The Best 7 Podcast Hosting Platforms of 2021 Reviewed and Ranked

People are not always in the mood and situation to watch a video or stream a show on their device. They may be travelling in the train or driving home in the evening when a screen is not the appropriate thing to look at but you need something to make use of the time.

In these and many other similar situations, audio media is making a comeback into our lives, quick but subtle. Social media influencers including YouTubers and Instagram artists have started their own podcast series where they discuss matters, at times with guests as well.

If you are considering to start a podcast as well, hang on for a very informative journey because we will be over all you need to know about podcasts and podcasting platforms.

Podcast hosting definition

A podcast is the audio version of a YouTube video. You take a mic, record some minutes, edit them and upload onto a platform, like any video. 

For videos, we have YouTube and Dailymotion for hosting our content. In a very similar manner, any website or platform that you can use for hosting your podcast is a podcast hosting website.

There are tons of well-established platforms that you can use for recorded or live podcast hosting. These podcast hosting sites provide you the liberty to offer your content free or at some minimal price, over the internet or downloadable. The decision depends upon your business model.

7 best Podcast Hosting Services

When you are looking forward to building an audience on a platform and making at your means of earning, you need to decide about the platform very wisely. Considering number of factors, like hosting costs, advertisements, platform popularity and available audience, free or paid podcasts, is all part of your planning. 

Realizing your concerns, we have prepared our humble podcast hosting platform comparison that will help you along the way. These podcast hosting reviews are not the final word but we are quite certain they will facilitate your decision.

1. Buzzsprout

Buzzsprout is regarded among the top podcast hosting sites, thanks to the convenience and seamless experience that it offers. Buzzsprout takes the burden away from you and guides you through each and every step of building your podcast. 

This easiest podcast hosting helps you along the way while you develop your audience and network. It will help you find just the right equipment you need for your channel.

The greatest feature that Buzzsprout offers is the access to all major platforms. Once you upload your content, it will be available across the ‘big guy’ platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Stitcher. You do not need any additional subscriptions to get your content to the listeners here.

We are not done yet. Buzzsprout offers its services for free. The basic package comes with 2 hours of audio upload each month and each episode gets free podcast hosting on the platform for 90 days. Like any of the paid plans, Buzzsprout will provide you a website for your podcast, a custom- embedded audio players, streaming content on platforms like Spotify and Stitcher and podcast analytics for you to learn how to improve your service.

So, what else do you need now? Go ahead to Buzzsprout and start your podcast now. You can use any package for a free 90-day trial as well. Buzzsprout is definitely a must-try for podcast hosting for beginners.

2. Fusebox

Next, we have Fusebox, a free unlimited podcast hosting provider that you can integrate on your website and start entertaining your audience with your songs and insightful words.

Fusebox is primarily a podcast hosting plugin WordPress and other site builders like Wix and Squarespace allow you to use with your website on their platform. 

The greatest advantage with Fusebox is that you do not need to make any additional arrangements for your podcast. You simply integrate a plugin and your podcast can be easily hosted on your website. 

Fusebox provides podcast players in all sizes and shapes. A mini-single track player for on-the-go use.

And an archive player to show you what else you can listen to

So how much does podcast hosting cost should you choose Fusebox? The basic version is free for integration so if you take that, no podcast hosting fees. However, if you think you need to upgrade to the Fusebox Pro, you are going to need only $15.83 a month and you can benefit from their podcast hosting for multiple shows as many as you like.

Get started with Fusebox here.

3. Transistor

Transistor is another podcast hosting and distribution platform that allows you to upload content onto their website and it will be circulated to users on Spotify and Apple Podcasts automatically. 

Transistors promise to provide a quality service to you and your audience. Multiple podcasts hosting is not a problem because they do not charge anything extra for that.

The podcast hosting account comes with a customizable website, unlimited storage and bandwidth for audio files and in-depth analytics to provide you all the insights that you need. 

There are no questions when it comes to credibility because Transistor in endorsed by renown social media artists including Lew Later from Unbox Therapy that has over 17.8 million subscribers on YouTube. 

I guess the only thing we are left with is the price. Transistor offers its starter in just $19 a month which is not at all expensive if you take into account the value that it provides. Under the plan, 15000 users can download your podcasts every month. Though if you still want a free podcast hosting site, you should probably opt for Buzzsprout or Fusebox. 

Upgrade to the Professional or Business and you can even have private podcasts that are accessible to only those who have the access. 

Interested? Try for yourself with the Transistor’s free -day trial. 

