One of the easiest ways to distribute your podcast is with a podcast hosting platform. These powerful tools can help you connect with podcast directories, which provide more visibility while promoting your show.
The best podcast hosting platforms should offer additional features that will help your podcast grow. This may range from monetization features and custom podcast websites to podcast editing software and in-browser recording tools.
So, how do you make the best selection for your show? First, you can examine your options on the market and then pick the right hosting platform for your podcast.
The five most popular podcast hosting platforms are:
- Buzzsprout: For tight budgets
- Simplecast: For professional tools
- Spotify for Podcasters: For global audiences
- Captivate: For financial growth
- Blubrry: For robust analytics
This guide compares each of these podcast hosting providers so you can choose the platform that’s right for your show. It also explains each tool’s features, pros, and cons so you can compare and contrast your options at a glance.
But first, here’s why finding a great podcast hosting platform matters.
- Why Do You Need a Podcast Hosting Service?
- Key Features of a Good Podcast Hosting Platform
- 5 Best Podcast Hosting Platforms Compared
- How to Choose the Right Podcast Hosting Platform
- The Bottom Line on Podcast Hosting Platforms
Why Do You Need a Podcast Hosting Service?
Podcast hosting platforms are more than a storage tool — they’re the easiest way to get more eyes and ears on your show. The best podcast hosting services make it easier to get heard by distributing your podcast to popular podcast directories and audio streaming apps.
The numbers don’t lie:
- 40% of people search their listening app’s directory to find new podcasts
- Another 13.6% prefer to search on Google for podcasts
- Still another 13% like to browse through podcast charts or explore the titles on a ‘featured podcasts’ board
Without a podcast hosting platform, you may limit the reach and findability of your show. You also reduce your monetization options, which could potentially range up to $500 USD or more.
The good news is that podcast hosts make this easy: most offer a one-click publishing tool. You can also tap into dynamic ads so you can maximize your earnings from individual episodes.
Key Features of a Good Podcast Hosting Platform
Not all hosting platforms are built alike. Some offer lots of features, while others offer fewer.
So, how do you sort the good from the great?
Here are three key features you may want to consider:
Monetization Tools
Whether you’re a hobbyist, professional, or a B2B business podcaster, you likely want some ways to make extra money from your podcast. The best hosting platforms make this easy to do with:
- Dynamic ads
- Subscriptions
- Premium content
Just keep an eye on the podcast hosts’ ‘split rate,’ which can range between 50/50 and 70/30. For example, if you make $100 USD from running ads on your show, your podcast host may keep $30 USD (a 30% cut).
Automatic Distribution
Manually distributing each podcast episode to a directory could be frustrating, time-consuming, and unsustainable as you grow. That’s why many of the best podcast platforms offer one-click distribution tools, which allow you to syndicate your show across the world’s biggest directories.
You should know not every podcast directory syncs well with automatic distribution. Apple Podcasts, for example, requires a more manual submission process for your episodes.
But to reach many of the world’s other large and listened-to platforms, all you have to do is enable the feature in your account.
Podcast Analytics
You can’t manage what you can’t measure, as the saying goes. With a robust set of podcast analytics, you can keep an eye on the success of your show.
Basic analytics typically include:
- Podcast plays
- Downloads
- Listener trends
- Apps and devices
However, some of the best podcast hosts offer more advanced statistics such as:
- Episode comparisons
- Average listen time
- Retention data
- Gender and age demographics
- Geolocation
5 Best Podcast Hosting Platforms Compared
How do the top podcast hosting platforms compare side by side?
We broke it down in this helpful chart:
| Host | Best for | Features | Mobile app | Monetization tools | Monthly contracts | Free trial available | Price |
| Buzzsprout | Newer podcasters | Editing tools, website hosting, podcast directories, podcast statistics, and more | ✔️ | ✔️ | ❌ | ✔️ | $12 USD per month |
| Simplecast | Easy podcast hosting | Basic analytics, show website, unlimited storage and uploads, one-click publishing, and advanced ad insertion | ✔️ (iOS and Android) | ✔️ (requires upgrade) | ✔️ (optional) | ✔️ (14-day free trial) | $15 USD per month |
| Spotify for Podcasters | Free podcast hosting | Browser recording, podcast analytics, audience feedback, video podcasts, monetization tools | ✔️ (iOS and Android) | ✔️ | ❌ (N/A) | ❌ (N/A) | $0 USD per month |
| Captivate | Serious podcasters | Single-click distribution, monetization, IAB analytics, website creation, third-party analytics, and more | ❌ | ✔️ | ❌ | ✔️ | $17 USD per month |
| Blubrry | Podcast analytics | PowerPress Plugin, Vid2Pod, monetization tools, Podcast AI Assistant (PAI), podcast media kit, and more | ✔️ (iOS and Android ; private podcasting only) | ✔️ | ❌ | ✔️ (30 days) | $12 USD per month |
Now let’s take a closer look at each of these hosting tools, starting with the most popular option:
Buzzsprout: Easy and Affordable Podcast Hosting
- Price: Free to $24 USD per month
- Storage: Unlimited
- Monetization Options: Subscriptions, premium content, dynamic ads
Buzzsprout is one of the most popular hosts for podcasters on a budget. In exchange for $0 USD, you can tap into advanced analytics and store two hours of podcast audio per month.
Just keep in mind this $0 USD plan doesn’t last forever — although the $12 USD per month plan offers more versatility. Upgrading provides you with unlimited storage, hosted websites, and monetization features.
You can learn about the rest in our guide to Buzzsprout podcast hosting.
TL;DR: Buzzsprout may be an excellent fit for newer shows and podcasts. However, if you’re managing a larger network, you may outgrow their beginner-friendly features.
Buzzsprout Features
- AI editing tools
- Podcast statistics
- Show website hosting
- Access to podcast directories
- Third-party integrations available
Buzzsprout Pricing
- Free: $0 USD per month for two upload hours per month, advanced podcast stats, and unlimited team members on every plan (90-day trial only)
- $12/Month: $12 USD per month for three upload hours per month, unlimited storage, free podcast importing, custom podcast websites, subscriptions, premium content, Magic Mastering ($6 USD per month), and Cohost AI ($10 USD per month)
- $18/Month: $18 USD per month for six upload hours per month, Magic Mastering ($9 USD per month), and Cohost AI ($20 USD per month)
- $24/Month: $24 USD per month for 12 upload hours per month, Magic Mastering ($12 USD per month), and Cohost AI ($30 USD per month)
Buzzsprout Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| No annual contracts | Limited upload hours |
| Archive plans available ($5 per month) | Free plan expires after 90 days |
| AI tools available | No unlimited storage or bandwidth |
Simplecast: Advanced Tools for Professional Podcasters
- Price: $15 USD to Undisclosed Amount per month
- Storage: Unlimited
- Monetization Options: Dynamic ad insertion, ad reporting suite, baked-in ad replacement, secondary and ad-free feeds
Simplecast is an advanced podcast hosting tool designed for existing shows and network brands. Each plan offers unlimited storage and uploads, so you can easily scale without needing to pay extra.
Unfortunately, Simplecast doesn’t offer monetization tools on its base plans — and its upgraded plans don’t offer transparent pricing online. Coupled with the lack of recording tools and no AI features, it might not be a fit for newer shows.
Learn more in our guide to Simplecast for podcast hosting.
TL;DR: Simplecast makes sense if you’re a larger or more established podcaster. However, complete beginners or those with tight budgets may want to look for a Simplecast alternative.
Simplecast Features
- Basic analytics
- Podcast website
- One-click publishing
- Unlimited storage and uploads
- Advanced ad insertion (requires upgrade)
Simplecast Pricing
- Basic: $15 USD per month for two team member seats, 20K downloads per month,
- unlimited storage, basic analytics, and more
- Essential: $35 USD per month for four team member seats, 50K downloads per month, advanced analytics, and more
- Professional: Contact for pricing for monetization features, priority customer service, and setup/migration support
- Enterprise Add-Ons: Contact for pricing for dedicated success managers, on-demand RSS feeds, and more
Simplecast Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Simple and intuitive interface | Monetization features require upgrade |
| No need to purchase extra storage | More expensive than other podcast hosts |
| Advanced ad tools (frequency capping, brand blocking, advanced targeting, etc) | No convenience features (AI, social media promotion tools, or in-browser recording) |
Spotify for Podcasters: Reach a Global Audience
- Price: Free
- Storage: Unlimited
- Monetization Options: Subscriber support, sponsorship, ad insertion, and more
You’re probably familiar with Spotify for Podcasters — it’s the number one podcast publisher in the United States. It also works as a free alternative to Megaphone, which is Spotify’s paid-for tool for networks and production teams.
Spotify for Podcasters offers tools that many other hosts don’t, including the ability to record with Riverside and host podcast videos on-platform. However, its monetization features are limited to certain geographies. Even if you qualify, you’ll have to concede 50% of your earnings to Spotify.
We cover the rest in our guide to Spotify for Podcasters.
TL;DR: It’s hard to beat the price of ‘free.’ That said, Spotify for Podcasters takes a steep cut of your revenue, and paid alternatives like Megaphone may offer more robust features.
Spotify for Podcasters Features
- Record podcasts in your browser (requires Riverside plan)
- Audience feedback and engagement tools
- Podcast analytics
- Video Podcasts
- Monetization tools
Spotify for Podcasters Pricing
Spotify for Podcasters is 100% free to use.
Megaphone podcast hosting, Spotify’s paid-for platform, starts at $99 USD per month.
Spotify for Podcasters Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Free forever plan | Monetization tools based on location |
| Unlimited upload storage | 50% cut of earnings |
| Unlimited downloads/listeners | In-app recording requires Riverside plan |
Captivate: Growth-Oriented Podcast Hosting
- Price: $17 USD to $90 USD per month (paid yearly)
- Storage: Unlimited
- Monetization Options: Membership subscriptions, listener tips, exclusive and bonus content, early access content, dynamic ads (coming soon)
Captivate is a newer podcast hosting company that launched in 2019. Its primary aim is to help podcasters make money with listener subscriptions, dynamic ads, and more.
It’s easy to get started with a podcast host like Captivate, especially thanks to its unlimited storage options. However, be prepared to upgrade once you pass 30,000 downloads per month. It’s also somewhat pricier than other providers on this list — the base plan starts at $17 USD per month.
Our full guide to Captivate covers all these details and more.
TL;DR: Captivate offers multiple tools to monetize your podcast. But if you don’t expect to generate income right away, its steep starting price could be a major limitation.
Captivate Features
- Single-click distribution
- Monetization features
- IAB-certified analytics
- Website creation tools
- Third-party analytics support
Captivate Pricing
Each Captivate plan comes with the same three features:
- Unlimited podcasts
- Unlimited uploads and storage
- Access to the full distribution list
The plan you select will scale the number of downloads you get per month:
- Personal: $17 USD per month for 30,000 downloads per month
- Professional: $44 USD per month for 150,000 downloads per month
- Business: $90 USD per month for 300,000 downloads
Keep in mind these prices are for annual plans only. Month-to-month contracts will increase the prices to $19, $49, and $99 USD, respectively.
Captivate Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Unlimited uploads, storage, and podcasts (individual) | No free plan available |
| IAB analytics available on the basic plan | Monetization tools fairly limited |
| All plans come with all features | 7-day free trial only |
Blubrry: Robust Podcast Hosting and Analytics
- Price: $12 USD to $100 USD per month
- Storage: Starting at 125 MB per month
- Monetization Options: Programmatic advertising, premium podcasting, simple advertising insertion ($49 USD extra)
Many established podcasters rely on Blubrry to analyze podcast statistics. If you don’t want to use their platform as a host, you can pay $5 USD per month to access standard analytics.
Unlike many other podcast hosting platforms, Blubrry charges according to storage amounts, not downloads. This means you have unlimited podcast downloads on any of their three plans — although you will need to upgrade to Professional Hosting ($100 USD per month) if you want unlimited storage options.
You can get the full scoop in our guide to Blubrry podcast hosting.
TL;DR: Blubrry offers unlimited downloads on every plan, which may be a fit for growing podcasters. However, it limits the amount of storage you can use, which may not be a fit for well-established podcasters.
Blubrry Features
- Vid2Pod
- Podcast media kit
- Monetization tools
- PowerPress Plugin
- Podcast AI Assistant (PAI)
Blubrry Pricing
- Standard Hosting: $12 USD per month for 125 MB of new storage per month, unlimited downloads and listens, standard statistics, a custom WordPress site, and more
- Advanced Hosting: $20 USD per month for 400 MB of new storage per month, advanced statistics, extra themes and plugins for WordPress sites, and more
- Professional Hosting: $100 USD per month for unlimited storage, 1 TB of bandwidth, dynamic ads, and video-to-podcast conversion tools
Blubrry Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Unlimited downloads and listens | Confusing price plans |
| 30-day trial available | Limited storage |
| No annual contracts | Some monetization features cost extra |
How to Choose the Right Podcast Hosting Platform
Once you’ve narrowed down your list, you’ll need to select the right hosting platform for you. The good news is that this isn’t a complex process — so long as you’re aware of your current and future needs.
You may want to ask the following questions:
- What is your budget for a podcast host? Can you increase if necessary, or will add-ons be a dealbreaker?
- Does the podcast host offer the features you need on its basic plan? If not, are you willing to upgrade to access better options?
- How much space does the provider leave to grow? Will you be able to scale your show effectively?
- What podcast directories are available with your host? Do they at least provide access to the 10 most popular directories?
- What podcast hosting features can you not live without? Do you need unlimited storage or monetization options on the base plan?
The Bottom Line on Podcast Hosting Platforms
The podcast hosting platform you choose could be a defining factor in the success and growth of your show. While a decent host can help you distribute to multiple online directories, a great host should offer the tools you need to scale and optimize your show.
Just keep in mind your podcast hosting platform may not offer all the tools you need to grow. You may need better podcast editing software, social media assets, or the ability to delegate your podcast production process to a team of experts like The Podcast Consultant.
Not sure what else you need to power up your podcast?
Some of these resources may point you in the right direction: