Recording your first-ever video podcast? Or thinking about upgrading from audio to video? Either way, you’ll need a video podcast platform to help store, enhance, and share your content.
But very few podcast platforms actually support video hosting and distribution, and fewer still offer capabilities like editing, repurposing, or monetization.
That’s why we’ve rounded up the six best video podcast platforms for recording, hosting, and distributing your show. We also explore their pros, cons, and technical requirements so you can decide which platforms are right for your podcast.
P.S., not sure what else you need to get started with podcasting? We list everything you need at the bottom of the guide.
- Best Platforms for Recording Video Podcasts
- 1. Spotify for Creators: Best for Video Podcast Free Hosting
- 2. YouTube: Best for Video Podcast Live Streaming
- 3. Libsyn: Best for Video Podcast Distribution
- 4. Podbean: Best for Video Podcasts Into Audio
- 5. Zencastr: Best for Video Podcast Remote Recording
- 6. CoHost: Best Upcoming Video Podcast Platform
- Getting Started with Video Podcasting
- The Bottom Line on Video Podcast Platforms
Best Platforms for Recording Video Podcasts
The six best video podcast platforms offer a range of different features.
How do they stack up side by side?
Take a closer look at this video podcast platform comparison chart:
| Platform | Hosting | Distribution | Remote Recording | Live Streaming | Video Editing | Monetization | Price |
| Spotify for Creators | ✔️ | ❌ (not for video) | ✔️ (requires Riverside integration) | ❌ | ✔️ | ✔️ | $0 per month |
| YouTube | ✔️ | ❌ | ❌ | ✔️ | ✔️(Android only in select markets) | ✔️ | $0 per month |
| Libsyn | ✔️ | ✔️ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✔️ | $40 per month |
| Podbean | ✔️ | ❌ (not for video) | ✔️(mobile app only) | ✔️(audio-only) | ✔️(mobile app only) | ✔️ | $29 per month |
| Zencastr | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ❌ | ✔️ | ✔️ | $18 per month |
| CoHost | ✔️ | ✔️ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✔️ | $31 per month |
Now, let’s dive into the first entry on our list:
1. Spotify for Creators: Best for Video Podcast Free Hosting
| Pros | Cons |
| 100% free | No video podcast distribution |
| Monetization options | No automatic distribution options |
| Hosting for >12-hour podcasts | Strict technical requirements to upload |
Spotify for Creators is a free hosting platform that lets you upload an unlimited number of video podcasts. If you can meet the platform’s strict requirements, you can also monetize your content with premium video revenue.
But while Spotify does offer distribution, it doesn’t distribute video files. If you try sending a video podcast outside of Spotify, it will only push the audio recording. Plus, you’re forced to distribute your podcast manually, which could be a huge time sink as you produce more episodes.
⚡Spotify for Creators: Unlock Your Podcast’s Potential
Spotify for Creators Video Features
- Premium video revenue. This allows you to earn extra per month based on the number of people listening to your show.
- Video recording. If you have a Riverside account, you can integrate directly with Spotify for Creators.
- Video engagement tools. With Spotify, you can run polls, set up comments, and create Q&As for your video podcasts.
- Customized show page. You can add personalized cover art, thumbnails, social media links, and more.
Technical Requirements for Spotify for Creators
Video podcasts uploaded to Spotify cannot be longer than 12 hours. Your file must be .MP4 or .MOV with a minimum 1080p resolution.
Below are a few other nitpicky requirements:
For Video
- 8-bit color depth and 4:2:0 subsampling
- 24 to 60 frames per second
- 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio
- H.264 or H.265 (HEVC)
- 1080p – 4k source
- 12 hours max
For Audio
- AAC-LC or PCM
- 192 Kbps or higher bitrate
- Stereo only (no multi-channel or surround sound audio)
Learn more about Spotify for Creators’ video specs.
2. YouTube: Best for Video Podcasts and Live Streaming
| Pros | Cons |
| Free unlimited hosting | No distribution |
| Built-in live streaming | Limited video editing |
| Robust monetization options | Confusing live streaming requirements |
You probably don’t need an introduction to YouTube — it’s currently the largest video streaming platform in the world. There are more than 2.5 billion users registered worldwide, which means there are ample opportunities to
There’s a lot to recommend YouTube as a video hosting platform: it offers unlimited hosting, monetization tools, and live streaming capabilities for free. The downside is that it wasn’t designed for distribution. And unless you have the right equipment, live streaming could be restricted.
YouTube Video Features
- Live streaming. Create live content that goes directly to viewers, then allow the VOD to post to your YouTube channel.
- Live streaming monetization features. This includes superchats, donations, and members-only content.
- Video premieres. Build anticipation for your upcoming podcast. These are also recorded and posted to your YouTube channel by default.
- Built-in video analytics and metrics. You can easily check your highest-performing episodes and develop more content along the same vein.
- Audience recommendations. YouTube will syndicate your content to YouTube Music, which widens your possible viewership. It can also add badges to profiles and make recommendations to viewers who may not have otherwise found your podcast.
- Video editing. Keep in mind this is for Android users only, and only in select markets (i.e., outside the US).
Technical Requirements for YouTube
For video:
- MP4 file format
- H.264 video codec
- 16:9 recommended aspect ratio
For live streaming:
- For general live streaming:
- Must have no live streaming restrictions in the past 90 days
- Must own a verified channel
- For live streaming on a webcam:
- Chrome 60+ and Firefox 53+ are required for webcam streaming
- For live streaming on a mobile device:
- At least 50 subscribers
- An Android 5.0+ device or an iOS 8+ device
- May require a 24-hour waiting period before beginning your first live stream
- Under 1,000 subscribers have restricted audience sizes and no publicly viewable recordings
Learn more about YouTube video requirements.
3. Libsyn: Best for Video Podcast Distribution
| Pros | Cons |
| Hosting and distribution | Limited storage on every plan |
| Social promotion scheduler (requires upgrade) | No built-in recording |
| Built-in monetization tools | Expensive compared to other platforms |
Libsyn (aka Liberated Syndication) can host video and audio podcasts for your show. You can also turn audio podcasts into video by adding a static image. Then, you can automatically push it to larger platforms like YouTube.
Unlike YouTube and Spotify, Libsyn doesn’t come with a built-in audience. It also doesn’t offer any built-in recording, which means you’ll need to upload your footage from off-platform before distributing it. And be sure to consider Libsyn’s fairly steep costs, which start at $40 per month for just 800 MB of storage
Libsyn Video Features
- Convert audio podcasts to video. With Libsyn, you can add a static image to any audio-only podcast and publish it to YouTube for further viewership.
- Custom-branded video players. You can embed these on your website to add a touch of personalization.
- Social promotion tools. Advertise your new video podcast episode on Facebook, Soundcloud, X (Twitter), LinkedIn, and of course, YouTube.
- IAB-verified statistics. You can use these alongside your YouTube analytics for the most accurate snapshot of your listenership.
Technical Requirements for Libsyn
- Upload in one of five file formats (MP4, AVI, FLV, MOV, and WMV)
- Your static image must meet the following criteria:
- Under 2 MB
- sRGB color space only
- Must be a JPG or PNG
- Square image (1400 x 14000 px up to 3000 by 3000 px)
Learn more about Libsyn’s video requirements.
4. Podbean: Best for Video Podcasts Into Audio
| Pros | Cons |
| Hosting tools | Limited to 20 GB (200 hours) per month |
| Transform YouTube videos to podcasts | All monetization features locked behind upgrade |
| Mobile recording app | Does not distribute true video content |
Podbean is unique among video podcasting platforms in that it doesn’t technically host or distribute video. Instead, it helps you convert video into audio podcasts, which is an easy way to repurpose past content and make the most of high-performing videos.
But Podbean does require money to do this, and if you want its best features, prepare to upgrade multiple times. Plus, it wasn’t explicitly designed for video podcasts — its recording app, upload limits, and distribution tools are intrinsically tied to audio-only content.
Podbean Video Features
- Video to podcast. Convert any owned YouTube video into an audio file for distribution.
- Video monetization. Supports dynamic ads, the Podbean ads marketplace, and an integration with Apple Podcasts.
- Podbean AI. This comes with audio optimization tools and generative AI (think chapter markers, transcripts, and show notes) for an extra $9 per month.
Technical Requirements for Podbean
- To create ‘video’ with closed captions, you must pay an extra $0.20 per minute
- Live streaming is for audio only (no video recording allowed)
- Only accepts one video file format (MP4)
5. Zencastr: Best for Video Podcast Remote Recording
| Pros | Cons |
| 1080p video RSS feed | May have buggy/unreliable software |
| Unlimited recording hours and monthly uploads | Steep learning curve |
| AI video highlights for social media | Doesn’t support screen sharing |
Zencastr is a video podcast recording, editing, and distribution app with built-in tools for monetization and social media marketing. Upgraded plans come with even more bells and whistles, including dynamic content insertion, automatic filler word removal, and scheduled social media video clips.
The catch? Zencastr may not always be reliable and can come with a steep learning curve, according to user reviews. See for yourself:
“Connections are often lost leaving the host and guests frustrated. The interface is clumsy and requires a lot of clicking around to do simple things. The app crashes often and needs to be restarted. It once lost all my episode files and it was very difficult to figure out how to get them back.” — Capterra
Zencastr Video Features
- Multitrack recording. You can record up to 11 guests at once with separate audio and video tracks.
- Live soundboard and editing tools. With Zencastr, you get a soundboard for live audio or sound effects , AI-powered long pause removal, and automatic face centering to keep guests in-frame.
- Custom video branding. These allow you to customize video frames, add anti-theft watermarks, and choose various layouts for episodes.
- Automatic captions and transcripts. You can also generate transcriptions in multiple languages for SEO or accessibility purposes.
- AI clip highlights. These capture key moments from your show so you can edit them further or upload them straight to your social media accounts.
Technical Requirements for Zencastr
- Limited to 1080p quality on the Standard plan
- A max of one host and 11 guests on a single video podcast
- Captures footage at 30 FPS
- 8 GB minimum memory and 10 GB free hard drive space for recording
- Text-based editing for specific languages only (English, French, German, Portuguese, Spanish)
- Operating systems
- Mac OS 10.14 or higher
- Windows 10 or higher
- Current version Linux
- iOS 16.0 or higher
- iPadOS 16.0 or higher
- Only supports Brave, Google Chrome, and Microsoft Edge for recording
Read more about Zencastr’s technical requirements and content guidelines.
6. CoHost: Best Upcoming Video Podcast Platform
| Pros | Cons |
| Video distribution (in production) | Video podcast features still in production |
| Podcast tracking links | No mid-roll ads |
| B2B analytics (requires upgrade) | Expensive plans for what you get |
CoHost is one of the newest podcast platforms leaning into video content. While it doesn’t currently offer any video features, it recently announced that there are several in the works.
In the meantime, you can use CoHost’s platform for podcast hosting and distribution, as well as insert pre and post-roll ads. You can also distribute your podcast to YouTube — it will just show up as a static image with audio.
If you’re curious to test CoHost’s video features for yourself, you can sign up for the waiting list to be notified when they go live. You can always rely on podcasting experts to support your show while you wait with podcast recording, podcast production, and social media services.
CoHost Video Features
As mentioned, CoHost’s Video product features are still in production and are not officially accessible on any plan. But according to an article released in 2025, here’s what you can expect from the beta program:
- Video distribution: You could publish and schedule your video podcast across platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram.
- Audio conversion: Like with Podbean, this would allow you to upload your video podcast and automatically generate an audio version for easier distribution.
- Video clipping: You could potentially create (and schedule) video podcast highlights as Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and TikTok.
- Video analytics: This would allow you to monitor your video podcast’s performance on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts in one place.
Technical Requirements for CoHost
Since CoHost’s video podcasting features are still in production, there are no technical requirements currently listed on its website. However, this is likely to change once the feature goes live.
However, there is currently no release date listed online.
Getting Started with Video Podcasting
Finding the right video podcast platform is crucial for upgrading to video. However, it’s not the only tool you’ll need to start recording. You’ll need a few other tools to bring your vision to life.
Let’s look at what you need to get started.
A Video Podcast Setup
First things first, you’ll need the right environment.
Great video podcast setups share the following characteristics:
- A small, well-decorated room. You’re not recording just audio anymore, which means you need to consider how your environment looks on camera. Smaller rooms are typically better for capturing audio, and the more things in the room, the better the audio. A corner of your house with good windows and carpeting can work. You could also opt for walk-in closets, conference rooms, and pantries.
- Optimal mic placement. The rule of thumb is six to 12 inches from your mouth, tilted slightly off axis to avoid catching plosives like ‘S’ and ‘P.’ As mentioned earlier, many podcasters opt for dynamic mics rather than condensers to avoid unnecessary sensitivity that could pick up background noise.
- Acoustic improvements (when necessary), especially if your recording space has noticeable audio reflections and reverb. You could opt for more cost-effective tools like acoustic panels (~$58 USD for a pack of 50), or go all-out with fancy bass traps for the corners (~$100 USD for a single high-quality option).
Recording on the go? You’ll likely need a portable podcast setup. Look for well-lit rooms with a decently aesthetic background.
If you need better audio, consider portable reflection filters and isolation shields. But you can always rely on a little pro editing or tools like Adobe Podcast AI to sweeten your audio in post production.
💡Related: How to Set Up a Professional Podcast Studio
Video Podcast Equipment
If you’ve never recorded a podcast before, you’re going to need some basic podcast equipment.
This includes run-of-the-mill basics like:
- Your podcast microphone
- A mixer or audio interface
- A podcast laptop for recording and editing
But chances are you’re already recording an audio podcast, which means there’s just one thing missing: a podcast camera.
You’ll have a few options depending on your budget:
- Smartphones ($): Since you probably already have one on your desk, you can record quality footage without spending a dime (although keep in mind not all smartphones record high-quality footage).
- Webcams ($): This is a fan-favorite for those focused on video podcast streaming. If you don’t want to worry about SD cards, a quality webcam is a simple and cost-effective option.
- Camcorders ($$): These have more recording space than smartphones do. They might also come with unique features like remote controlling in exchange for a higher price tag.
- Action Cameras ($$): An excellent choice for fast-paced footage that needs a higher FPS rate. Note it comes with a shorter battery life and has limited accessories compared to other recording devices.
- DSLRs ($$$): The most expensive opinion on this list, although by far the most customizable. You can switch out lenses and tripods as needed. Just don’t forget about its recording limits, which usually run around 20 to 30 minutes.
💡Related: Video Podcast Equipment: Cameras, Microphones, and More
The Bottom Line on Video Podcast Platforms
Video podcasts are in high demand these days, and the quicker you embrace them, the faster you’ll grow. Finding the right video podcast platform is one of the easiest ways to get rolling, followed by a qualified production company that can help you simplify the process.
For hundreds of the world’s most successful B2B podcasters, that qualified production company is The Podcast Consultant. Our team has produced, edited, and published more than 10,000+ episodes for marketing teams and financial consultants in the B2B space.
Want to know how we maintain a 96%+ client satisfaction score?
Learn more about our video podcast production services.