If you’re new to podcasting, the number of podcast hosting providers out there can be downright daunting. How do you choose the right one for you?
In this blog post, we’ll break down the best podcast host providers for beginners and help make your decision a little bit easier. So, whether you’re just starting out or are looking to switch hosts, read on for our recommendations!
What is a podcast host provider?
A podcast host provider is a service that stores your podcast episodes and makes them available for download. Podcast host providers also usually offer tools to help you promote your podcast and grow your audience.
There are many different podcast host providers available, and it can be difficult to choose the right one. Here are some things to consider when choosing a podcast host provider:
- Price: Some podcast host providers charge a monthly fee, while others charge a per-episode fee. Price is often a deciding factor when choosing a podcast host provider.
- Storage: How much storage space does the provider offer? You will need to store your audio files as well as any show notes or images.
- Bandwidth: How much bandwidth does the provider allow? This is important because it affects how many people can download your podcast episodes.
- Episode limit: Some providers limit the number of episodes you can store, while others do not.
Benefits of using a hosting provider for your podcast
Podcasts are a great way to reach a broad audience, and using a podcast host provider can help you promote and grow your show. There are several benefits of using a hosting provider for your podcast, including:
- Ease of use: Podcast host providers offer an easy way to store and manage your podcast episodes. Your audience can also subscribe to your show and automatically receive new episodes as they are released.
- Increased visibility: Podcast host providers can help you promote your show and grow your audience. Many providers offer tools to help you submit your show to directories and share your episodes on social media.
- Reliability: Your podcast episodes will be stored on a reliable server, so they will be available for download even if your own website goes down.
- Support: If you have any questions or problems, most podcast host providers offer customer support. This is vital if you’re just starting out with podcasting.
Using a hosting provider for your podcast is a great way to reach a wider audience and promote your show. There are many different podcast host providers available, so be sure to choose one that offers the features you need at a price you can afford.
Best podcast host providers
Our team has scoured the internet to find the best podcast host providers. We’ve looked at a variety of factors, including price, episode limit, features and more.
Here are our top picks for the best podcast host providers.
Megaphone
We love Megaphone as a podcast host provider because they make it easy for podcasters to monetize their content with dynamic ad insertion. With Megaphone, you can insert pre-roll, mid-roll, and post-roll ads into your episodes and have the Megaphone team sell ads for you. You can also specify who hears your ads based on location, technology and other important demographics.
Megaphone can be a bit pricey for independent podcasts, but we can get you access through our network account. We also don’t make you sign lengthy contracts. You get all their amazing features for $50 per month, or a $4 CPM, if your podcast gets more than 12,500 downloads per month. You can learn more about Megaphone through our tutorials, or complete this form to learn more about how we can help you get access!
Buzzsprout
This podcast hosting provider offers a user-friendly interface and a variety of features to help you grow your podcast. All you have to do is upload your podcast, and Buzzsprout takes care of the rest.
BuzzSprout will automatically distribute your podcast to all top podcast directories, including Apple Music and Shopify. Buzzsprout can even make your website for you and offers a stellar embedded podcast episode player that is cross-device compatible.
Podbean
Podbean is one of the most popular podcast host providers, and for a good reason. They offer a wide range of features at a very affordable price. The free plan has a limited storage amount, but there is also unlimited storage paid plans starting from as little as $9 a month.
Creators get access to a suite of design tools to make their podcast stand out, including customizable themes and branding, and more. Podbean also has one of the leading marketing and distribution platforms with a built-in RSS feed, global podcast directories, and social media tools.
Libsyn
Libsyn is one of the longest-running and most popular podcast host providers. They offer a variety of features to help you grow your audience and promote your show.
Libsyn also has one of the best distribution platforms, making it easy for your audience to find and subscribe to your show. You can also monetize your podcast with pre-roll and post-roll advertising.
We especially love Libsyn’s affordability, with 50MB monthly storage plans starting from as little as $5.
Anchor
Anchor is an excellent option for those just starting out in podcasting. It’s a free platform with no time limits on your episodes and no storage limits.
It’s also very user-friendly, with a simple interface that makes it easy to record, edit, and publish your episodes. You can also use Anchor to distribute your podcast to all major platforms, including Apple Music and Spotify.
Kajabi
Kajabi is an all-in-one business platform that helps you create and market your online courses, products, and membership sites. They also have a built-in podcast hosting feature so that you can host and promote your show all in one place.
Automatic transcription, episode schedule, and customizable website themes are just some of Kajabi’s creator tools. You can also use Kajabi’s built-in marketing tools to promote your podcast and grow your audience.
Pricing starts at $149 per month for the basic plan, which includes everything you need to get started with podcasting.
Blubrry
Bluebrry is most known for its WordPress plug-in PowerPress, which allows you to upload your podcasts directly to your WordPress site. You can submit your podcast to Apple Music and Google Podcasts with a click.
While their main focus isn’t hosting, they do offer it as an add-on service starting at $12/month for 100MB of space. If you’re already using WordPress for your website, then Blubrry could be a good option for you.
Final Thoughts
There are a lot of great podcast hosting providers out there, so it really just comes down to finding the one that best suits your needs. If you’re just starting out, we recommend Anchor or Buzzsprout. For those looking for more features and storage, Megaphone or Libsyn are great options. And if you’re looking for an all-in-one business platform that includes podcasting, then Kajabi is worth checking out!
