Whether you’re just starting or have been in the podcast game for a while, the podcast hosting platform you choose can majorly affect your success. From how easily you can manage your episodes to how smoothly your show reaches your audience, selecting the best one for your needs is worthwhile.
This article covers everything you should know about choosing the best podcast hosting platform. It also discusses a few popular options, including their pros, cons, features, and limitations.
But first, let’s talk about why podcast hosting platforms matter.
- Why Do Podcast Hosting Platforms Matter?
- How to Choose a Podcast Hosting Platform
- Popular Podcast Hosting Platforms
- Tips for Choosing a Podcast Hosting Platform
- The Bottom Line on Choosing a Hosting Platform
Why Do Podcast Hosting Platforms Matter?
You can think of a podcast hosting platform as a home base for your show. It’s an all-in-one location where your audio files live and doubles as a storage warehouse that helps your episodes get delivered to listeners.
Podcast hosting platforms are also in charge of generating your RSS feed, which is what allows your podcast to pop up on places like Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Some platforms even offer recording tools and editing services, so you have a one-stop shop for managing your show.
Now, let’s take a look at some popular hosting platforms to consider for your show.
How to Choose a Podcast Hosting Platform
One of the biggest questions new podcasters ask is, “Which hosting platform should I use?” No one can answer that question for you — it entirely depends on your personal goals.
First, you can sit down with your shortlist and consider the following factors:
- Your budget
- The features you need
- How tech-savvy you are
- Where you see your podcast going in the future
Then, you can rule out any red flags in your hosting platform. Remember: a good platform should offer (at least) reliable service, robust customer support, and tools that match your goals.
Popular Podcast Hosting Platforms
There are plenty of podcast hosting options out there, but a few consistently stand out.
Buzzsprout and Blubrry are two of the most well-known, and for good reason. They’re reliable, offer future-focused features, and are trusted by many in the podcasting world.
Other platforms you might hear about include Podbean, Libsyn, Spotify for Podcasters, Simplecast, and Captivate. Each of these offers a variety of hosting features for prices that range from $0 to $17 USD per month.
There are many other podcast hosting platforms not included here, but these should provide you with enough options to get started. Below, we’ll take a closer look at the pros and cons so you can make an informed decision about your options.
Pros and Cons of Podcast Hosting Platforms
Each podcast hosting platform has its own positives and negatives depending on what you’re looking for.
With this in mind, here’s a quick breakdown of some of the most popular options:
- SoundCloud: SoundCloud offers a starting point for many beginning podcasters. But while it’s popular for music, SoundCloud isn’t the best for audio podcasting. You won’t find any features specific to podcast hosting.
- Buzzsprout: Buzzsprout is a popular choice due to its user-friendly interface and social media promotion tools. But while it’s a straightforward platform offering reliable service, it may not provide enough features for large networks or enterprise podcasts.
- Spotify for Podcasters: Spotify for Podcasters (previously Anchor) is a free platform that makes creating audio and video podcasts easy. However, Spotify submits your podcast to directories on your behalf, which can make switching platforms or managing your RSS feed more complicated later on.
- Blubrry: Blubrry is one of the most trusted platforms for launching a podcast on a WordPress website. Just keep in mind that Blubrry has several limitations, not to mention a confusing pricing plan.
- Simplecast: This platform has a clean, user-friendly interface, making it a popular choice for podcasters who value ease of use. Just keep in mind they’ve introduced pricing tiers and download limits, which can be frustrating if your show grows quickly.
- Captivate: Captivate is one of the newer podcasting platforms on the market, although it’s quickly gaining traction. While it’s not inexpensive, the features may be worth the cost for those serious about scaling their shows.
- Megaphone: Designed for more prominent podcasts and networks, Megaphone offers advanced monetization, detailed analytics, and dynamic ad insertion. It’s a powerful tool, but possibly more than most small podcasters need, especially given its higher price point.
Looking to dig deeper into the pros and cons?
We wrote this comprehensive guide to podcast hosting platforms so you can review your options at a glance.
Tips for Choosing a Podcast Hosting Platform
Still struggling to narrow down your options?
Here are some tips for choosing the right hosting platform:
- Assess Your Needs: Consider your podcast’s specific requirements, including storage space, bandwidth, analytics, and additional features like website integration or monetization options.
- Budget Considerations: While free platforms like Spotify for Podcasters can be tempting, investing in a paid hosting platform often results in better support, reliability, and features. Weigh the costs against the benefits and choose a platform that fits your budget while providing the necessary tools for success.
- Customer Support: Good customer support is essential, especially if you encounter technical issues or need assistance with your podcast. Sift through reviews and testimonials on Reddit to see what to expect from the customer support team.
- Ease of Use: A podcast hosting platform should be easy to navigate, especially if you’re not super tech-savvy. Many hosts are known for their intuitive design, but make sure the interface works best for you and your remote recorders.
- Scalability: Your podcast will (hopefully) grow, so you’ll want a platform to keep up with your audience and evolving needs. For this reason, you should choose a host that won’t hit you with restrictive limits or sky-high costs as you scale.
- Flexibility and Control: Some platforms, like Spotify for Podcasters, will submit your podcast to directories on your behalf, which can be limiting. However, you may want a platform that lets you manage your own RSS feed, so you stay 100% in control.
- Reputation and Reviews: Not every podcast hosting platform has a flawless history. Read reviews, join podcasting forums, and ask for recommendations to get a sense of the platform’s reliability and performance.
- Migration Ease: If you ever need to switch hosts, you’ll want the transition to be as smooth as possible. Check if the podcast host allows migration and if there are additional costs or fees.
The Bottom Line on Choosing a Hosting Platform
Choosing the right podcast hosting platform is one of the most important decisions when starting your podcast. A reliable platform with good support and the right features will free you up to focus on what really matters: creating great content.
Whether you go with Spotify for Podcasters, Blubrry, Captivate, or any other trusted platform, what matters most is that you get started. As your podcast grows and evolves, you can always tweak things along the way to fit your needs better.
Are you still gathering the tools to launch your podcast? One of these resources may offer support: