Is Buzzsprout the best podcasting hosting platform for you?
This guide explores everything you need to make an informed decision, including Buzzsprout’s features, limitations, pros/cons, and prices. We also list six alternatives at the bottom of the guide to compare and contrast your options.
Now, let’s dive into the nitty-gritty, starting with a detailed introduction to Buzzsprout.
Key features and pricing:
- Free trial: Upload and test the platform for 90 days; episodes deleted after trial ends
- Paid plans: $19/mo (4 hrs), $39/mo (15 hrs), $79/mo (35 hrs); unlimited storage on all paid tiers
- Annual billing: $199/yr, $399/yr, or $799/yr with 15-19% discount
- Monetization: Listener subscriptions (15% fee), Buzzsprout Ads (requires 1,000 downloads/30 days), and affiliate tools
- Add-ons: Magic Mastering and Cohost AI available on all paid plans
- Best for: New podcasters, solo creators, weekly shows under one hour
Table of Contents
- Introduction to Buzzsprout
- Key features of Buzzsprout
- What people are saying about Buzzsprout
- Buzzsprout pricing plans and options
- Alternatives to Buzzsprout
- The bottom line on Buzzsprout
Introduction to Buzzsprout
Buzzsprout is a cloud-based podcast hosting platform designed to publish, distribute, and monetize audio shows. It has supported creators since 2009 and has launched over 300,000 podcasts, with roughly 120,000 currently active. According to these Riverside podcast statistics, Buzzsprout holds approximately 7% of the global podcast hosting market, making it the second-largest hosting provider after Spotify’s platform.
Here’s a quick breakdown of what to expect from Buzzsprout:
| Best for | Features | Mobile app | Monetization tools | Monthly contracts | Free trial available | Price |
| Newer podcasters | Editing tools, website hosting, podcast directories, podcast statistics, and more | ✔️ | ✔️ | ❌ | ✔️ | Free trial; paid plans from $19 USD per month |
Buzzsprout pros
- Buzzsprout offers a 90-day free trial so you can test the platform before committing. Paid plans start at $19/month for 4 hours of upload time, with annual billing options that save up to 19% yearly.
- You don’t have to be an expert to use Buzzsprout’s platform. It’s simple and intuitive and can even automatically improve sound quality with its audio adjustment tools.
- Buzzsprout’s subscription and affiliate features can help you earn money from your podcast. However, you’ll need to upgrade first—this isn’t available on the basic plan.
- With Buzzsprout, you don’t have to worry about getting locked into an annual contract as their plans are based on a monthly fee and you can cancel at any time.
- Buzzsprout makes it easy to put your plan on pause. If you need to step away temporarily but still want to keep your episodes hosted, you can downgrade to an archive-level plan to preserve your content without paying for a full tier.
- If you’re new to the podcasting world, Buzzsprout can help you build your online presence. All paid plans include a free podcast website, embeddable content players, and access to podcast directories.
- Buzzsprout Ads lets you monetize your back catalog by accepting automated mid-roll ad placements from other podcasters. You need at least 1,000 downloads in a 30-day window to qualify, but once eligible, ads are inserted automatically with full approval control over which ads run in your show.
Buzzsprout cons
- Buzzsprout’s free plan is a 90-day trial. After it expires, your episodes are removed unless you upgrade to a paid plan. There is no permanent free tier, unlike Spotify for Creators.
- The free plan comes with significant limitations. You can only upload two hours of content per month, which is six hours total over the plan’s lifetime. You also can’t access add-ons like Cohost AI or Magic Mastering or tap into podcast analytics to get key performance stats.
- Upload time is capped on every plan. The highest monthly tier allows 35 hours per month. If you consistently exceed your plan’s limit, overage fees apply and costs can add up quickly.
- Buzzsprout does not support native video podcasting. It extracts audio from video uploads but cannot host or distribute video episodes. If video is part of your podcast strategy, you will need a separate platform like Riverside or YouTube.
