Do you want to know what experienced and unbias podcasters think is the best podcast host?
There are a ton of top 7, 10, and 31 best podcast hosting lists floating around the Internet.
Unfortunately, many of these lists don’t *really* help you understand why you should choose one podcast host over another. It’s just a list with little reason why you should choose one over another. They also often miss what the product is missing or could be better, no product is perfect after all.
Plus, when these bloggers make a commission reviewing podcast hosts, how often are they really giving you an *authentic* review of what's best? What if they're just recommending the host that pays them the most? Wouldn't it be better to get input from multiple podcasters who are in the trenches to know what podcast host is best?
Podpage provides podcasters everything you need to design a beautiful website in 5 minutes or less. A beautiful website gives your listeners a central place to connect with you. Once you select the right podcast hosting service for your podcast, the sky's the limit.
To give you a more authentic review, we asked Podpage podcasters what their favorite podcast hosting sites are and why.
124 podcasters responded, and here are their responses:
9 Best podcast hosting websites, as voted by 124 podcasters
Note: We only included podcast hosts with three or more votes in this list. |
Why do podcasters enjoy these podcast platforms and streaming services? Keep reading to see for yourself...
Why podcasters love Anchor.fm for their podcast distribution and hosting
Anchor.fm makes it easy for anyone to start a podcast. They offer easy-to-use tools, straightforward analytics, and one-touch distribution. Plus, their unlimited podcast hosting is 100% free.
Here’s what Anchor.fm users say they love about the podcasting host:
“I like Anchor because of it’s easy-to-use interface... I especially love how easy it is to put our episodes on multiple outlets, taking a lot of the footwork out for me.”
Andrew Bleakley, host of Fear In The Southwest Podcast
“I like the fact that it is free and easy to use. The record with friends feature makes interviewing my guests a breeze.”
Dianne Spillane, host of Band It About
“I can upload segments, schedule my episodes in advance, and edit everything in just a couple of screens… You can record from right in the app or upload other formats.”
Alice, host of Read Into Something
“...Anchor makes it super easy and comfortable for absolutely anyone to start their podcast. Also, the fact that you can monetize from day one is really cool.”
Matt Lum, host of Lummin’ Around
“I love how easy Anchor is to use. It is very easy to see all the functions that Anchor offers, which makes it very intuitive to use.”
Crystal Leung, host of Let’s Get Candid
“I love that Anchor is so easy to use and has many helpful features. They made the distribution process so easy...I’m proud that I chose Anchor when I started my show and I am not planning on switching anytime soon.”
Amelia Rose Zimlich, host of C’est La Me
“I started with Anchor because of its ease of use…they have tons of jingles and transitions.”
Derek Oxley, host of Behind The Wheel Podcast
“User-friendly, great customer support keeping in mind this is a free service. They offer an unbelievable customer service experience.”
Doina Bejenaru, host of Jump In Podcast
These customer reviews say it all. If you want a free podcast host that will make podcasting as easy as possible, Anchor is the service for you.
See why podcasters love using Anchor.fm with Podpage. Go to Anchor’s website to consider using them for your podcast hosting.
What do podcasters wish was better about Anchor.fm for podcast hosting?
Even the best podcasting platforms aren’t perfect. As a free service, Anchor.fm has its limitations. Some feel that their sponsorships, analytics, editing features, and distribution platforms are sub-par.
Here’s what Ancor.fm users wish was better about the podcasting host:
“I wish it was easier to add external sponsorships.”
Matt Bratschi, host of Law Office Of Quibble, Squabble, & Bicker
“I wish they had more sponsorship opportunities.”
XO, host of S A U N A I E
“I wish that it was easier to make audiograms and find sponsorships using Anchor...”
Crystal Leung, host of Let’s Get Candid
“The one thing I wish Anchor had was a way to livestream.”
Alice, host of Read Into Something
“I wish the editing feature was better.”
Brian, host of Concerts That Made Us
“I wish it had better analytics...”
Chase Austin, host of The Movie Gap
“I wish they offered more distribution platforms.”
Lucy Paynter, host of Pastor Lucy Paynter Daily Insights
“I would prefer to have better audience demographics...”
Dianne Spillane, host of Band It About
Many podcasters will not find these drawbacks to be significant concerns. But, those who want more monetization options and quicker growth may prefer other hosts.
See if Anchor.fm might be a fit for you. Then, see why Anchor.fm users love using Podpage to create a podcast website. You can preview your podcast website in 5 minutes, no credit card necessary.
Why podcasters love Buzzsprout for their podcast distribution and hosting
Buzzsprout stands out as a podcasting host that cares about their users. They provide podcasting advice, valuable analytics, and top-notch customer support.
Here’s what Buzzsprout users say they love about the podcasting host:
“...Buzzsprout is the only hosting platform that releases a new tutorial on podcasting every week and it's always geared to the beginner… One time, when I was trying to do my WordPress website, one of the Buzzsprout support team made a video for me and showed me how to embed my podcast. It was such a kind and thoughtful thing to do...”
Kate Lavender, host of Lizzie Borden Audio
“...We've found Buzzsprout very user-friendly, intuitive, and super beneficial. We enjoy the magic mastering capabilities as well as the plethora of tips and tricks through their podcast, blogs, and private Facebook group. Their customer service is for sure top-notch!”
Deanna and Chris Ley, host of The Good All Around Us Podcast
“I love how simple it is to use and I especially like the stats page. Being able to see the number of downloads for each episode enables me to understand my audience better…It also helps me to market it better to sponsors.”
Anna Moran, host of Britstralian
“The thing I love about Buzzsprout is the constant innovation they put into making Podcasting more effective… you get to know more about best practices due to the content they put out for FREE! More so they truly invest in their clients by giving them options to monetize as well as great analytics…”
Jeric Defante, host of Langga Speaks Podcast
“Buzzsprout is an updated, data-centric platform that makes hosting a podcast easy and fun. I love the data and statistics for every episode…I also love that with Buzzsprout you can create dynamic content for pre-and-post-roll promotions. I would highly recommend Buzzsprout to anyone looking to grow their podcast.”
Jess O'Connell, host of The Launch Fix Podcast
“We LOVE the fact that Buzzsprout provides in-depth analytics so we can monitor listener trends with each new episode. We also love what a great job Buzzsprout does staying on top of current trends in the podcasting industry. They provide us with support, help, resources, and new features continually…”
Courtney Elmer, host of Systems Made Simple
Buzzsprout users love that the podcasting host supports more than just technology. They maintain a commitment to podcast hosts themselves as they offer basic resources for them to thrive in their podcasts.
See why podcasters love using Buzzsprout with Podpage. Go to Buzzsprout’s website to consider using them for your podcast hosting.
What do podcasters wish was better about Buzzsprout for podcast hosting?
We received relatively few complaints about Buzzsprout. However, a couple of points are worth mentioning.
Here’s what Buzzsprout users wish was better about the podcasting host:
“The main thing I don't like is the plan options that they offer…they max out at 12hrs of audio per month which isn't quite enough for our podcast…”
Mick, host of The Midweek Mashed Tattie
“The only big thing that stands out to me as an improvement is if Buzzsprout were to introduce an App. It would be quicker and easier for me to check the download stats and enable me to have notifications…”
Anna Moran, host of Britstralian
If you can make do with a maximum of 12 hours of audio each month and you don’t need an app, then Buzzsprout may be a fantastic host for your podcast.
See if Buzzsprout might be a fit for you. Then, see why Buzzsprout users love using Podpage to create a podcast website. You can preview your podcast website in 5 minutes, no credit card necessary.
Why podcasters love Libsyn for their podcast distribution and hosting
Are you tired of glitchy podcast hosts? Libsyn may be the host for you. Libsyn users love that the platform just works - and works well.
Here’s what Libsyn users say they love about the podcasting host:
“They have always provided the best and most updated information in podcasting... I also love the fact that they provide options to connect with several podcast apps directly from the lot interface.”
Andrew Lewin, host of Speak Up For The Ocean Blue
“Libsyn has a solid, reliable platform that hasn’t let me down once in five years. They have a wide range of features which they are continuously improving. Their support team is very visible and accessible, with quick response and ample training features. They were like a breath of fresh air across the board compared with my previous provider and everything works properly… To top it all off, Libsyn has an excellent podcast, ‘The Feed by Libsyn’, which is my go-to show for a lively, entertaining update on the latest trends in the space.”
Paul Cheall, host of Fighting Through Podcast
“Libsyn is the OG in podcast hosting, and I’ve been using them for 2.5 years. I never had an issue with them, the interface is quite straightforward, nothing fancy but gets the job done.”
Danielle, host of The Drive to Succeed Podcast
“Libsyn offers specified tabs for all the information needed on the RSS Feed. It also disseminates the podcast to multiple platforms, making it a streamlined process. It is relatively user-friendly once you use it a few times.”
Dr. Stephanie J. Wong, host of The Color of Success
If you’re looking for a reliable podcast host with a minimal learning curve, you should check out Libsyn. You can count on Libsyn to keep your podcast running smoothly over the long haul.
See why podcasters love using Libsyn with Podpage. And go to Libsyn’s website to consider using them for your podcast hosting.
What do podcasters wish was better about Libsyn for podcast hosting?
Libsyn nails the basics of podcast hosting, but they don’t offer all of the bells and whistles that some users want.
Here’s what Libsyn users wish was better about the podcasting host:
“I wish there was a better way to bulk upload podcasts”
Marc Hildebrand, host of The Leo Family Fitness Podcast
“As to what I wish they'd do better, maybe make things more updated. I know they have a new version in Beta.”
Josh, host of Wild West Extravaganza
“I wish they would fix the bugs with the publishing date and take out the information that isn't necessary”
Elikqitie, host of Travel Gluten Free
“I wish the stats page was much more detailed so I could see better how to allocate my advertising budget.”
Kim Shea, host of The Aging Purposefully Podcast
Libsyn is a great choice for basic podcasts, but it lacks some features that advanced podcasters need. They do not offer detailed analytics, frequent updates, and options for bulk uploading. If those features are important to you, then you may want to consider other options.
See if Libsyn might be a fit for you. Then, see why Libsyn users love using Podpage to create a podcast website. You can preview your podcast website in 5 minutes, no credit card necessary.
Why podcasters love Spreaker for their podcast distribution and hosting
Spreaker is a flexible podcast host that beginners and advanced podcasters alike can appreciate. It’s easy to use, but it also includes a generous list of features like analytics, live broadcasting, monetization, and more.
Here’s what Spreaker users say they love about the podcasting host:
“I like Spreaker because they give me analytics, so many options to send my podcast to, and they integrate beautifully with Podpage. I also like that they allow me to post on a schedule and if I wanted to I could run a few podcasts from one spot.”
Brianna (Brie) Hurteau, host of The Brie Pod
“I like various things. 1. The Apps allow us to broadcast live from the iPhone, iPad, Macbook Pro, and iMac. 2. The ease of distributing my podcasts on other platforms, such as Apple Podcast and Spotify. 3. The simplicity of configuration to create a podcast. 4. The possibility of embedding a player in web pages. 5. Now the monetization scheme.”
Ricardo Galán, host of Libreta de Apuntes Noticias
“It is very simple to not only create shows, upload episodes, but also it does everything for you including creating RSS feeds and being able to customize them with no technical experience... Their statistics are detailed and easy to understand. They also offer multiple ways to monetize which is important. The bottom line is that anyone can use it because it is so simple. But it is also so full of features and customization that you can create a very professional podcast without being a pro or having expertise.”
Dean K. Piper aka "The Pipeman", host of The Adventures of Pipeman
“Spreaker is a one-stop-shop that simplifies podcast publishing. From a customized RSS, dynamic ad insertion, incredible customer service, and integrated Headliner sharing, Spreaker makes it all possible.”
Tim Balogh, host of On Second Watch...
“I’m able to monetize my episodes, they also offer the prime deal. You pay for no hosting fees on prime and you can monetize your content, you can talk to someone through email or video chat, I’m very happy with them”
Linsey, host of Stolen From Me
Spreaker is a powerful podcast host that is worth exploring. They offer enough features and plans to meet the needs of nearly any podcaster.
Podcasters love using Spreaker with Podpage. Go to Spreaker’s website to consider using them for your podcast hosting.
What do podcasters wish was better about Spreaker for podcast hosting?
If you decide to use Spreaker, you’ll want to look at their plans carefully. Some users wish that they included more features in their free and less-expensive plans.
Here’s what Spreaker users wish was better about the podcasting host:
“The one area I would like to see some improvements on is more statistics for lower-tier memberships”
Tim Balogh, host of On Second Watch...
“I wish it was better at allowing you to customize podcast episode descriptions.”
Josh Schell, host of Let's Start A Cult
“I would like a better design on the web pages. That would make it perfect.”
Ricardo Galán, host of Libreta de Apuntes Noticias
As you consider Spreaker as a podcast host, be sure to compare each plan in their pricing tier to similar-priced plans of other options on this list.
See if Spreaker might be a fit for you. Then, see why Spreaker users love using Podpage to create a podcast website. You can preview your podcast website in 5 minutes, no credit card necessary.
Why podcasters love Podbean for their podcast distribution and hosting
Podbean users appreciate how easy it is to get started on the platform. It may be an ideal option for those who are launching a podcast for the first time.
Here’s what Podbean users say they love about the podcasting host:
“From my experience, Podbean has the most user-friendly/intuitive interface. It's very inviting for beginner podcasters. I also like that it's already a semi-popular app (unlike Libsyn). It also gives great analytics, the most detailed I've seen so far.”
Megan Swick, host of Make Up or Break Up
“They have a whole lot of resources on things you can do to make your podcast better, including live seminars. Their customer service is great.”
Michael, host of The Hush Hush Society Conspiracy Hour Podcast
“We chose Podbean because it seemed like a strong platform on which to launch and promote our show… The interface is user-friendly, there are no downtime or feed problems, and the variety of options is solid.”
Brad, host of Needless to Say
These reviews show that Podbean is a reliable podcast host that works hard to help its users succeed at podcasting.
See why podcasters love using Podbean with Podpage. And go to Podbean’s website to consider using them for your podcast hosting.
What do podcasters wish was better about Podbean for podcast hosting?
Podbean users had few negative comments about the platform. However, some wish that Podbean offered better analytics and more helpful videos.
Here’s what Podbean users wish was better about the podcasting host:
“I wish that it had more information with episode analytics”
Quincy, host of the Talk 2 Q Radio Show
“While they've done an OK job with putting out videos regarding using the site and the analytics more effectively. Buzzsprout has some terrific videos, and while Podbean does as well, their catalog of videos is limited…”
Craig Wessels, host of A Yank on the Footy
See if Podbean might be a fit for you. Then, see why Podbean users love using Podpage to create a podcast website. You can preview your podcast website in 5 minutes, no credit card necessary.
Why podcasters love Captivate.fm for their podcast distribution and hosting
We received three votes for Captivate.fm. All of them mentioned that their analytics stand out among other podcasting hosts.
Here’s what Captivate.fm users say they love about the podcasting host:
“The statistics and analytics are far more defined. If you want to host multiple podcasts from one account you can easily manage and work it out, they keep updating and one up-ing the servers.”
Rose Saksena, host of Wilderness Live
“Love the flexibility and stats.”
Jayson Sacco, host of The Axial Spondyloarthritis Podcast
“Their analytics are good, their UI is good.”
Natasha Miller, host of Fascinating Entrepreneurs
Captivate.fm is a solid choice as a podcasting host. They make it easy for you to monitor and run your podcast.
See why podcasters love using Captivate.fm with Podpage. And go to Captivate.fm’s website to consider using them for your podcast hosting.
What do podcasters wish was better about Captivate.fm for podcast hosting?
The Captivate.fm users we heard from had few negative comments about the platform. We found one review from a Captivate.fm user who wishes that they provided better options for advertising.
Here’s what one Captivate.fm user wishes were better about the podcasting host:
“I think that Captivate should invest in resources to add advertising on podcasts hosted by Captivate. They should also integrate with Chartable or other players that offer attribution metrics. These services are very important to my business, not only as a production company but also as a podcast network.”
Riza, host of 100i Podcast
If you don’t need robust options for advertising, then it may be worth your time to research Captivate.fm.
See if Captivate.fm might be a fit for you. Then, see why Captivate.fm users love using Podpage to create a podcast website. You can preview your podcast website in 5 minutes, no credit card necessary.
Why podcasters love RedCircle for their podcast distribution and hosting
RedCircle is a great overall podcast host. However, they will especially stand out for those who want monetization and advertising options.
Here’s what RedCircle users say they love about the podcasting host:
“RedCircle is a powerful option for independent podcasts to monetize their podcasts. The majority of paid hosts have zero monetization options unless you have a minimum of 5,000 downloads per episode…”
Jeff Rutherford, host of Reading and Writing Podcast
“Their cost method is different. Free hosting for your podcast with the option to join an advertising system they run. If you choose to use ads offered to you through their system they get a cut of the ad money. You can also allow companies to submit offers to advertise on your podcast and can choose to or not to go ahead with them…”
Justin (Tagz), host of Forever Exiled
“The RedCircle platform is very user friendly. It's easy to navigate the steps to post an episode. It's great for start-up podcasters because it provides decent analytics and helps you publish your episodes to different platforms at once. With cross-promotion and dynamic insertion tools available, it's an all-in-one package that's right for anyone. Last, but certainly not least, you have unlimited minutes and this is all free!”
Tim Williams, host of THRIVEHOOD Podcast
RedCircle provides a generous list of features for podcasters with a wide variety of needs. If monetization is important to you, then you should definitely look into RedCircle.
See why Podcasters love using RedCircle with Podpage. Go to RedCircle’s website to consider using them for your podcast hosting.
What do podcasters wish was better about RedCircle for podcast hosting?
From the three RedCircle users who wrote reviews for us, only one mentioned a complaint. This user was disappointed by the analytics that the platform offers.
Here’s what one RedCircle user wishes were better about the podcasting host:
“As far as making it better, I would like to see analytics that go deeper…”
Tim Williams, host of THRIVEHOOD Podcast
RedCircle is a good podcasting host for most podcasters and an even better option for those who hope to bring in revenue with their podcasts.
See if RedCircle might be a fit for you. Then, see why RedCircle users love using Podpage to create a podcast website. You can preview your podcast website in 5 minutes, no credit card necessary.
Why podcasters love SoundCloud for their podcast distribution and hosting
SoundCloud allows users in its community to stream both music and podcasts. Podcasters who use SoundCloud appreciate its ease of use and international appeal.
Here’s what SoundCloud users say they love about the podcasting host:
“With SoundCloud, it was pretty easy to get it up and going, and it was straightforward...”
“SoundCloud is simple and easy to use. The yearly fee is reasonable especially considering you have unlimited storage. SoundCloud supports .wav files and makes uploading high-quality audio easy.”
Andrew Rodriguez, host of Deep In The Crease Podcast
“It is popular in many African countries (where some of my audience is). Most podcast hosts do not distribute to SoundCloud. Also, it is not a US company so, in a weird way, I feel my data is more secure.”
Nosa Iyare, host of Culture Class Podcast
SoundCloud is a well-known platform that can serve as a simple host for your podcast.
See why podcasters love using SoundCloud with Podpage. And go to SoundCloud’s website to consider using them for your podcast hosting.
What do podcasters wish was better about SoundCloud for podcast hosting?
The biggest downside to SoundCloud is that they are not exclusively a podcast host. Since it focuses on both music and podcasting, it lacks some of the features that podcast-only hosts offer.
Here’s what SoundCloud users wish was better about the podcasting host:
“...it isn’t made for podcasters so you’ll find that some features are missing, and their analytics are not that great. It tells you the number of plays, cities, and countries per track, but doesn’t give you anything more detailed (like where those plays are coming from). And there isn’t a great support service from them either.”
“I would interstate some type of free marketing or social connection. It would be great to notify our social media followers when a new episode is uploaded and to market the podcast all from one central location.”
Andrew Rodriguez, host of Deep In The Crease Podcast
SoundCloud is lacking in analytics and social media connections, but it is still a reasonable option as a podcast host. If you want to appeal to users who are already on SoundCloud, then you should consider using SoundCloud as your podcast host.
See if SoundCloud might be a fit for you. Then, see why SoundCloud users love using Podpage to create a podcast website. You can preview your podcast website in 5 minutes, no credit card necessary.
Why podcasters love Transistor.fm for their podcast distribution and hosting
Three of our users voted for Transistor.fm. It’s a flexible podcast host that integrates well with other websites and tools.
Here’s what Transistor.fm users say they love about the podcasting host:
“Their offering is well balanced. It includes distribution to the major platforms including auto-posting to YouTube and a high amount of storage.”
Ryan Purvis, host of The Digital Workspace Works Podcast
“Good analytics, integration with MailChimp, easy to use, 4 shows for price of 1”
Anita Moorthy, host of The European Startup Show
Transistor.fm is another well-known podcasting host that you should definitely consider.
See why podcasters love using Transistor.fm with Podpage. And go to Transistor.fm’s website to consider using them for your podcast hosting.
What do podcasters wish was better about Transistor.fm for podcast hosting?
Of the three users who voted for Transistor.fm, only one of them mentioned a minor complaint about the platform. Thankfully, using a podcasting website like Podpage easily remedies their concern.
Here’s what one Transistor.fm user wishes was better about the podcasting host:
“Everything is great except their episode pages, which is where Podpage comes in :)”
Finn Mckenty, host of The Punk Rock MBA Podcast
See if Transistor.fm might be a fit for you. Then, see why Transistor.fm users love using Podpage to create a podcast website. You can preview your podcast website in 5 minutes, no credit card necessary.
Top 6 free podcast hosting platforms, as voted by 124 podcasters
Of the top podcast hosts voted by Podpage podcasters, 6 offer free hosting plans. The podcast platforms with free hosting includes:
- Anchor.fm (32 votes)
- Buzzsprout (25 votes)
- Spreaker (10 votes)
- Podbean (9 votes)
- RedCircle (3 votes)
- SoundCloud (3 votes)
A special thanks to the Podpage podcasters who made this possible!
Here are the 124 podcasters who gave us phenomenal feedback. As a small way of saying thanks, check out the websites they made on Podpage. And if you like, you can preview your Podpage website for free, no credit card required.
