Choosing the right podcast hosting platform shapes everything from distribution reliability to monetization potential. Whether you’re launching your first episode or managing multiple shows, understanding the differences between hosting services ensures you can make an informed decision.
| No. | Hosting Platform | Free Plan | Monthly Price | Storage Limits | Private Podcasting | Distribution Support | Analytics Level | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Buzzsprout | 90-day trial (limited features, episodes deleted after 90 days) | $19-$79/month • $19-4 hours • $39-15 hours • $79-35 hours monthly upload | Based on monthly upload hours | No | • Apple Podcasts • Spotify • GooglePodcasts • Amazon Music • YouTube | IAB-certified analytics: verified downloads, listener locations, devices, episode trends, retention tracking | Beginners seeking ease of use, guided workflow, and extensive educational resources |
| 2 | Transistor | 14-day trial | $19–$99/month • $19-20K downloads • $49-100K downloads • $99-250K downloads | Unlimited storage and episodes on all plans | Yes • 50 subscribers on Starter • 500 on Professional • 3,000 on Business | • Apple Podcasts • Spotify • GooglePodcasts • Overcast • Pocket Casts • YouTube | Advanced analytics: downloads, completion rates, listener engagement, device usage, app sources, audiencedemographics, subscriber growth | Creators managing multiple podcasts, businesses needing private feeds, teams requiring collaboration tools |
| 3 | Libsyn | 30-day trial | $12–$150/month • $12-3 hours • $25-10 hours • $150-55 hours monthly upload | Based on monthly upload hours | Yes (on higher tier plans) | • Apple Podcasts • Spotify • YouTube • Amazon Music • GooglePodcasts • iHeartRadio | IAB-certified analytics: verified downloads, listener locations, devices, episode trends, retention tracking | Established podcasters prioritizing reliability, legacy features, and monetization through AdvertiseCastMarketplace |
| 4 | Podbean | Yes (limited features, cannot sync to Spotify on free plan) | $12–$99/month • $12-16 hours audio • $29-160 hours audio or 10 hours video • $79-660 hours audio or 40 hours video (network) • $99-660 hours audio or 40 hours video (business) | Unlimited storage and bandwidth on paid plans | Yes (Business plan includes private podcasting +SSO +private members +private groups) | • Apple Podcasts • Spotify • Amazon Music • YouTube • iHeartRadio | IAB-certified analytics: verified downloads, listener locations, devices, episode trends, retention tracking | Podcasters wanting all-in-one platform with mobile recording, live streaming, built-in monetization, and video hosting |
| 5 | Spotify for Creators | Yes | Free | Unlimited storage and episodes | No | • Spotify • RSS distribution to all major platforms | Advanced analytics: downloads, completion rates, listener engagement, device usage, app sources, audiencedemographics, subscriber growth | Beginners testing podcasting without financial commitment, video podcasters, creators prioritizing Spotify audience reach |
| 6 | RedCircle | Yes (unlimited storage, episodes, downloads for one podcast) | $0-$119.99/month • Free tier • $19.99-Growth • $34.99-Pro • $119.99-Enterprise | Unlimited storage, episodes, and downloads on all plans | No (exclusive content for subscribers available) | • Apple Podcasts • Spotify • GooglePodcasts • Amazon Music | Basic analytics (free and growth plan) Advanced analytics (on pro and enterprise) | Independent podcasters focused on monetization through ads, donations, subscriptions, and cross-promotion |
| 7 | Captivate | 30-day trial | $19–$99/month • $17-30K downloads • $44-150K downloads • $90-300K downloads | Unlimited storage, episodes, and podcasts on all plans | Yes (available with password protection) | • Apple Podcasts • Spotify • GooglePodcasts • Amazon Music • YouTube | IAB-certified analytics: verified downloads, listener locations, devices, episode trends, retention tracking | Growth-focused creators needing advanced marketing tools, unlimited podcasts per account, and WordPress integration |
| 8 | Acast | No free plan | Custom pricing (contact for quote) | Unlimited storage and episodes | Yes (on higher tier plans) | • Apple Podcasts • Spotify • GooglePodcasts • Amazon Music • all major platforms | Advanced analytics: downloads, completion rates, listener engagement, device usage, app sources, audiencedemographics, subscriber growth | Creators prioritizing audience growth and dynamic ad monetization across open RSS ecosystem |
| 9 | RSS.com | Yes (‘local & niche’ tier with unlimited episodes and audio) | $0–$18.75/month • Free tier • $12.50-$18.75 depending on plan features | Unlimited storage and episodes on all plans | Yes (on paid plans) | • Apple Podcasts • Spotify • GooglePodcasts • Amazon Music • all major platforms | IAB-certified analytics: verified downloads, listener locations, devices, episode trends, retention tracking | Budget-conscious podcasters needing essential growth features, transcriptions included, beginner-friendly interface |
| 10 | Simplecast | No free plan | Custom pricing (contact for quote) | Unlimited storage and episodes | Yes | • Apple Podcasts • Spotify • GooglePodcasts • Amazon Music • Stitcher • all major platforms | Advanced analytics: downloads, completion rates, listener engagement, device usage, app sources, audiencedemographics, subscriber growth | Professional podcasters, podcast networks, and businesses requiring enterprise-level features and scalability |
| 11 | Spreaker | Yes (limited features) | $20–$250/month • $20-Broadcaster • $50-Anchorman • $250-Publisher | 100 hours audio storage on Broadcaster plan (higher on premium tiers) | No | • Apple Podcasts • Spotify • Amazon Music • YouTube • iHeartRadio • all major platforms | Basic analytics (on Broadcaster) Advanced analytics (on higher tiers) | Podcasters interested in live broadcasting, offline recording, and built-in monetization through ad revenue sharing |
| 12 | Castos | 14-day trial | $19–$499/month • $19-Starter • $49-Growth • $99-Pro • custom for Networks | Unlimited storage on all plans | Yes (available on all plans) | • Apple Podcasts • Spotify • GooglePodcasts • Amazon Music • all major platforms | Advanced analytics: downloads, completion rates, listener engagement, device usage, app sources, audiencedemographics, subscriber growth | Content creators and businesses wanting private podcasting, WordPress integration, and YouTube distribution |
| 13 | Blubrry | No free plan | $15–$100/month • $15-2 hours • $25-7 hours • $100-Unlimited | Based on monthly upload hours | Yes (on higher tier plans) | • Apple Podcasts • Spotify • GooglePodcasts • Amazon Music • all major platforms | IAB-certified analytics: verified downloads, listener locations, devices, episode trends, retention tracking | WordPress users preferring tight integration with PowerPress plugin, established creators valuing reliable hosting |
| 14 | Pinecast | Yes | $5/month per podcast (after free tier) | Unlimited storage on all plans | No | • Apple Podcasts • Spotify • GooglePodcasts • Amazon Music • all major platforms | Basic analytics (free plan) Advanced analytics (on paid) | Small personal podcasts, hobby podcasters testing ideas without time pressure to upgrade |
Note: All information verified as of January 2026. Pricing and features are subject to change. Always contact hosting platforms directly for current pricing, detailed service information, and to verify fit for your specific needs.
Before committing to any platform, use available free trials. Test the interface, evaluate analytics dashboards, and verify distribution reliability. Match your selection to your actual requirements like publishing frequency, audience size, monetization goals, and team collaboration needs, rather than general reputation alone. Understand your pricing model (upload-based vs. download-based vs. unlimited) and verify scalability as your podcast grows. When migrating hosts, always set up proper 301 redirects at your old host to maintain subscriber counts and verify that major directories successfully update to your new RSS feed.