Between conceiving, recording, and editing your podcast, there’s already plenty on your mind when starting a podcast. A podcast hosting platform can take away a lot of this stress by handling the file hosting, downloading, and integration for you, among other features.
Whether your podcast is old, new, or nothing more than an idea, here are five hosting platforms that will get you excited to start recording those new episodes.
1. Buzzsprout
Buzzsprout is first on the list, and for good reason. Getting started is easy, and you can use the service entirely for free for the first 90 days, even if you are limited to only two hours of uploaded content each month.
You’ll find plenty of handy features to play with as well. Buzzsprout lists your podcast across a huge number of directories, from Apple Podcasts and Spotify to some perhaps lesser-known directories such as Pocket Casts and Podchaser. This takes the time and stress of having to find these alternatives out of your hands.
Even with a free account, Buzzsprout features advanced podcast statistics such as total downloads over time, and from where and on what people are listening to your podcast. If you choose to upgrade to a paid plan, then your episodes will be hosted indefinitely, and there are several extra features as well.
Magic Mastering is one of the features unique to Buzzsprout, a process that sweetens and optimizes audio files to make them sound as professional as possible, no matter your equipment. This is only the tip of the iceberg, with other features such as automatic episode optimization, dynamic content, and transcriptions all also being available.
2. Anchor
Brought to you by the same minds that created Spotify is Anchor. Anchor is a free, unlimited hosting service which allows you to upload and create any number of podcast episodes while still giving all the rights to the content over to you. This makes it perfect if you’re just starting out. It, too, features one-step distribution to all the biggest listening apps.
Analytics feature heavily in Anchor, with data showing you everything you could want to know about your listeners. The data Anchor provides includes average listening time, start and stop times, and even the age, gender, and geolocation of your audience.
As Spotify owns Anchor, the service supports the use of full tracks from Spotify in your episodes. This, in addition to monetization support, sponsorships, intuitive editing tools, and an easy-to-use cover art creator make Anchor a very compelling option.
If you’re considering the switch, Anchor even includes the ability to import your episodes quickly and easily via your RSS feed, making the switch that much easier.
3. Podbean
Maybe you’ve heard of Podbean already. The service has been around for over 10 years, so it would hardly be surprising if you had. Hosting starts out free, with pretty limited features as a result. You’ll only be able to upload five hours of total audio, and with a lower bandwidth than with paid options, but you’ll be able to use the service indefinitely if you never exceed that limit.
Podbean makes distributing your podcast easy by listing your podcast automatically among most distributors. It also gives you the data you need to succeed in the form of comprehensive podcast statistics, though if you’re using the free version of Podbean, then you’ll only receive basic stats.
It includes monetization support, with premium sales, a patron program, and an ad marketplace all being featured for paid accounts. Podbean also supports live audio streaming. This allows you to expand your podcast and engage with your listeners through call-ins and comments in real-time.
If you’re just getting started, Podbean also supports your very own podcast site complete with RSS feed, iTunes Support, and beautiful podcast themes, even if you’re using its free service.
4. Transistor
Transistor is a little different from the other podcast hosting platforms you’ve seen so far. While it does support a 14-day free trial, Transistor does not otherwise support any form of free plan.
As you’re no doubt growing used to, Transistor allows you to easily submit your episodes to a wide range of podcast directories with just the click of a button. It also supports submitting your podcast to both Listen Notes and The Podcast Index, two search engines built around finding and commenting on podcasts.
Transistor’s analytics are interesting, too. The average downloads per episode, as well as listener trends per month and the most popular episodes, are all featured. One standout is Transistor’s estimated subscribers analytic, which estimates your podcast’s growth based on current trends.
Moreover, Transistor has private podcast support. Private podcasts each have a unique, protected RSS feed which you can then give to each subscriber. This lets you decide exactly who can access your podcast content, perfect for if you want to distribute something just to close friends and family, or perhaps if you want to use it for your business.
5. Spreaker
Spreaker follows a similar layout to Transistor with various tiers of paid options available to you. Spreaker, like many others, features one-click distribution, though you’ll find its catalog of partners is noticeably larger than many alternatives.
Its analytics, similarly, are quite diverse. Podcast download, listener, like, follower, source, geolocation, and device statistics are all available to you. However, some are only available at certain tiers of Spreaker’s service.
Spreaker’s biggest distinguishing factor, however, is how it is designed to work with your business. Not just a full-stack solution for audio publishing, Spreaker also features an ad campaign management tool that features programmatic ads to help you best move your product across domestic and international markets.
When combined with Spreaker’s easy podcast editing software and live podcast recording, Spreaker is a standout for those of you hoping to use your podcast to boost your enterprise.
Podcasting Hosting Isn’t the Whole Story
Whether you’re just getting started with podcasting, or you’re a seasoned veteran with a fleet of podcasting businesses under your belt, podcast hosting services can help streamline the worst of the experience for you.
Hosting your show is only one part of the battle, however, and there’s so much more for you to still learn and think about.