In this comprehensive guide to the best podcast hosting platforms around, I’ll share with you everything you need to know to help you find the perfect platform for your new show.

I created this guide because I understand how overwhelming it can be when you’re trying to navigate your way through the seemingly endless number of podcast hosts out there.

Over the last several years, the popularity of podcasting has positively exploded, with an estimated 4 million-plus podcasts currently putting out new content. Meanwhile, the number of people who have listened to a podcast has skyrocketed.

In 2011, some 11 million people in the United States were said to have listened to at least one podcast. 11 years later, that number now stands at 162 million.

In other words, we’re in the midst of a podcasting boom right now, which means more and more companies are getting in on the act in an attempt to satisfy the voracious demand for quality podcasting hosting.

On the one hand, that may be a good thing as it means there are lots of options to choose from. On the other, having so much choice may make it seem impossible to determine which host is right for you.

To alleviate that problem, I’ve rounded up my pick of the top 9 very best podcast hosts around today and outlined their pros, cons, features, and more so that you can finally determine the best podcast hosting platform for your new venture.

What to Look for When Choosing the Best Podcast Hosting Platform

Before we dive into my top ten picks, I wanted to share with you the criteria I used to single out these platforms from the glut of options out there.

The following factors are the ones I considered most important when making my selections, and are likewise the ones that should be important to you when determining the best podcast hosting platform for you.

1. Ease of Use

Whether you’re launching a blog for the first time, building a website, or starting a podcast, doing anything new for the first time requires at least a bit of a learning curve.

With that in mind, ease of use should be of paramount importance when choosing which platform to go with.

After all, a hosting company could have the best resources and the most impressive array of tools and features, but if they’re all too complicated to figure out, then you’re simply not going to be able to utilize them to their fullest.

That’s not to say that ease of use should only be a consideration for new podcasters. Even if you’ve been in the game for a while, the easier a platform is to use, the less time you’ll need to spend on it and, thus, the more time you’ll have to dedicate to creating quality content for your listeners.

2. Storage and Bandwidth Allowances

Much like the best web hosting companies, podcast hosts offer users a set amount of storage and bandwidth, with some companies even offering unlimited amounts of both depending on the plan you sign up for.

Storage is exactly what it sounds like:

The amount of storage space you rent on your hosting company’s servers to place the podcast file. Naturally, the more storage you have, the more podcasts you can keep live at any one time.

Bandwidth refers to how much data you have to stream your podcast. The more listeners you have, the more data that’s going to eat up, especially if all of your loyal listeners immediately dive on a new episode and listen together the moment it goes out.

3. Monetization Options

You may have started your podcast for passion rather than profit, but making a little money on it can only be a good thing.

At a bare minimum, signing up to a hosting company that allows you to offer premium, private podcasts for a subscription fee may help you to cover the cost of your hosting plan, while other features and tools may help you with successfully monetizing your blog.

4. Website Integrations

The good thing about podcasting is that you don’t necessarily need a website to get started. Most hosts will allow you to create a public profile or mini-site where listeners can stream your latest podcasts.

However, if you already have a website up and running, it’s a good idea to look for a hosting platform that makes it easy to showcase your latest episodes on your site.

A WordPress plugin or integration tools for other popular blogging platforms will help make it as easy as possible to use your podcast as part of your overall blog content strategy.

Top 9 Best Podcast Hosting Platforms for 2022

1. Captivate

Captivate earns its place at the top of my list as it not only does all of the things you’d want a quality podcast host to do, but does them better than most.

The company was co-founded by podcaster Mark Asquith after he was fed up with using other podcast hosts that were too overly complicated to get to grips with.

Looking for a simpler way to host his own podcasts, Mark and his team set out to create a platform that was simple and easy to use, even for beginners.

Using Captivate, it’s easy to see that they achieved that goal.

The intuitive interface with clear navigation and jargon-free text helps you to get your new show live to the world quickly and effortlessly.

Elsewhere, the analytics features are equally as impressive, providing a wealth of essential data about your episodes without leaving you feeling overwhelmed by numbers.

Combine this with an excellent array of third-party integrations and relatively affordable pricing, and it’s no wonder Captivate is the number one podcast host around right now.

Key Features:

Unlimited podcast hosting
Unlimited storage
Distribution to streaming services
Transcription support
International support
Advanced analytics
Unlimited team members with customizable roles
Embeddable website and social media players
WordPress plugin
Free website with third-party domain integration.

Pricing:

Captivate podcast hosting offers three different plans. All the plans have access to the majority of features but are dependent on the number of downloads you’re allowed each month.

The plans are as follows:

PLAN NAME	PLAN DESCRIPTION	PLAN PRICE
Personal	12,000 downloads per month 1 x private podcast 150 private podcast subscribers.	$17 p/m
Professional	60,000 downloads per month 2 x private podcasts 1,000 private podcasts subscribers.	$44 p/m
Business	150,000 downloads per month 3 private podcasts 5,000 private podcast subscribers. Plus: Host podcasts for clients API access.	$90 p/m

PROS AND CONS OF CAPTIVATE

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 How to Get Started With Captivate

1. Head to Captivate.FM and select ‘Start My Podcast’

2. Scroll down and select ‘Start Free Trial’

3. Select your preferred plan and create an account

4. Head to the dashboard and click ‘My Podcasts’ to create your podcast and upload your first episode.

2. Buzzsprout

Much like Captivate, Buzzsprout is a top podcasting host that’s all about making things simple and easy.

If you’re brand new to podcasting, the platform offers a wealth of useful, Plain English learning materials to help guide you through the whole process from start to finish.

What makes this a particularly attractive option for first-time podcasters is that there is a limited free plan available which allows you to upload two hours of content per month in exchange for advertisements being placed on your podcast website.

Although that’s not ideal, if you’re looking for the best way to start a podcast for free while you build up an audience (and the revenue to pay for a professional-grade plan), then you’ll certainly find a lot to like about BuzzSprout.

Key Features:

Intuitive dashboard
Distribution to leading podcast directories
Audio mastering tools (not available on free plan)
Automatic episode optimization
Add and remove pre and post-roll content
Transcriptions
Customizable podcast player
Social sharing features
Manage multiple podcasts.

Pricing:

If the aforementioned free plan isn’t quite right for you, you can always upgrade to one of the following plans:

PLAN PRICE	PLAN DESCRIPTION
$12 per month	Upload 3 hours per month Upload more content for $4 per hour No ads on website Advanced statistics Import your podcast from another platform for free.
$18 per month	All the features of the $12 plan plus: Upload 6 hours per month Upload more content for $3 per hour.
$24 per month	All the features of the $12 plan plus: Upload 12 hours per month Upload more content for $2 per hour.

PROS AND CONS OF BUZZSPROUT’S

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 How to Get Started With Buzzsprout

Head to Buzzsprout.com and click ‘Get Started Free’
Create an account with your name, email, and password
Select ‘I’m a New Podcaster’
Enter a title and description for your new podcast
Click ‘Upload a New Episode.’

3. RSS.com

If you’re serious about making a profitable podcast, RSS.com‘ wealth of tools to help you make money and grow your audience may make it a perfect fit.

Not only is your podcast automatically distributed to major podcast directories such as Apple and Spotify, but the platform also helps you access sponsorship opportunities, solicit donations from your listeners and incorporate dynamic ads into high-traffic shows.

Add in the free website for your podcast and in-depth cross-platform analytics, and RSS.com really does offer everything any serious podcaster could possibly need to succeed.

Key Features:

Cross-platform analytics
Customizable podcast website
Easy-to-navigate dashboard
Donation buttons
Sponsorship opportunities
Dynamic ads
Transcriptions
Chapters and soundbites
Podcasting 2.0 support.

Pricing:

RSS.com doesn’t offer a free plan, but does offer a 14-day free trial so that you can try out all of their features without using a credit card.

What’s more, existing podcasters can get six months free when you switch over to the platform.

After that, you’ll pay for one of the following two plans:

PLAN NAME	PLAN DESCRIPTION	PLAN PRICE
Student and Non-Governmental Organizations	Unlimited episodes Unlimited duration Cross-platform analytics Podcast RSS feed Podcast website Social media sharing Customer support.	$4.99 per month
All-in-One Podcasting	Everything in the Student plan plus: Sponsorship opportunities Episode scheduling.	$8.25 per month

There’s also a custom plan available if you’re looking to start your own podcasting network, with prices available on request.

PROS AND CONS OF RSS.COM

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 How to Get Started With RSS.com

Head to RSS.com and click ‘Start for Free’
Enter an email and password to create an account
Verify your email address
Enter a name and description for your new podcast and upload your first episode.

4. Transistor

Transistor may not have been around as many of their competitors, but they’ve quickly earned a strong reputation in a short amount of time by positioning themselves as the go-to platform for professional podcasters.

Major brands like the makers of Cards Against Humanity and the Vegas Golden Knights hockey team, as well as a score of top independent podcasters turn to the company thanks to the ability to create unlimited free and private podcasts.

The real show-stealer for me, however, is the quality of the podcast streaming itself. There’s nothing more frustrating than putting your best effort into recording the highest quality show possible, only for your podcast host’s default player to lose some of that quality.

With Transistor, that simply doesn’t happen. Everything sounds great, looks great, and functions flawlessly, making it a top choice for anyone looking to give their podcast a truly professional polish.

Key Features:

Unlimited podcasts
Private podcasts
Live chat support
Advanced Analytics
Dynamic ads
Dynamic show notes.

Pricing:

Transistor is a competitively-priced host with three different plans. Which one you pick will largely depend on the number of people you’re likely to have downloading your podcast.

They are:

PLAN NAME	PLAN DESCRIPTION	PLAN PRICE
Starter	15,000 x monthly downloads 50 x private podcast subscribers 2 x team members.	$19 p/m
Professional	75,000 x monthly downloads 500 x private podcast subscribers 5 x team members. Plus: Dynamic ads and show notes.	$49 p/m
Business	200,000 x monthly downloads 3,000 x private podcast subscribers 10 x team members. Plus: Dynamic ads and show notes.	$99 p/m

PROS AND CONS OF TRANSISTOR

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How to Get Started With Transistor

Head to Transistor.FM and select ‘Start Free Trial’
Select your preferred plan
Enter your name, email, and card number to create an account
From your dashboard, click ‘Add a Show’ to launch your first podcast.

5. Spreaker

Spreaker is the best podcast host for live podcasting, a feature which allows listeners to interact with you and your guests in real-time.

Though they’re not the only company that does this, they certainly do it better than most, with a sleek live chat feature and intuitive podcast creator apps for both desktop and mobile.

Another thing I really like about Spreaker is that they’ve gotten the art of podcast distribution down to a tee. Within a single click, the efficient distribution system uploads your podcast and sends it far and wide to the likes of Spotify and Apple Podcast so that you can reach the biggest audience possible.

Key Features:

Spreaker Studio podcast recording and editing tool
Live podcast streaming
Skype integration for recording guest audio
Desktop and mobile apps
Podcast distribution system
Integrated advertising.

Pricing:

The good news is that Spreaker does come with a free plan. The bad news is that it’s fairly limited and doesn’t allow you to monetize your podcast through dynamic ads.

If you want to do that, and if you want to access free features like podcast distribution and RSS feeds, you’ll need to pay for one of the following three low-cost plans:

PLAN NAME	PLAN DESCRIPTION	PLAN PRICE
On-Air Talent	100 hours of podcast storage 6 months of podcast statistics Automated podcast distribution Monetization through ads Customizable RSS feeds.	$8 p/m
Broadcaster	Everything in the previous package, plus: 500 hours of podcast storage 12 months of podcast statistics Enhanced private podcasts In-App support.	$20 p/m
Anchorman	Everything in the previous package, plus: 1,500 hours of podcast storage Full statistics.	$50 p/m

PROS AND CONS OF SPREAKER

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 How to Get Started With Spreaker

Head to Spreaker.com and click ‘Start Podcasting’
Choose your preferred plan
Sign in with Google or Facebook, or enter your details to create an account
Add your card details if paying for a premium plan
From the menu, click ‘Create a Podcast’, then click ‘Create a Podcast’ again on the next page
Finally, click ‘+ Create New Podcast’ to launch your first episode.

6. Castos

While unlimited uploads and podcast distribution may be fairly standard features across the majority of hosts, Castos sets itself apart with a couple of unique offerings.

First, they’re the best in the game when it comes to WordPress integrations, with a top-rated plugin that lets you manage your entire podcast from within WordPress, meaning your entire content creation strategy can be developed from one place.

Then there’s the automated transcripts and distribution to other platforms such as YouTube.

Finally, the focus on user-supported monetization rather than ad-support for podcasters who find ads too intrusive.

Functioning in much the same way as a top WordPress membership plugin, the Premium Subscription feature allows you to offer multiple membership levels with different perks and rewards.

Key Features:

Free custom podcast website
Automatic podcast transcriptions
Podcast analytics
Member-support monetization
YouTube republishing
Private podcasting
Mobile app
WordPress plugin.

Pricing:

Like many podcast hots, Castos offers a 14-day free trial so that you can give their services a test-run before signing up to one of the following three plans:

PLAN NAME	PLAN DESCRIPTION	PLAN PRICE
Starter	Unlimited podcasts and episodes Detailed analytics 100 x private subscribers 20,000 downloads per month.	$19 p/m
Growth	Everything in the Starter plan, plus: Video republishing to YouTube Headliner audiogram integration 250 x private subscribers 75,000 downloads per month.	$49 p/m
Pro	Everything in the Growth plan, plus: Video file hosting Advanced Analytics 500x private subscribers 200,000 downloads per month.	$99 p/m

PROS AND CONS OF CASTOS

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 How to Get Started With Castos

Visit Castos.com and click ‘Start Your 14-Day Free Trial’
Enter your name, email and password to create an account
Click ‘Create a New Podcast’ or ‘Import Existing Podcast’ to get started
Alternatively, connect Castos to your WordPress site before you start.

7. Resonate

I may love podcasting, but even I have to admit that putting together a successful podcast takes a tremendous amount of time, money, and hard work.

From coming up with guests to writing show outlines, sourcing incidental music, bumpers, and other assets, and, of course, growing your audience, it’s a lot to take care of, especially if you’re going it alone.

That’s why many podcasters choose to work with others to create their shows, but if this really is looking like a solo mission for you, then Resonate may be the perfect platform.

The best all-in-one podcast solution, Resonate not only connects you with writers, consultants, producers and other behind-the-scenes specialists, but also provides you with an audio production suite, launch tools, marketing features and more.

In other words, you’ve got all the features and hands-on support you need to make your show a success, even if you’re short on teammates.

Key Features:

One-click publishing to all major podcast directories
Analytics dashboard
Free microsite
Embeddable media player
Dynamic ad insertion.

Pricing:

Resonate has a unique pricing structure which gives you the freedom to tailor your plan to meet your needs.

Bare-bones podcast hosting comes in $25 or $50 per month plans, while standard audio production starts at $69 per episode.

Elsewhere, you can opt-in to podcast launch services from $499, and buy a number of add-ons such as $99 show notes.

PROS AND CONS OF RESONATE

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 How to Get Started With Resonate

Head to Resonaterecordings.com and click ‘Get Started’
Choose your hosting plan, add-ons, and services
Create an account and enter your payment details then click Buy
Go to your dashboard to begin creating your first podcast.

8. Podbean

Having been on the block for decades, Podbean is undoubtedly one of the most well-established hosting platforms on the block with a high-quality free plan whose only negative quality is that it lacks monetization.

Ample storage space, download bandwidth, and access to most of the essential features you need to successfully launch and grow your podcast are all present and correct here.

Meanwhile premium subscribers can opt for ads, subscriptions, or a combination of monetization options.

Combine this with good customer service and attractive pricing, and it’s no wonder Podbean is still so highly regarded after all these years.

Key Features:

Beginner-friendly dashboard
Unlimited audio and video hosting
Podcast website with your own domain
Scheduled publishing
Podcast cover art creator
Member and ad-supported monetization options.

Pricing:

As I’ve already mentioned, Podbean’s free plan is a great choice for getting started with podcasting. Although it doesn’t allow you to monetize your efforts, all of the following features are enough to help you grow an audience before upgrading to a plan that you can profit from:

5 hours x podcast storage
100GB x bandwidth
Mobile app and podcast player
Podcast distribution
Podcast website
Podcast themes
Basic analytics.