Key Features of Buzzsprout
Buzzsprout makes it easy to publish and promote your podcast. It also offers some helpful tools for analytics, basic editing, and even monetization. Let’s take a closer look at Buzzsprout’s standout features:
Website Hosting
Once you set up a paid account with Buzzsprout, you can use their website-building feature to create a customized website for your podcast. Simply alter your URL name to your liking, then your new website will be indexed on Google and other search engines.
Buzzsprout websites allow you to host all published podcast episodes, as well as their descriptions, transcriptions, and chapter markers. You can also use it as a hub for directory listings and subscriptions, which we’ll cover later.
A few standout features of Buzzsprout’s website hosting:
- You can also add host and co-host information directly to your website.
- If you want listeners to follow your social media profiles you can link those in the side menu.
- You can allow fans to send you messages directly through the website to provide comments, ask questions, give feedback, and more.
Podcast Directories
Submitting your show to podcast directories is the easiest way to grow your listenership. With Buzzsprout, you can submit your show to dozens of directories without leaving your admin dashboard.
Some of the most popular directories on Buzzsprout include:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Pandora
- Podcast Index
- Listen Notes
- iHeart Radio
- YouTube Music
- Podcast Index
- Overcast
- Pocket Casts
- Amazon Music and Audible
- TuneIn Radio
Pro tip: Add an email address to your RSS feed to avoid hiccups or delays in the listing process.
Podcast Analytics
Curious to know how your podcast is performing? With Buzzsprout’s advanced podcast statistics, it only takes a few clicks.
You can view:
- Podcast performance
- Podcast trends
- Episode downloads
- Preferred listener apps
- Preferred listener technology
- Listener location
Subscription Tools
You can use Buzzsprout to make money on your podcast, with the most lucrative option being listener subscriptions.
With Recurring Support subscriptions, listeners pay monthly to maintain access to your content. With Premium Content subscriptions, listeners pay for exclusive access to premium content (such as bonus episodes or blooper reels).
You can enable both subscription types as long as you have a Buzzsprout website. Remember that you won’t keep all the revenue—Buzzsprout charges a 15% flat rate.
Editing Tools
Buzzsprout offers a few helpful features to make the production process less tedious. While it doesn’t replace professional podcast editing software, it gives you the ability to easily get your audio to podcast industry standards without having the technical know-how of an audio engineer.
A few popular editing tools include:
- Podcast audiogram: Create a visual soundbite of your podcast to embed on your website or share on social media platforms.
- Buzzsprout Ads: A built-in ad network that automatically places mid-roll podcast promotions in your episodes. You control which ads run and earn between 0.7 and 1.4 cents per download. Requires a paid plan and at least 1,000 downloads in a 30-day window.
- Dynamic content and ad insertion: You can insert pre/post content (such as one-off announcements), use the Smart Insertion Point tool to create mid-roll ads, or create instant transitions between dynamic content and your show.
- Canva artwork helper: Plug into Buzzsprout’s native Canva integration and design custom artwork with editable templates.
- Transcripts: Turn your show into a block of text to publish on your website or as a LinkedIn post.
- Chapter markers: Make it easier for listeners to navigate your show.
- Fan Mail: Buzzsprout’s messaging feature lets listeners send you text messages directly from their podcast app, providing a simple feedback channel without exposing your personal contact information.
What People Are Saying About Buzzsprout
Buzzsprout maintains strong ratings across major review platforms, with 91% of reviewers commenting positively on its pricing and value.
Here are some platforms where you can check the score yourself:
GetApp: 4.8/5 stars from 750+ user reviews
G2: 4.7/5 stars from 45+ user reviews
Software Advice: 4.8/5 stars from 750+ user reviews
Trustpilot: 4,180+ total reviews
Customers love Buzzsprout’s simplified editing interface. They also appreciate the fast customer support, beginner-friendly resources, and help documents.
