9 Best Podcast Platforms (2023)
To help with your research, we've created a brief introduction to the platform, highlighted its key characteristics, and provided the cost plans of 9 of the top podcasting platforms. The platforms have been ranked according to price, upload speed and limitations, tools for monetization, and more. Let's get started!
Our list of the 9 top podcasting platforms:
PodBean
With more than 10 years of experience, PodBean boasts an impressive 650,000 registered podcasters on its platform. PodBean gives users access to simple-to-read statistics like downloads by date and time, trends and top 10 podcasts, listener demographics, and user retention. The platform lets you live stream your content to your viewers and allow listeners as well as guests to connect to your stream to listen or participate.
Important Features
- Available free plan
- Podcast website that can be customized for all plans
- Embeddable and customizable podcast player to your website
- Native tools that make it simple to Podcast to monetize
- Auto-sharing of connected social media accounts
- Live streaming that allows for listeners to call in and listen
Price price range:
PodBean is among the few platforms to offer a free plan. Their free plan supports mp3 file formats and includes five hours of storage (500MB) as well as 100GB of monthly bandwidth.
In addition to the free plan, PodBean has three plans for paid customers that include Unlimited Audio ($9) Unlimited Plus ($29) as well as Network ($79). The unlimited Audio and Unlimited Plus plans feature unlimited storage space and bandwidth. The Network plan limits bandwidth to 3TB with the option of purchasing greater bandwidth.
Buzzsprout
Buzzsprout is the hosting platform that is used by more than 100,000 podcasters. It offers sophisticated analytics which allow you to track the amount of downloads you receive for your episodes, where they're located, as well as how users access your podcast. You also have access to various tools like an embeddable episode player on websites, an optional episode transcription, and "Dynamic Content," which allows you to alter pre and post-roll segments even after publishing.
When you upload your podcast your podcast to Buzzsprout, you'll be able to list your podcast on every major directories, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Alexa, Castro, Podchaser, and more. Additionally, the platform can automatically enhance uploaded audio files, making your podcast the most effective possible.
The key features
- Plan available for free
- Podcast website that can be customized for all plans
- A customizable embeddable podcast player to your site
- Ability to create chapter markers for episodes
- Advanced statistics to track your development
- Dynamic content lets you change pre and post-roll segments after publishing
Price band:
Buzzsprout is one of the few podcast platforms that offer a free plan. For their paid plans there are three options available including $12, $18, and $24 monthly. There is no any annual prices at the moment therefore you'll need keep to the month-to-month pricing. The only difference between their paid plans is how many upload time each plan provides.
RSS.com
RSS.com offers a user-friendly interface that is well-known for its simplicity of use. This platform gives users access to features such as complete analytics, schedulers for episodes and embeddable episodes and social media sharing and a podcasting website that's included.
Setting itself apart in comparison to other platforms hosting podcasts, RSS.com offers a donation button which you can activate or disable. It allows you to access funds beyond the usual advertising and sponsorship methods. If ads and sponsors are your thing there are other options. Podcasters are able to find sponsors through RSS.com's Podcorn marketplace.
Important attributes
- Unlimited audio and episodes on all plans
- Podcast website that can be customized for all plans
- Embeddable podcast player for your website
- Native episode scheduler
- Donation button with donation option
- Ability to create episode chapters, soundbites, and even transcripts in the platform.
Price range:
Although it appears that RSS.com officially offers 3 plans, most users will only be eligible for plans that are the All in One Podcasting plan priced at $12.99 each month. Non-government organizations and students can use a plan just for them, at $4.99 per month. The Student plan has the same features as those in the All in One plan, however, you'll need to be certified. If you have more than 10,000 downloads per day will be qualified for this Podcast Networks plan, but you'll need to reach out to the platform first.
Captivate
Captivate is a great choice for beginning podcasters. The dashboard for hosting is widely known by the podcast industry due to its straightforward user interface. It will allow you distribute your podcasts to all the major podcast directories, sell your podcasts using built-in marketing tools, and monetize with private podcasting.
The key Features
- Customizable podcast website on all plans
- Unlimited uploads and podcasts and storage for all plans.
- Podcast embeddable, customizable player on your site
- Optional Captivate Sync(tm) WordPress Plugin for flexible hosting control
- Podcasting Premium/Private on all plans
- Unlimited team members with customizable roles
Price price range:
Captivate provides three plans: Personal ($19) as well as Professional ($49) and business ($99). Although there's no free plan available but you are able to enjoy the free trial period of 7 days for every plan. The major differences between paid plans are in the number of networked podcasts and private ones and subscribers for private podcasts they allow. Outside of these variable options, all plans are similar.
Transistor
Transistor is a top-quality podcast hosting service that hosts big-name podcasts like Cards Against Humanity. They provide extensive analytics, private shows, and 1-click distribution to all of the most popular directories. Additionally, they provide one-click delivery to Listen Notes and The Podcast Index two popular search engines dedicated just to podcasts.
Transistor is an ideal choice for podcasts with multiple episodes. The platform offers unlimited shows on any plan. And they don't limit podcasters with bandwidth or storage but only monthly downloads. This makes understanding limits much easier.
