Best Podcast Hosting Platforms in 2024 - An Actionable Guide

Embarking on your podcasting journey may seem overwhelming, especially when it comes to choosing the right hosting platform. Don't fret; we've got you covered! In this guide, we'll walk you through the four best podcast hosting platforms in 2024, making your entry into the world of podcasting a breeze.

But before we begin, what are the features you should look out for when choosing a host for your podcast?

How To Choose the Best Podcast Hosting Platform

Choosing a podcast hosting platform that fits your needs is tricky, and migrating from one platform to another is time-consuming. So, it makes the most sense to make an informed decision and choose a host carefully. Here are some tips you can use to find the perfect fit for your podcast:

1. Content Needs

The foremost factor to consider is to see if the podcast host suits your content needs. Podcast hosting platforms differ in terms of the number of episodes they let you upload in a month, the hours of audio you can upload, and the storage capacity.

If you’re uncertain about the hours of content you’ll produce (in the case of interview podcasts) or produce many hours of content in a month, the natural choice is to pick a host that offers episode limits instead of duration limits. But, if you’re certain about the hours of content you’ll produce in a month, you can easily ascertain better which host to choose.

2. Downloads Limit

Another way podcast hosts differ is the download limit. If you cross a certain number of downloads on your podcast, you need to move to the next tier. If you have a high number of downloads that are rapidly increasing, this might be a concern since the cost can add up. This is especially true when you have multiple podcasts. There are some hosts that offer unlimited downloads, you can choose those if this is a problem you seem to face.

3. Multiple Podcasts

If you have multiple podcasts, managing them all with one account becomes necessary to avoid chaos. Some podcast hosting platforms charge for extra podcasts, while some let you host as many podcasts as possible. The podcast hosts that offer you the latter would suit your needs better, so keep that in mind as well.

4. Teams Feature

If you have a team that manages your podcast(s), the Team feature becomes a crucial feature to look out for. Before choosing a host and plan, check how many team members you can add, how many teams you can make, whether your team members would require a paid plan of their own, and if you can control the access each team member gets.

5. Cost-effectiveness

In an ideal world, we’d love to not have any budget constraints in our podcasting journey but sadly, that’s not the case for a lot of podcasters out there. Thus, choosing a podcast host based on your budget also becomes a priority. Based on the above factors, you can see which podcast host is cost-effective and fulfills your needs.

Considering these tips, which podcast platforms check all the boxes mentioned above?

1. Hubhopper: Asia’s Pioneer in Podcast Hosting

Founded by India's Podfather, Gautam Raj Anand, Hubhopper caters to both free and paid plans (starting at $12/month). Premium features, such as AI integration, private podcasting, and team collaboration, differentiate the plans.

The user-friendly interface, distribution to global platforms as well as exclusive platforms in the emerging markets (increase your reach and listens), accompanied by helpful prompts and pro-tips, makes Hubhopper an excellent choice for podcasters looking to start their journey with confidence. The best part is the ease of choosing a plan - based on your monthly upload frequency.

Best Features:

• Unlimited podcasts, downloads, storage, episode duration, bandwidth
• Has a free plan
• Easy to use
• In-built audio recorder and editor
• Publish podcasts to global as well as exclusive platforms
• AI features
• Teams feature (role-based and multiple team)
• Private Podcasting
• Unlimited Scheduling

2. Buzzsprout: Unleash Your Podcasting Potential

Buzzsprout, with its free and paid versions (starting at $12/month), offers flexibility for podcasters at different stages. The free plan is a great way to begin, but be mindful that episodes are hosted for only 90 days.

Buzzsprout has a unique approach and they focus on monthly upload hours rather than episodes. The platform also provides a wealth of educational content, making it an excellent resource for podcasters seeking guidance and support.

Best Features:

• Unlimited podcasts
• Has a free plan (with restrictions)
• Audio mastering add-on
• Publish podcasts to global platforms
• AI features (add-on feature)
• Teams feature (role-based)
• Unlimited Scheduling

3. Captivate: Elevate Your Podcasting Game

For serious podcasters ready to invest upfront, Captivate is the go-to platform (starts at $17/month). Founded by the British Podcast Guy,

Captivate boasts an array of features designed to help grow your podcast. While it may have a steeper learning curve, the investment in time is well worth it. They don’t have a free plan but offer a 7-day trial. With Captivate, you have the tools to take your podcasting journey to the next level.

Best Features:

• Unlimited podcasts, storage, and episodes
• Publish podcasts to global platforms
• Podcast production tools
• Teams feature (role-based)
• Private Podcasting
• Unlimited Scheduling

4. Transistor: Streamlined Excellence in Podcast Hosting

Transistor (starts at $19/month), a leading platform in the podcast hosting market, offers a 14-day free trial but lacks a free tier. With a straightforward user interface, it simplifies the podcast setup process.

The various plans come with different download limits per month, providing flexibility to choose a plan that aligns with your podcasting goals.

Best Features:

• Unlimited podcasts, storage, and episode duration
• Easy to use
• Publish podcasts to global platforms
• AI feature
• Dynamic ad feature
• Teams feature (role-based)
• Private Podcasting
• Unlimited Scheduling

Streamline Any Part of Your Podcast Workflow With One-Click

Finding the right podcast host is important but not enough to grow and promote your podcast to what it can potentially become. That is why we've developed Podsqueeze to solve this problem for you, all with a single click.

With Podsqueeze, you can create all podcast-related assets like;

• Show notes
• Transcript
• Blog posts
• Newsletters
• Podcast titles
• Podcast clips
• Audiograms
• Social media posts
• Podcast landing page
• And so much more with just a single click.

With the right podcast host and tools behind your podcast workflow, you have a proven approach to move the needle of your podcast ahead.

FAQs On The Best Podcast Hosting Platforms In 2024

Here are answers to some of the most pressing and frequently asked questions on the web about podcast hosting platforms.

1. What is the best platform to host your podcast?

Choosing the best podcast hosting platform is subjective and depends more on your needs and the platforms that cater to your needs.

However, here are some popular choices for the best podcast hosting platforms;

- Hubhopper

- Transistor

- Buzzsprout

- Captivate

Etc. Always remember to choose what works for you and check out the reviews from their previous users to know which hosting platforms to choose and not to.

2. How much does it cost to host a podcast?

The cost of podcast hosting can range from free to several hundred dollars per month, depending on the platform and the features you need. For example, some platforms offer free plans where you can host your podcast but the features are limited. To get the full features of any podcast hosting platform, you have to pay for their higher tiers.

3. What is the difference between podcast hosting and podcast distribution?

Podcast hosting refers to the platform where your podcast audio files are stored. It’s where you upload your episodes, manage your content, and analyze performance. Podcast distribution, on the other hand, is the process of getting your podcast into directories like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and more where listeners can listen to your show.