Here’s what current customers had to say:
- “They guide you step by step through the confusing maze of launching a podcast. I especially like how you can create video clips of podcast sections to use on Facebook. Probably not a necessary feature, but they go the extra mile to help you promote your show.” — Matt M., GetApp
- “Buzzsprout does all the work! Their guides help you register with every platform, then you simply upload your content, set the details and a publishing date, and it all happens automagically. The app even gives you your stats in real-time.” — Mark B., G2
- “The main benefit of Buzzsprout is that it does what I expect it to and doesn’t cause me any headaches or glitches. Runs perfectly. It is so easy to upload, link, and archive a podcast. It simply works, and tasks can easily be delegated to someone who hasn’t even used the software before.” — Kirsten, Software Advice
On the flip side, some customers express frustration with the limited bandwidth and storage options. Others wished there was more depth to the podcast analytics feature.
Buzzsprout pricing plans and options
Free Trial (90 Days)
Buzzsprout’s free plan lets you test the platform without a credit card. You can upload episodes, access basic analytics, and try the publishing workflow. The key limitation: all episodes are removed after 90 days unless you upgrade.
The free trial includes advanced statistics and unlimited team members, but you will not have access to add-ons like Magic Mastering or Cohost AI.
$19 per month (4 hours)
This is Buzzsprout’s entry-level paid plan and the one most solo podcasters will start with. Four hours of upload time per month covers a weekly show of up to 60 minutes with room to spare.
All paid plans unlock the same core features:
- Unlimited episode storage (episodes stay hosted as long as you maintain a paid plan)
- A free podcast website under the Buzzsprout domain
- One-click directory submissions to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and more
- Advanced IAB-certified analytics
- Monetization tools including Listener Support, Premium Content subscriptions, and Buzzsprout Ads eligibility
- Dynamic content insertion for pre-roll, mid-roll, and post-roll segments
Optional add-ons include Magic Mastering (AI-powered audio enhancement) and Cohost AI (AI-generated titles, descriptions, transcripts, and chapter markers). Add-on pricing varies by plan tier.
$39 per month (15 hours)
The mid-tier plan is designed for podcasters who produce multiple shows or longer interview episodes. Fifteen hours per month provides enough room for two to three weekly shows or a single daily program.
This plan allows you to host multiple podcasts under one account, sharing the upload hour pool across shows.
$79 per month (35 hours)
Buzzsprout’s top tier is built for indie podcast networks and high-volume creators. Thirty-five hours per month supports publishing across up to ten podcasts.
At this tier, the cost per hour of hosting drops significantly compared to lower plans, making it the most economical option for creators who publish frequently.
Annual Billing (New in 2025)
Buzzsprout now offers annual plans with savings of 15-19% compared to monthly billing:
- $199/year (48 hours total, roughly 4 hrs/month) – saves 15%
- $399/year (180 hours total, shared across up to 5 podcasts) – saves 17%
- $799/year (420 hours total, shared across up to 10 podcasts) – saves 19%
Magic Mastering and Cohost AI are available as annual add-ons at $60-$240 per year depending on your plan.
TPC Tip: For financial advisors producing a weekly 30-45 minute interview show, the $19/month plan (or $199/year) provides plenty of upload time. Many of our financial services clients fall comfortably within the 4-hour monthly limit when recording weekly or bi-weekly episodes.
Alternatives to Buzzsprout
If you’re a newer podcaster looking for an entry-level podcast hosting platform, Buzzsprout may be an excellent fit.
If you want a hosting platform with a different focus, check out the Buzzsprout alternatives below.
Spotify for Creators
Originally known as Anchor.fm, Spotify for Creators is a free podcast hosting platform with unlimited uploads, built-in analytics, and audience engagement tools like polls and Q&A. In January 2026, Spotify significantly lowered its Partner Program requirements: you now need just 1,000 engaged listeners and 2,000 consumption hours (down from 2,000 and 10,000 respectively) to qualify for ad revenue sharing and video monetization.