4. Blubrry

Podcasting is as if incomplete without considering Blubrry, one of the most sophisticated platforms for podcasts. The most important offering by Blubrry is the podcast statistics that keep you in control of your audience and change your content as per their preferences.

Blubrry makes podcast hosting with WordPress seamless because it is primarily a plugin that you can configure to your WordPress site. However, if you do not have any site, Blubrry will provide a free WordPress site with every package that you choose from their lineup.

Not only Blubrry will feature your content on your website, it will help you distribute it across all major platforms including Spotify, TuneIn, Stitcher and Pandora. You can easily migrate to the platform if you are already using another service but once you do, satisfaction is guaranteed.

While Blubrry might be the best platform, you might find them somewhat of a miser when it comes to storage. The basic plan comes at just $12 a month but with 100MB of monthly storage.

However, if you need podcast hosting for business, they have a Pro plan called Pro Hosting.

With the Pro, you get podcast hosting with videos as well so your audience can have it the way they like.
Ready to entertain? Head over to Blubrry for your free trial.

5. Captivate

Captivate can easily be ranked  at the top among the most value-for-money podcast hosting options out there. Not only are their packages loaded with features, Captivate offers them at affordable prices that are hard to imagine.

At just $17 a month, you get to host your upload unlimited podcasts without any restrictions on storage. The podcast recordings will be telecasted on all major platforms as well as your website and 15000 downloads every month. 

Captivate provides useful facilities both for podcast hosting and recording. You can create show notes templates for your live broadcasts or set publishing times.

With Captivate sites, you can get a website for your show as well and tell your story to the world in just the way you like it. It is very easy to integrate the Captivate plugin with WordPress as well. The show runs smooth as butter and there is no need for you to get into any hassle as well. Isn’t it just convenient?

Wait…. We just forgot to mention that the professional and business packages are priced at only $44 and $90 a month respectively and you get to grow your business up to 150,000 a month. If you are looking for a reliable platform to host your podcast, Captivate awaits your attention.

6. Castos 

If you are looking to develop your private community around your podcast, Castos might just be the perfect platform for you. Castos provides the liberty to create public as well as private podcasts at economical prices.

Castos podcast hosting best explains the opportunities you can avail with your podcast and the heights you can achieve. You can create unlimited podcasts with unlimited number of episodes in each podcast. In fact, you can effectively start your own channel.

What’s more interesting is that there is no limit on the number of downloads as well. Absolutely nothing to worry about when it comes to upscaling with Castos. 

Additionally, you can even create fans’ exclusive podcasts as well with up to 100 participants in the Starter pack. Need to integrate it in an existing website? Castos not only allows free migration but the WordPress plugin is simple to set up.

So, as you see, the three offerings are priced at $19, $49 and $99 a month, with additional discounts should you choose to opt for the annual payment. More about Castos pricing on their website.

7. Podcastics

If you are looking for a podcast hosting and editing as well as sharing and monetization, all under one roof, Podcastics provides the best all-around solution.

The offerings by Podcastics are precisely tailored to the needs of all sorts of influencers.

In the free plan, you get all the tools that you need to manage your podcast while striking a precise balance between compromise and features. The free option is perfect for users who have their website and want to use podcasts as a means to connect with them in a better manner. 

If you need your website to be hosted as well, you can confidently opt for the $39 a month Max as well. With the Max version, you get podcasting with handy features as analytics and improved latency with data centers based all around the world. 

Podcastics is very open with their policies and they have clearly stated them on their website as well. Want to know more about them, visit Podcastics here.

Frequently asked questions

What is podcast hosting?

Podcast hosting means the process of uploading your content on to a platform and making it accessible for your audience. It is just the same as website hosting, instead of uploading text, you upload audio files on a podcast host.

What is the best podcast hosting service?

It depends upon your idea of how you define the best hosting service. 

• Captivate will provide the best value for money.
• Buzzsprout will help you to broadcast your recordings at all popular platforms.
• Podcastics is your lad if you have a hosting but need to customize your site into a podcast. 

How much does podcast hosting cost?

Podcast hosts are available for everything between free to $99 a month. For precise pricing, decide which podcast hosting service best suits your needs and then head over to their website. We have embedded links in the respective reviews.

Where can I host my podcast for free?

For free podcast hosting sites, visit Buzzsprout for making your own site. If you need a plugin for your existing site, try Fusebox and Podcastics.

Care to share your own experiences? Write to us. We will love to hear about what you have to say on these products.

Happy hosting!