The key Features
- Podcast website that can be customized for every plan
- Unlimited podcasts in every hosting plan
- Dynamic Ad tool for an intuitive and automated insertion of ads
- Automatically upload each episode to YouTube
- Exclusive RSS feeds that are unique for every show you have
- Embeddable podcast player for your website
Price price range:
Transistor provides three pricing plans starting at Starter ($19), Professional $49) and Professional ($99). Three features are the only ones which change between plans plan. The three are: the amount of team members you are able to add, the number of listeners to your podcast that you can have, and the monthly download limit. Luckily, the Starter plan allows unlimited monthly downloads of 10,000 and is enough for the majority of podcasters who are who are just beginning their journey.
Audioboom
Audioboom is a fairly standard platform that is suitable for the majority of users. with distribution through popular directories with unlimited episodes and a high 15,000 download limit per month for their basic plan. The way they approach the monetization process is what sets it apart from other platforms. Podcasters are able to access the monetization marketplace once they reach 10,000 monthly downloads. If you have a significant fan base, this shouldn't effect your podcast much. But if you're a smaller podcast, you could be not having the chance to monetize until you reach that pivotal milestone.
The key attributes
- Unlimited episodes per month
- 15,000 downloads per month on entry-level plan
- Distribution to most well-known directories
- IAB compliant analytics dashboard
- Access to global advertising marketplace once you reach 10,000 downloads per month
Price price range:
The pricing plans of Audioboom are easy to understand! They offer 2 monthly plans, that is the Standard Plan ($9.99) and the Plus Plan ($19.99). The Standard plan allows for up to an incredible 15,000 downloads each month. If you're looking for more then you can upgrade to the Plus Plan allows up to 10,000. And if that still isn't enough, you'll have to inquire with them about a custom Podcast Professionals account.
Resonate
Resonate is a great podcast hosting platform for those who require a single-stop solution. While their hosting plans offer some of the most popular options, they're missing the ability to customize their website, private/premium podcasting, as well as customer service on their lower-priced plans. While Resonate does not have the standard hosting features, it may compensate with additional features.
Resonate has a broad range of services for podcasts, such as launch, producer, video production, podcast marketing, as well as enterprise services. These services enable podcasters to make a premium, heavily produced show all in one platform.
Important features
- Automatically generated podcast microsite
- Embeddable podcast player for your website
- In-depth analytics of embedded player
- Inbuilt Dynamic Ad insertion that allows for time-sensitive announcements and timed campaigns
Price band:
Resonate offers 2 ready-to-go month-long plans: the Basic ($25) and Premium ($49). Each of them comes with unlimited episodes, downloads and show users. Unfortunately, the microsite is only available with the Premium plan, separating Resonate from platforms with websites included in their most basic plans. If you find that neither the basic or the Premium plan meets your needs, consider the Professional plan which gives you more microsites and assistance options.
Castos
As opposed to other podcasting platforms, Castos is a WordPress plugin. It's built to integrate to Seriously Simple Podcasting and allows podcasters to manage their podcasts directly on their WordPress website. Castos also allows users to create customized podcast websites with detailed analytics.
Comparatively with Buzzsprout for audio transcription, their services are significantly less costly, at just $0.10 every minute. If you're looking to start your own podcast through YouTube, Castos will also instantly upload your podcast episodes to YouTube when you subscribe to specific plans. It is focusing in improving its services and implementing new features that will deliver analytic reports tailored to potential sponsors as well as playback duration metrics that will let you know how long listeners are listening to your podcast.
Key Features
- Podcast website that can be customized for every plan
- Unlimited podcasts episode uploads
- Private podcasting feature for premium content
- Templates for web pages that are pre-built
- Automatic podcast transcriptions (optional)
- YouTube republishing
Price range:
Castos provides four price plans starting at Starter ($19), Growth ($49), Pro ($99), and Premium ($499) per month. If you choose to pay annually, it can save around 17% overall. Although the basic plan offers your general features, only the growth plan and higher includes YouTube Republishing.
Libsyn
From 2004 to 2004, Libsyn has been a long-time participant in the podcast industry. It's a fantastic platform for new creators, hosts with short episodes with low episodes or podcasts with monetization. It is important to keep in mind that the platform restricts upload speeds and bandwidth. This may lead to issues with podcasts that have a massive library of content or large numbers of viewers. If you want to expand storage or bandwidth, you'll need to opt for larger plans, that's why this platform is ideal to small audiences or for shows producing revenue.
Important features
- Customizable podcast website on all plans
- built-in monetization via ads and private podcasting
- Visual-builder integrated with Canva
- Custom iOS and Android app to show your event
- Distribution of all the well-known podcast directories
Price band:
Libsyn offers a grand total of six plans. 3 are for audio podcasts, and 3 to support video-based podcasts.
Audio Podcasts
Audio pricing starts at $5 before increasing to $15 or $20 each month. Unfortunately, Libsyn limits the number of hours of audio you are able to upload per month and total storage capacity, in contrast to other platforms on this list. Opting for a more expensive plan can give you more storage and.
Video Podcasts
Video podcast plans start at just $40 and then go up to $75 to $150 monthly. When you pay this amount, the analytics remain the same, but only upload and bandwidth limitations change, again increasing as you spend more.
Final thought
There you go! Nine of the most popular podcasting platforms. The choice of a platform is only the first of many decisions that you'll face as a producer. When you're attempting to find the most suitable platform, be sure to take into consideration your unique podcasting needs. Consider your primary demands including uploading, bandwidth downloads and budget. Then consider things like the strategy to monetize your website and social media connectivity once you've narrowed the list down to your top three choices.
Want more resources on starting an audio podcast? Check out our other podcasting blog posts: