The 14 Best Free and Paid Podcast Hosting Platforms

And while we have checked the websites in our list below, we cannot guarantee they are all safe at the time you are reading this. That's why we can't emphasize enough that you protect yourself with a VPN (Virtual Private Network) prior to visiting these sites. This will hide your streaming and download activities and protect you from website operators, hackers, and your ISP.

If you are thinking about producing your own podcasts you need three basic things: 1) Some essential podcasting equipment, 2) A place on the web where you upload your podcast audio files and 3) an RSS feed that you submit to podcast directories such as Spotify or Google Podcasts, which allows people to subscribe to your podcast.

Even if you already have your own website, podcast hosting is all about bandwidth. Audio files can easily be tens of MB per podcast episode. Then, if you do well, once you get a few thousand weekly downloads of your current and previous episodes you will quickly generate Gigabytes of bandwidth per week – often resulting in self-hosting podcasters being kicked off their web hosting services or forced to upgrade.

This is why you need to find the best podcast platform for you where you can upload your podcast episodes. The best websites for podcast are generally subscription services – although you can find free podcast streaming services but they lack many of the features of the paid podcast sites. In addition to storage and delivery, these podcast hosts provide a lot of other useful features such as podcast creation tools, analytics, marketing tools and monetization features. Especially for beginners, tutorials and guides as well as access to podcaster communities can prove valuable features.

Think about what budget you can afford before you get started with a subscription-based podcast service. There are a few free hosting options, which can be ideal if you're just starting out and don't have a large following. It's also worth considering how you engage with audio as a listener, where are some of your favorite podcasts housed and what do you like about that? Also consider your ambitions and goals, who you're trying to reach and what key features you need? These will all help you decide what is best for your podcast.

Here is an overview, sorted alphabetically (detailed descriptions are below the table):

ACast features a simple and structured breakdown of packages, ranging from a free starter option through to Influencer and Ace tiers which boast even more features and functionality. This ranges from podcast distribution at scale to advanced analytics through to episode transcriptions and advanced web seminars.

Grow your audience across every podcast listening app there is – including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Samsung Free, and hundreds of others.

AClass Essentials is a free resource designed to equip you with the knowledge you need to produce great, original audio content from home. It includes tips on all areas of podcast production, from where to start with microphones to making your first edit. Best of all, it features insights from world-renowned podcast creators.

Tools to use podcast ads, sponsorship and branded content. Advanced targeting opportunities through curated collections, subjects and topics, keywords, demographics, and more. Dynamic ad insertion in your podcasts across every platform and player – and throughout a show's entire back catalogue.

Free, SEO-optimized website and tools to share on social media.

Full set of analytics tools.

Anchor is a free podcast hosting option from Spotify where you can do all your recording, editing, and hosting, either via the free phone app, or online at Anchor.fm.

Anchor provides unlimited free hosting, and there doesn’t seem to be any sort of limitation on the size of the files that you can upload – although file size is capped at 250 MB.

Anchor offers automatic distribution to all major listening apps including one-step distribution to Spotify.

Detailed, IAB 2.0-certified metrics to better measure your audience and help your show grow are all available in a single dashboard.

As for monetization, Anchor's creator-friendly features include a wide range of subscription pricing structures and the ability to email subscribers directly. With Ads by Anchor, record audio ads in your own voice or insert sponsor-read ads, and choose where they go in your episodes.

Nice set of creator tools such as flexible recording and uploading, video podcast creation, easy-to-visualize building blocks of audio segments that don't require any editing, exclusive Spotify music integration.

Audioboom is both easily accessible to beginners and sophisticated enough for professionals. Distribution via Apple Podcasts, CastBox, Deezer, Google Podcasts, iHeart, Player FM, Podcast Addict, Podchaser, RadioPublic, Spotify, Stitcher and TuneIn.

Embeddable players for your website and social media integration.

Advanced analytics with breakdowns by app, device, and geographic region.

If your podcast is getting more than 10k plays per episode they can help you monetize your content with dynamic ads and sponsorship.

Launch a single show or an entire network with Bluebrry's podcast hosting plans, connect with your listeners and monetize your podcast.

Blubrry hosted podcasts are distributed wherever you can get podcasts.

Free Bluebrry Wordpress site and podcast landing site included. Designed to provide essential tools to podcast and a stress-free site management experience.

A full suite of IAB v2.1 Certified Compliant podcast statistics.

For those with one or more shows that require additional storage (including video), or are building a network Bluebrry has a Pro Hosting plan that starts at $100/month.

Everything you need to have a successful podcast – powerful reporting, easy publishing, and promotion tools. Reach listeners via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podcast Index, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Stitcher, iHeartRadio, Overcast, Castbox, and many more.

With Buzzsprout's free podcasting guides, video tutorials, podcasting courses, industry podcasts, and the Buzzsprout Podcast Community, you’ll have everything you need to create a successful podcast.

Add a Buzzsprout podcast player to your existing website with their code snippet or create a new website from scratch with their tools.

Advanced podcast statistics to track your progress.

Create and distribute unlimited podcasts, get advanced analytics, monetize and promote in one simple, easy-to-use dashboard.

Single-click submission to leading directories including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts and Amazon, as well as popular listening apps like Overcast, Castro and Podcast Addict.

Free guides and tutorials with Captivate Growth Labs where you can learn about podcast marketing, SEO, how to get sponsors, how to get more listeners and also gives you a safe community to share feedback and join discussions with other podcasters.

Includes simple, responsive podcast websites where you can choose from 3 responsive templates, add team bios, email sign-up forms, lead magnets and more. For full flexibility, use their free WordPress plugin Captivate Sync.

Advanced analytics with IAB v2.0 certified stats

Create unlimited podcasts, and episodes, no matter which plan you choose. Every podcast you publish gets its own responsive website, making it easy for your audience to subscribe, search episodes, and connect with you on social media. If your podcast website is on WordPress you can use their free Seriously Simple Podcasting WordPress plugin.

Free resources and courses for podcast beginners are available in Castos Academy.

Increase your podcast’s visibility, boost your SEO efforts, and give audiences more ways to consume your content with our set-it-and-forget-it YouTube Republishing and Automatic Podcast Transcriptions.

Castos gives you all the monetization tools you need to receive direct listener support for your podcasts, without taking any cut in your revenue.

Offers Premium plans for large users starting at $499/month.

Advanced analytics with IAB v2.0 certified stats

Libsyn helped pioneer the RSS Spec in the early 2000's, but their background has lead them to focus on a much more technical audience. Each podcast has multiple feeds to configure and dozens of options that probably applies only to a small number of podcasters.

Libsyn is the combination of Liberated and Syndication where podcasters have the freedom they need to deliver the kind of podcast they want. Everyone from a hobby podcaster to enterprise level corporations find a home and support they need through Libsyn or LibsynPro.

A 100% compliant Apple Podcasts optimized RSS feed, and powerful integrations connect you to your audience on all their favorite platforms like Spotify, Google Podcasts, Pandora, and many more.

IAB v2.0 certified stats and in-depth audience analytics with Advanced Podcast Hosting Plans.

Mobile compatible player and Podcast Page mini-site customized for your show. Custom smartphone apps for iOS and Android.

Monetization tools for advertising and paying subscriptions.

Since 2006, Podbean has evolved into a leader in the podcast ecosystem, committed to providing the latest features and capabilities that enable anyone to record and publish podcasts in a point-and-click, blog-like environment.

Podbean offers integrated monetization tools for podcasters that include a sponsorship marketplace to connect with advertisers, a patron program to raise a monthly income stream from supporters, and tools to sell premium podcast content through the popular Podbean App. Additionally, it’s easy to set up a live podcast to interact with your audience and get rewarded with virtual gifts.

Offers Business and Enterprise Podcast platforms for large users starting at $99/month.

Comprehensive IAB-certified podcast analytics and intuitive charts.

Includes a live audio streaming tool.

An excellent free starter option allows you to have up to five hours of audio stored and 100 GB monthly bandwidth.

Podcast.co makes launching your podcast simple, allowing you to focus on creating great content. Use their advanced platform to launch, distribute, and grow podcasts with ease. Get published on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, and loads more with a single click. Then use their comprehensive set of audience-building tools to funnel listeners towards your episodes.

Whether you’ve got an existing podcast or are starting out for the first time, you’ll be up and running quickly. Just drop your RSS feed into the platform or create a new one by filling out a few details. Deliver episodes across the globe via their super fast network.

Tweak the Podcast.co audio player to match your brand and embed it on your website to give visitors an easy way to tune in – without leaving the page. No coding required. Or set up a dedicated podcast landing page featuring your brand colors and prominent social links.

Make your episodes stand out in social feeds by converting the highlights into eye-catching videos with animated captions using Podcast.co's audiogram tool.

Create private podcasts where you control who can access your episodes by creating an invite-only podcast. Ideal for internal company broadcasts. Add subscribers via email invite, or let employees self-subscribe by white-listing your company’s email domain.

For publishers, media networks, and corporations, Podcast.co offers Enterprise Podcast Hosting with premium bandwidth, multiple admin access, monetization tools, and private podcasts.

Simplecast provides you powerful tools to manage, distribute, share, and grow your podcast – from your first listener to your first million. 1-click publishing to all major networks.

You receive unlimited audio storage with all plans and a customizable show website with custom domain.

They offer Professional and Enterprise packages for large publishers.

IAB-certified comprehensive audio analytics platform Audience by Simplecast.

The Spreaker app puts a full suite of podcast recording and editing options at your fingertips. Record at home or on the go with the Live Podcast feature and use voice mixing tools with music and sound effects. You can edit part or all of your show as many times as you like before publishing.

Spreaker syncs with all the major distribution platforms available, so you can start growing an audience fast. You can publish your podcast everywhere with just a few clicks and choose where your show will be available.

Spreaker monetization solution dynamically inserts high-revenue ads into your show. Monetize from the very first episode, regardless of the size of your audience.

Detailed statistics for your podcasts depending on your plan.

With RSS.com you get unlimited audio storage, automatic distribution to the major podcast directories, sponsorship opportunities, cross-platform analytics, a free podcast website, episode scheduling and more.

Every RSS.com podcaster gets a free, fully optimized and customizable website that features your show, episodes, a web audio player, transcripts and more.

Add chapters and soundbites to make your episodes more engaging, and use RSS.com's episode transcript feature to increase the accessibility and discoverability of your show.

With RSS.com's cross-platform analytics, you’ll get the insights you need to understand your audience and grow your show. Once you start uploading episodes, you’ll get instant access to your metrics.

Monetization options include donation button, sponsorships through the Podcorn ads marketplace, and – for high-traffic shows – Dynamic Ads Insertion technology to automatically insert pre-roll, mid-roll and post roll advertisements into your episodes.

Transistor offers all of the normal tools a podcaster might need. One area in which they excel is their private podcast feed feature that allows you to generate a unique, protected RSS feed for each subscriber. This allows you, as the publisher, to restrict access to the podcast content.

Features a podcast website builder with several website design options. Websites you build on Transistor support Dutch, English, French, German, Portuguese, and Spanish (which means that the menu items, buttons, and labels on websites created in Transistor will appear in the correct language!).

1-click submit to major podcast directories: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Podcast Addict, Breaker, and PlayerFM.

Detailed analytics with stats for your podcast like monthly listens, total listens per episode, average downloads per episode, most popular listening apps, and which devices your listeners are using.