If you are planning to start a podcast, the thing that you’re gonna require is not just a microphone, a good camera and a cool background. It’s simply more than that!! You have to also find a place where you can host your podcast episodes for your audience.
Now, where to find it?? Do not worry as here, we’ve mentioned the best free podcast hosting platform that offers wide audience reach, professional class audio and video recording, podcast related analytics and monetization options as well.
Along with that, we’ve also listed the factors that podcasters should consider before buying the best podcast hosting services.
Now you might be thinking who uses podcast hosting!! Every user who records a podcast and publishes it on the internet via YouTube, be it a horror storyteller, travelers or someone who interviews celebrities and sportspersons, can use podcast hosting services for free.
Follow the article to know the best free podcast hosting collections for beginners that offer essential infrastructure to store, organize and deliver the episodes across the internet.
Running short of time!! Eager to view the top free podcast hosting platform that offers free storage, monetization options, podcast analytics and ease of use interface?? Below, we have put every related thing in a table to let you take an idea about it with just a single look.
Platform | Free Storage | Monetization Options | Analytics | Ease of Use |
Anchor.fm | Free | Yes | Advanced Tools | Easy management |
Acast | Unlimited Free Storage | Yes | Advanced Tools | Easy management |
Fusebox | Free/ Paid (10GB) | Yes | Advanced Tools | Easy management |
Podomatic | 500MB Free Storage | Yes | Advanced Tools | Easy management |
Buzzsprout | Limited storage (90 Days) | Yes | Advanced Tools | Easy management |
Spreaker | Unlimited Free Storage | Yes | Advanced Tools | Easy management |
RedCircle | Unlimited Free Storage | Yes | Advanced Tools | Easy management |
Transistor.fm | Unlimited Storage | Yes | Advanced Tools | Easy management |
Audioboom | Free Storage Plan | Yes | Advanced Tools | Easy management |
Now, exclusively for those wanting to know great detail about the podcast hosting platforms, without wasting even a single more minute, Let’s get started 👍
What are Free Podcast Hosting Platforms?
In very simple terms, a free podcast hosting platform can be understood as a platform that allows podcasters to upload, store, and distribute their episodes in just one click (in a nutshell, offers hosting services to your episodes) at zero cost.
These platforms provide the basic technology for hosting audio files and submitting the podcast to video streaming platforms like spotify and youtube. Though free hosting is a great way to start, some free platforms may have few limitations like storage limit, a few customization options and unnecessary ads into your podcast episodes.
Let’s say you recorded a fascinating travel podcast episode about Paris. Now, without a podcast host, the video file would sit idle on your PC. But with a hosting platform, the thing is quite different!! You can upload the latest episodes, and in just a matter of minutes, it’s live on the internet, ready for travelers worldwide to discover!
The platform stores and organizes your content, plus ensures that your voice reaches every corner of the globe.
6 Free Podcast Hosting Platforms 2024,December | Top Picked
Now that you know what podcast hosting actually is and what benefits it offers to professionals who record back-to-back episodes for their audience on the internet, here we’ve listed the top 9 free podcast hosting platforms that provide big audience coverage, easy and understandable podcast analytics like total plays, audience geographical locations and a lot more. So, buckle up to know more about the podcast hosting providers.
1. Anchor.fm – Overall Best Free Podcast Hosting
First off, we have Anchor.fm, one of the top free podcast hosting service providers out there available online. It offers free tools that empower content creators to record, publish, and distribute the filmed podcasts with ease.
It also simplifies the podcasting process by eliminating unnecessary barriers related to hosting costs, complex dashboard interfaces, and distribution management. Anchor stands out as an accessible podcasting solution especially for beginners, allowing them to create high-quality podcasts with zero technical skills or investment requirements.
With new podcast tools for advanced analytics, enhanced distribution options, better monetization features, and seamless integration, Anchor offers the best platform for professionals too.
Top Features
- Offers unlimited podcast hosting at Zero cost, making it one of the most attractive choices for newbie podcasters plus users can even upload as many episodes as they like.
- Simplifies multi-platform podcast distribution, making it easier for users to expand their viewers across the internet, thanks to automatic distribution of podcasts to Google or YouTube.
- Provides pro tools & video related analytics to help podcasters understand their viewer location and habits plus improve their content strategy for greater engagement.
- Offers several other monetization options, making it easier for users to earn passive revenue!! Ads are automatic within podcast episodes, with the host earning a share.
- Allow users to record remotely (each from different locations) with 10+ participants, each on separate audio and video tracks for better viewer experience.
Plans
- It’s absolutely Free! Beginners, who are entering into the podcasting world for the first time can opt for anchor.
