A podcast host stores your audio and publishes the RSS feed that Apple, Spotify and every other app read. They all do that part; the differences are in analytics, monetisation and how many shows you can run.
Buzzsprout hosts your episodes, publishes your feed to every directory and keeps the dashboard simple. Pricing is by upload hours per month.
| Tool | Best for | Free plan | How it charges |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buzzsprout | New podcasters who want hosting that just works. | Yes | Free trial plan, then monthly plans by upload hours |
| Transistor | Creators with more than one show, or a private members’ podcast. | No | Monthly plans by downloads (free trial) |
| Captivate | Podcasters who treat the show as a business. | No | Monthly plans by downloads (free trial) |
| Spotify for Creators | Starting a show at zero cost, especially for a Spotify-heavy audience. | Yes | Free |
| Podbean | Podcasters who want monetisation options in their host. | Yes | Free basic plan, then monthly plans |
| Castos | Private podcasts for members or courses. | No | Monthly plans (free trial) |
| Podscan | Podcasters looking for guests, sponsors or mentions. | Check site | Monthly plans |
| Zencastr | Audio-first shows that want recording and hosting together. | Check site | Free and paid plans |
Buzzsprout hosts your episodes, publishes your feed to every directory and keeps the dashboard simple. Pricing is by upload hours per month.
Transistor lets you run several podcasts on one plan and supports private podcasts, which are useful for paid members or internal audiences.
Captivate focuses on growth: podcast websites, calls to action inside the player, and monetisation features alongside unlimited shows.
Spotify’s free hosting (previously Spotify for Podcasters, and Anchor before that) publishes your show to Spotify and other apps and supports video podcasts on Spotify.
Podbean hosts podcasts with built-in options to earn: an ads marketplace, premium episodes and patron support, plus live audio streams.
Castos hosts public and private podcasts, integrates with WordPress and offers production services.
Podscan monitors and transcribes podcasts so you can search mentions, find guests and track topics across shows.
Zencastr records remote guests on separate tracks and also offers podcast hosting and distribution, so a small show can run in one place.
