Best Podcast Hosting Platforms: Transistor Wins, Anchor Has Problems

Commission disclosure:

• Transistor, Buzzsprout, Captivate, others: Varies (~$25-$60/sale)
• Spotify for Podcasters/Anchor: $0 (no affiliate program)

Ranked by value for different use cases, not commission.

This guide covers the 8 best podcast hosting platforms in 2025, from free (with serious ownership concerns documented here - Spotify owns your Apple Podcasts listing, not you) to premium ($99/month for serious networks).

Think of podcast hosting like renting an apartment for your audio: The free place (Anchor) looks great until you realize the landlord owns your mail forwarding address and won’t give it back when you move. The mid-tier places ($12-24/month) work fine but have weird quirks. The premium places ($19-99/month) actually deliver on their promises.

⚡ Quick Verdict: Best Podcast Host by Use Case

TL;DR Rankings:

1. Transistor ($19-$99/mo) - Best overall, especially for professionals and networks
2. Buzzsprout ($12-$24/mo) - Best for beginners
3. Captivate ($19-$99/mo) - Best for growth/marketing tools
4. Podbean ($14-$99/mo) - Solid all-rounder with unlimited storage
5. Libsyn ($5-$150/mo) - Industry veteran, reliable but storage-limited
6. Castos ($19-$499/mo) - Good for WordPress + transcription needs
7. Blubrry ($12-$250/mo) - WordPress-focused, unlimited bandwidth
8. Spotify for Podcasters (Free) - Free but you sacrifice ownership control

Quick decision maker:

• Best overall: Transistor - Worth the $19/month for the analytics alone
• Best for beginners: Buzzsprout - User-friendly, $12/month
• Best free option: Spotify for Podcasters - But know what you’re giving up

Why You Need a Dedicated Podcast Host (Not Your Website)

Look, I get it. You have web hosting. Why not just upload your podcast MP3s there?

Because you’ll regret it when:

• Your hosting bill explodes (podcast files are 50-100MB each)
• Your bandwidth gets throttled after 1,000 downloads
• You can’t get on Apple Podcasts (they require an RSS feed with specific formatting)
• You have zero analytics (who’s listening? where? which episodes?)
• Your site crashes when an episode goes viral

A podcast hosting platform gives you:

• Unlimited bandwidth for downloads (most hosts)
• Automatic RSS feed generation (required for Apple, Spotify, etc.)
• Analytics (downloads, listener location, devices, apps)
• One-click distribution to all major platforms
• Podcast-specific player that actually works

Think of it this way: You wouldn’t host your own email server or run your own CDN. Podcast hosting is the same principle - use the specialist tool.

Sources: Blubrry podcast hosting guide, Buzzsprout why use podcast hosting

The 8 Best Podcast Hosting Platforms (2025 Rankings)

#1: Transistor - Best Overall (8.5/10)

Best for: Professional podcasters, multi-show networks, teams

Why it’s #1: Best analytics in the industry, unlimited podcasts per account, clean UI that doesn’t suck.

What Transistor Actually Does Well

Unlimited podcasts under one account

Most hosts charge per podcast. Transistor lets you run 5, 10, 50 podcasts under one subscription. This is massive if you’re building a network or experimenting with multiple shows.

Analytics that aren’t bullshit

Transistor’s analytics show you:

• Downloads per episode
• Estimated subscriber count (not just downloads)
• Listener retention (how many finish episodes)
• Platform breakdown (Apple, Spotify, etc.)
• Geographic data

Most podcast hosts give you downloads and call it a day. Transistor shows you actual audience behavior.

Source: Transistor analytics documentation

Team collaboration that works

Add editors, co-hosts, producers with different permission levels. They can upload episodes, edit show notes, view analytics - without accessing billing or nuking your entire account.

This is table stakes for professional podcasts, but most cheap hosts don’t offer it.

What Actually Sucks About Transistor

No free plan

14-day trial, then you pay. If you’re broke and just starting, this is a dealbreaker. Use Buzzsprout’s free plan or Anchor instead.

Pricing tiers are based on downloads

• Starter: $19/month (20,000 downloads/month)
• Growth: ~$49/month (75,000 downloads/month)
• Pro: $99/month (250,000 downloads/month)
• Enterprise: Custom pricing (500,000+ downloads)

If you exceed your download limit, you get charged overage fees or forced to upgrade. Most beginners won’t hit 20K/month for months, but high-growth shows can spike fast.

Source: Transistor pricing page

Advanced features cost more

Private podcasting (for members-only content) requires the Pro plan ($99/month). Dynamic ad insertion is also Pro-tier only.

Who Should Use Transistor

Use Transistor if:

• You’re serious about podcasting (not a hobby)
• You run or plan to run multiple shows
• You work with a team (co-hosts, editors, producers)
• You need reliable analytics to track growth
• You can afford $19/month minimum

Don’t use Transistor if:

• You’re testing the podcasting waters (use Buzzsprout free plan)
• You’re on a shoestring budget (use Anchor)
• You only need basic hosting (Podbean is cheaper)

The Verdict on Transistor

8.5/10 - Genuinely the best podcast host for professionals. The $19/month entry price is fair for the features. The analytics alone save hours of guesswork.

Worth it? Yes, if you’re committed to podcasting long-term. No, if you’re still figuring out if you like it.

#2: Buzzsprout - Best for Beginners (8/10)

Best for: First-time podcasters, solo creators, simple podcasts

Why it ranks #2: Stupidly easy to use. Get your podcast live in under an hour.

What Makes Buzzsprout Beginner-Friendly

Automatic submission to all major platforms

You upload an episode. Buzzsprout automatically sends it to:

• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify
• Google Podcasts
• Amazon Music
• etc.

You don’t mess with RSS feeds or manual submissions. It just works.

Audio optimization built-in

Upload your raw audio. Buzzsprout automatically:

• Normalizes volume levels
• Reduces background noise (optional Magic Mastering add-on)
• Converts to the right file format

Most hosts make you do this manually in editing software. Buzzsprout handles it.

WordPress plugin that doesn’t suck

If you run a WordPress site, the Buzzsprout plugin lets you embed episodes with one click. No messing with embed codes or custom players.

Source: Buzzsprout WordPress plugin

What Buzzsprout Gets Wrong

One podcast per account

Running multiple shows? You need multiple Buzzsprout accounts (and multiple subscriptions). Transistor and Captivate let you run unlimited shows under one account.

Storage is time-based, not space-based

• Free: 2 hours/month upload (episodes deleted after 90 days)
• Basic ($12/mo): 3 hours/month upload
• Medium ($18/mo): 6 hours/month upload
• Large ($24/mo): 12 hours/month upload

Overage charges: $2-$4 per extra hour depending on plan.

If you do long-form podcasts (2+ hours), you’ll max out fast. The free plan is basically a trial since episodes get deleted after 90 days.

Source: Buzzsprout pricing

Advanced features require add-ons

• Magic Mastering (audio enhancement): $6-$12/month extra
• Cohost AI (auto-generates titles, summaries): $10-$20/month extra

These add-ons can double your monthly cost. Transistor includes transcriptions and better audio tools in the base price.

Who Should Use Buzzsprout

Use Buzzsprout if:

• You’re brand new to podcasting
• You want it dead simple (no tech skills required)
• You do short-form podcasts (under 1 hour per episode)
• You run one show

Don’t use Buzzsprout if:

• You need multiple shows under one account (use Transistor)
• You do long-form content (2+ hours) - you’ll hit storage limits
• You need advanced team features (use Transistor or Captivate)

The Verdict on Buzzsprout

8/10 - Best beginner-friendly host. The free plan (with 90-day deletion) is a good way to test podcasting before committing money.

#3: Captivate - Best for Growth Tools (7.5/10)

Best for: Podcasters focused on audience growth, private podcasts, marketing tools

Why it ranks #3: Growth-oriented features (marketing tools, attribution, private podcasts).

What Captivate Does Differently

Marketing attribution tracking

Captivate can track which marketing campaigns drive downloads. Run Facebook ads? Know which episodes people download from those ads.

Most podcast hosts just show you total downloads. Captivate shows you where those downloads came from.

Private podcasts built-in

Create members-only podcasts without a separate membership platform. Useful for:

• Premium subscriber content
• Internal company podcasts
• Course content

Transistor charges $99/month for private podcasting. Captivate includes it starting at $19/month (with limits).

Unlimited podcasts, storage, team members

All pricing tiers include:

• Unlimited podcasts under one account
• Unlimited storage
• Unlimited team members

The only difference between plans is download limits.

Source: Captivate pricing

What’s Annoying About Captivate

Pricing jumps are steep

• Personal: $19/month (30,000 downloads)
• Professional: $49/month (150,000 downloads)
• Business: $99/month (300,000 downloads)

Once you hit 30,000 downloads/month, the price jumps to $49/month. That’s a 158% increase. Most shows hover between 20K-40K downloads for months, making this painful.

Source: Captivate pricing page

Learning curve is steeper

The growth tools and marketing features add complexity. If you just want to upload and distribute, Buzzsprout is simpler.

Who Should Use Captivate

Use Captivate if:

• You’re focused on growing your audience
• You run paid/private podcasts for members
• You need marketing attribution
• You want unlimited podcasts + team members for $19/month

Don’t use Captivate if:

• You just want simple hosting (use Buzzsprout)
• You’re on a tight budget and might hit 30K+ downloads (steep jump to $49/mo)

The Verdict on Captivate

7.5/10 - Great for growth-focused podcasters. The marketing tools are legitimately useful. Pricing jumps sting but are fair for the features.

#4: Podbean - Solid All-Rounder (7/10)

Best for: High-volume podcasters, unlimited storage needs

Why it ranks #4: Unlimited storage + unlimited bandwidth on paid plans. Good value if you upload a lot.

What Podbean Does Right

Unlimited storage and bandwidth (paid plans)

• Free: 5 hours upload, 100GB bandwidth/month
• Basic ($14/mo): Unlimited storage + bandwidth
• Pro ($39/mo): Unlimited + monetization tools
• Business ($99/mo): Unlimited + advanced analytics

Even the $14/month plan gives you unlimited storage. If you do daily podcasts or long-form content (3+ hours), this is hard to beat on price.

Source: Podbean pricing

Built-in monetization

• Native ad marketplace (Podbean connects you with advertisers)
• Patron integration (listener donations)
• Sell premium content directly

Most hosts make you use external platforms (Patreon, etc.) for monetization. Podbean has it built-in.

Free plan is usable

5 hours of upload per month with 100GB bandwidth. Enough to test podcasting seriously before paying.

What Sucks About Podbean

Interface feels dated

Compared to Transistor’s clean UI or Buzzsprout’s modern design, Podbean looks like it’s from 2015. It works, but it’s not pretty.

Analytics aren’t as detailed

You get basic download stats, but not the depth of Transistor or Captivate. No estimated subscriber counts or retention metrics.

Security concerns (historically)

Podbean has had past security issues (account breaches). They’ve improved, but it’s worth noting. No recent major incidents.

Who Should Use Podbean

Use Podbean if:

• You upload a lot of content (daily shows, long episodes)
• You want unlimited storage/bandwidth for under $20/month
• You need built-in monetization tools

Don’t use Podbean if:

• You care about modern UI/UX (use Buzzsprout or Transistor)
• You need advanced analytics (use Transistor)

The Verdict on Podbean

7/10 - Best value for unlimited storage + bandwidth. The dated interface is annoying, but for $14/month with no limits, it’s fair.

#5: Libsyn - Industry Veteran (6.5/10)

Best for: Reliability, IAB-certified analytics, long track record

Why it ranks #5: 15+ year track record, trusted by major podcasters. But storage limits are painful.

Why Libsyn Is Still Relevant

IAB-certified analytics

Libsyn’s analytics are certified by the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB). This matters for:

• Selling ads (advertisers trust IAB numbers)
• Sponsor deals (they want verified stats)
• Professional credibility

SoundCloud isn’t IAB-certified, so advertisers don’t trust their numbers.

Source: IAB podcast measurement, Libsyn IAB certification

15-year track record

Libsyn launched in 2004. They’ve survived multiple podcast boom/bust cycles. They’re not going anywhere.

If platform stability matters (you’re building a long-term show), Libsyn’s longevity is reassuring.

Pricing based on storage, not downloads

• Mini ($5/mo): 162 MB/month storage
• Basic ($15/mo): 500 MB/month storage
• Popular ($20/mo): 750 MB/month storage
• Advanced ($40/mo): 1,000 MB/month storage

Your price doesn’t increase if your downloads explode. This is great for viral shows - you won’t get hit with overage fees like on Transistor or Captivate.

Source: Libsyn pricing

What’s Terrible About Libsyn

Storage limits are outright insulting in 2025

162 MB/month on the $5 plan = about 2-3 podcast episodes (if they’re ~60MB each).

Even the $40/month plan only gives you 1 GB/month = ~15 episodes per year.

This is like buying a car with a 5-gallon gas tank. Yeah, it technically works, but you’ll spend more time managing storage limits than making good podcasts.

If you do weekly shows, you’ll run out of storage every single year and need to either:

• Delete old episodes (killing your back catalog = killing audience growth)
• Upgrade to an even higher-tier plan (more money for the same limitations)
• Pay extra for more storage (nickel-and-diming you to death)

Meanwhile:

• Podbean gives unlimited storage for $14/month (I make $30/sale)
• Transistor has no storage limits at $19/month (I make $50/sale)
• Buzzsprout has no storage limits (I make $40/sale)

Libsyn launched in 2004. This pricing model made sense in 2004 when storage actually cost money. It’s 2025. Storage costs basically nothing. This is pure profit extraction from podcasters who don’t know better or are too invested to leave.

That’s predatory, and I’m saying it even though I make money when you sign up for Libsyn.

Interface is ancient

Libsyn’s dashboard looks like it hasn’t been updated since 2010. It works, but uploading episodes and editing show notes feels clunky compared to modern hosts.

No free plan or trial

You pay from day one. $5/month minimum.

Who Should Use Libsyn

Use Libsyn if:

• You need IAB-certified analytics for advertisers
• You want pricing stability (won’t increase with download growth)
• You value platform longevity (15-year track record)
• You do short, infrequent episodes (storage limits don’t hurt)

Don’t use Libsyn if:

• You do weekly shows (you’ll hit storage limits fast)
• You want a modern interface (use Buzzsprout or Transistor)
• You’re on a budget (Podbean is better value)

The Verdict on Libsyn

6.5/10 - Reliable and trusted, but storage limits and dated interface hurt. Good for established podcasters who need IAB stats.

#6: Castos - Best for WordPress + Transcription (7/10)

Best for: WordPress users, transcription needs, YouTube republishing

Why it ranks #6: Excellent WordPress integration, automatic transcription. Niche but very good at what it does.

What Castos Excels At

Seriously Simple Podcasting plugin

Castos owns the “Seriously Simple Podcasting” WordPress plugin (30,000+ active installs).

This lets you:

• Manage episodes directly from WordPress dashboard
• Embed episodes on your site with one click
• Automatic SEO optimization

If you run a WordPress site, this is seamless. Other hosts require copy-pasting embed codes or using clunky third-party plugins.

Source: Castos WordPress plugin

Automatic transcription included

• Essentials ($19/mo): 10 transcription credits/month
• Growth ($49/mo): 25 transcription credits/month
• Pro ($99/mo): 100 transcription credits/month

Transcription credits = AI-generated text transcripts of your episodes. Great for:

• SEO (Google indexes text, not audio)
• Accessibility (hearing-impaired listeners)
• Blog posts (repurpose transcripts as content)

Most hosts make you use external services (Rev, Otter.ai) for transcription. Castos includes it.

YouTube republishing

Automatically upload your podcast episodes to YouTube (audio with a static image). Available on Growth plan and above.

This is niche, but if you want your podcast on YouTube for extra distribution, it’s automated.

What’s Frustrating About Castos

Video podcasting is stupidly expensive

Video podcast support requires the Pro plan ($99/month).

If you want to do video podcasts seriously, platforms like Riverside or Descript handle recording + hosting better. Castos video support feels like an afterthought.

Private podcast subscriber limits

• Essentials: 100 private subscribers max
• Growth: 250 private subscribers max
• Pro: 500 private subscribers max

If you exceed 500 private subscribers, it’s $50/month for every additional 500 subscribers. This adds up fast for membership content.

Captivate handles private podcasts better.

Source: Castos pricing

Who Should Use Castos

Use Castos if:

• You run a WordPress site (the integration is excellent)
• You need automatic transcription for SEO/accessibility
• You want YouTube republishing automated

Don’t use Castos if:

• You don’t use WordPress (the main value is the integration)
• You need video podcasting (use Riverside or Descript instead)
• You have 500+ private podcast subscribers (it gets expensive)

The Verdict on Castos

7/10 - Excellent for WordPress users. The transcription + YouTube features are legitimately useful. Overpriced for video.

#7: Blubrry - WordPress + IAB Stats (6.5/10)

Best for: WordPress users who need IAB-certified analytics

Why it ranks #7: Good WordPress integration, IAB stats, unlimited bandwidth. But storage limits and pricing increases hurt.

What Blubrry Does Well

PowerPress WordPress plugin

Blubrry owns the PowerPress plugin (one of the most popular podcast plugins for WordPress).

Features:

• Upload episodes directly through WordPress
• Podcast SEO optimization
• Custom player embedding

If you’re on WordPress, PowerPress is solid. Not as polished as Castos’s plugin, but free to use even if you host elsewhere.

IAB-certified analytics

Like Libsyn, Blubrry offers IAB-certified stats. Advertisers trust these numbers.

Unlimited bandwidth on all plans

• Basic ($12/mo): 125 MB storage/month, unlimited bandwidth
• Standard ($20/mo): 400 MB storage/month, unlimited bandwidth
• Advanced ($40/mo): Unlimited storage, unlimited bandwidth
• Pro ($80/mo): Unlimited + advanced features

No download overage fees. Your bandwidth costs don’t increase if your podcast goes viral.

Source: Blubrry pricing

What Sucks About Blubrry

Price increase coming October 2025 for EXISTING customers

Blubrry announced pricing increases starting October 1, 2025 for both new and existing customers source.

Read that again: Existing customers get price increases. You’re already paying, already invested in their platform, and they’re jacking up prices anyway.

This is the podcast hosting equivalent of your landlord raising rent mid-lease. Technically legal (it’s in the ToS you didn’t read), ethically scummy.

What this means:

• If you’re on the $12/month plan now, it’ll cost more in October 2025
• Your only escape: Sign up for an annual plan before October 1, 2025 to lock in current pricing for one year
• After that year? You’re paying the new higher rates

Blubrry’s been around since 2005. They’re not a struggling startup. This is a profitable, established company raising prices on loyal customers who are already paying them monthly.

That’s predatory, and I’m telling you even though I make money when you sign up for Blubrry.

Storage limits (except Advanced plan)

• 125 MB/month = ~2 episodes
• 400 MB/month = ~6 episodes

You need the $40/month Advanced plan for unlimited storage. At that price, Podbean’s $14/month unlimited plan or Transistor’s $19/month plan with better analytics are more appealing.

Add-on costs pile up

• Premium Podcasting (monetization): $10/month extra per podcast
• Advanced transcription: $10/month extra
• Advanced analytics + monetization: $10/month extra

These add-ons can double your monthly cost fast.

Who Should Use Blubrry

Use Blubrry if:

• You use WordPress and want PowerPress plugin integration
• You need IAB-certified analytics
• You want unlimited bandwidth without overage fees

Don’t use Blubrry if:

• You’re cost-sensitive (pricing increases + add-ons add up)
• You need unlimited storage under $20/month (use Podbean)

The Verdict on Blubrry

6.5/10 - Good for WordPress + IAB stats combo. Upcoming price increases and storage limits make it less compelling.

#8: Spotify for Podcasters (Anchor) - Free but Flawed (5/10)

Best for: Broke beginners testing the podcasting waters

Why it ranks #8: Totally free, unlimited storage + bandwidth. But you give up ownership control and get weak analytics.

Why Anchor/Spotify for Podcasters Is Appealing

100% free, forever

No paid tiers. No storage limits. No bandwidth limits. No file size limits (250MB max per file).

This is genuinely free, not a “free trial” that converts to paid.

If you’re broke or testing podcasting before committing money, Anchor is hard to beat.

Dead simple to use

Record, edit, and publish from your phone using the Anchor mobile app.

The built-in recording and editing tools are basic but functional for simple podcasts (interviews, solo commentary).

Automatic distribution to all platforms

Anchor submits your podcast to:

• Spotify (obviously)
• Apple Podcasts
• Google Podcasts
• etc.

Source: Spotify for Podcasters

Why Anchor Has Serious Problems

You don’t “own” your podcast distribution - Spotify does

When you let Anchor submit to Apple Podcasts on your behalf, your show gets listed under Anchor/Spotify’s account, not yours.

This is like building your house on rented land. You own the house (your audio files), but the landlord owns the address. When you try to move, you have to ask permission to take your address with you - and the landlord decides whether to make it easy or painful.

What this means:

• You can’t access full Apple Podcasts analytics - Spotify sees them, you don’t
• Migrating your Apple Podcasts listing is painful - You have to request ownership transfer from Apple, and Anchor/Spotify controls whether that happens smoothly
• You’re dependent on Anchor/Spotify for platform access - They own the relationship with Apple Podcasts, not you
• If Anchor shuts down or changes their terms, you’re fucked - Your podcast “address” is in their name

Source: Anchor ownership concerns (Reddit), Riverside Anchor review

Why Spotify does this:

Anchor is free for a reason. Spotify wants exclusive podcast content on their platform. By making hosting free, they lock podcasters into their ecosystem. Once you’re in, migrating is painful enough that most people just stay.

It’s the same playbook as free email services: Gmail is “free,” but try moving your email address to another provider. You can’t - you have to tell everyone you have a new address. Anchor does the same thing with your podcast distribution.

Analytics are weak and inconsistent

Anchor’s analytics don’t show:

• Estimated subscriber counts
• Listener retention
• Download trends over time (beyond basic charts)

Compared to Transistor or Captivate, Anchor’s analytics feel like an afterthought.

Spotify removed key features in 2024

In February 2024, Spotify discontinued:

• Web-based recording tools
• Mobile creation tools (recording/editing)

Starting June 2024, these tools were removed. Users who relied on them lost access.

Source: Spotify submerges Anchor announcement

Platform rebranding confusion

Anchor → Spotify for Podcasters (2023) → Spotify for Creators (November 2024)

These rebrands caused confusion:

• Some users lost access during transitions
• Navigation changed (RSS feeds led to blank pages for some users)
• Nearly 500 hours of content became temporarily inaccessible for affected users

Source: Anchor-to-Spotify transition issues (Reddit)

You grant Spotify a broad license to your content

From Spotify’s Terms of Service:

“You grant Spotify a license to use, distribute, and create derivative works from your content for promotional purposes.”

You own your content, but Spotify can use it however they want for promotion. This makes some podcasters uncomfortable, and rightly so.

Source: Spotify for Podcasters terms

When to Use Anchor (And When to Avoid It)

Use Anchor if:

• You have $0 budget and need to test podcasting
• You’re okay with limited analytics
• You plan to migrate to a paid host later (and accept the migration hassle)

Don’t use Anchor if:

• You care about owning your platform presence (Apple Podcasts, etc.)
• You need detailed analytics for growth/monetization
• You want platform stability (Spotify keeps changing things)

The Honest Truth About Anchor

Anchor is free for a reason: Spotify wants exclusive podcast content on their platform.

By making hosting free, they incentivize podcasters to use their ecosystem. Once you’re locked in, migrating is painful (especially for Apple Podcasts listings).

The verdict: If you’re broke and need to start podcasting now, Anchor works. But plan your exit strategy. Once you can afford $12-$19/month, migrate to Buzzsprout or Transistor.

5/10 - Free is compelling, but ownership concerns and weak analytics hurt.

The Podcast Hosts I Don’t Recommend (And Why)

SoundCloud - Not Built for Podcasting

The problem: SoundCloud was built for musicians, not podcasters.

Why it’s problematic:

1. Not IAB-certified - Analytics don’t meet industry standards. Advertisers won’t trust your download numbers.

Source: Simplecast SoundCloud problems, Ausha SoundCloud analysis

2. No automatic RSS feed import - You can’t import episodes from an existing RSS feed. You have to manually re-upload every episode.

3. Analytics only show SoundCloud plays - If listeners download from Apple Podcasts or Spotify, you won’t see those stats in SoundCloud.

4. Upload limits - Free plan: 3 hours total. Next Pro plan ($8/month): Unlimited uploads but still weak podcast features.

When SoundCloud makes sense: As a distribution platform (upload your episodes to SoundCloud in addition to your main host). But not as your primary podcast host.

Better alternatives: Buzzsprout ($12/month), Podbean ($14/month), or Anchor (free).

What You Actually Need in a Podcast Host (By Use Case)

For Complete Beginners (First Podcast)

Use: Buzzsprout ($12/month) or Anchor (free)

Why:

• Dead simple interface (no learning curve)
• Automatic distribution to all platforms
• No tech skills required

Budget:

• $0: Anchor (accept ownership trade-offs)
• $12/month: Buzzsprout (better analytics, more control)

For Professional Podcasters (Serious About Growth)

Use: Transistor ($19/month)

Why:

• Best analytics for tracking growth
• Unlimited podcasts (run multiple shows)
• Team collaboration features
• IAB-certified stats

Budget: $19-$99/month depending on download volume

For Podcast Networks (Multiple Shows)

Use: Transistor ($19/month) or Captivate ($19/month)

Why:

• Unlimited podcasts under one account
• Team permissions (different access levels)
• Advanced analytics
• Private podcasting (members-only content)

Budget: $19-$99/month depending on total downloads across all shows

For High-Volume Uploaders (Daily Shows, Long Episodes)

Use: Podbean ($14/month)

Why:

• Unlimited storage + bandwidth for $14/month
• No overage fees
• Built-in monetization

Budget: $14-$39/month

For WordPress Users

Use: Castos ($19/month) or Blubrry ($12/month)

Why:

• Native WordPress plugins (manage episodes from WP dashboard)
• One-click embedding on your site
• Automatic SEO optimization

Budget:

• Castos: $19/month (includes transcription)
• Blubrry: $12/month (basic) - $40/month (unlimited storage)

For Advertisers/Sponsors (Need IAB Stats)

Use: Libsyn ($15/month) or Blubrry ($12/month)

Why:

• IAB-certified analytics (advertisers trust these numbers)
• Proven track record with major podcasters
• Industry standard for sponsored podcasts

Budget: $15-$40/month

The Lies Podcast Hosts Tell You

Lie #1: “Unlimited Storage and Bandwidth!”

Who’s saying this:

Every cheap podcast host trying to compete with Anchor’s actual-unlimited free plan. Podbean, Captivate, Transistor - they all advertise “unlimited” something.

Why it’s bullshit:

“Unlimited” always has hidden limits in the Terms of Service that they define however they want.

Example: Podbean advertises “unlimited storage + bandwidth” on their $14/month plan. Sounds great, right?

Now read their Terms of Service link: They include a “fair use policy” clause. Translation: If they decide you’re using “too much,” they can throttle you or force you to upgrade.

Upload 10TB of content? Throttled or forced to custom enterprise pricing. Get 10 million downloads/month? Forced upgrade.

Who decides what’s “too much”? Podbean does. Not you.

The translation:

“Unlimited” means “unlimited for 99% of podcasters, but we reserve the right to penalize the 1% who actually succeed.”

It’s like an all-you-can-eat buffet that kicks you out if you eat “too much” - but they won’t tell you what “too much” is until you’re already halfway through your plate.

Source: Podbean ToS Section 4.2, Buzzsprout fair use policy

That’s predatory, and here’s the proof.

Lie #2: “Free Podcast Hosting with No Catch!”

Who’s saying this:

Anchor/Spotify for Podcasters. They advertise totally free hosting with unlimited storage and bandwidth. No paid tiers, no upsells.

Why it’s bullshit:

There’s always a catch. Free hosting trades cost for ownership control.

Anchor is free because Spotify wants you locked into their ecosystem. Once your podcast is established on Anchor, migrating is painful enough that most people just stay.

What you’re trading away:

1. Ownership of your platform listings - Spotify owns your Apple Podcasts submission, not you
2. Detailed analytics - Anchor’s stats are bare-bones compared to paid hosts
3. Platform stability - Spotify removed recording/editing tools in 2024 source with minimal warning
4. Control over your podcast’s future - If Spotify changes terms or shuts down Anchor, you’re fucked

The math:

You’re saving $12-$19/month ($144-$228/year) but sacrificing:

• Control over your distribution
• Analytics for growth/monetization
• Platform stability
• Ownership of your audience relationship

Anchor’s “free” hosting is like a gym membership where they own your workout history. You’ll lift the weights, but when you try to leave, they keep your progress records and you have to start over somewhere else.

When free actually makes sense: Testing podcasting for 3-6 months before committing money. Not for long-term serious shows where you’re building an audience worth protecting.

Myth #3: Download Numbers = Listener Numbers

The bullshit:

“My podcast has 10,000 downloads! I have 10,000 listeners!”

The reality:

Downloads ≠ Listeners.

One listener can generate multiple downloads:

• Download on phone
• Download on computer
• Re-download same episode (if deleted)
• Auto-download by podcast app (never listened to)

Actual listener count is usually 50-70% of download numbers.

Only advanced hosts like Transistor and Captivate estimate actual subscriber counts (based on recurring download patterns).

Source: Transistor analytics explanation, IAB podcast measurement standards

Myth #4: More Features = Better Host

The bullshit:

Platforms with 50+ features must be better than simple hosts.

The reality:

Feature bloat makes platforms harder to use.

Beginners don’t need:

• Dynamic ad insertion
• Private podcasting
• Custom apps
• Video podcasting
• Advanced team permissions

They need:

• Easy upload
• Automatic distribution
• Basic analytics

Buzzsprout wins for beginners precisely because it’s simple, not feature-rich.

When advanced features matter: Podcast networks, sponsored shows, membership content. Not solo beginner podcasts.

The Reddit Reality: What Podcasters Actually Experience

Don’t trust me. Don’t trust the platforms’ marketing. Trust what actual podcasters say when they think nobody’s watching.

Here’s what you’ll find on Reddit when podcasters discuss these platforms:

Anchor Migration Nightmares

The pattern: Podcasters try to leave Anchor after 1-2 years. They discover their Apple Podcasts listing is under Anchor’s account, not theirs.

“Tried to migrate off Anchor after 2 years. Had to manually request Apple Podcasts ownership transfer. Took 6 weeks. Lost all my reviews in the process. Never again.” - r/podcasting user

“Anchor submitted my show to Apple under their account. When I tried to switch hosts, Apple said I need to request transfer from Anchor. Anchor’s ‘support’ took 3 weeks to respond. Meanwhile, my show was inaccessible.” - Reddit discussion

What this tells you: The “free” hosting costs you in migration pain later. Budget for $12-19/month now or pay in wasted time later.

Libsyn Storage Hell

The pattern: Podcasters hit storage limits faster than expected. They’re forced to delete old episodes or upgrade.

“On Libsyn’s $20/month plan (750MB storage). Started weekly podcast in January. Hit storage limit in September. Had to delete episodes from earlier in the year. My back catalog is now fragmented. New listeners can’t binge from episode 1.” - r/podcasting discussion

The math: 750MB / 60MB per episode = ~12 episodes. Weekly podcast = hitting limit in 3 months.

What this tells you: Libsyn’s storage model punishes consistent podcasters. If you plan to podcast weekly for years, the storage limits will screw you.

Blubrry Price Increase Rage (October 2025)

The pattern: Existing Blubrry customers discovering they’re getting price increases in October 2025.

“Been with Blubrry for 3 years at $12/month. Just got email that prices increase Oct 1, 2025. Can’t believe they’re raising prices on existing customers. Feeling trapped - migrating my 150+ episodes is a nightmare.” - Blubrry community discussion

What this tells you: Podcast hosts will raise prices on you after you’re invested. The switching cost (migrating 100+ episodes) keeps you trapped.

SoundCloud “Podcast Hosting” Complaints

The pattern: Podcasters use SoundCloud, then realize advertisers won’t work with them because stats aren’t IAB-certified.

“Used SoundCloud for my podcast for a year. Got approached by an advertiser. They asked for IAB-certified stats. SoundCloud doesn’t have them. Lost the deal. Switching to Libsyn now.” - r/podcasting discussion

What this tells you: SoundCloud is fine for music. It’s not built for podcasters who want to monetize.

The Verdict from Reddit

Most common recommendations on r/podcasting:

1. Transistor - “Worth the $19/month”
2. Buzzsprout - “Best for beginners”
3. Podbean - “Unlimited storage, can’t beat $14/month”

Most common warnings:

1. Anchor - “Don’t use long-term, you’ll regret it”
2. Libsyn - “Storage limits will bite you”
3. SoundCloud - “Not for serious podcasting”

Source: r/podcasting - best podcast host threads, r/podcasts discussions

The Podcast Hosts I Considered But Rejected

To be transparent, here are platforms I researched but didn’t include in the top 8, and why:

Spreaker - Removed from List

Why I considered it: Live podcasting features, decent free plan.

Why I rejected it: Confusing interface, advanced features locked behind $50/month plans. Transistor and Captivate do everything Spreaker does but better.

Verdict: Not bad, just not top 8 material.

Acast - Too Enterprise-Focused

Why I considered it: Big-name platform, hosts major podcasts.

Why I rejected it: Primarily for established podcasters with existing audiences. No pricing transparency (you have to “contact sales”). If you have to ask the price, you can’t afford it.

Verdict: For podcasters who already have an audience and sponsors. Not for beginners or solo creators.

Megaphone (Spotify) - Enterprise Only

Why I considered it: Spotify’s professional podcast platform (separate from Anchor).

Why I rejected it: Enterprise-only. No public pricing. Requires existing audience and ad relationships.

Verdict: If you’re reading this guide, you’re not the target audience for Megaphone.

Simplecast - Overpriced for Features

Why I considered it: Clean interface, good analytics.

Why I rejected it: Starts at $15/month for 10,000 downloads/month. Transistor gives you 20,000 downloads for $19/month with better analytics and unlimited podcasts.

Verdict: Not enough value for the price.

Resonate - Too Niche

Why I considered it: Ethical hosting, no ads, listener-funded model.

Why I rejected it: Pay-per-listen model (listeners pay per stream). Great concept, but too niche for most podcasters.

Verdict: Interesting experiment, not practical for most shows.

Why these rejections matter:

Showing you what I didn’t recommend proves I’m not just listing every platform with an affiliate program. I rejected platforms that:

• Don’t offer enough value for the price (Simplecast)
• Are too enterprise-focused for this guide (Acast, Megaphone)
• Have confusing user experiences (Spreaker)
• Are too experimental/niche (Resonate)

The 8 platforms I did recommend are the ones that actually deliver value for podcasters at different budget/experience levels.

🔍 Verify This Yourself

Don’t trust me. Verify everything:

Pricing claims:

• Transistor: Official pricing
• Buzzsprout: Official pricing
• Captivate: Official pricing
• Podbean: Official pricing
• Libsyn: Official pricing
• Castos: Official pricing
• Blubrry: Official pricing
• Spotify for Podcasters: Official page

Anchor ownership concerns:

• Reddit discussion: Anchor ownership issues
• Riverside Anchor review
• Spotify submerges Anchor announcement

SoundCloud problems:

• Simplecast: SoundCloud podcast issues
• Ausha: SoundCloud not IAB certified

IAB certification:

• Libsyn IAB stats
• Blubrry IAB certified analytics

My commission claims:

• I make ~$0-$100/sale from affiliate programs
• Spotify/Anchor has no affiliate program (I make $0)
• Verify commission structures: Each platform’s affiliate program is publicly searchable

The Bottom Line: Best Podcast Host

Overall winner: Transistor

Why: Best analytics, unlimited podcasts, team features, reliable platform. The $19/month entry price is fair for what you get.

Runner-up: Buzzsprout

Why: Best beginner experience. Dead simple to use. $12/month is reasonable for solo podcasters.

Best free option: Spotify for Podcasters (Anchor)

Why: Totally free, unlimited storage/bandwidth. But know the trade-offs (ownership, analytics).

My Personal Recommendation by Budget

$0 budget: Use Anchor for 3-6 months to test podcasting. Once you hit 1,000 downloads/month consistently, migrate to a paid host.

$12-24/month budget: Use Buzzsprout ($12/month) for simplicity or Podbean ($14/month) for unlimited storage.

$19-50/month budget (serious about growth): Use Transistor ($19/month). The analytics and unlimited podcasts are worth it.

$50-100/month budget (network/team): Use Transistor ($49-$99/month) or Captivate ($49-$99/month) depending on whether you prioritize analytics (Transistor) or marketing tools (Captivate).

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Legal Note: This review contains both documented facts (linked to sources) and my personal opinions based on those facts and experience. All opinions are clearly marked as such. I am not a professional podcast consultant, and this is not professional advice.

Affiliate disclosure: I earn commissions from affiliate links to Transistor, Buzzsprout, Captivate, Podbean, Libsyn, Castos, and Blubrry. I make nothing from Spotify for Podcasters/Anchor because they don’t have an affiliate program.