2. Acast – Best Free Podcast Hosting
To start off, Acast offers a perfect balance between ease and advanced podcast hosting features, making it an excellent platform for podcasters of all sizes. Its multiple monetization tools, unlimited podcast hosting, and easy video distribution make it particularly engaging to creators focused on growth and revenue.
Along with that, users get built-in advanced analytics, easy to customize media players, and SEO-optimized websites. Acast is specifically designed to help creators grow their viewers while tracking down podcast performance in real time. Also get superior recording and editing capabilities with Acast as well.
It also offers a simple, easy to use dashboard, with unlimited storage, and 24/7 support across all systems one is LiveChat. It stands out as a strong choice for audio-focused creators and is an easy to manage platform for users wanting to run multiple podcasts.
Top Features
- Creators get 100% control over where and how the ads appear, also accept live donations through the Acast Supporter feature, letting loyal listeners contribute directly.
- Even comes with a customizable, SEO-optimized website plus it also allows podcasts to gain full visibility through google, helping creators attract new listeners organically.
- Provides full detailed analytics, giving podcasters proper valuable insights into their audience performance, plus it also includes the number of downloads, listener demographics (age, gender, location), and listener behavior.
- Get unlimited podcast hosting and uploads across all plans, including the free version also. Podcasters can even publish an unlimited number of podcast episodes without worrying about the storage limits.
- Creators can add to their websites, blogs, or social media, plus get a fully customizable option, allowing users to adjust the size, layout, colors, and fonts including playback speed adjustment or sharing the episode directly on social media.
Plans
- It offers a Free plan with zero setup fee (Free record and edit option) + Get advanced podcast analytics.
- Get Influencer Plan @ $14.99 per month with 14 days free trial including automated distribution, audio-to-video integration.
- @ $29.99 per month also with 14 days free trial plus get publishing API services, advanced support and 24/7 management team help as well.
3. Fusebox – User-Friendly Free Podcast Hosting
As far as Fusebox is concerned, it’s a robust and user-friendly podcast hosting and player solution specifically designed to simplify the podcasting process for creators of all levels. In order to make podcasting more accessible, affordable, and enjoyable, Fusebox offers tools that cater to both new and experienced podcasters.
Its platform emphasizes customization, ease of use, and integration, ensuring podcasters can grow their viewers while keeping their live episodes smooth and efficient.
Fusebox also provides a variety of hosting features alongside multiple embeddable podcast players, helping podcasters present their content beautifully across websites, courses, and membership communities.
Top Features
- Fusebox offers essential tools such as episode transcripts, email capture, and analytics, which enhance audience engagement and growth.
- Allows podcasters to customize the look and feel to match their brand, thanks to various embeddable players like Track Player, Sticky Player, and Archive Player.
- Provides built-in transcription support, enabling podcasters to add transcripts or subtitles to their episodes improving SEO performance and engagement as listeners can easily search content.
- Makes it simple and easy to transfer an existing podcast from another host, ensuring no downtime or disruption, allowing users to retain their content and audience metrics seamlessly.
- Podcast players include email capture tools, allowing podcasters to grow their mailing list directly from embedded players which is useful for promoting exclusive content.
Plans
- Just @ $7.50 per month you get unlimited episode uploads, listening analytics and transcription options.
- Also offers a Pro plan for just @ $15.83 per month, users can get API access and other web players like Full Page player, Sticky player in Zero extra cost.
- All the above plans are backed by a 14 day free trial to let you understand the plan before you actually purchase it.
4. Podomatic – Best Podcast Hosting For Professional
Now let’s discuss Podomatic, which happens to be a comprehensive podcast hosting platform designed for aspiring and professional podcasters. It offers easy tools for recording, publishing, promoting, and monetizing podcasts. Podomatic aims to simplify the podcasting journey by integrating recording, hosting, analytics, and distribution in just a single place.
Podcasters can instantly submit their episodes to major streaming platforms such as Spotify, Apple and Google Podcasts, ensuring wide viewer reach. It also offers both free and premium plans that we’ve discussed below, taking care of different needs with affordable hosting upgrades for unlimited storage and bandwidth.
Along with that, the platform’s partnership with Patreon and Podcorn allows podcasters to monetize content through audience funding and targeted advertising.
Top Features
- Podomatic supports on-the-go podcasting, enabling users to record and publish directly from mobile devices plus ensuring that the content is delivered on time.
- It offers comprehensive geographic locational statistics plus audience analytics and tracking metrics such as plays, downloads, devices used, and listening platforms.
- Comprehensive hosting features like promotional tools, and monetization opportunities make it a compelling choice for podcasters.
- Podomatic’s standout feature is its ability to quickly distribute podcasts to leading platforms like Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Amazon Music.
- Integrates with Patreon to enable podcasters receive direct support from their listeners and also partners with Podcorn, a platform that connects creators with advertisers.
Plans
- Offers a free basic podcast hosting plan that allows users to upload 6 hours of content for absolutely no charge and covers the first 20 episodes.
- @ $9.99 per month, Podomatic offers 180 hours of continuous streaming, with scalable storage and a minimum 15GB of bandwidth every month as well.
5. Buzzsprout – Easy-to-use Podcast Hosting Platform
Next on the list is Buzzsprout, a popular podcast hosting platform designed to simplify the process of launching, managing, and growing a podcast. It provides the podcasters with the advanced tools, resources, and insights to make podcasting accessible, even for beginners.
With a very easy to use interface, step-by-step tutorials, and built-in analytics, Buzzsprout easens everything from uploading episodes to distributing them widely across major podcast sites like Apple, Spotify, and Amazon.
Plus, it even offers pro podcasting features like dynamic content addition, monetization options, and metrics for sound enhancement, making it an umbrella-like platform for good creators.
Top Features
- Users can explore tools like episode scheduling, basic analytics, and automatic distribution to podcast sites without any financial commitment.
- Simplifies the process of listing your podcast on the top platforms and users can distribute their show to Apple, Spotify, Amazon and iHeartRadio with a few clicks.
- It gets a free, SEO-optimized website plus features that are essential elements for your podcast like podcast transcripts, episode links, and an integrated RSS feed.
- Magic Mastering, an amazing podcasting feature enhances audio by balancing levels, removing background noise, and optimizing the sound for podcasts.
- Users can even track basic metrics such as download numbers of the episode, device used to access the podcast and also the viewers’ location as well.
Plans
- Buzzsprout offers a free plan with 2 hours no cost upload every month with advanced analytical tools and podcasters can even add unlimited team members.
- Just @ $12 gets 3 hrs for each upload plus gives users a chance to host podcast websites to engage viewers and allows the user to import podcasts for free.
- There’s another plan of $18 per month with 6 hrs of total uploading capacity plus $24 per month with 12 hours of podcast uploading capacity with $2 per hour for extra content.
6. Spreaker – Affordable Free Podcast Hosting Platform
What is so special about Spreaker? So, Spreaker, a podcasting platform from iHeartMedia, offers advanced tools for podcasters to distribute, and monetize their podcasts efficiently.
It is widely recognized for supporting both newcomers and pro podcasters by providing essential services like live broadcasting, detailed analytics, easy monetization options, and simple episode management. Spreaker also simplifies podcast production by offering a content creation aura that integrates recording, editing, and uploading within one platform.
With over 10+ million episodes and trending content across genres such as news, entertainment, sports, and education, Spreaker enables users to discover and engage with diverse content.
Top Features
- Provides all-in-one podcast creation tools, including a built-in audio recording and editing option plus the users can record episodes, make live broadcasts, and edit directly within the platform using Spreaker Studio.
- A very unique feature of Spreaker, live podcasting with integrated chat support, allows Creators to broadcast live shows, engage with listeners and provide an interactive experience.
- Offers unlimited episode storage and easy hosting options, ensuring RSS feed management, easing the distribution of episodes across major platforms like Spotify, Apple and more.
- Podcasters can monetize through dynamic ad insertion and connect with the Spreaker Prime Network as Ads can be inserted automatically based on listener demographics.
- Advanced podcast analytics help podcasters track audience metrics, including downloads, listener locations, session durations, and listener trends.
Plans
- You can create an account for free and can put your podcast without any issue plus get pro advanced podcasting tools and analytics to customize your library for free.
7. RedCircle – Best Free Podcast Hosting For Beginners
Famous for reliability, ease of migration, and seamless user experience RedCircle, one of the best podcast hosting platforms, ensures that content creators can change their hosting provider without losing their audience.
It also happens to be a content monetization platform that empowers podcasters to grow their audience, earn revenue, and manage content efficiently. Its automated ad platform (RAP) offers web solutions specifically tailored for independent creators and established brands plus it also provides a wide range of tools that simplify podcast distribution, advertising, and audience engagement.
A standout feature of RedCircle is OpenRAP, which allows creators to use ad tools without switching hosting providers. This feature, along with unlimited hosting plans, makes it easy for podcasters to focus on what matters most.
Top Features
- RedCircle’s ad platform provides an easy solution to help podcasters get income through host-read ads and programmatic advertising.
- Offers unlimited storage, podcast episodes, and total number of downloads, even on its free plan and also removes barriers for podcasters looking to scale without worrying about data limits or any sort of additional fees.
- Thanks to RedCircle’s Cross-Promotion feature that allows the podcasters to collaborate with other creators in their niche, exchange promotions and grow their audiences organically.
- Offers a chance to the podcasters to embed ads, announcements, or promotions seamlessly into new and existing episodes plus ensuring that advertisements remain up-to-date and relevant.
- RedCircle is smooth, with step-by-step migration guides and a responsive support team ready to assist, ensuring that the creators retain their audience and analytics during the transition.
Plans
- First we have a growth plan, @ $14.99 per month with unlimited podcasting, cross promotion marketplace and advanced analytics.
- Then, @ just $29.99 per month RedCircle offers 5+ Customizable Team seats, priority support and chance to generate videos in YouTube and to run your own ads as well.
- And lastly you also get an amazing Enterprise level plan for just @ $99.99 per month with unlimited customizable team seats and a dedicated account manager too.
8. Transistor.fm – Modern Podcast Hosting Platform
Truly known for its simplicity and scalability, it allows creators to easily host, distribute, and analyze multiple podcasts from a single dashboard. Transistor.fm makes it easy to manage public and private podcasts. This platform is highly optimized for easy and free publishing with simple tools, pro analytics, and quick distribution media across all major listening platforms like Apple and YouTube.
Features like private & community podcast hosting, a built-in website generator and with detailed analytics, Transistor.fm highly powers the podcasters to more importantly focus on content creation while providing all the pro like tools needed to engage audiences and track performance.
Top Features
- It ensures that your podcast reaches the widest audience by distributing episodes to multiple major platforms, including Apple, YouTube, Overcast and more.
- Offers private podcast hosting, making it possible to create exclusive content for paid members, employees, or communities.
- Transistor’s website builder is amazing, allowing podcasters to create a professional-looking site to showcase their shows without needing web development skills.
- Provides pro analytics to help podcasters measure the success of their shows and even you can track down the number of downloads per episode, subscriber growth, and trends over time.
- Integrates with pro tools like Zapier, allowing users to automate tasks such as publishing announcements on social media or updating email subscribers.
Plans
- Get the Starter plan for just @ $19 per month that provides unlimited podcasting, 50 private podcast subscribers and LiveChat customer support.
- Professional plan for $49 per month offers Unlimited team members collaboration, around 500 private subscribers and pro analytics to customize your episodes.
- And lastly a business class plan for $99 a month providing 3K private podcast subscribers and 250K monthly download option for your viewers.
- Also make it a point that all the plans mentioned above offer a free trial or like a demo to give an experience to the podcasters.
9. Audioboom – Best Free Global Podcast Hosting
And Lastly, we have a premier global podcast publisher that connects content creators and advertisers with passionate and engaged viewers. With a robust ecosystem designed to support podcasters in creating and monetizing their content, Audioboom has become a trusted partner for some of the largest and most popular shows in the podcasting industry.
It acts as a connection between the creators and the advertisers, ensuring seamless access to viewers across multiple platforms, including Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, Stitcher, and YouTube.
Audioboom offers advanced tools, quick insights, and advertising opportunities to fuel up your growth. The platform covers a wider range of genres such as true crime, comedy, sports, and wellness, making it an inclusive spot for podcast lovers and creators alike.
Top Features
- Audioboom quickens the podcasting experience by hosting your episodes and distributing it across multiple top-tier platforms.
- Allows podcasters to check performance metrics such as total downloads, listener’s location and demographics, plus number of views as well.
- With pre-roll, mid-roll, and post-roll ad options, podcasters can easily generate passive income, while advertisers benefit from a highly engaged audience.
- Ad Network Campaigns enables you to reach out audiences at scale by integrating your ads into various shows plus Brand Partnerships collaborate directly with user’s shows to create native ad campaigns for maximum output.
- Audioboom hosts 1K + podcasts across various genres, from true crime to comedy, wellness, and sports.
Plans
- Use a Standard Plan for just @ $9.99 per month with various podcast hosting options like unlimited episodes per month, monetization option and quick audience insights.
How to Choose the Best Free Podcast Hosting Platforms
With so many options for the best free podcast hosting out there online, it’s really difficult to pick one. To resolve this issue, we’ve listed top 6 key points that one needs to keep in mind when choosing the best free podcast hosting platform:
- Storage limits: Choose one that offers maximum storage in a free service package. As we all know that Free podcast providers offer limited storage, affecting how many episodes you can upload or the duration of each episode. Some services may even limit the number of monthly uploads. Therefore, It’s important to ensure that the podcast hosting platform’s limits match your content strategy.
- Monetization opportunities: Pick the hosting provider that offers podcast monetization options. It is true that all free podcast hosting platforms do not allow direct monetization. Some however may offer easy ad networks or affiliate programs, while other services require upgrading to a premium plan for such features. If you believe that monetizing your podcast is a priority, then look for platforms that offer ad integration.
- Analytics and insights: Ensure that the podcast hosting provider you choose offers easy to understand podcast analytics and quicker insights. Video analytics help podcasters to understand their viewers by tracking features like total plays, number of downloads, geographic data, and listener behavior like what device they use to access your content. Many free platforms provide free statistics, but advanced analytics like listener drop-off or in-depth data may require a paid plan.
- Ease of use: Pick the one that offers a very easy to use interface for greater customization. A user-friendly dashboard is essential for uploading episodes, editing metadata, and managing your podcast very easily. If you’re new to podcasting, then in that case look for platforms with simple interfaces, easy tools, and knowledgeable resources like tutorials or community support.
- Distribution channels: A podcast channel should have a wide platform to host the videos. So, pick the provider that offers an effective podcast distribution to reach out to the widest viewer base possible. Some free platforms automatically distribute your podcast to major platforms like google or youtube. Others may require an annual or monthly subscription to do so. Therefore, choose wisely!!
- Branding and customization options: If we talk about Free podcast hosting platforms, it often restricts branding options, displaying their own logo or limiting design choices for your podcast page. However, there are some out there that allow basic customization, such as uploading cover art, episode thumbnails, or tweaking your RSS feed (for those having no idea about RSS feed, it’s like making your episode automatically appear on the podcast apps).
Advantages and Drawbacks of Best Free Podcast Hosting
Just like every thing has a good cause and some bad effects, similarly, hosting your podcasts for free also has few merits and demerits that we have discussed below to give you a perfect picture:
+Advantages
- Perfect for newbies as it allows them to explore podcasting without any risk.
- Free platforms easily distribute the podcast episode on the internet.
- Provides an easy to use dashboard making it effortless to publish videos online.
- Even offers basic analytical tools to improve your podcast performance.
- Free Storage space to save podcast episodes (helpful for beginners only)
- Get monetization options also and earn from your podcast episodes.
-Disadvantages
- Free plans come with limited options in case of upload size and analytics.
- Your podcast page might show the hosting service brand name.
- As far as monetization is concerned, the options that you get are limited.
FAQ’s-
What is the most popular Free podcast platform?
The most popular best free podcast hosting site is Achor.fm as it offers easy-to-use dashboard interface, wide distribution to multiple platforms for greater network and episode viewing, plus integration with useful tools and podcast related analytics like total number of plays, likes and dislikes, location from where the video or audio is played more. Especially for beginners, Anchor.fm podcasting platform is the best free option available.
Do free podcast hosting platforms include monetization options?
Yes, some free podcast hosting platforms offer monetization features. We have Anchor and Acast for Podcasters that provide ad placements and listener donations. Similarly, RedCircle also allows wide ad integration plus cross-promotion, giving podcast content creators a chance to make money without upgrading.
Can I switch to a paid plan later?
Absolutely Yes! You can easily switch to a paid podcast hosting plan later. Most free podcast hosting apps offer paid plans with pro features like higher storage limits, analytics, and ad-free podcasting. You can seamlessly upgrade whenever you’re ready to grow your podcast.
Will my content stay online forever on a free plan?
Not always!! While some platforms claim to host your content for a longer period of time, other best free podcast hosting services might delete inactive shows (those that are neither watched nor updated with time) or limit your storage capacity after a certain period. If you are planning to buy the services, make sure to go through this point specifically for each service.
How do podcasters make money?
There are various ways podcasters make money. Firstly, Podcasters monetize their episodes and other related content in various ways, like sponsorships, ads revenue, viewer’s donations, plus subscriptions, and merchandise sales. Secondly, they also do affiliate marketing and paid guest appearances that even adds more to their revenue.
Conclusion
If you are planning to start your podcast journey!! Then be assured that it is easier than ever with free podcast hosting platforms. Talking about the free plans, it’s great for beginners, however, they come with some resource limitations, so switching to a paid plan can open new doors to better hosting features and full control over your content.
Let’s say you’re building a loyal podcast fanbase, if so, then these free podcast hosting platforms offer enough video analytical tools to get your content heard and even make some money along the way.
In a brief, we can say that a free podcast hosting platform is the best place to start!! Who knows? Your casual chat today could become tomorrow’s viral reel, and it all starts with hitting that upload option!