Do you fantasize about launching the next big webcast and releasing your audio material with the world? You will require podcast hosting.

It's not as easy as recording random audio and submitting it to iTunes to start a podcast – you'll need a place to store your audio files first.

What criteria do you use to choose the top podcast hosting service?

I selected and reviewed the top podcast hosting services in this post based on price, dependability, technical assistance, monthly transfer volume, legality, capacity, revenue, ease of use, marketing options, app connections, and more.

Do you want to skip straight to my top three recommendations?

Here's a clip on how to use the finest podcast hosting services (Spreaker, Transistor, and Buzzsprout):

Disclaimer: This article includes affiliate links for which I receive a tiny profit at no additional cost to you. However, these are simply the tools that I highly suggest for podcast hosting. My full affiliate disclaimer may be found in my user agreement.

What is the most effective podcast hosting service?

Here are my top recommendations for the finest podcast hosting services:

Buzzsprout is an acronym for “buzz sprout.”

Beginner's Guide to Podcast Hosting (Free – $12 per month + $20 Amazon Gift Card).

Home of Buzzsprout

For a variety of reasons, Buzzsprout is my top choice.

They're a podcast hosting service that's been around since 2009 and has over 100,000 subscribers. They're also one of the few firms that provide a completely free plan with limitless team member memberships.

Key Features:

Buzzsprout enables you to integrate a podcast player straight on your website, and you may show off a single show or an entire playlist of episodes:

Podcast Hosting

Embed Player by Buzzsprout:

They provide an easy-to-use statistics panel with an algorithm that predicts how many people will listen to each episode in the first three months. You may also see which nations your listeners are coming from to get a better idea of who they are.

These statistics features are quite useful and outperform the majority of the other tools on this table.

The audio quality is also excellent, with 128k stereo enhancement available for improved sound. Not just that, and they also provide podcasts translation as an add-on service.

 They also make it quite simple to publish and manage your podcasts. effortlessly send  your audio recording, edit the title tag of the show, and publish your podcasts to all major directories:

Uploading and Scheduling on Buzzsprout:

Another advantage is that the show chapter marker may be readily added. This tool allows listeners to quickly grasp important information about your programs. These aren't essential (and aren't available with every podcast directory), but they're still a good feature:

Buzzsprout Chapter Markers: 

Pricing:

Buzzsprout Chapter Markers: You can increase production and improve your package on the basis of how many hours of programming you need to transmit every month if you're concerned about podcasting.

Publish 120 minutes every month for free, and episodes are hosted for three months.

$12/month includes 3 hours of uploads each month, hosting indefinitely, and unlimited storage.

$18/month includes everything of the above + 6 hours of uploading per month.

$24/month includes everything of the above plus the ability to upload 12 hours per month.

Buzzsprout is my top choice because of its month-to-month cost and simple dashboard.

I propose that you start for free and then upgrade to the plan that best suits your needs based on how many hours of content you want to post every month.

When you sign up for Buzzsprout and upgrade, you will receive a free $20 Amazon gift card as an added benefit for your readers.

Try Buzzsprout 

Speaker:

(Free – $120+) Top Data Management Plan with Monetization

Hosting for podcasts on Spreaker

For podcasters, Spreaker is a one-stop-shop. Spreaker has a solution for making any podcaster's journey a smooth and successful one, from rookies just getting started to publishers creating gobs of content.

The podcasting platform brings listeners, podcast creators, and advertisers together in one place (web and mobile apps), making it simple for any type of content provider to monetize their entire podcast library.

Key Features:

Database management system – enables listeners of any “level” to instantly distribute the latest series to the major streaming sites (Google Podcast, Deezer, Apple Podcast, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Alexa, etc.)

Manage and schedule several podcasts from a single account, as well as set up strategic monetization (through dynamic ad insertion) at the episode and program level.

Team management options are available, as well as the ability to add collaborators.

The IAB has confirmed the statistics.

Pricing:

Free Speech (Free): Up to 10 episodes, 5 hours of audio storage.

100 hours of storage for On-Air Talent ($5.50/month).

500 hours of storage using Broadcaster ($16.50/month).

1,500 hours of storage with Anchorman ($41.25/month).

The Broadcaster Option, which costs $18 per month, is their most popular plan. You receive 500 hours of audio storage, sophisticated stats, and monetization capabilities with that plan.

As a bonus, if you sign up using my Spreaker affiliate link, you'll get a free month and the price will change accordingly:

When you sign up for Spreaker, you'll earn a free month as a bonus if you're one of my readers.

Try speaker

Transistor:

Built-in Podcast Analytics ($19-99/month) is the best.

Homepage of the Transistor

Drift, Honeybadger, and Cards Against Humanity are among the popular podcasts hosted by Transistor.fm, a high-quality, professional service.

They're known for giving their podcasters built-in stats and anything else they need to expand their following.

Key Features:

It's their analytics tools that set them apart. Their dashboards display information like average downloads per episode, subscription count, and downloads over time.

You may also use easy migration tools to integrate your existing feed into Transistor if you use another hosting platform like Libsyn or Anchor.

Pricing Structures:

Beginner Plan ($19 per month): Unlimited podcasts and series, up to 2 members, and 10,000 monthly downloads.

Professional Strategy ($49 per month): All of the features of the beginner plan, plus up to five members of the team and 50,000 monthly downloads.

Podcast Hosting

Marketing Strategy ($99 per month): Includes all of the features of the existing commitments, approximately 10 members of the team, and 150,000 monthly downloads.

Pricing of Transistors

Transistor enables you to scale your podcast (as well as your pricing) as your audience expands.

Finally, the number of downloads you require per month will determine which plan you choose, so you may start with their Starter Plan and increase as needed.

Start your 14-day free trial of Transistor if you're serious about podcast analytics (and get two months free when paid annually).

Try Transistor

PodBean:

Best Podcast Hosting for Beginners ($29/Month + 1 Month Free).

Home of PodBean

My fourth recommendation is PodBean. They've been in the podcast hosting business for almost ten years, host 540,000 podcasters, and are the most user-friendly host on the list.

Key features:

Basic (Free and Open-Source): 5 hours of storage and 100 GB of storage per month.

Limitless Audio ($9 per month): includes storage space and connectivity, as well as professional themes, advanced templates, and an advertising marketplace.

Unlimited Plus ($29/month): adds the Patreon program and dynamic ad insertion to the preceding features.

Enterprise ($99 per month): adds different domains, personal podcasts, advanced analytics, and video call and chat support to the previous features.

I urge that podcasters who are serious about operating a quality show sign up for the $29 per month PodBean Limitless Plus Plan, which includes unlimited sound and visual hosting and storage.

Overall, PodBean is the greatest easy podcast host with outstanding video and YouTube features, and it is my 4 choice.

Try PodBean.

 Simplecast.

The top brands were powered by Industry- Leading features for ($15 per month)

Simplecast's main page

Simplecast is noted for providing industry-leading capabilities for as little as $15 per month.

They live up to their name and website claims:

“Simplecast gives strong skills to control, share, publish, and promote your podcasts, starting from your initial subscriber to your one million.”

It has been operational for more than 6 years and is used by some of the most well-known broadcasting companies, like Facebook, HBO, Kickstarter, and Nike.

Simplecast prominent products:

Key Features:

In one account, collaborate with many team members.

Their RecastTM tool is a noteworthy feature, allowing you to schedule and broadcast clips from your podcast on social media. On Instagram, here's an example of the feature from The Pilot Podcast:

The Pilot Podcast:

Pricing:

Basic Plan ($15 per month): Allows unlimited storage space and transfers, two-member profiles, a customizable show webpage, 20k monthly downloads, an interlink player, and a mail support center

Important plan($35 per month): All basic strategy, plus two more user slots, multiple web players, geographical (region or state and country) and technical platforms (browsers, applications) statistics, 50,000 monthly downloads, and text or mail support center

Growth Plan ($85/month): All features of the previous plans, plus 5 additional user seats (9 total), ISP statistics, specific metro area location data, and 12000 monthly downloads

In the end, if you're just getting started, the Basic Plan will be sufficient. While the analytics tools are useful, you should only upgrade if you require more users or monthly downloads.

Start with a 14-day free trial of Simplecast for industry-leading podcasting on a budget.

Attempt Simplecast.

Captivate your audience:

Best for Marketing and Audience Growth ($19/Month).

Hosting a Captivating Podcast

Captivate is a fresh new podcast host with a laser-like concentration on increasing podcast listenership. Rebel Base Media, which also owns Podcast Websites, created these.

This is their best product yet since they combined all they've learned from years of podcasting expertise into one single podcast hosting service.

Characteristics:

All options include an unlimited number of episodes, as well as an unlimited number of team members, a new podcast player, extensive analytics, and marketing tools.

Their automatic podcast website and built-in calls to action are two noteworthy growth elements. Every package includes a fully customized, mobile-friendly website with built-in donation support.

Second, you can use podcast player calls to action to grow your email list and attract new leads. If someone is listening to your podcast player, they can join up for your email list immediately using an opt-in form.

Captivate's analytics software is also updated on a regular basis. They collaborate with the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) to develop more sophisticated intelligence to track your show's performance.

Podcast Analytics Captivate:

With one simple import tool, you can effortlessly transfer your program from another podcast host like Blubrry. Their podcast marketing feature allows you to produce links to places like Overcast and Pocket Casts automatically, making it easier for new subscribers to locate your show.

Pricing:

Captivate will make headlines as a new player in the area, with a slew of fantastic podcasting capabilities included in every plan and straightforward pricing that adapts as your business grows.

Get a 7-day free trial of Captivate if you're searching for a growth-oriented podcast host with a lot of marketing tools.

Take a look at Captivate.

 

Castors:

($19/month) Best WordPress Podcast Hosting Solution

Castos is a WordPress podcasting plugin with a lot of features.

Here's how it works if you already have a WordPress site:

You visit the Castos website and sign up for a 14-day free trial.

Install their plugin for WordPress.

When you're ready to host your episodes, go to WordPress's new Podcast section and add them there:

WordPress Plugin by Castos:

Upload your audio recording, add a description, and your podcast will be available on your website with a configurable media player:

Media Player by Castos:

That is all there is to it. When you're ready to submit your podcast to directories, simply copy the URL and paste it into any publication.

Characteristics:

Pricing:

Starter ($19/month): unrestricted storage for the necessities.

Growth ($49/month) includes all of the features listed above, as well as YouTube republishing and bespoke audiograms.

Pro ($99/month) adds comprehensive analytics and video file hosting to the preceding features.

Overall, Castos is the finest option for podcast hosting for WordPress users.

Start with a 14-day free trial and receive two months free on annual plans.

Castos is a good option.

hosting

Podcasts:

New Podcast Hosting (Free – $39/month) with Unlimited Episodes

Podcasts is a podcast hosting service.

Podcasts are a new podcast hosting service that is simple to use and has a lot of features.

Their dashboard, like PodBean, is incredibly user-friendly. You can rapidly adjust user rights and set your podcast settings with just a few clicks when you initially get started. Podcast Hosting

You can even create teams within the dashboard if you're a podcaster with many podcasts, which is fantastic for studios and agencies.

The following are some of their other key features:

Podcasts offer five different pricing levels, all of which include unlimited episodes. However, their $8/month Pro Plan includes limitless bandwidth and storage.

Podcasts are a new, simple-to-use podcast hosting platform with a wonderful user interface, smart features, and analytics.

Begin with a free 30-day trial.

Take a look at Podcasts.

Fusebox:

The Best Podcasting Software Toolbox ($8/Month)

Features of a Smart Podcast Player

Fusebox is a fantastic invention made by Pat Flynn of Smart Passive Income, a well-known podcaster. He was seeking the greatest possible podcast player for your website that your viewers would adore after years of podcasting.

Who better than a seasoned podcaster to build the ideal podcasting product?

Fusebox comes with a slew of useful capabilities, including email capture (one of the few podcast players to do so) and other high-quality options.

They provide a transcript plugin that automatically inserts podcast transcripts to your website with SEO-friendly live text.

And if you're curious about how the player works, it's quite simple.

You add your RSS feed and install the Fuse Box WordPress plugin. Then, to send your show to the major directories, you provide your subscription URLs. Finally, you can change the color scheme of your podcast player and embed it in your articles and pages.

What Is a Smart Podcast Player and How Does It Work?

Overall, Fusebox is a good option for hosting files, sending them to podcast networks, and displaying them on your WordPress website.

Check out Fuse Box if you want to add some fantastic podcasting tools to your toolkit.

A fusebox is a good option.

Podcasting websites: 

Website Builders' Favorite Podcast Hosting Platform ($67/month).

Home Page for Podcast Websites

This podcast provider offers a straightforward podcasting workflow that includes completely responsive website hosting and security, daily backups, built-in statistics, and 24/7 support for podcasters.

You'll also get digital marketing aid to promote your podcast, adverts, and podcasting tips from actual, experienced podcasters as a Podcast Websites member.

Their academy includes video tutorials, media, and a useful community forum where podcasters may exchange methods with one another.

You can also use Builder, a drag-and-drop website builder with podcast-specific themes. These themes are mobile-friendly, and landing pages can be added to help promote your podcast.

Podcast Websites is a high-quality podcast hosting solution, and you can save $10 a month for life with my promo code HOME.

Try Podcast Websites

Audioboom:

Best for Monetization and Dynamic Ads ($9.99/month).

Audioboom hosts podcasts.

Audioboom is a famous website that allows you to easily host, distribute, and embed audio. They're most renowned for their assistance with podcast monetization.

They provide options to create dynamic adverts and sponsorships for your program if you reach 10,000 plays per episode.

Other features include a social media-integrated embeddable player and analytics split down by geographic location, app, and device.

To get started, their $9.99 plan includes the following features:

Which free podcast hosting service is the best?

If you're on a budget, there are low-cost and even free choices available. Many of the free plans have limited capability, but they're a wonderful way to try out the features if you're just getting started.

Although a free trial or free plan will not allow you to host hours of content on your podcast server, it will allow you to get a taste of how podcast hosts work.

Here are my recommendations for the top free podcast hosting services.

Buzzsprout:

Homepage of Buzzsprout

In comparison to the other hosts on our list, Buzzsprout's free podcast hosting plan offers the most features.

You receive two spare hours of export time, hosted shows for up to 3 months, and an entire podcasting interface with their free version. If you're just getting started with broadcasting, the Buzzsprout complimentary plan is a great opportunity to learn the skills and get your feet wet.

They aren't lying whenever they say they are the “best approach to start broadcasting.” With Buzzsprout, you can effortlessly publish your files, add them to every important directory, and use their comprehensive statistics to monitor your followers.

Free for the first month, then $24 per month

Libsyn:

Libsyn is called the most successful host, concentrating on assisting everyone from beginners to seasoned podcasters who want to quickly monetize their efforts. They're also one of the first podcast presenters, having started in 2004.

They are a major participant in the space, with over 35,000 broadcast podcasts, 62 million+ members of the audience, and 4.6 billion audio downloads in 2016. They offer between 50 and 1500MB of storage per month,  as well as statistical reporting, RSS link production, premium services, and an app, just like other podcast servers.

Yes, they aren't completely free; their pricing starts at $5, but I had to include them on the list because of their worth.

Monthly fees range from $5 to $75.

SoundCloud:

Home Page of SoundCloud

SoundCloud launched its hosting platform in 2015, making it the world's biggest music and stereo hosting site. On their site, they have 175 million monthly active visitors and an extraordinary 12 hours of content uploaded each minute.

You receive access to all of their integrated apps, Twitter card, timed responses, and Twitter cards if you use their hosting services. You can post 180 minutes of content each month and receive basic analysis with a free account.

Limitless upload time, planned launches, embedded controls, and the opportunity to pin five broadcasts to your account are all included in the SoundCloud Pro Unlimited subscription.

Price ranges from free to $16 each month (or $12 if paid annually).

Podomatic

Home Page of Podomatic

In one interface, Podomatic allowed developers to record, post, and advertise their new audio content. One of its advantages is the possibility to use Patreon and Advertisecast to grow your podcast marketing and crowdsourcing.

Additionally, Podomatic offers social sharing features, allowing your podcast to be heard immediately on Twitter and Facebook feeds. They've teamed up with Weebly to make it easier to make a website, and they have a freemium podcast application for android and ios.

They have four professional plans varying from $9.99 to $24.99 each month in addition to their free plan.

Pricing ranges from free to $60+ each month.

podcast

Blubrry 

Blubrry is a podcast hosting service.

Runner-Up for Best WP Podcast Hosting ($12-80 per month).

Blubrry is a fantastic podcast hosting solution that includes managed WordPress hosting with PowerPress, the most popular WordPress plugin for podcasters. This plugin is continuously maintained, free to use, and gives SEO features as well as MP3 tagging, with over 75,000 current installs.

“Blubrry believes we should supply you with fantastic tools and not interfere,” according to the Blubrry website, emphasizing their creator-first attitude. They provide a podcasting guidebook that has a wealth of information on how to use their services as well as suggestions and guidance on how to succeed with your new podcast.

The cheapest plan is $12 a month and includes 100MB of storage. You can upgrade to their professional plan if you require unlimited hosting services.

They have four premium plans ranging from $12 to $80 that offer ranges from 100MB to 1,000MB of storage space per month, in addition to their professional plan with unique pricing.

Because of its customer-first approach, Blubrry is swiftly becoming one of the top-rated options. According to the Interactive Advertising Bureau, they are also IAB compliant.

This article contains affiliate links for which I receive a tiny profit at no additional cost to you. However, these are simply the tools that I strongly recommend for podcast hosting. My full affiliate disclosure may be found in my privacy policy.

What is the definition of podcast hosting?

Your podcast's file hosting and RSS feed are provided by podcast hosting. Hosting firms upload your audio recordings, provide information about your program to the hosting platform, and generate your feed. When a listener subscribes to your podcast, the podcast host transmits the audio and media files directly to the platforms.

In general, a podcast is a collection of audio files compressed into a single file. They, of course, necessitate a lot of storage space and bandwidth. Personal website servers, on the other hand, lack the storage space required for such massive files.

Podcast hosting providers provide you with storage space so that your listeners may effortlessly download your files.

In the end, it's a straightforward setup. It consists of a website that allows file downloads,.mp3 files, and an RSS feed that describes your audio file. The greatest service providers go above and beyond.

What Are Podcast Directories and How Do They Work?

iTunes, Spotify, and Google Play are examples of podcast directories. They take your podcast files and RSS feeds and upload them to their backend systems.

These databases make it easy for your listeners to identify your program using a podcasting app on their PC, android, or IOS devices.

This is how it goes.

When the directory detects that something new has been added to your feed, it downloads the file and presents the most recent episode to its users.

What Podcast Platforms Should I Use to Launch My Show?

So, once you've decided on a podcast host, how do you get your podcast out there? It's straightforward. You're ready to determine where you want your audience to find you once you've uploaded files to your podcast host.

These directories ensure that you reach the widest audience possible, and your feeds are automatically updated after each episode. Here's a rundown of some of the most popular podcasting platforms.

How to Obtain an iTunes Listing for Your Podcast:

    Apple's logo

iTunes is one of the most popular podcast apps (if not the most popular). Apple Podcasts surpassed 50 billion total podcast downloads and over 550,000 programs in March 2018. These are some impressive figures!

Here's how to get your podcast on the internet:

   How to Get Your Podcast Listed on Google Play:

Logo of Google Play

With over 1 billion monthly active users, Google Play is another of the most popular apps. They've also launched a new service called Google Podcasts, which allows users to find free and popular podcasts.

To submit your podcast to Google Play, follow these steps:

Submitting Your Podcast to TuneIn:

Logo of TuneIn

With over 75 million listeners and over 120,000 live radio streams, TuneIn is on the rise. They also feature a large selection of live sports, music, news, and international Internet radio stations.

To submit your podcast to TuneIn, follow these steps:

Logo of Stitcher

Stitcher is a podcast and on-demand radio service that focuses on informative news broadcasts.

To submit your podcast to Stitcher, follow these steps:

Logo of Spotify

Spotify is gradually establishing itself as one of the most popular podcast platforms, with 191 million active listeners and 87 million paid users. Their premium subscription is $9.99 a month and includes music downloads, ad-free listening, unlimited skips on any song, and higher-quality podcast audio.

Previously, you couldn't upload your podcast directly to Spotify's website. Instead, you were forced to use your host and manually upload your podcast to Spotify. That, however, has changed.

Spotify for Podcasters is a new beta program where you can learn how to upload your podcast and get started right away. Log in to your account, input your RSS feed, and they'll take care of the rest.

If you want to take the traditional method, this post will show you how to have your podcast hosted on Spotify.

Podcast Hosting: 20 Steps to a Successful Podcast

What Podcasting Equipment Do I Need for My Show?

You'll need to buy some podcast equipment if you're ready to start recording your episodes. A computer and a microphone are all you need to create a podcast in its most basic version. However, that's akin to suggesting that all you need to establish an e-commerce firm is a website – there are a plethora of options.

However, in order to get started with items that I already own, I've pared it down to the required podcast gear.

Here are my top recommendations for the best podcasting gear.

The Blue Yeti is the best podcast microphone on the market.

Yeti Microphone in Blue

Use your computer's built-in microphone sparingly. Instead, start with a USB microphone, which is inexpensive and simple to use. Simply connect your microphone to your laptop, change the audio input settings, and start recording.

The sole decision to make when it comes to microphones is whether to choose a dynamic or condenser mic. For one-person shows, a condenser mic is ideal, whereas dynamic mics are ideal for capturing a group.

The Blue Yeti is a superb and highly regarded condenser podcast microphone.

The Audio-Technica ATR2100 is a high dynamic mic.

MacBook Air: The Best Laptop for Listening to Podcasts:

To start a podcast, you don't need the most up-to-date laptop. The vast majority of computers will suffice. Check to see if your equipment was built in the recent three years. It must also be capable of running your audio software.

I use a Macbook Air, which is presently on sale on Amazon.

Logitech C920S: Best Streaming Webcam:

You'll need a nice camera if you want to start podcasting. You may record video podcasts with your webcam and publish them to YouTube. More significantly, your camera will be used in meetings to make you appear professional.

I have to say, one thing broadcasters excel at is appearing good on camera. Each blogger I've met on Video chat or Zoom has boom arm microphones, crystal clear footage, and a well-designed ambiance in their home or office.

A video may not be necessary for audio podcasters' programs, but it is necessary for meetings with interviewees, influencers, and possible sponsors.

You also don't have to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on a high-end camcorder or DSLR camera. To stream in at least 1080p, you'll need a capable webcam.

Nowadays, 1080p and even 4k cameras are incredibly strong (and affordable).

The Logitech C920S is the webcam that I use and recommend.

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x: Best Podcasting Headphones:

ATH-M50x (Audio-Technica)

A decent pair of headphones can listen for p-pops, distortion, feedback, and other concerns, as audio quality is one of the most important components of your presentation. You'll need a pair of closed-back headphones so that your microphone doesn't pick up any of the sound coming through them.

The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x professional headphones are a pair that I enjoy and are under $150.

Mackie PROFX8V2: The Best Podcast Mixer:

Inputs, outputs, levels, and effects can all be managed with the help of a USB mixer. Reverb, flanging, delays, echos, and other effects are not only enjoyable to play with, but also lend a professional feel to your presentation.

The Mackie PROFX8V2 is my favorite mixer for podcasts.

What Podcast Software Should I Use to Record My Episodes?

It's time to start recording your audio with podcast software when you've chosen a podcast host and decided where you want to distribute your program. It's quite simple. You can easily record, edit, and launch your media like a pro with a good microphone and some podcast recording software.

Here are some of the greatest software alternatives for getting started with high-quality audio recording.

Establish an anchor:

Anchor claims to be the simplest method to start a podcast ever.

And I have to agree with you. You can record high-quality audio with Anchor's free podcast recording software. Then, with a single click, you can record an endless number of episodes and distribute them to all major websites.

Anchor makes it simple to rearrange segments in your episodes by dragging and dropping different audio clips. They also provide a free landing page for your show with a personalized URL.

Anchor is the greatest podcast software on the market, with limitless free hosting, recording capabilities from anywhere, and one-click distribution.

Try out the Anchor recording software right now.

Zencastr:

Zencastr enables novice and experienced podcasters to record themselves and their remote guests in studio-quality audio directly from their web browser. Sending your podcast guest a URL and receiving a separate audio track allows you to record them at a different location.

Users are connected through local microphones in this live recording over a VoIP connection. As the podcast presenter, you push the record, and each participant's audio is recorded directly from their web browser, with no compression or fake sounds to degrade the audio quality.

hosting

Zencastr is particularly ideal for teamwork because it allows you to share audio files via Google Drive and Dropbox.

You can have up to two guests on their free plan, record up to 8 hours of audio every month, and just pay per use in post-production. For $20 each month, you receive unlimited guests and recordings, a live editing soundboard, and 10 hours of automatic post-production per month if you upgrade to their Professional plan.

Take a look at Zencastr's podcasting software.

Avid Pro Tools is a digital audio workstation:

Avid Technologies' Professional Tools is a digital audio workstation (DAW). It's an increased audio device with incredible power. Back in college, I remember using Professional Tools to mic up and record a live band in an advanced audio engineering course.

This beast isn't required to record your podcast. If you want the best tool or studio-quality podcast software, though, Pro Tools is the way to go.

A one-year subscription costs $299 so that you can get $850 worth of bonuses, including Pro Soundtracks, training, and royalty-free songs. It's also available on Amazon.

Check out my guide on the best podcast software to use this year if you want to learn more about other software possibilities.

What Are the Advantages of Having a Podcast Host and Why Would You Need One?

Podcasting has evolved into a powerful tool for establishing an online presence and monetizing your show. Joe Rogan's JRE podcast, for example, is said to bring in an incredible $30,000 every episode.

Software for making podcasts

Podcasting is a significant undertaking, therefore don't scrimp on your host. The following are some of the most important advantages of using podcast hosting sites:

There will be no quality compromises:

Personal servers usually have a limited amount of free space.

You'll have to choose between quality, speed, and storage space if you opt to store a podcast on your server. Because you have to compress a big number of files into a little amount of space, the quality of the podcast suffers.

Podcast hosting services, on the other hand, come with built-in servers capable of hosting massive podcast files while preserving the finest possible quality. This implies you no longer have to be concerned about quality.

Data Transfers Can Be Handled By Podcast Hosting Sites:

RSS (rich summary site) feeds are used to deliver podcasts. Users must download the files directly from your personal account if you put your podcast files there, which entails the consumption of data for each download.

Consider the following scenario:

You have millions of followers, and everyone uses your account to download files.

It consumes a lot of bandwidth because your account consumes the majority of the data allotted to your website server. It's possible that the amount of data transfer from a single account is too much for your server to handle.

Leaving it to professional website hosting to handle this for you is a fantastic alternative.

You save on storage costs:

Choosing to host your own podcast files can be pricey. For example, 200MB of storage capacity is required to host a one-hour audio podcast three times per week. You'll require 2 GB of storage per month if you produce a video podcast once a week with an anticipated 500MB per episode.

Podcast hosts, on the other hand, handle cloud storage for you, which has a number of benefits.

Benefits of Cloud Storage:

If you choose a server that doesn't offer unlimited bandwidth and your audience grows, you'll need to either upgrade your plan or pay the additional expenses.

Your storage requirements will almost always increase in tandem with the size of your audience and the number of episodes you post.

Fortunately, podcast hosting companies have set prices, so you know exactly how much you'll pay based on your storage needs.

These options are all reasonably priced in relation to your monetization possibilities, and storage is a key consideration.

Increased Speed:

Providing and assuring speed is, without a doubt, an important component of the demand for podcast web hosting.

When you watch a Dailymotion video, how long do you usually wait for it to start? Do you have a minute? Is it really two minutes? I'd only give it 30 seconds to begin playing. I just leave the video if it doesn't start.

The same may be said for podcasts. Users won't be captivated for long if there is too much buffering or the performance is too slow. They'll eventually switch to a competitor's podcast.

When you offer podcasts on your own website, you have to deal with the issue of speed. An average web server can only deliver a certain amount of speed. Web hosts have no choice but to apply data throttling when more people start downloading your podcast.

As a result, users who wish to listen to your podcast will have a difficult time doing so.

Fortunately, if you have a fully dedicated server for your podcasts, you will rarely run into these issues. Podcast hosting providers provide unrestricted access to your podcasts because bandwidth and speed are not a concern.

Analytical rigor:

The correct analytics tool, of course, can assist you in generating actionable insights and making better decisions.

Determine how well your podcasts are performing before organizing your podcasting schedule.

This is where metrics for podcast hosting come into play.

The majority of these platforms include a built-in data analytics tool that can track the number of downloads per episode, how long listeners stay engaged, and where they are situated.

This valuable information enables you to make quick judgments about the types of content and show styles that your audience prefers.

Additional Protection:

Cyber-attacks are a serious problem in today's world.

You simply cannot afford to manage your own security while running a podcast. Hosting a podcast on your own server necessitates the installation of a cutting-edge security system, complete with SSL certificates and firewalls.

You must also update and test their functionality on a regular basis, as well as execute daily backups.

Podcast hosting sites, on the other hand, have all of the necessary security features. Your files are saved and backed up, and security is taken care of by the tools.

How Do I Pick the Best Podcast Hosting Websites?

Within the last year, 12 million people listened to a podcast for the first time. To get a piece of this rising market and choose the finest solution, you'll need to think about a few things.

What is the ideal storage capacity?

How much music space and content are you planning to upload each month?

Is a best WordPress site required, or should each episode be accompanied by a blog post?

Is it possible for you to work with videos, podcasts, or any other video format?

What types of analytics do you want to see?

Is it simple to insert adverts and sponsorships into your podcast episodes on the fly?

Finally, how much money do you want to invest in web hosting?

These are just a few of the questions you'll have to consider when narrowing down your options. Before deciding on the pace and duration of your podcast episode, ask yourself these questions.

If you do a weekly one-hour podcast, for example, you'll require less storage than if you host a half-hour episode five days a week. However, don't allow the cost of your performance to limit your possibilities.

Here are a few pointers on how to pick the finest podcast website:

Determine how many hours of monthly sound hosting you require:

Many podcast hosts limit you to two hours of transfer time each month, while others allow you to upload as much as you like.

Look at server uptime guarantees, bandwidth possibilities, and server reliability:

If scalability is critical, look into upgrading options. You can receive limitless storage, upload times, and monthly downloads with premium services.

Compare the costs of signing up vs. the costs of renewing your subscription, as they may differ:

Paying annually rather than monthly might also save you money, so do your research.

Take advantage of a free trial to see how easy the product is to use.

Verify that the host has a lot of important features:

Look for no-fault overages, media validation, FTP uploading, and ID3 tagging, among other things.

7 Steps to Getting Started with a Podcast

Podcasts have grown in popularity since the innovative launching of the iPod in 2001. And there's no sign of it slowing down.

According to Nielsen, 50 percent of US homes listen to podcasts. In the United States alone, this equates to more than 60 million households.

podcaster

Statistics on Podcast Adoption in the United States

What devices do they use to listen to podcasts? It seemed to be everywhere.

Statistics on podcast listeners

There has never been a better time to launch your first podcast than now, with podcast popularity at an all-time high.

If you wish to launch your first podcast, you must first complete a number of tasks, which include:

Decide on the title for your podcast

You have three major naming conventions to choose from when naming your podcast:

Inventive – For example, ‘Podcast.'

‘Start Your Blog Like a Startup,' for example.

Personal — For example, #AskAdamEnfroy on ‘The Adam Enfroy Show.'

The naming scheme you use should be based on your personal preferences. For example, if you want to draw attention to your main point, a descriptive name will suffice.

Adding a tagline to your name might also help to boost your brand's worth. For instance, ‘Podfast' just means ‘the fastest.'

If this doesn't work, you may try coming up with a different name for your podcast.

Add a cover photo to your profile:

From the perspective of the consumer, a good cover photo helps to establish an image of your brand. It must be communicative, catchy, and adhere to the podcast's niche.

The good news is that podcasting hosting companies handle a lot of the covert art requirements. You can also personalize them to meet your requirements.

Fill in the blanks with your own music for the intro:

To pique the curiosity of your listeners, start your podcast with theme music. Your podcast's opening theme music is also a part of its overall branding, and listeners will recognize your channel based on the music.

It should last about 5-10 seconds on average.

All you have to do is come up with something unique that fits your niche well enough for your listeners to associate it only with your company.

Obtain the Required Equipment:

The greatest equipment is required for a flawless podcasting experience.

The best aspect is that producing high-quality podcasts does not necessitate a large expense.

The fundamentals are as follows:

Blue Encore and Audio Technica are two excellent microphone brands on the market.

