Whether you’re a veteran podcaster or a newbie dipping your feet in, choosing the right podcast hosting service can be nerve-wracking!
With so many platforms out there, how do you decide which one is best for you? Besides, as your podcast grows, your requirements change, and your existing podcast hosting platform may no longer be the ‘best’ for your next stage of growth!
But don’t worry. I’ve curated the 10 best podcast hosting sites available today. We’ll discuss their standout features and who the platform is best suited for.
Now, just before we tune in, here’s a primer for the uninitiated…
Running a podcast involves three basic steps:
When you create a website, you need a website host to store your media and display your content. Similarly, for a podcast, you need someplace to host your content.
Podcast media files are typically large in size. And due to the large size, your podcast hosting platform needs to ensure a high bandwidth to allow uninterrupted streaming for your audience. This requires huge server resources and hence the need for specialized podcast hosting.
A podcast hosting site provides you with sufficient space to store your media files for as long as you want. And some of the better ones also help you in distribution and growing your audience. The best of the lot even ease the recording process for you.
When evaluating a podcast hosting platform, you must consider storage, bandwidth, website integration, analytics, content repurposing, marketing and podcast distribution, and monetization support.
Let’s look at the top 10 podcast hosts in 2022 that can help you grow your podcast even if you’re not tech-savvy.
Buzzsprout is synonymous with speed and simplicity. It provides a simple-to-use platform, intuitive dashboards that tell you what to do, and loads of free learning material so you’re never stuck.
Buzzsprout offers multiple plans to choose from
Buzzsprout offers a gamut of tools to suit both novice and pro users. However, the ease of setup makes it an ideal podcast host for beginners to launch their podcast.
Despite the relatively lower pricing, Podbean packs quite a punch with features like
Podbean can be used by both beginners and veterans to grow their podcast as they like. It is best suited for price-conscious users.
Spreaker offers several noteworthy features:
Spreaker’s content management and monetization system make it one of the best podcast hosting platform in the market today. Intermediate and advanced users, looking for more ways to monetize their shows, will find these features critical to their advantage.
Libsyn offers several standout features that have stood the test of time:
Libsyn includes only the essential podcasting features in its plans. All other features are available as add-ons which you can subscribe to depending upon your need.
For those needing higher storage, there are $75 and $150 monthly plans also available which come with 1500MB and 3000MB of storage.
Libsyn also offers enterprise-level pricing which is targeted at media companies, networks, personalities, and brands.
Leveraging Libsyn’s features requires some prior experience to get used to. So veteran podcasters will be able to derive more value from it than beginners.
It claims it provides you with all the tools needed to manage your podcast “from your first listener to your first million”.
True to its claim, Simplecast offers several attractive features – even in its base plan.
Simplecast is a feature-packed podcast hosting platform with pocket-friendly pricing. The platform is designed for podcasters of all levels, from the biggest to the smallest shows.
Let’s look at why Castos is among the most cherished babies on the block.
Castos has one of the most comprehensive feature sets in its basic plan.
True to their word, Blubrry offers a wide assortment of tools to help you get started and grow your target listeners, including an expert in-house team that’ll help you produce, edit and publish your show.
Blubrry’s awesome feature-set includes:
Pro Hosting plan is also available starting at $100 per month, for those requiring higher storage and bandwidth.
Blubrry’s flexible podcast hosting service plans are suitable for both newbies and podcasting professionals. However, coupled with its Pro Production services, it becomes the automatic choice for business owners who want to grow their influence through podcasting, but are too busy to devote a lot of time to it.
Their simple pricing along with unlimited episodes & downloads is like putting your podcast on steroids.
Let’s look at the features that make RSS “the #1 way to start, grow and monetize a podcast”.
RSS keeps its pricing extremely simple by offering only a single plan.
It offers special discounts for students, educators, and non-governmental organizations worldwide.
RSS is best suited for podcasters who are serious about significantly scaling their podcasting business.
Captivate is the new kid on the block and it’s creating waves due to its maniacal focus on helping you grow your audience.
All Captivate plans come with an unlimited number of podcasts, unlimited team members, marketing tools, and full access to Captivate Growth Labs. A few standout features include
Apart from the downloads, all plans have the same features.
Captivate is designed with marketing and audience growth in mind. So if your primary concern is growing your audience through innovative marketing, then Captivate is what should captivate you!
Audioboom is designed with both content creators and advertisers in mind. No wonder it is the favorite with radio groups, podcasting networks, etc.
Audioboom makes hosting, distribution, and monetizing your podcast a breeze through its well-thought-out features
Podcasters enjoy unlimited episodes a month and get to choose between
Veterans consistently raking in over 10,000 plays per episode can gain access to better features such as live reads and host endorsements from top podcast advertisers, branded content partnership opportunities, and more.
Audioboom will be most beneficial for podcasting pros who want access to better monetization opportunities to further grow their audience and revenue.
Yes, there are plenty of options out there. But you would have noticed, that every podcast hosting platform plays on certain strengths. The best podcast hosting platform for you will depend upon your current stage.
Don’t get overwhelmed by all the choices out there. Identify your top goals for the next year or so and identify the podcast hosting platform that will best help you achieve them. Most platforms offer a free plan or a free trial. Test them out to get a hang and if a hosting platform ‘feels’ right, just go for it.
The post 10 Best Podcast Hosting Sites for 2022 (Free & Paid Platforms) appeared first on Smart Blogger.
