Spotify hardly needs an introduction — it’s the most-used audio platform in more than a dozen countries. It’s also the number one podcast publisher in the United States due to its free hosting service: Spotify for Podcasters.
Are you thinking about using Spotify for Podcasters? This guide discusses the features, prices, and limitations so you can make an informed decision.
First, we examine a few key hosting features. Then, we look at recent podcast hosting reviews. If you’re not happy with what Spotify for Podcasters has to offer, we compare four alternatives so you can compare and contrast your options.
Let’s start with a high-level overview of what you should know.
- Introduction to Spotify Podcast Hosting
- Key features of Spotify for Podcasters
- What People Are Saying About Spotify for Podcasters
- Spotify for Podcasters Pricing Plans and Options
- Alternatives to Spotify for Podcast Hosting
- The Bottom Line on Spotify for Podcasters
Introduction to Spotify Podcast Hosting
What can your podcast gain from Spotify for Podcasters?
Here’s a quick breakdown of what to expect:
| Best for | Features | Mobile app | Monetization tools | Price |
| Free podcast hosting | Browser recording, podcast analytics, audience feedback, video podcasts, monetization tools | ✔️ (iOS and Android) | ✔️ | Free |
Not sure how Spotify for Podcasters compares to the competition?
Our podcast hosting checklist can help you make informed decisions.
Pros of Spotify for Podcast Hosting
- Spotify for Podcasters is 100% free. You don’t have to pay a dime to get started.
- With Spotify for Podcasters, you can get many advanced features that normally cost extra on other podcast hosting platforms. For example, video podcasting, podcast monetization features, and podcast analytics are available at no extra cost.
- You can launch Spotify for Podcasters on your laptop, tablet, or mobile phone. This is a handy feature if you record in the field (or need to take podcast work with you).
- Spotify offers a simple switching feature to migrate from your existing podcast host in 15 minutes or less. All you need to do is enter the name of your show — Spotify automatically imports all of your episodes and metadata.
Cons of Spotify for Podcast Hosting
- While you can record podcasts using Spotify’s integration with Riverside, keep in mind this is an integration, which means it requires a Riverside plan. The free trial ends after you’ve recorded two hours of audio, and the next tier-up costs $15 per user per month.
- Several podcast monetization features offered by Spotify are only available in specific areas. For example, if you’re located outside of its 34 markets, you won’t be able to tap into dynamic ads.
- Spotify’s podcast subscription service is currently in beta. It’s also an invite-only service available in a few select markets, including the US, Canada, Spain, the UK, France, Italy, Australia, Germany, Mexico, and Brazil.
- With Spotify for Podcasters, you only take home 50% of your ad revenue. This is a steep cut compared to other podcast hosting platforms that allow you to keep 70% or more of your profit.
Key Features of Spotify for Podcasters
Spotify for Podcasters offers a wide range of features suiting beginner, intermediate, and advanced podcasters alike.
Below are a few of its most unique features:
Browser Recording
Spotify for Podcasters released a native Riverside integration so podcasters can easily record episodes from their browser. Once you purchase a Riverside plan (starting at $15 per user per month), you can:
- Record your podcast in real-time
- Instantly publish to Spotify
- Use transcript-based editing to polish your show
Remember that this recent upgrade eliminated Spotify’s Music+Talk tool, allowing podcasters to record audio-only files without paying for an additional app. Users can no longer make edits on the mobile app, add background music from their sound library, or upload more than one file at the same time.
Podcast Analytics
Like many other podcast hosting tools, Spotify offers a detailed analytics dashboard. You can use this tool to evaluate podcast listener demographics, listener behaviors, and common devices.
You can use Spotify for Podcasters to monitor:
- Age and gender
- Geographic location
- Popular episodes
- Device listeners
- Impressions data
- Episode drop-off
- Viewers vs listeners
- Watch hours vs watch percent
You should know Spotify for Podcasters relies on aggregate podcast trends —it does not disclose individual podcast listener data. This means you’re only seeing generalized changes and not necessarily a detailed breakdown of individuals.
Monetization Tools
If you’re looking to make extra income from your podcast, you can use Spotify for Podcasters to generate money from each episode.
Spotify for Podcasters offers the following monetization tools:
- Podcast Subscriptions: You can encourage your audience to pay extra for special content. Please keep in mind you must use Spotify for Podcasters for 60 days (and publish two episodes to 100 listeners) before enrolling in this program. You must also live in one of 34 supported markets (North America, Europe, Oceania, and Asia only).
- Listener Support: This enables listeners to donate money to your show, even if they don’t have a Spotify for Podcasters account. You can also connect with platforms like Patreon and BuyMeACoffee so you can funnel listener support into a single place. Again, you must be located in one of Spotify’s 34 markets to activate this feature. You also need an account history of 60 days with 100 podcast listeners and two published episodes.
- Ads: If you’re lucky enough to receive an invite, you can tap into the Spotify Audience Network (SPAN) to insert dynamic ads into ad breaks. Keep in mind you can’t select the exact ads that run in your podcast. Plus, Spotify reserves the right to deactivate this feature if you don’t publish an episode in six months or more.
Audience Feedback
Spotify for Podcasters allows you to engage with your audience using polls, Q&A sessions, and listener comments.
With polls, you can set up a question-based answering system that keeps your audience engaged and intrigued with your show. Those who engage can see how other audience members answered immediately after submitting their responses.
With Q&A sessions, you can ask your listeners questions directly. These responses are private and shared only between you and your listener. However, you could also pin your favorite responses, publicly sharing the respondent’s username.
With listener comments, you can keep an eye on audience sentiment and monitor changes in how they view your show. Spotify offers tools to like, respond, and even pin your favorite comments, which shows your listeners you care about their thoughts.
Video Podcasts
You can use Spotify for Podcasters to publish video versions of your show — a feature that even paid hosting platforms rarely offer. Now that two in three podcast listeners prefer video over audio, this could be an excellent opportunity to upgrade your podcast audio to video.
Just keep in mind direct recording requires a Riverside plan (starting at $15 USD per user per month). However, you can also record video with a podcast camera and upload it to multiple distribution platforms such as YouTube, Libsyn, and Podbean.
What People Are Saying About Spotify for Podcasters
Spotify for Podcasters averages an 87% positive sentiment rating across popular online review sites.
Here’s how the individual scores break down:
- App Store: 4.8/5 stars from 117,128 user reviews
- Google Play: 3.8/5 stars from 80,184 user reviews
- TrustRadius: 8.9/10 stars from 25 user reviews
Customers love that Spotify for Podcasters is free. They also appreciate the ability to monetize with recurring subscriptions and dynamic ad breaks.
Current users have said:
- “Use this app and platform. You’ll be amazed how your creativity in format is fully supported by the podcast production tools they provide for us.” — Verified User, App Store
- “I love, love the Spotify for Podcasters app. It makes the work of podcasting on audio pretty easy. I was a bit scared of beginning this journey… but it wasn’t as difficult as I had expected it to be. Now, I’ve been recording for 9 weeks, 2 months, and a week and I’m wondering why didn’t I begin earlier. It’s been AMAZING!” — Adenike, Google Play Store
- “Allowed us to get started in the podcasting space easily and quickly. They’ve enabled us to get set up without having to become experts in all the different facets of running a podcast, like recording and editing software, syndication, hosting, etc. It’s really been a great way to get started quickly.” — Verified User, TrustRadius
Other reviewers provide more critical feedback. Some say the recent UI updates made things confusing, while others recommend purchasing dedicated podcast editing software rather than relying on built-in tools.
Spotify for Podcasters Pricing Plans and Options
Unlike many other podcast hosting tools, Spotify for Podcasting is 100% free. You don’t need to pay extra to establish a plan, access new features, or purchase additional storage.
That said, there may be situations where you may spend (or lose) money with Spotify for Podcasters.
For example:
- You need to purchase a Riverside plan to record on Spotify for Podcasters. These start at $15 per user per month and rise to more than $24 USD per user per month.
- Spotify takes a 50% cut of your ad revenue. If a podcast episode brings in $100 USD, you’ll only receive $50 USD through Stripe or Spotify Payouts.
- Cashing out your podcast earnings may come with additional fees. Keep an eye out for payment processing fees, foreign exchange fees, and cashout fees.
Alternatives to Spotify for Podcast Hosting
If your show isn’t a fit for Spotify for Podcasters, you may want to consider its paid-for alternative. Megaphone by Spotify, which is specifically designed for podcasting businesses, starts at $99 USD per month.
Don’t want to host your show on Spotify at all?
One of these four alternatives may be a fit:
Buzzsprout
If you want a podcast host offering more robust editing tools, Buzzspout for podcast hosting may be a fit. This cloud-based podcast hosting platform provides various features such as podcast audiograms, Canva artwork, and more.
Buzzsprout does cost money compared to Spotify, but you can use the 90-day free trial to try before you buy. Just keep in mind you won’t have unlimited storage — the most expensive plan supports only 12 hours of uploaded content per month.
Our complete guide to Buzzsprout covers all these details and more.
Simplecast
Simplecast is an end-to-end podcast hosting platform designed to host and distribute your podcast on various platforms. They offer the basic features you might expect — think RSS feeds and one-click publishing — as well as advanced features such as custom podcast websites.
Simplecast starts at $13.50 USD per month, which makes it more expensive than Spotify for Podcasters. However, keep in mind you’ll take home 70% of your earnings, which is 20% more than Spotify provides.
Blubrry
One of the oldest podcast hosts is a cloud-based tool called Blubrry. With this platform, you can design a free WordPress site, develop a podcast media kit, and use the Podcast AI Assistant (PAI) to generate clips and social media posts.
Unlike the video podcasting tool offered by Spotify for Podcasters, you can use Blubrry to convert video podcasts into audio. You can also access advanced analytics, which are IAB certified (and therefore cost extra per month).
Captivate
Captivate offers many of the same features provided by Spotify for Podcasters — only slightly more robust. They provide IAB-certified analytics, dedicated websites, and five different types of podcast monetization.
Captivate’s biggest claim to fame is its third-party integrations, including Descript, PodChaser, SquadCast, and more. Just keep in mind this doesn’t come cheap: Captivate starts at $17 USD per month and goes up to $90 USD per month or more.
The Bottom Line on Spotify for Podcasters
It’s hard to object to a free podcast hosting platform. And with Spotify for Podcasters, you can make money without spending a dime. You can record directly in your browser, publish both video and audio episodes, and then monitor their reception with polls, comments, and podcast analytics.
Of course, Spotify for Podcasters isn’t a 360-degree platform — you’ll still need pre- and post-production support to make your podcast successful. That’s why today’s most successful shows turn to agencies like The Podcast Consultant. From video production to remote recording, we make it easy to launch at a pace that works for you.
Learn more about succeeding in your podcast endeavors by booking a discovery call with The Podcast Consultant.