One of the best half? You possibly can host each audio and video podcasts on Libsyn.

To get began with Libsyn, you’ll have to supply just a few particulars, together with podcast title, subtitle, description, class, proprietor’s identify & e mail, creator, web site URL, and extra.

The under picture reveals what the Libsyn podcast settings appear like: 

You can too add your individual art work to your podcast. Click on “Add art work” or drag and drop the pictures within the add space. Suppose you don’t have your art work prepared. In that case, you’ll be able to design one on Canva – Libsyn’s integration with Canva makes making a professional-looking podcast cowl easy with none graphic design expertise. 

As soon as you’re prepared with every part, publish your podcast and distribute it to the platforms the place your listeners might be, equivalent to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Play Music.

Libsyn provides you extra methods to make cash along with your podcast, together with promoting and subscriptions. For instance, you’ll be able to pitch to the massive advertisers on Libsyn’s AdvertiseCast Market or construct a neighborhood of members who get unique entry to your content material.

Antreas Koutis, Administrative Supervisor at Financer, shares his expertise with Libsyn, 

“After I began podcasting on the aspect, I wasn’t certain which internet hosting platform to make use of. There are lots of choices on the market, and it may be overwhelming to attempt to determine which one is the very best. After attempting out just a few totally different platforms, I discovered that I favored Libsyn the very best. 

It was simple to make use of and had all of the options that I used to be in search of. I additionally favored the truth that they provided limitless storage and bandwidth, which was necessary to me since I needed to have the ability to develop my podcast with out having to fret about working out of area. The one draw back is that it may be a bit costly, however total I believed it was the best choice for me.” 

Different key options embody

• Its podcast gamers let you drag and drop your uploads, and you’ll create an episode from any web page.
• You can too publish your episodes in batches or pre-schedule them.
• With Snippets, you’ll be able to create an outline on your podcasts simply as soon as and reuse it with each publish.
• It offers IAB Tech Lab Verified Stats, which implies you’ll be able to belief the accuracy of the information.
• Get entry to superior analytics, together with an interactive worldwide map, listener app analytics, demographics, and extra.

Execs

• Podcasting could be a cinch for anybody who begins with Libsyn’s in-depth, step-by-step guides and different helpful assets.
• Its integration with Canva helps you design your art work with ease.

Cons

• The essential plan doesn’t supply limitless storage or importing hours. 
• For superior options, the value is kind of excessive.

Pricing

Begins at $5/month for 3 hours of importing, 162MB storage, stats snapshot, fundamental social promotion, limitless bandwidth, ad-free web site, and extra.

8. Podcastics

Podcastics is an entire suite of instruments for internet hosting, sharing, and monetizing your podcasts. The prime motive to offer Podcastics a attempt is its 1-month free trial – no bank card required! And also you don’t even want the coaching to make use of this platform. However in the event you want help, there’s loads of assist in the assistance part.

It takes just some clicks to get Podcastincs up and working. The editor is clear and self-explanatory, as proven within the picture under. Simply observe the steps, and your podcast can be prepared in minutes.

Furthermore, if you have already got your podcasts on the Apple Podcasts platform, you’ll be able to simply import all of them into your Podcastics account in simply two clicks. Merely kind your podcast identify within the search field and choose yours from the checklist that seems. This can accumulate and save all of your information, equivalent to titles, descriptions, episodes, and so on.

Podcastics can also be one of many few podcast internet hosting platforms that let you host a number of podcasts with limitless episodes underneath one roof.

As soon as your podcast is up and able to be distributed, you’ll be able to share it with the world on main listening platforms equivalent to Spotify, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, and extra. Podcastics makes distribution a lot simpler by robotically creating an RSS feed for you. 

Its magic hyperlink by no means misses redirecting your listeners to the right platform. You can too add QR codes to your magazines or print flyers to get consumer subscriptions.

Different key options embody

• You possibly can host a number of podcasts in a single account.
• It additionally data warmth maps for you with probably the most and least energetic time throughout the week. 
• The textual content editor allows you to insert hyperlinks and lists and magnificence your fonts in episode descriptions.
• In case you are utilizing a free model, you need to use your individual server to add your podcasts. Paid plans supply to host by Amazon Servers.
• You can too monetize your episodes utilizing Patreon and affiliate applications.
• You possibly can phase your podcasts into periods and assign episode numbers.
• You possibly can schedule your podcasts for particular dates & occasions.

Execs

• It saves your time with the duplicate episodes function; then, you’ll be able to edit just a few particulars and publish one other episode in minutes.
• Its description snippets eradicate the redundant job of including just a few similar components for every episode.

Cons

• Though it incorporates so many superior options, newbies can rapidly grow to be confused by this system for a similar motive.
• For the free plan, it’s important to use your individual server.

Pricing

Begins at $8/month for worldwide distribution, simple import, limitless episodes, personal/unlisted episodes, and extra.

9. Spreaker

Spreaker comes with a bundle of instruments so that you can create, distribute, monetize, develop an viewers, and observe the progress of your podcasts. You possibly can host and monetize your podcasts with programmatic adverts from large manufacturers, equivalent to Inexperienced Chef, Lego, Swag.com, CareerBuilder, and extra.

Spreaker’s how-to information for podcasting will get you began very quickly. After getting your podcast’s identify, size, and format prepared, Spreaker Studio will enable you document it, add sound results, and crop or trim your audio. Lastly, add the quilt artwork, and you’re able to publish your first podcast on Spreaker.

Martyna Inkielman, Neighborhood Supervisor at PhotoAiD, shares her expertise with Spreaker, 

“I discover Spreaker the very best and most dependable platform. My favourite factor about it’s that it offers many of the important options in a single place  – just about every part associated to your podcast will be finished on Spreaker. It’s additionally very intuitive, so it’s easy to make use of, even for newbie podcasters.”

Martyna largely has good issues to say about Spreaker, however one factor that bothers her – it doesn’t help video podcasting, so she will’t publish on YouTube with it.

Different key options embody

• With Spreaker, you’ll be able to share your podcasts on Google Podcasts, Amazon, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and iHeartRadio.
• For monetizing, Spreaker inserts related adverts in your podcasts irrespective of how new your episode is.
• For analytics, you’ll be able to select the plan for the extent of element you want about your podcast interactions. From downloads to listeners’ geolocation, Spreaker reveals you each statistic very important to you.
• Spreaker Enterprise affords full-stack audio publishing, single-click distribution to numerous podcast channels, advert marketing campaign supervisor, and extra.

Execs

• You possibly can monetize your podcasts whatever the dimension of your viewers, the variety of downloads, or your account age.
• You possibly can see real-time analytics of your podcasts due to their IAB Tech Lab certification.

Cons

• Customers have reported restricted choices for customer support.

Pricing

It begins at $8/month for 6-months statistics, 100-hours storage, auto-upload to Spotify, iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, and extra.

10. Podomatic

Podomatic means that you can construct your podcasting profession in 4 simple steps: create a free account, document and publish, submit your podcast to large podcast platforms equivalent to Spotify, and maintain repeating.

To add media, it’s essential to first add it to Podomatic’s library of supported file codecs. It helps file codecs together with m4a, mp3, mp4,  BMP, jpg, png, mp4, m4v, and extra. 

Podomatic will retailer your audio and video information in an unpublishable part if they’re bigger than 350MB, lack an extension, or has an unsupported extension. 

To add a podcast, you solely want to find out the title, tagline, cowl artwork, description, class, tags, and language. Then, as soon as printed, you can begin monetizing it utilizing Patreon, Popcorn, and What For Attire adverts.

You can too get stats in your podcast, together with complete performs, cell performs, embeds, downloads, visits, and extra. The service goes additional into analytics to indicate your efficiency over a specific time period, the efficiency of particular person episodes, and listeners’ graphs.

Different key options embody

• You possibly can retailer as much as 6 hours of recording (free) or 500MB of information.
• It provides you 15GB of bandwidth for a month.
• It additionally affords free monitoring of your podcasts every day.

Execs

• You don’t pay on your first 20 episodes.
• Its premium plans are inexpensive.
• Premium plans supply limitless bandwidth and storage.
• Be it a pc or cell – you’ll be able to document and publish high-quality episodes.

Cons

• It doesn’t enable the scheduling of episodes.

Pricing

Begins at $2.49/month for 100GB bandwidth, 2GB storage, and extra.

11. Blubrry

Blubrry is a podcast internet hosting platform the place you discover simple podcast migration from different platforms, reside buyer help, and in-depth statistics. Blurry can also be able to host your single podcast or a complete slew of them.

With Blubrry, you will get greater than only a podcast internet hosting service. You possibly can develop your viewers and join with listeners through the use of Podcast Viewers Surveys. These surveys offer you helpful details about your viewers, permitting you to develop a extra sturdy publishing technique.

As an example, you’ll be able to see who accomplished your surveys and see their total profile with info like identification, age, employment, schooling, demographics, viewers’s listening habits, suggestions, and extra.

When you’ve received all these metrics in place, you’ll be able to then use them to check and distinction with each other to give you a extra sturdy publishing technique. That is one thing that no different podcast internet hosting platform does.

Blubrry additionally affords a free and elective managed WordPress web site – designed with all the required modules a podcast web site wants. As well as, this web site automates podcast publishing in your web site through the use of PowerPress Plugin. 

And in the event you’re not trying to host a complete web site, Blubrry affords a podcast touchdown web page with a fast show of the present and pay attention and subscription module. 

Wish to additional know the place your listeners are coming from and which system they’re utilizing? Blubrry Stats might help you analyze all of that!

Nevertheless, it’s value noting that Blubrry’s Normal plan is so fundamental you could’t even use your individual area with it. It doesn’t include superior statistics or extra themes and plugins both – so be ready to purchase a pricier plan if you’d like all of these options. 

Different key options embody

• It permits personal podcasting for secured supply of audio and video to any system.
• It comes with a podcast media equipment – which supplies you an outline of your podcast efficiency.
• It additionally allows you to select your individual brand, branding, and theme.
• You can too use your individual area with its superior plan.

Execs

• Further storage is obtainable for an additional cost.
• Listeners’ survey helps construct a more in-depth reference to the viewers.
• Its visible reviews are detailed and simple to grasp.

Cons

• Each paid plans supply minimal storage. The utmost is as little as 400MB.

Pricing

It begins at $10/month for 125MB storage, customary statistics, monetization, e mail and cellphone help, limitless downloads, a customized embedded participant, and extra.

12. Captivate.fm

Captivate takes satisfaction in its easy, easy-to-use dashboard that covers all the required capabilities and metrics to create, distribute, monetize, and promote your podcast.

Though it doesn’t come without cost, the vary of internet hosting options and storage and add capacities makes the value value it. Captivate is designed by podcasters for podcasters, so it is aware of about their wants.

Making a podcast in Captivate is a 5-step course of. First, you’ll want the podcast identify, creator identify, podcast cowl artwork, description, class, listing setting, and extra. After getting all the required particulars, you can begin importing your podcast into the Captivate Dashboard.

Then copy your present RSS feed into the present feed URL field and select the present host—and voila! You might be able to go.

As quickly as you publish your first episode, your podcast will be listed on one of many directories that Captivate integrates with.

With Captivate Analytics, you’ll be able to see complete downloads, complete listeners, distinctive listeners, web site site visitors, listener demographic, and extra.

It additionally affords responsive podcast web sites the place you’ll be able to choose from 3 templates, add bios, sign-up kinds, lead era modules, and extra.

Nina Paczka, Neighborhood Supervisor at Resume Now, shares her expertise with Captivate.fm, 

“What I like probably the most is their dashboard – minimalistic but offering every part you want. When you’re experiencing some bother, Captivate’s workforce is there to help you. Contemplating the above, there’s nothing to dislike there. The platform affords a seven-day free trial. All paid plans cowl limitless podcasts and workforce members, with entry to analytics and advertising instruments.”

Different key options embody

• Every plan affords limitless podcasts and limitless storage.
• You possibly can import, add, and edit podcast transcriptions inside Captivate because of its help of podcasting 2.0.
• It affords a world help workforce of 11 that covers 4 time zones, which implies irrespective of the place you’re, their buyer help will at all times be obtainable.
• It affords Superior IAB Tech Lab-certified podcast analytics to all podcasters.

Execs

• Their weblog part is the supply for each little query you would have while you’re utilizing this platform.
• Analytics goes deeper with every metric supplying you with an entire image of your podcast efficiency.
• It affords a 7-day trial with all of the options.

Cons

• It doesn’t supply a free model.

Pricing

Begins at $17/month for 12K downloads, limitless podcasts, limitless uploads & storage, podcasting 2.0 help, and extra.

13. Sounder

Sounder is one other podcast platform on this checklist that provides instruments to monetize, analyze, and promote your podcast throughout international directories. It follows IAB & GARM trade requirements to generate correct episode scores, transcripts, key phrases, summaries, and extra inside seconds. 

You possibly can create your podcast on Sounder both from scratch or by importing it from an current platform. When you sign-up for a free account, you can begin with the podcast by coming into particulars equivalent to title, description, class, and art work.

You possibly can tinker with many extra particulars, together with your podcast’s identify and outline, creator identify, language, timezone, and extra. Whereas establishing these particulars, you’ll be able to allow monetization by merely clicking on the related possibility. And that’s it! 

Now you’ll be able to create an episode by importing an audio file and including its title and outline. Right here you’ll be able to set episode numbers, sorts, and art work. You can too pre-schedule them. 

When you’ve enabled monetization, you’ll be able to choose whether or not pre or post-rolls adverts ought to go to your present.

When you publish your podcast, Sounder will enable you distribute it to standard listening apps equivalent to Spotify, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, Pandora, and extra.

With Sounder Analytics Dashboard, you will get insights into streams, listeners, income, listeners’ demographics, key phrases, referrals, and extra.

Different key options embody

• You possibly can have as much as 4 collaborators in your podcast.
• You possibly can publish your podcasts underneath customized domains.
• It comes with a podcast participant with audio search performance.
• You possibly can host limitless podcasts in a single account.
• When you have 50K+ streams monthly, you will get early entry to host-read DAI alternatives.

Execs

• Limitless podcasts.
• Provides a free model for restricted options.
• UI is clear and intuitive.

Cons

• Solely affords audio podcasting.
• You can’t create membership applications.

Pricing

Accessible on request.

14. Fusebox

When you’re in search of an inexpensive podcast internet hosting platform, then Fusebox is the instrument for you! It’s additionally fairly simple to make use of and offers a step-by-step information via the complete course of.

To start out a podcast utilizing Fusebox, it’s good to select whether or not you’re beginning a brand new podcast or importing from an current one. Within the under picture, you’ll be able to see that the UI is easy and simple to observe, even for newbies to podcasting.

When you’re creating your podcast from scratch, you have to be prepared with the main points, such because the podcast title, description, and canopy art work. 

Right here’s what the shape will appear like: 

You can too import information out of your current podcast by merely coming into your feed RSS URL. It should lead you to the subscription web page, the place you’ll be able to choose a free or professional plan.

When you’re a brand new consumer of Fusebox or making a podcast for the primary time, you need to allow Straightforward Internet hosting out of your dashboard. It is available in each paid subscription. 

Right here, Fusebox will discover your podcast and import all of the information and information into your Fusebox account – you’ll be able to simply sit again and loosen up.

When you’ve arrange podcast info, you can begin customizing your podcast participant. The Branding web page lets you choose the model colours that match your podcast or web site branding.

You can too add a name to motion – a button that prompts listeners to purchase your music or join your mailing checklist. 

You possibly can additional: 

• Management the pace of the participant
• Add a obtain button and subscribe button
• Embody a customized URL that sends listeners on to your on-line retailer after they click on on the quilt artwork of their iTunes library.

Different key options embody

• Customizable podcast gamers will enable you keep aligned along with your branding.
• Fusebox focuses on the metrics that rely, equivalent to downloads, referral sources, and top-performing podcasts and episodes.
• The simple internet hosting function comes with step-by-step directions to create podcasts.
• The built-in cell participant means that you can goal listeners on the go.
• The podcast participant comes with a obtain, subscribe, and social sharing buttons.
• It affords three kinds of podcast gamers – together with sticky participant, full participant, and single participant.

Execs

• Its podcast gamers are customizable.
• Straightforward, self-guided UI.

Cons

• The free model forces you to make use of your individual host and offers you a single-track participant with restricted customization options.
• The starter plan contains solely single-track gamers. To supply the remainder of the gamers to your listeners, you’ll must improve to the Professional plan.

Pricing

Begins at $7.50/month for a single observe participant, important evaluation, simple internet hosting, and extra.

15. RSS.com

Rss.com is a podcasting app for individuals on the go. It’s like a Swiss military knife for busy podcasters, with options equivalent to cross-platform analytics, computerized podcast distribution, and limitless audio storage. 

You can begin by creating your podcast from scratch or importing it from an current podcast platform. Each are tremendous simple. To create from scratch, you will have to enter its title, description, language, and extra. 

Take a look at the picture under to see what you will have:

As you’ll be able to see, the UI is clear, simple to make use of, and self-explanatory. Each area is defined as you fill it out, and ideas seem onscreen in the event you want extra info. When you create your podcast, you’re able to add your first episode. 

The advantage of episodes is that they are often assigned season numbers, episode numbers, and kinds – supplying you with the pliability to publish your episodes within the type of totally different collection or trailers.

If you wish to monetize your podcast, you’re in luck – RSS has in-built instruments for that. The activation course of can also be simple and simply takes one click on. 

Rss.com affords you 3 ways to monetize your podcasts: donations, bitcoin funds, and sponsor adverts.

You can too distribute your podcast to listening platforms equivalent to Google, Amazon, Spotify, Samsung, Amazon Music, and extra.

Different key options embody

• Its all-in-one dashboard reveals you an entire image of your podcasts. You possibly can see scheduled episodes and navigate to your podcasts, analytics, distribution, or settings. You can too create a brand new episode from the dashboard.
• Its cross-platform analytics allows you to examine the metrics from totally different sources. For instance, you’ll be able to decide which podcast channel provides you extra listeners or downloads.
• It makes use of podcasting 2.0 – which implies you’ll be able to transcribe your audio and use them for web optimization functions. 
• From analytics, you’ll be able to decide the very best time to publish your episode and schedule it for the fitting time.
• With its embedded episode participant, you’ll be able to simply embed your podcast to any third-party web site.
• You will get extra attain utilizing social share buttons in your podcast gamers.

Execs

• You possibly can add chapters and soundbites to your episodes.
• You possibly can schedule episodes upfront.
• Your podcasts are robotically distributed to standard podcast platforms.
• It affords a free podcast web site.
• Every plan features a free trial with no bank card.
• Inexpensive plans.

Cons

• Doesn’t help cell apps.
• No forever-free plan.
• Doesn’t help any WP plugin.

Pricing

It begins at $4.99/month for limitless episodes & audio, cross-platform evaluation, RSS feed, free web site, customized embedded participant, and extra.

Continuously Requested Questions on Podcast Internet hosting Platforms 

1. What’s a podcast internet hosting platform?

Podcast internet hosting platforms are the intermediary between you and your viewers. They’re a mandatory a part of the podcast ecosystem — they supply the fundamental infrastructure that makes it doable so that you can create and publish your present.

2. How do I select a podcast internet hosting platform?

There are numerous components to contemplate when selecting a podcast internet hosting platform, together with:

• Value – How a lot does it value to make use of the platform? Paid providers don’t at all times supply higher options than free ones, however they might include extra help choices or different perks.

• Options – What does the platform supply when it comes to options? Does it have issues like automated episode creation, computerized distribution, social media integration, and extra?

• Help – How good is their help workforce? Are you able to attain them in the event you need assistance?

• Bandwidth – The quantity of knowledge that may be transferred from one location to a different in a sure period of time (normally measured in bits per second). The extra bandwidth obtainable in your account, the extra listeners will be capable to obtain your episodes with out having their connection interrupted or experiencing any buffering points.
• A built-in audio participant – This enables listeners to hearken to your episodes with out having to obtain an exterior app or go to one other web site. You possibly can even add social sharing buttons so individuals can simply share your episode on Fb or Twitter. 

3. Do I would like to make use of a podcast internet hosting platform?

When you’re simply beginning out, then it is perhaps simpler so that you can use a podcast internet hosting platform as a result of there are such a lot of choices obtainable. Nevertheless, when you’ve got some expertise with WordPress, then you’ll be able to host your individual podcast to keep away from paying month-to-month charges and have extra management over your content material and web site design.

4. How does podcast internet hosting work?

Podcast internet hosting providers present a platform to add your audio information in addition to convert them into an MP3 format. After importing your content material, it will likely be obtainable on their servers in order that anybody can entry them on-line. 

Most of those providers additionally supply some fundamental analytics and statistics that enable you observe how many individuals have listened to your podcast and the place they reside. 

Some even supply extra superior analytics like rating charts, variety of downloads per episode, and so on., which helps you perceive what individuals like about your present and the way they hearken to it (e.g., via cell gadgets).

5. What do you imply by “Internet hosting?”

Internet hosting refers to storing your information on the Web. It’s like storing your information on an exterior onerous drive, besides that they’re saved on-line somewhat than on a bodily system. Whenever you add an episode to a podcast internet hosting platform, it will likely be saved there in order that listeners can entry it simply.

6. How do I add my podcast? 

You want to enroll in an account with a podcast internet hosting platform (like Libsyn). After getting your account arrange, there’s normally an add instrument that means that you can choose the information out of your pc and add them to your account. 

7. What are the very best podcast internet hosting platforms? 

Libsyn, Buzzsprout, Blubrry, and PodBean are all standard choices for podcasters. It actually comes down to private choice and what kind of options you’re in search of. You can too take a look at our publish on how to decide on a podcast host in the event you want extra info on making this resolution. 

8. Can I exploit iTunes or Stitcher? 

No, these aren’t podcast internet hosting platforms — they’re directories that individuals use to seek out podcasts. You’ll must host your individual MP3 information off-site in order that they are often accessed by these directories (and different apps/gadgets).

9. Do I would like a web site? 

No! Your podcast can be hosted on a web site supplied by the platform you select, so that you don’t want your individual area identify or website hosting account. You might need to create an e mail handle on your present so listeners can contact you instantly with questions or suggestions, although.

10. What are the several types of podcast internet hosting?

There are two predominant kinds of podcast internet hosting: free and paid. Free hosts don’t offer you full management over your episodes, whereas paid hosts normally supply extra options and adaptability.

Prepared to start out podcasting with an appropriate podcast host?

Hopefully, we’ve answered just a few of your questions and given you the knowledge it’s good to enable you decide the fitting podcast host on your wants. Whether or not you’re in search of the very best skilled podcast host, the most affordable possibility for monetizing your podcasts, or one thing in between, there are podcast internet hosting websites on the market that may enable you meet your particular necessities.

We expect the easiest way to decide on whichever podcast internet hosting service is best for you is to take a look at how they deal with sure options and what stage of help they provide.

Notice that free podcast internet hosting providers are an effective way to get your podcast began. The free possibility is ideal for a hobbyist or somebody who’s within the course of of constructing a podcast. From there, you’ll be able to improve to paid accounts for a extra devoted podcast internet hosting service with a few of these platforms or go together with a self-hosted possibility. 

Whichever you select, be sure to learn the superb print, so your podcast isn’t censored for inappropriate content material or harm your self by not having the right authorized disclaimers in place.

Featured picture by Freepik.