For more features, storage, and bandwidth, you’ll need one of the following three premium plans:

PLAN NAME	PLAN DESCRIPTION	PLAN PRICE
Unlimited Audio	Everything in the Free plan, plus: Unlimited storage and bandwidth Advanced analytics Use your own domain Host multiple podcast channels Monetize through ads and premium sales.	$9 p/m
Unlimited Plus	Everything in the Unlimited Audio Plan, plus: Monetize through member subscriptions Full custom design.	$29 p/m
Business	Everything in the Unlimited Plus plan, along with: Unlimited podcast channels Private podcasts Remove Podbean branding Podbean Pro App.	$99 p/m

PROS AND CONS OF PODBEANS

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 How to Get Started With Podbean

Head to Podbean.com and click ‘Get Started for Free’
Sign in with Google, Apple, or by entering an email and password
From your podcast dashboard, click ‘New Episode’ to launch your first podcast.

9. Firstory

Creating and publishing your podcast may be an achievement in itself, but it’s not going to matter much if nobody knows it’s there to listen to.

That’s something that Firstory understands all too well, which is why they combine quality hosting features with a range of incredibly useful promotion and engagement tools.

Along with unlimited storage and bandwidth, embeddable players, and useful analytics, the hosting provider also distributes your content to major podcast providers at the click of a button, allows for easier episode-level link sharing, and offers a number of commenting features to improve audience engagement.

Combine this with royalty free music to improve your podcast quality, and you’ve got everything you need to succeed.

Key Features:

Unlimited storage and bandwidth
Data analytics
Chapters and subtitles
Podcast recording and editing studio
Royalty-free music
Embeddable players
Universal FLink
AI-generated personal website
Cross-platform comments
Apple Podcast comments integration.

Pricing:

Firstsory’s Free plan may hold some appeal for budget-conscious podcasters as it offers unlimited storage, bandwidth, and shows, as well as data analytics, listener profiles, one-click distribution and more.

If you didn’t like any of the other free plans I’ve suggested so far, then be sure to check this one out. Be warned, however, that the free plan is limited when it comes to customizing your player and website.

It also comes with Firstory branding and lacks support or onboarding assistance.

For all that, you’ll need one of the two following plans:

PLAN NAME	PLAN DESCRIPTION	PLAN PRICE
Pro	Includes everything in the Free plan, plus: Episode-level Flink sharing Custom link preview images The custom podcast and website colors No Firstory branding.	$15 p/m
Enterprise	Includes everything in the Pro Plan, plus: 24-hour support Onboarding guide.	$159 p/m

PROS AND CONS OF FIRSTORY

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 How to Get Started With Firstory

Head to Firstory.me and click ‘Get Started’
Scroll down to the bottom of the login page and select ‘Sign Up.’
Select your preferred plan
Create an account with either your Apple or Facebook ID, or add in an email and password
Enter your payment details
Go to your dashboard and click ‘New Podcast’ to upload your first episode.

Frequently Asked Questions About Podcast Hosting

What is the best free podcast hosting?

Podbean and Firststory are the two podcast brands that offer the best  free plans

What is the most popular podcast hosting platform?

Captivate, BuzzSprout, and Podbean are among the most popular podcasting platforms in the world.

Is Spotify a podcast host?

No. Spotify makes it possible for people to listen to your podcast through their app, but it doesn’t host that podcast. In order to get your podcast on Spotify, you need to sign-up with a hosting platform and supply Spotify with your RSS feed.

What is the Best Podcast Hosting Platform to Use in 2022? My Final Verdict

So, there you have it; my honest take on the top nine very best podcast hosting platforms to help you launch and grow a successful podcast in 2022.

The only question, of course, is which one of those nine options is the best fit for you?

As with most things, it all boils down to your priorities.

If budgeting is your top concern, then both Podbean and Firststory offer high-value free plans, while Spreaker also has some excellent low-cost plans on offer.

If you’re brand new to podcasting and need the most beginner-friendly platform possible to help you get started, then I highly recommend checking out BuzzSprout.

If, on the other hand, you take your podcasting seriously and have the absolute best all-around combination of features, resources, affordability, and ease of use, then Captivate earns my vote as 2022’s number one podcasting platform.