You’ve got everything planned for your brand-new podcast, and you’re buzzing with excitement to share your message and connect with your audience.
But then, reality hits.
There are several moving parts to creating a podcast, and one of the most important is choosing a podcast host.
What Is a Podcast Host?
A podcast host is essentially a service on the web where you upload your podcast’s audio files and other relevant assets like your cover art, title, and description. It’s the main hub for distributing your podcast to platforms like Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and other major players.
Additionally, podcast hosting platforms offer analytics so you can track important data about your audience.
With so many podcast hosting services available, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the options.
In this article, I’ll walk you through my top three recommendations for both free and paid podcast hosting platforms. These are the same options I provide to my clients and students when they’re launching their podcasts.
Here’s what we’ll cover:
Top 3 Paid and Free Podcast Hosting Options – The best options for hosting your podcast.
Key Features and Considerations – What to look for before signing up.
Expert Advice on Hosting and Distribution Strategies – How to choose the right podcast host for your needs.
Top 3 Podcast Hosting Options for 2024
1. Spotify for Podcasters (Formerly Anchor) – Free
Spotify for Podcasters is a completely free hosting service with no restrictions on the number of episodes you can upload. If you’re thinking of starting a video podcast, this platform also supports video uploads, making it the only way to have your video podcast play directly on Spotify.
This feature was introduced in 2022, and we’ve had great success using it. Additionally, Spotify tends to prioritize content that takes advantage of its latest features, which is a huge plus.
Key Features:
1. Easy-to-Use Interface:
Uploading podcasts is simple. Just drag and drop your audio files, add a title and description, and either publish or schedule it for later.
2. Automatic Posting to Spotify:
Once uploaded, your podcast is automatically available on Spotify.
3. Multi-Platform Distribution:
From your Spotify for Podcasters account, you can set up distribution to Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, and more.
4. Basic Analytics:
Insights include where your listeners are from, their age, gender, and the platform they use to listen to your podcast.
Downsides:
Platform Changes: Spotify is known for making significant changes, and sometimes this can be nerve-wracking. For example, they’ve removed browser and app-based recording/editing features, which many creators relied on.
Limited Monetization: The platform only offers two ways to make money: subscriptions and donations. While they have an ad feature, it’s still in beta and available by invitation only.
Monetization Challenges: To make any significant income from subscriptions or donations, you need a large audience. If you’re just starting, it will take time to see meaningful returns.
2. Buzzsprout – Paid
Buzzsprout is a paid podcast hosting service, but they offer a free trial where you can upload up to two hours of content without a credit card. After that, paid plans start at $12 per month, depending on how much audio you upload.
Key Features:
1. Dynamic Content Insertion:
Buzzsprout allows you to add pre-roll, mid-roll, and post-roll segments to your episodes. This is perfect for inserting ads, announcements, or promotions at different points in your show.
Why It’s Awesome:
You can record a promotional audio clip and use dynamic insertion to add it to any or all of your episodes. This is a great way to keep your audience updated on new offers, events, or collaborations in real time.
2. Buzzsprout Ads:
You can monetize your show by allowing other podcasts to advertise on your episodes. Buzzsprout automatically manages the ad placements, so you don’t need to worry about tracking campaigns.
You also have complete control over which shows can advertise on your podcast.
Passive Income Potential: This is an excellent way to generate passive income, especially if you’re looking to grow your audience by cross-promoting with similar shows.
3. Cohost AI:
For an additional fee, you can use Cohost AI, which transcribes your episodes, suggests titles, writes podcast descriptions, and adds chapter markers to your podcast. This feature is ideal if you’re managing the show solo and need to streamline your workflow.
3. RSS.com – Paid
RSS.com is another paid option with the basic features you’d expect: hosting, distribution, and analytics. However, what sets it apart is its constant innovation and added features for creators.
Key Features:
Bitcoin Payments: RSS.com allows you to accept Bitcoin payments from your audience, in addition to subscriptions and donations.
YouTube Integration: You can automatically upload your episodes to YouTube directly from your RSS.com dashboard, making it easier to reach a broader audience through YouTube Music.
Multilingual Interface: In addition to English, RSS.com offers interfaces in Spanish and Italian, making it more accessible for creators from diverse backgrounds.
Expert Advice: Choosing the Right Podcast Host
Buzzsprout for Audio-Only Podcasts
If you’re creating an audio-only podcast, and your goal is to drive traffic to your business, products, or events, I recommend using Buzzsprout. The dynamic content feature alone makes it worth the investment.
Spotify for Podcasters for Video Podcasts
If you’re creating a video podcast, consider this two-step approach: Use Buzzsprout for the audio version of your podcast and distribute it to Apple Podcasts and Amazon Music.
Then, create an account with Spotify for Podcasters to upload the video version, ensuring it reaches Spotify’s video audience.
Why Use Both Platforms?
This may seem like extra work, but if you’re investing time in producing a video podcast, it’s worth distributing your content to as many platforms as possible.
Posting your podcast on both Spotify and YouTube gives you the best reach.
Sonu is a passionate blogger who reviews the latest AI tools. With a focus on providing insightful and unbiased reviews, Sonu helps readers navigate the evolving world of artificial intelligence.
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