Best Podcast Hosting in 2022

What Is Buzzsprout?

BuzzSprout offers one of the most secure and reliable hosting services for podcast websites. You’ve got a rich feature set that is able to accommodate both new projects and long-established online series.

Each plan comes with advanced analytics and an intuitive interface for easy operation, even for complete beginners.

Buzzsprout Pricing

• Free – upload up to 2 hours of video; multimedia files hosted for 90 days only; unlimited team members; Buzzsprout ads.
• Premium 1 – from $12/mo – host files indefinitely; removes ads from the provider; up to 3 hours of video uploads; free podcast importing; Magic Mastering available.
• Premium 2 – from 18/mo – doubles the video upload limitations; adding extra content over the caps is just $3/hour.
• Premium 3 – from $24/mo – same features as the other two premium plans with maximized resource limits; upload up to 12 hours of video per month; more multimedia over the limit is $2/hour.

Buzzsprout is the perfect choice if you’re wondering how to host a podcast with little to no investments. The Free plan is well-suited for short-term projects.

There are no upfront contracts with the Premium plans.

Buzzsprout Best Features

• Magic Mastering is the most exciting feature of the bunch. As the developers describe it, “it’s like an Instagram filter for your audio.” It offers great ways for optimizing content to reach a wider audience.
• Collaboration. Every Buzzsprout package, including the Free one, gives you full freedom to operate with as many team members as you wish. Easy access for every contributor.
• Аdvanced podcast statistics show where your visitors are coming from. That's not all. Other insights include how they are listening to your podcasts, and what’s the total number of views on your files.
• List your podcast in thousands of popular directories—Apple and Google Podcasts, Stitcher, iHeart, TuneIn, and many more.
• Video optimization—Buzzsprout is one of the best podcast hosting sites for video optimization. It checks every upload and refines the bitrate, ID3 tags, and even chooses the most appropriate file type.
• Great monetization options with a lucrative affiliate program and access to all major promotion platforms.
• Chapter markers available. You can use them to organize your content in a way that users can skip spoilers or navigate to the exact part they’re looking for.

What We Disliked

• The low monthly video upload limits make the solution less suited for bigger or everyday podcasts.
• Good analytics but pretty basic compared to competing podcasting tools.

Buzzsprout Support

From all the podcast hosting services we reviewed, Buzzsprout was the best place to find self-helpers. The knowledge base is full of interesting resources.

It looks like new articles are added on a regular basis.

We found plenty of startup guides, FAQs, troubleshooting advice, and help with the WordPress plugin.

If all else fails, you can contact the Buzzsprout support team via email, but the response might take some waiting.

We Recommend Buzzsprout For…

Buzzsprout’s ease of use and startup guides are heavily aimed toward novice users. That doesn’t mean that more experienced broadcasters can’t take advantage—it’s just that beginners will surely enjoy the simplicity.

What Is Podbean?

Podbean is one of the most popular podcast platforms, coming with unlimited podcast storage space and bandwidth at very reasonable prices. A robust Business plan is available, packing all kinds of unique analytics and optimization features.

Podbean Pricing

• Free – limited to 5 hours total storage; 128kbps stereo bit rate and 44.1 kHz sample rate; you can publish up to three episodes per day; includes embeddable players and a mobile app.
• Unlimited Audio – from $9/mo – removes all web server space and bandwidth limits; gives access to a gallery of free and premium themes; basic monetization options.
• Unlimited Plus – from 29/mo – lets you upload video content; full design customization options and domain name mapping; advanced monetization options through a patron program or PodAds.
• Business – from $99/mo – unlocks the full Podbean power; allows multiple admins and podcast channels; removes all Podbean branding; live chat support option.

All Podbean prices are available with annual billing. If you want to utilize this podcast host with a month-to-month contract, the rates go up by $5-$20/mo, depending on the plan.

Podbean Best Features

• Zero limits on storage space and monthly traffic. Great for everyday podcasting with lots of episodes. 
• The hosting service is powered by Amazon AWS and Podbean’s very own CDN network. This guarantees optimal speeds and smooth performance.
• Create a stylish website for your podcast. Professional designs and layout elements are available to attract more viewers.
• Distribution-ready podcasts with advanced RSS feeds. Apps for iTunes, Spotify, and Google Play.
• Automatic sharing and promotion tools for Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Tumblr, and more. You can send your podcasts to your subscribers via email through Mailchimp. 
• Podbean comes with advanced statistics about your audience, trends, engagement level, and other useful analytics.
• Allows for premium podcasting with paid subscriptions. Gives access to a patron program and other advertising opportunities.

What We Disliked?

• Podbean branding removal only available on the Business plan.
• Only basic security features.

Podbean Support

Our tests for this Podbean review confirmed it—the company is well-prepared when it comes to customer support. Clients can get assistance via email and internal ticketing, while Business users also have access to a live chat feature.

As if that’s not enough, the Podbean knowledge base is full of useful articles and information for developers. There are even free audiobooks and webinars if you’re just making your first steps in podcasting.

We Recommend Podbean For…

Podbean is a cost-effective platform that suits beginners and advanced users alike. It’s a simple solution, packed with great content optimization and distribution options. It offers various ways to make your podcast popular and profitable. Available as an Android and iOs app.

What Is Captivate?

If you’re looking for the best podcast hosting in terms of growth opportunities, try Captivate. 

The platform allows for unlimited podcasts under one account and automatically creates a website for your broadcasts. Build a team and focus on your podcast distribution while Captivate takes care of the rest.

Captivate Pricing

• Podcaster – from $17/mo – all podcast features; up to 12,000 downloads per month.
• Audio Influencer – from $44/mo – all podcast features; up to 60,000 downloads per month.
• Podcast Brand – from $90/mo – all podcast features; up to 150,000 downloads per month.

As you can see, the only difference between Captivate’s hosting plans is the number of times users can download your podcasts. Apart from that - everyone gets full access to the platform.

All advertised prices are for yearly contracts. You can also opt-in for month-to-month billing for $2-$9/mo more, depending on the chosen plan.

Captivate Best Features

• Easily move your existing podcast from other platforms like Blubbry, Buzzsprout, Anchor, and more.
• Complete platform access for unlimited team members. One of the top podcast apps for projects with lots of contributors. 
• Built-in calls to action. Capture the attention with stylish buttons and links to your content.
• Automatic link generation for popular podcast marketing platforms like Overcast and Pocket Casts.
• Great options for WP users. Captivate offers an easy-to-use WordPress plugin with podcast-tailored functionalities.
• Very detailed site and audience statistics, in tune with the latest IAB standards.
• Mobile-responsive themes so everyone can view, regardless of their device.

What We Disliked

• The monthly download limits. Although not that low, they can unnecessarily limit your growth.
• The interface looks rather outdated.

Captivate Support

The team behind Captivate is also responsible for another best podcast hosting platform on our list - Podcast Websites. As such, the two solutions share the same support channels.

You can ask for live assistance via email 24/7 during weekdays and on dedicated hours during the weekend. You can only reach the operators once logged in your customer area. 

As for learning materials, Captivate is doing a commendable job without being too exceptional. You get about a hundred support articles with straightforward explanations and helpful screenshots. But that’s just about it, a bit barren, compared to other competitors like Buzzsprout and Podbean.

We Recommend Captivate For…

Captivate is the cream of the crop when it comes to hosting and managing multiple podcast projects. The provider doesn’t limit you in the number of series and episodes you might have, ensuring a secure and user-friendly environment for every client.

What Is Castos?

Castos is a simple yet efficient platform to host your broadcasts. We’re talking about an unlimited podcast hosting service with no caps on uploads or downloads. You can easily profit from your content as well, locking the most interesting stuff for premium subscribers only.

Often utilized for eLearning projects, membership sites, and corporate podcasts.

Castos Pricing

• Starter – from $19/mo – unlimited podcasts with no upload/download limit; personalized web page; a WordPress plugin for easy integration with the most popular CMS; listener analytics.
• Growth – from $49/mo – everything in Starter plus YouTube video republishing and audiogram integration; up to 250 private subscribers.
• Pro – from $99/mo – best for video content producers; unlocks advanced user analytics; allows hosting of video files; the number of private subscribers is raised to 500.