You may also see what some well-known podcasters use. Here's a list of the gear that Gary Vaynerchuk uses on his podcast.

Podcasting Gear

Working with the correct tools makes producing entertaining podcasts much easier.

Decide on a style for your podcast:

To attract listeners, you must create the ideal setting. This is where you must be creative in order to sell your podcast to your target audience.

To begin, you'll need an attractive welcome message to get the monologue off to a good start. In your podcast, you'll essentially talk about who you are and what you want to accomplish.

Once that's done, you'll need to prepare the following content for each episode:

The subject is

The episode's plot summary

The most important takeaways

Creating a correct structure for your podcast, whether it's banter, pre-planned pieces, or an interview, is critical.

Preparing ahead of time can result in positive outcomes, which will naturally rub off on your video series delivery and the other members of the audience.

Make a recording and then release it:

It is entirely up to you how you want to record your podcasts. Some podcasters record more than 5-10 podcasts in a single sitting, while others prefer to do so one at a time.

For podcast editing, I recommend using the following format:

Teaser + Intro + Podcast + Advertisement + CTA + Podcast + Subscription Reminder + Outro Teaser + Intro + Podcast + Advertisement + CTA + Podcast + Subscription Reminder + Outro

You must now post your podcasts to prominent platforms such as iTunes, Soundcloud, Google Podcasts, and others in order to reach the correct audience.

Even better, if you already have a YouTube channel or a blog page, you can use those to promote your podcast. You can also encourage your regular visitors and readers to listen to your new podcast this way.

Marketing and Promotion:

It's difficult to start recording a significant number of streams right away. Using social media sites such as Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, as well as executing ad campaigns could be a great approach to get your podcasts noticed in the market.

You may network with industry professionals and form partnerships with radio stations to get the word out at a cheap cost.

You can also invite celebrities or industry professionals with large audiences to your event. That's an excellent technique to attract new listeners.

Frequently Asked Questions about Podcast Hosting

Is it worthwhile to start a podcast?

If you have all of the necessary and unique skills for podcasting, it's worth it to start one. You must be an excellent speaker, entertainer, self-promoter, and digital marketer, as well as willing to devote a significant amount of effort to promoting your podcast and growing your following.

If you're just starting a podcast to make money online, there are some simpler options, such as learning how to establish a blog. You can, however, succeed despite the fact that the chances are stacked against you.

The great majority of podcasts fail because their hosts lack the necessary digital marketing or relationship-building abilities to make them successful.

I'd like to start a podcast, but I'm not sure where to start.

There are numerous services available to host a podcast. One of the best podcast hosting providers is required to host your podcast. Here are some of my favorites:

Where can I get a free podcast host?

Yes, a podcast can be hosted for free. However, when compared to their commercial counterparts, free services have a number of limits. You should pay for a high-quality solution rather than a free, less feature-rich alternative when you start a podcast and need to host your audio recordings.

Is it necessary for me to have a podcast server?

Yes, podcast hosting is required to store and distribute your files on platforms such as iTunes and Stitcher. Unfortunately, you can't simply record an audio file and send it to iTunes or Stitcher; instead, you'll need to hire a podcast hosting provider to do it for you.

Is it possible to make money via podcasting?

Yes, you may make money with a podcast, but you must first establish a following. You can't make money via sponsorships, affiliate marketing, or product sales once you've built a following.

Selling sponsorships (ad spots) to firms who wish to be recognized on your show is the most common way to make money with a podcast. To ensure that your slots are filled, you can sell them in 5-, 10-, 20-, or even full-year increments.

Affiliate programs are another excellent way to earn money. You can generate sales for other firms and earn a commission by mentioning a webpage to visit on the radio and connecting to it in the show notes.

podcast hosting

How frequently should you release a podcast?

The frequency with which you publish should be determined by your niche, target audience, and the length of each episode. You must provide your listeners with the finest possible experience and ensure that they return for more.

If your episodes are only 15 minutes long, for example, you might wish to produce a daily podcast. You can get away with a weekly podcast if your episodes are longer (60 minutes or more). In the end, everything comes down to your industry, issues, and target audience.

That's all there is to it.

That concludes my list of the finest podcast hosting services to check out this year.

When making your decision, look over the platform's features thoroughly. You should be able to publish as much content as you need each month, be compliant, get analytics, and have ample storage space.

Second, consider whether you want unlimited free hosting or are willing to pay more for additional features.

Do you require a new website? Look for packages that include site hosting as well as WordPress or Weebly so that you may add show notes and blog posts. Ascertain that your hosting provider collaborates with the most reputable podcast networks.

Finally, consider which hosts can help you promote yourself through marketing, crowdsourcing, advertisements, monetization, expert coaching, and support.

These firms take the guesswork out of podcast storage, distribution, and maintenance.

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