7 Best Podcast Hosting for 2024 Compared (Many Are Free)
A number of of our readers have requested us about discovering the very best podcast internet hosting service.
Podcast internet hosting is completely different than web site internet hosting as a result of it provides particular instruments constructed to optimize the subscriber expertise (we’ll clarify extra about this later within the article).
Selecting a dependable podcasting internet hosting platform is essential in your podcast as a result of it would make it easier to develop your viewers sooner whereas making it simpler to handle your podcast information.
On this article, we’ll examine the very best podcast internet hosting corporations that you need to use. Lots of them are free, and a few cost a small payment as a result of they provide higher assist and instruments.
What Is Podcast Internet hosting?
Podcast internet hosting is a specialised service that gives to retailer and ship media information related to a podcast.
Identical to you want a website hosting service to retailer all of your web site information, podcast internet hosting provides the identical service however in your podcast’s media information.
Now, it’s possible you’ll be questioning whether or not you may simply use your web site internet hosting to retailer your podcast information as effectively.
You are able to do that, however that wouldn’t be good in your web site or your listeners.
Why Do You Want Podcast Internet hosting?
You see, podcast episodes are massive information. Delivering them from the identical server as your web site will take lots of server sources. This can make your web site slower, and it might even crash throughout excessive load.
If a number of customers begin downloading on the identical time, then most shared hosting companies will merely block the processes which are taking over server sources. This implies customers will be unable to obtain your podcast.
And that’s exactly why you want a podcast internet hosting service.
These corporations focus on storing and delivering massive media information. They’re made particularly for podcasters and have specialised instruments to deal with this use case.
You additionally get assist from people who’re specialists within the trade. This makes an enormous distinction in the long term.
That being mentioned, let’s check out the very best podcast internet hosting companies that you need to use. There are various corporations providing these companies. Nevertheless, we will likely be reviewing those which are the best to make use of, supply nice instruments and assist, and have flexibility in file sizes.
1. PodBean
PodBean is the very best podcast internet hosting service supplier available on the market. They provide limitless podcast internet hosting plans with unmetered bandwidth.
The internet hosting service contains lovely design instruments to host your web site with customizable themes. You can even simply embed the PodBean podcast player straight into your WordPress posts and pages.
Other than that, in addition they have podcast promotion instruments that routinely submit your episodes to all prime podcast directories, like Spotify and Apple Podcasts. This enables your viewers to make use of their most well-liked instruments to hearken to and obtain podcasts.
PodBean additionally provides an promoting market that gives alternatives for podcasters to monetize their content. Additionally they have an enormous group of podcasters already utilizing PodBean as their podcasting platform.
Professionals:
- Limitless audio and video internet hosting
- Newbie-friendly interface
- Schedule podcast publishing
- Simply distribute podcasts to standard platforms
- View real-time statistics of podcast efficiency
- Dwell streaming, stay calls, and immediate messages
Cons:
Why We Advocate PodBean: It’s one the very best podcast internet hosting companies that gives limitless video and audio internet hosting at inexpensive costs. We advocate PodBean as a result of it provides highly effective options for promotion, monitoring efficiency, monetization, and boosting engagement.
Pricing: Free plan with restricted storage. Paid plans begin from $9/month with limitless storage.
2. Buzzsprout
Buzzsprout is likely one of the easiest-to-use podcasting internet hosting suppliers for newcomers. They’ve been within the enterprise since 2009 and have constructed a robust group of podcasters, which incorporates a few of the prime podcasters round.
If you’re simply getting began, then you’ll discover it to be extremely simple to make use of. Simply add your media file, and Buzzsprout routinely takes care of the remaining.
They may also routinely submit your episodes to all the highest podcast directories, which ensures that your podcast is offered on all units and apps.
Their embeddable podcast participant appears nice and works effectively on all display screen sizes. It reveals the duvet artwork, social sharing buttons, ahead and backward skip controls, and extra.
Additionally they supply a free WordPress plugin that makes embeds even simpler. Should you don’t need to make a web site, then Buzzsprout could make one for you. You possibly can customise its design and use your individual custom domain name.
Professionals:
- Tremendous simple to make use of
- Helps all prime podcast directories
- Detailed reviews and stats for podcast efficiency
- Devoted WordPress plugin to embed podcasts
Cons:
- Paid plans have bandwidth and add limits
Why We Advocate Buzzsprout: After testing completely different podcast internet hosting companies, Buzzsprout is essentially the most newbie pleasant and simple to make use of. Merely add your media file, and the platform will maintain the remaining.
Pricing: Restricted free plan hosts every episode for 90 days, as much as 2 hours every month. Paid plans begin at $12/month for 3 hours of add every month.
3. Blubrry
Blubrry provides versatile podcast internet hosting plans for brand new and skilled podcasters alike.
It provides a preferred WordPress podcasting plugin referred to as PowerPress that makes it tremendous simple to handle a podcast straight out of your WordPress web site.
Utilizing Blubrry with PowerPress makes it simple to add your podcast episodes on to your podcast internet hosting supplier. It additionally permits you to simply submit your podcast to Apple Podcasts (beforehand iTunes) and Google Podcasts.
This makes your podcasts simply discoverable on Google Dwelling, Assistant, and Google Podcast app on Android units.
Blubrry additionally provides monetization choices, podcast statistics, social sharing options, and extra.
Professionals:
- Gives a devoted WordPress podcast plugin
- Create a free WordPress web site in your podcast
- Restrict podcast entry to authenticated customers
- Podcast analytics reviews
Cons:
- There isn’t any free plan
- Limits on storage on premium plans
Why We Advocate Blubrry: We advocate Blubrry due to the WordPress plugin (PowerPress) it provides. The plugin makes it very simple to handle your podcast straight out of your WordPress website.
Pricing: Ranging from $12 per thirty days with 125 MB of storage every month.
4. Transistor
Transistor is a strong but easy-to-use podcast internet hosting service for professionals and newcomers. They provide limitless podcast internet hosting plans, which suggests they don’t cost you for hours of add as another hosts do.
They make it extremely simple to easily add your podcast media information and publish them. Additionally they supply podcast analytics so you may see how every episode performs.
Their embed code permits you to simply add every episode to your WordPress posts and pages. Should you don’t have a web site, then they will shortly create one for you.
One factor to be careful for is that their plans restrict the variety of downloads. This implies that you must improve your plan as your podcast grows.
Professionals:
- Limitless podcast storage and bandwidth
- Limitless group members and collaborators
- Get dynamic adverts for promotion
- Routinely publish to YouTube
- Get a built-in podcast web site
- Superior analytics for podcast efficiency
Cons:
- No free plan
- The premium plans are barely costly
Why We Advocate Transistor: What makes Transistor an awesome podcast internet hosting platform is that it has no limits. Plus, you get lots of options like a built-in podcast web site, dynamic adverts, integrations, and extra.
Pricing: Ranging from $19 per thirty days for as much as 20,000 downloads every month.
5. Fusebox (Formerly Smart Podcast Player)
Fusebox provides the very best media participant for podcast web sites. Additionally they present a easy and dependable podcast internet hosting resolution with limitless episode uploads.
No matter which podcast internet hosting service you select, you have to a media participant to correctly embed and show podcasts in your web site.
Fusebox permits you to show an attractive media participant in your web site. You possibly can present it on particular person episode pages in your podcast or in your homepage. Customers can browse the episodes, use on-screen controls, share the podcasts, and extra.
The participant appears lovely on all units and display screen sizes. You can even customise its colours to match your web site and make it sticky on prime or backside.
Aside from serving to you discover new listeners, Fusebox additionally helps you grow your email list and enhance return guests to your web site. This software is utilized by each prime podcaster on this planet, and it was created by Pat Flynn’s group.
With Fusebox internet hosting, you get important analytics to trace the efficiency of your podcast. Plus, it provides hassle-free migration from different platforms.
Professionals:
Cons:
- No built-in WordPress web site for the podcast
- Doesn’t supply a free model
- Restricted integration choices
Why We Advocate Fusebox: We advocate Fusebox due to the media participant it provides. Together with podcast internet hosting, you’re going to get a surprising net participant that gives numerous options.
Pricing: Ranging from $7.50 per thirty days (billed yearly)
6. Libsyn
Libsyn is one other dependable podcast internet hosting service supplier. They provide an easy-to-use platform that places your model on the heart and helps you promote your podcast throughout completely different platforms, apps, and units.
Libsyn began in 2004, which makes it one of many very first podcast internet hosting service suppliers. The platform was created by podcasters for different podcasters and has a big group of customers, together with a few of the most influential creators.
They provide three podcast internet hosting plans with completely different month-to-month storage limits however with limitless bandwidth.
Professionals:
- Simple-to-use podcast internet hosting platform
- Publish your podcast to standard platforms
- Monetize podcasts with adverts and donations
- Podcast analytics and reviews
Cons:
- No free trial or free model
- Superior stats value extra cash
- Limits on storage and uploads
Why We Advocate Libsyn: What makes Libsyn so nice is that it permits you to create a podcast very quickly. It provides a easy and user-friendly interface together with different options for publishing and selling the podcast.
Pricing: Ranging from $5 per thirty days with 3 hours of recent uploads per thirty days and 162 MB month-to-month storage.
7. SoundCloud
SoundCloud is a well-liked music and podcast internet hosting platform. The nice factor is which you could embed any podcast episode from SoundCloud by merely putting the URL anyplace in your WordPress posts and pages.
SoundCloud is free for as much as 3 hours of uploads. Their free plan is an efficient place to begin for newcomers who need to check the waters first.
Their paid plans include extra storage, bandwidth, superior statistics, monetization, and distribution choices. SoundCloud is straightforward to make use of, however it isn’t essentially the most versatile or customizable podcast internet hosting plan.
Professionals:
- Free plan provides as much as 3 hours of uploads
- Simply embed SoundCloud podcast to WordPress
- Share personal tracks with collaborators
- Helps standard distribution platforms within the professional model
Cons:
- Professional model could be costly for brand new podcasters
Why We Advocate SoundCloud: We advocate SoundCloud to customers who need to embed episodes into their WordPress pages and posts.
Pricing: Free plan with 3 hours of uploads per thirty days. Paid plans begin from $99 per yr.
Which Is the Finest Podcast Internet hosting Service?
As you may see, many podcast internet hosting companies supply comparable plans with all of the important options. Nevertheless, some put limits on space for storing, and a few restrict downloads.
Contemplating these elements, we advocate PodBean as the general greatest podcast internet hosting service. Their plans include limitless storage and bandwidth with an extremely easy-to-use platform. Additionally they can help you simply promote your podcast throughout completely different companies.
Our second suggestion is Buzzsprout. It is likely one of the best podcast internet hosting options, excellent for newcomers to get began.
Tips on how to Begin a Podcast
Aside from a podcast internet hosting service, additionally, you will want a web site. This will likely be your podcast’s house on the web, the place you’ll put it on the market and assist customers uncover extra content material.
To make a web site, you have to a site identify and a web site internet hosting account.
The area identify will usually value you $14.99 per yr, and web site internet hosting plans begin from $7.99 per thirty days, often paid yearly.
Since you might be simply beginning out, you’ll want to lower your expenses every time you may.
Fortunately, our buddies at Bluehost are providing WPBeginner customers a free area and a beneficiant low cost on internet hosting.
For full step-by-step directions, see our information on how to make a website.
Subsequent, you have to to arrange your podcast. We’ve created a step-by-step guide to starting a podcast for newcomers, it would stroll you thru the entire setup, together with the right way to file your podcasts.
What Gear Do You Want for Podcasting?
{Many professional} podcasters use a wide range of tools to file podcasts. This contains microphones, an audio interface, a mixer, a windscreen, shock mounts, and extra.
All of this tools prices some huge cash.
Nevertheless, you don’t want all of them simply to file a Podcast. The one tools we advocate shopping for from the beginning is an efficient microphone.
We advocate utilizing Rode Podcaster, which you’ll plug into your pc utilizing a USB port.
Should you can spare just a little more cash, then you should buy the Rode Podcaster Kit, which comes with a increase arm and a shock mount.
Various: Samson C01UCW is an efficient entry-level microphone to file podcasts.
As soon as your podcast grows and you’re making cash from it, then you may spend money on enhancing your setup. However keep in mind, you may’t enhance one thing if you happen to don’t begin it, so simply begin!
Tips on how to Promote Your Podcast
Lots of the podcast internet hosting companies talked about above can help you routinely submit your podcast to completely different podcast directories and engines like google.
You can even manually submit your podcast as effectively. As soon as accredited, your podcast and all its episodes will change into discoverable on these platforms.
Your podcast is printed as an RSS feed. You will want to repeat the podcast feed URL supplied by your podcast internet hosting service.
Tips on how to Submit Your Podcast to iTunes or Apple Podcasts
iTunes is the world’s largest podcast listing, permitting customers to subscribe to podcasts utilizing their iPhones, Apple computer systems, iPods, and different Apple units.
First, you have to to sign up to the iTunes Connect web site utilizing your Apple ID. Should you don’t have one, then you definitely signal as much as create one free of charge.
As soon as logged in, click on on the ‘Podcasts Join’ button.
On the following display screen, that you must enter your podcast feed URL and click on on the ‘Validate’ button.
iTunes will now fetch your podcast data.
You possibly can then click on the ‘Submit’ button to proceed.
iTunes will now assessment your podcast submission, and also you’ll be notified through e mail as soon as it’s accredited.
Tips on how to Submit Your Podcast to Google Podcasts
Google Podcasts is Google’s different to Apple Podcasts and iTunes.
To submit your podcast, that you must go to the Google Play Music web site and click on on the ‘Begin now’ button.
This can take you to the podcast administration console, the place that you must enter your podcast feed URL.
Subsequent, you have to to confirm possession through e mail and submit your podcast feed for assessment.
As soon as accredited, your podcast will likely be listed on Google Podcasts.
Tips on how to Promote Your Podcast on Your Personal Web site
Having a WordPress web site in your podcast provides you a ton of choices to advertise your podcast.
First, we advocate you comply with our WordPress SEO guide to guarantee that your podcast web site is getting search visitors.
Now, as individuals begin visiting your web site, you’ll discover that the majority of them simply go away with out subscribing to your podcast. That is the place email marketing is available in.
You’ll want to start an email newsletter that permits customers to subscribe to your podcast through e mail.
Many newbie podcasters discover a ton of recent listeners and subscribers by working a giveaway contest. We advocate utilizing RafflePress, which is the best WordPress giveaway plugin. It permits you to create viral giveaway contests that make it easier to shortly get extra guests to your web site.
For extra suggestions, see our information on how to increase website traffic.
We hope this text helped you discover the very best podcast internet hosting service to launch your podcast. You may additionally need to see our information on the right way to create a professional business email address to achieve out to sponsors and a virtual business phone number to go together with your podcast.
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