Castos might not have a free podcast hosting deal like similar tools, but the three packages are still fairly affordable. Not to mention that’s the monthly price - yearly subscriptions shave off an additional two month’s fees from the final bill.

You can also add some helpful premium extras like episode transcription services ($0.10/min) and professional podcast editing (from $75/episode).

Castos Best Features

Many providers limit you on the number of episodes you can upload or the maximum video length. Not Castos.

• Very simple to operate, quite comprehensive even for complete beginners.
• Affordable video transcriptions so you can reach a wider audience.
• Seriously Simple Podcasting is a proprietary WordPress plugin, allowing you to upload episodes, create RSS feeds, and view analytics directly from WP.
• You can extract data from different listening platforms and gather valuable insights about your total listeners, top episodes, number of downloads, and many more.
• Have some older content you want to bring more light upon? YouTube Republishing allows you to refresh and reschedule podcasts with a few clicks. Available for Growth and Pro clients.
• Create a responsive landing page and tie it to your domain name to ensure a smooth user experience on all devices.

What We Disliked

• No free or cheap podcast hosting option. You only get a 14-day free trial to check Castos.
• Video podcasts and file hosting only available on the Pro plan

Castos Support

The Castos Help Center might not look as stylish as other platforms, but it actually contains tons of useful information in the form of step-by-step tutorials. Apart from that, you can find a beginner’s guide, audience podcasts, and a company blog.

Live support is only reachable by email, but their replies were prompt and helpful enough during testing.

The few premium offerings are just the cherry on top:

• Audio editing and marketing assets
• RSS feed setup and podcast directory submission
• Podcast audit and consultation

We Recommend Castos For…

Castos’ premium podcasting features are undoubtedly one of its best selling points, available in all service plans. You can easily monetize your efforts by limiting access to extra episodes, bonus materials, and exclusive content. It also offers unique RSS feeds for premium users.

What Is Transistor.fm?

Transistor.fm knows where all the podcast listeners are - either browsing Google (73%), checking social media (67%), or getting personal recommendations from family and friends (66%).

The company puts this knowledge to good use by equipping you with some of the most detailed metrics and analytics on the market. You’ll be able to keep up with your visitors and their behavior at all times.

Transistor.fm Pricing

• Starter – from $19/mo – unlimited podcasts with live customer service; up to 15,000 podcast downloads; built-in website; add up to two more contributors.
• Professional – from $49/mo – higher limits on monthly downloads (75,000) and contributors (5); you can now create a private podcast with up to 500 subscribers.
• Business – from $99/mo – raising the limits from the previous plans - 10 additional users and 200,000 monthly downloads; create up to 3 private podcasts with 1,000 subscribers each; removes Transistor.fm branding.

As with similar solutions on our best podcast hosting list, Transistor.fm only allows for a 14-day free trial to test the service before you make a final decision. After the grace period is over, you can choose to pay monthly or yearly (with an added discount).

Transistor.fm Best Features

• Next-level analytics for site performance and audience engagement. You can also integrate Transistor.fm with third-party statistics solutions.
• A comprehensive drag-and-drop environment for easy editing.
• Utilize responsive embedded audio players so you can share your podcasts across different platforms.
• No limits on the number of podcasts or episodes under one account.
• Keep in touch with your audience with mailing lists. Utilize Mailchimp or Hubspot to reach listeners directly with your updates.
• Distribute your podcasts on all the major platforms—Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, and more.
• Global CDN for fast and secure distribution of your digital audio content.

What We Disliked

• No Free plan
• Premium deals are not that affordable for small-time podcasters.
• Still relatively new and basic, compared to other popular podcasting platform.

Transistor Support

You get an email address and a few social media handles with Transistor.fm, but that’s it. No helpdesk center or knowledge base to gain more insights about the platform. Sure, the interface is clear enough even for a novice user, but some extra help never hurts.

We Recommend Transistor For…

Transistor.fm wants to make sure you have all the data needed when you’re hosting a podcast. The platform is full of practical statistics that help you optimize your content and understand your listeners better.

What Is Podcastics?

Podcastics doesn’t want to waste your time with fancy introductions and useless corporate mumbo-jumbo. You get a full list of features, and a generous one indeed. One Free and three Paid plans guarantee you’ll always have plenty of room for expansion.

Podcastics Pricing

• Free – free podcast software with RSS feeds and easy episodes management; monetization through Patreon and PayPal; global notifications and private messenger system.
• Premium – from $6/mo – adds code access for CSS customizations; podcast site articles and comments; advanced statistics and heatmaps.
• Pro – from $13.20/mo – this package adds podcast hosting to the mix; also includes a global CDN service with eight international datacenters.
• Max – from $58.80/mo – Podcastics automatically imports and hosts your audio files; guarantees top priority support assistance for your project needs; CDN now covers 39 worldwide locations.

Regardless of your chosen plan, Podcastics throws in a free month to see if it is a good fit. Тhere is a 30% discount if you get three paid plans of the same value or more.

Podcastics Best Features

• RSS feed imports have never been easier. Get existing content with a simple drag-and-drop function.
• If you’re producing a series show, you can categorize your episodes so viewers can easily follow the timeline. 
• Live streaming allowed through the Podcastics web audio player.
• Want to know when your visitors are most active? Get comprehensive heatmaps to track your daily and hourly averages.
• Manage multiple client accounts through an admin dashboard. Allows you to publish content under the correct author’s name.
• 100% mobile-friendly. View websites, listen to audio players, and get analytics directly on your smartphone.
• Link your social media profiles to Podcastics and connect with your visitors.

What We Disliked

• Big price jump between the Pro and Max plans.
• Premium deal does not include free audio hosting.

Podcastics Support

The Podcastics website has a Contact section, which opens an online email form for reaching support. This option had supported some nice perks like a WYSIWYG editor and screenshot attachments.

The knowledge base section was rather barren, though - just a few articles on essential topics. 

Overall, not impressive if you feel you’ll need more professional assistance from the get-go.

We Recommend Podcastics For…

It’s easy to rank for best podcast hosting in 2022 when you have a platform that combines seamless management with robust functionalities. Podcastics is slowly but surely becoming a crowd favorite for handling multiple podcasts from different contributors.

What Is Blubrry?

Blubrry has been in the podcasting business for over 15 years, helping 100,000+ broadcasters find web hosting and analytics for their projects. The company is responsible for developing one of the most popular podcast plugins for WordPress—PowerPress, downloaded over two million times.

Blubrry Pricing

• Small – from $12/mo – up to 100 MB monthly podcast storage; unlimited bandwidth; insightful audience statistics; custom embedded audio player; WordPress plugin.
• Medium – from $20/mo – all available features; up to 250 MB storage.
• Large – from $40/mo – the storage limit is doubled, now 500 MB.
• Extra Large – from $80/mo – ups the available podcast space to 1 GB.
• Pro – from $100/mo – no limits on storage and support channels; dynamic ad insertion; advanced statistics as an add-on.

As you can see, your web server space requirements will determine which Blubrry package is best for you. No need to worry about a long contract - you are paying for this service monthly and can cancel it at any time.

New clients can test the deal for 30 days to determine if this is the best podcast hosting for them.

Blubrry Best Features

• Geographic and demographic insights about your listeners. This is just a small fraction of the podcast statistics included with every deal.
• Free hosting for WordPress with the PowerPress plugin. The tool helps with efficient podcast publishing and promotion.
• Smooth user navigation and subscription to your RSS feeds.
• Allows for private podcasting. Especially useful for online lessons, webinars, and corporate communications.
• Connects you to hundreds of thousands of other podcasters in a neat directory. Find the best in your favorite categories—art, history, technology, music, lifestyle, and many more.
• All plans include free migration for podcasts that are already hosted elsewhere.
• Premium podcast production service. Trust the professionals to get the perfect sound online visibility you deserve.

What We Disliked

• Very low storage limits, far from suitable for growing projects.
• Limited design capabilities.

Blubrry Support

One of the greatest selling points that helps Blubrry rank high for best podcast hosting is the extent of its support services.

It’s the only provider on our list that offers phone assistance right off the bat. Additionally, you can reach a live operator via email or internal ticketing.

There are a bunch of free resources with Blubrry as well, but those are a bit insufficient compared to market competitors.

We Recommend Blubrry For…

If you are into WordPress, Blubrry’s PowerPress integration might easily be the best choice for you. The popular WP plugin lets you have advanced podcasting functionalities directly on your website and manage its distribution with ease. There are also integrated SEO functionalities.

What Is Resonate Recordings?

Resonate Recordings is an invaluable partner for every step of your broadcasting—creation, editing, optimization, launch, distribution. The company has been around since 2014 but already employs some of the best software developers, digital audio engineers, and brand creatives in the niche.

Overall, the best podcast platform then it comes to full production services.

Resonate Recordings Prices

• Basic – from 25/mo – unlimited podcast episodes and downloads; detailed analytics and engagement data; embed podcast player; live chat support.
• Premium – from 49/mo – everything from the Basic plan plus the ability to build a small site for your podcast.
• Professional – custom prices – remove branding and Resonate Rec. ads; adds Slack and phone support to the list of options; premium podcast website themes; private web hosting.

Resonate Recordings creates a full podcasting experience, so you can find a bunch of extra services:

• Podcast production – from $59
• Video production – from $199
• Podcast marketing – from $25
• Podcast producer – from $299
• Enterprise services – custom quote

Resonate Recordings Best Features

• No limits on the number of contributing users and podcast downloads. You can grow indefinitely within a single plan.
• Clean and user-friendly analytics dashboard. Understand your audience better by tracking what content scores best.
• Publish podcast episodes with a single click.
• Create free podcast websites to gain more visibility and, subsequently—listeners. The microsite will also help with your SEO efforts.
• Share your podcast with the world on all major platforms - Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, and more.
• Keep the audience on your website with an embedded audio player. Comes with insightful audience engagement data.
• Easy audio file upload. Schedule the publication of your episodes at the best possible time.

What We Disliked

• Not that cost-effective.
• Podcast hosting available on Professional deal only.

Resonate Recordings Support

Resonate Rec. employs enough professionals to ensure top-notch support for all clients. In fact, the company knowledge base is a bit barren only because the entire focus is on live assistance.

Even though it’s not 24/7 available, every prospective or existing Resonate customer can talk with the support team via a chat messenger. Phone lines and emails are also an option to reach a live person.

Solid performance overall, with operators being prompt and helpful enough with all our queries.

We Recommend Resonate Recordings For…

Hands down, the best podcast hosting platform if you need production assistance. The Resonate Recordings team is very knowledgeable and proves to be an invaluable partner if you’re a complete beginner.

What Is Podcast Websites?

Podcast Websites gives you the whole nine yards when it comes to getting a podcast project online. Feature-wise, we have the most robust plans on the market, comparable with the enterprise offerings of most competitors. A scalable platform that lets you voice your thoughts with the world. 

Podcast Websites Pricing

• New – from $77/mo – an all-in-one podcast and website builder with drag-and-drop functionality; free themes and designs; secure plugin management; advanced developers tools; free SSL certificate; daily backups; exclusive discounts on the marketplace.
• Popular – from $97/mo – the same package as the other, with the only difference in billing terms—you are paying month-by-month, instead of one lump annual sum.

Podcast Websites is the most expensive provider in our podcast hosting review. On top of that, you will find the download statistics are paid extra, coming at an additional $10 monthly.

Podcast Websites Best Features

• Amazing website creation and customization tools. You’ve got everything needed to build a fast and secure landing page that sells.
• Advanced security measures for data protection - SSL certificates, daily backups, and more.
• One-on-one onboarding call with a PW professional.
• You get full access to the Podcast Websites Academy, which is packed with video guides and resources for the novice podcaster.
• A vast marketplace with tools and plugins to complement your podcasting efforts. Special discounts for PW users.
• Submit podcast to Google Play, iTunes, and Stitcher with built-in RSS feeds. 
• Customizable WordPress themes if you wish to employ the most popular CMS for your podcasting needs.

What We Disliked

• Far from budget-friendly, more affordable for already established companies.
• No real difference between the two packages.

Podcast Websites Support

PW does not offer tons of support options but tries to be optimally helpful with what it has. You can get to a live operator via email or the online form on the company website. 

Surprisingly enough, your other support options are on social media. Podcast Websites happily welcomes any questions via tweets or in the Facebook Community groups. 

We Recommend Podcast Websites For…

If building and growing a podcast audience is just one part of a complete brand strategy, Podcast Websites will be happy to assist with the rest as well. You have a fully-grown platform that encompasses performance, security, and support in one powerful podcast distribution service.

What Is Fusebox?

Fusebox is a product developed by one of the most successful online bloggers, Pat Flynn. Formerly known as Smart Podcast Player, this platform offers two key services—a podcast player and transcript solutions.

It’s designed for WordPress users only. 

Fusebox Pricing

• Free – a sitewide sticky player; downloadable PDFs; mobile-friendly; SEO-friendly texts.
• Pro – from $8/mo – fully-featured website player; loads of new features like social sharing, custom colors, speed control, timestamps, and more; integrates with Rev.com for extra services; adds email support.

Fusebox is your budget’s best friend when starting a podcast. Sure, the platform might require WordPress to run, but knowing that WP is in itself a free service, the whole bundle is still super affordable.

Fusebox Best Features

• Three types of software into one—a site-wide sticky player, a single-track player, and a full player.
• Refine the color scheme of your player to match the design of your website. Light and Dark themes available.
• Easy submission to podcast aggregator platforms through RSS feeds.
• Increase and decrease the speed of your videos. Perfect for people who can convey information faster.
• Turn your online listeners into active subscribers and add them to your mailing lists. You can set up a newsletter to maintain engagement.
• Perfectly adjustable for mobile users and all screen sizes.
• Custom episode sorting.

What We Disliked

• Does not include hosting, you still have to have a WordPress host for it. 
• Lacks advanced functionalities and growth opportunities.

Fusebox Support

The Fusebox knowledge base has about 100 articles. Even though there are some guides for free users, the focus is naturally on the paying customers. You also get a bunch of FAQs and troubleshooting advice.

But that’s not all.

If you’re into live assistance, an email form awaits your queries. Fusebox operators proved quite responsive during our tests, with answers always arriving within hours. 

We Recommend Fusebox For…

Those looking for the best podcast hosting but not wanting to break the bank will love Fusebox. The company offers a modern player and transcript services for WordPress users who want to dip their toes in podcasting. A well-balanced bundle for starters at an extremely low price.

What Is PodServe?

PodServe is as simple as they come. You only have a single, all-encompassing package with clear pricing and personal support. No need to overcomplicate things when you have a platform that lets practically anyone become a broadcaster.

PodServe Pricing

• Podcast Hosting – $19/mo – unlimited storage; unlimited number of podcasts; free podcast promotion; detailed analytics; integratable with major podcast aggregators.

There are no hidden catches with PodServe’s pricing—it’s a fixed rate, which is only paid month-by-month. Every prospect can opt-in for a 14-day free trial and test the solution beforehand.

PodServe Best Features

• Quick and easy four-step process for launching a new podcast episode. Comes with an intuitive interface, well-suited for beginners.
• PodServe assists with your podcast promotion. Get featured on a popular app that gets thousands of online listeners daily.
• Full download analytics with detailed information on how each of your episodes is performing.
• One-on-one consultations with a PodServe representative. Get specific tips that apply to your particular project.
• Get featured on the best sites for podcast hosting with easy sharing across Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, and more.
• No PodServe branding or advertisements. The provider will never try to benefit from your podcast.
• Extra revenue models—private podcasting, sponsorships, ad recording. Expand your reach by signing up for a Podcorn account.

What We Disliked

• No advanced features or upgrade options. 
• Limited support opportunities

PodServe Support

PodServe might very well be a one-man operation, as even the company email is [email protected]. That’s not bad per se, but it definitely takes a toll when you need fast and timely support. 

There is no knowledge base, only a short list of FAQs that mostly reveal PodServe’s scope of expertise. If that doesn’t help, you can just send Tyler an email and hope for a speedy response. 

We Recommend PodServe For…

PodServe is suitable for users that don’t need anything fancy but still want to enjoy a premium podcasting experience. On top of the unlimited hosting services, the provider also throws in some free promotion options. It’s a clear deal with no hidden fees or shady policies.