Spotify for Creators is the strongest free option available, but it comes with trade-offs. You will not get a custom podcast website, no AI-powered audio enhancement tools, and the platform’s analytics are less detailed than Buzzsprout’s IAB-certified dashboard.
We wrote a complete guide to Spotify for Creators here.
Podbean
Podbean’s paid plans start at $14/month for basic hosting and go up to $99/month for the Business plan with advanced monetization. The Network plan allows you to host unlimited shows and expand your network.
Podbean is a popular podcast hosting platform that lets you create multiple podcast channels. Podbean’s paid plans start at $14/month for basic hosting and go up to $99/month for the Business plan with advanced monetization. The Network plan allows you to host unlimited shows and expand your network.
Unfortunately, Podbean comes with a much steeper price tag than Buzzsprout. But in return, you get a variety of enterprise features. You’ll also unlock unlimited storage space and bandwidth, which may be more cost-effective if you record longer shows.
Libsyn
You may want to look into Libsyn’s hosting platform if you’re an established or professional podcaster. Libsyn is a popular site for enterprise brands looking to audit and optimize their show.
Libsyn isn’t as affordable as Buzzsprout and is not as intuitive for newer podcasters. But if you need more enterprise-heavy features or support for video podcasting, Libsyn may be a decent fit for your show.
Simplecast
If you’re an experienced podcaster needing expert editing tools, you might want to give Simplecast a try. This powerful platform offers near-limitless scalability, unlimited audio storage, SEO tools, customized reporting, and more.
The biggest drawback of Simplecast is limited team seats. Unless you upgrade to a more expensive plan, you’re limited to just two users per account — not ideal in business environments where multiple colleagues must work on each episode.
Get the nitty-gritty details in our guide to Simplecast.
Captivate
If you’re looking for a podcast hosting platform to grow alongside your show, look no further than Captivate.fm. Its biggest claim to fame is its Growth Labs resource, which provides helpful information on making your show successful.
Each one of Captivate’s plans comes with unlimited storage, bandwidth, and upload time, as well as a base limit of 30,000 downloads per month. Just keep in mind it can’t do all the work for you: there are no editing or recording features to get your show off the ground.
Read more in our guide to Captivate.fm.
Blubrry
There are several similarities between Blubrry and Buzzsprout: they’re both beginner-friendly platforms with plenty of useful features. But where Blubrry differs is with its more robust analytics, including native integrations with AWS, Google Analytics, and FeedBurner.
There are a few limitations to keep in mind, including the lack of a free plan for testing purposes. Plans are also a little steep—the most expensive tier starts at $100 USD per month.
Learn more in our guide to Blubrry podcast hosting.
How to Choose the Right Hosting Platform for Your Podcast
With so many hosting options available, choosing the right one depends on your specific situation. Here are the factors that matter most:
Upload volume and episode length. If you publish a weekly 30-minute episode, Buzzsprout’s $19/month plan gives you plenty of room. If you produce daily content or run multiple shows, platforms with unlimited uploads (like Spotify for Creators or Captivate) may be more cost-effective.
Monetization goals. Buzzsprout offers subscriptions, Buzzsprout Ads, and affiliate tools, but takes a 15% cut of subscription revenue. Platforms like Acast and RedCircle offer more sophisticated ad networks if monetization is a primary goal.
Video podcasting needs. Buzzsprout is audio-only. If you plan to publish video episodes, you will need a platform that supports video hosting natively, or plan to distribute video separately through YouTube.
Analytics depth. Buzzsprout provides IAB-certified analytics, which is a strong baseline. If you need deeper audience insights, integration with third-party analytics tools, or attribution tracking, enterprise platforms like Megaphone or Simplecast offer more robust options.
TPC Tip: When we help financial advisors and wealth managers launch finance podcasts, hosting selection is one of the first decisions we work through together. For most financial services professionals producing a weekly interview show, we recommend platforms that offer reliable distribution, clean analytics for reporting to stakeholders, and compliance-friendly publishing workflows. Our hosting platform checklist covers the full set of criteria to evaluate.
Additional Resources
Need more resources like this one?
- 10 Essential Steps to Launch Your Podcast: A Comprehensive Guide
- Why You Need A Podcast
- Podcast Topic and Format: How to Choose the Right Fit
- Four Ways to Make Your Podcast Unique
- Avoid These Podcasting Mistakes
- Designing Podcast Art Like A Pro
- Podcast Cover Art: Best Practices for Eye-Catching Designs
- Cloud Recording 101
- Recording In Batches
- Handling Room Reflections and Reverb in Your Podcast Recordings
- How The Podcast Consultant Ensures The Highest Editing Quality
- How to Pick the Perfect Theme Song for Your Podcast
- How are Adobe’s AI-Powered Audio Tools?
- Adobe Podcast AI: Enhance Speech, Mic Check & Studio Guide
- Adobe Podcast: Enhance — Everything You Need to Know
- The Ultimate Guide to Podcast Marketing
- Podcast Marketing Services: The Complete Guide
- Podcast Promotion Strategies to Boost Your Audience
- Podcast Promotion: How to Promote Your New Podcast
- How To Promote a Podcast on LinkedIn
- Repurposing Your Content
- Promoting Webinars and Events
The Bottom Line on Buzzsprout
Buzzsprout remains one of the most accessible podcast hosting platforms available in 2026. Its redesigned pricing (starting at $19/month with annual billing options) gives creators more flexibility, and features like Buzzsprout Ads add a genuine monetization path that did not exist when the platform first launched.
For podcasters who want a reliable, low-maintenance hosting solution and do not need video support or advanced ad network integrations, Buzzsprout is a strong choice. Its biggest limitation is that it is purely an audio hosting platform. You will still need separate tools for remote recording, video production, and podcast marketing, all of which we handle for our clients at The Podcast Consultant.
Want to learn more about our podcast production services? Schedule a Discovery Call today so we can discuss your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions About Buzzsprout
Buzzsprout offers a 90-day free trial that lets you upload episodes, access basic analytics, and test the publishing workflow. After 90 days, your episodes are removed unless you upgrade to a paid plan starting at $19/month. The free plan is a trial period, not permanent free hosting.
Buzzsprout offers three monthly plans: $19/month (4 upload hours), $39/month (15 hours), and $79/month (35 hours). Annual billing is also available at $199, $399, or $799 per year with 15-19% savings. All paid plans include unlimited storage, a podcast website, directory submissions, and advanced analytics.
Buzzsprout provides a more polished hosting experience with IAB-certified analytics, a custom podcast website, and audio enhancement tools, but requires a paid plan after 90 days. Spotify for Creators is permanently free with unlimited uploads and offers video support, but has less detailed analytics and no custom website option. In January 2026, Spotify lowered its Partner Program monetization thresholds significantly.
Buzzsprout provides three monetization paths: Listener Support subscriptions (recurring donations), Premium Content subscriptions (exclusive episodes for paying subscribers), and Buzzsprout Ads (automated mid-roll ads from other podcasters). The platform charges a 15% fee on subscription revenue. Buzzsprout Ads requires at least 1,000 downloads in a 30-day window.
No. Buzzsprout is an audio-only hosting platform. If you upload a video file, Buzzsprout will extract and host only the audio track. For video podcasting, consider platforms like Spotify for Creators, Riverside, or publishing directly to YouTube alongside your audio host.
Buzzsprout’s simplicity and compliance-friendly publishing workflow make it a reasonable option for financial advisors producing a weekly show. The $19/month plan provides enough upload time for most weekly interview formats. However, financial services podcasters who need detailed attribution reporting, video capabilities, or enterprise-level analytics may benefit from platforms like Captivate or Libsyn.