9 Best Podcast Platforms (2023)

Dec 16, 2022

For your assistance in the search for the right platform, we've put together an overview that highlights some of the main aspects and offered pricing options for the top nine platforms for podcasts. These platforms are ranked by cost, in addition to upload and bandwidth limitations, monetization tools, and numerous other features. Let's get started!

This is our top-ranked list of 9 most popular podcast hosting platforms:

  1.       PodBean
  2.       Buzzsprout
  3.       RSS.com
  4.       Captivate
  5.       Transistor
  6.       Audioboom
  7.       Resonate
  8.       Castos
  9.       Libsyn

      PodBean

With more than ten years of expertise, PodBean boasts an impressive 650,000 registered podcasters on its platform. PodBean offers users easily-read and easy-to-read data like the number of downloads based on specific dates and time, and also trends, top 10 episodes listener numbers, demographics of the audience in addition to retention of users. You can also broadcast live your content live to viewers, and invite your guests and viewers to join your channel to participate or watch the stream.

Important Features

  • Plan available for free
  • Podcast websites that can be tailored to fit any plan.
  • A podcast embeddable, customizable and easily embeddable player that you can embed into your site.
  • Native tools that make Podcasts easier to make cash
  • Auto-sharing is enabled on the social media platforms.
  • Live streaming, which allows viewers to tune in and listen

Price range of price:

PodBean is one of the websites which offer the possibility to subscribe to a plan for free. Their plan for free allows mp3 files to be played and comes with 5 hours of space (500MB) and 100GB of bandwidth every month.

In addition to the basic plan that is free, PodBean offers three plans to premium customers. They include Unlimited Audio ($9) Unlimited Plus ($29) as well as Network ($79). Unlimited Audio and Unlimited Plus plans provide unlimited storage and bandwidth. The Network plan limits bandwidth to 3TB and gives the option to purchase an additional.

      Buzzsprout

Buzzsprout is the host platform which is utilized by more than 100,000 podcasters. The platform provides advanced analysis to allow you to track the number of viewers who download your podcasts regardless of the location they're and also the method by which they are able to download your podcast. The platform also gives you access to various instruments , including an embeddable player on websites in addition to the possibility to record a transcript from the episode and "Dynamic Content" that lets you alter your pre- and post-rolls regardless of when you've published your podcast.

When you've uploaded your show via Buzzsprout it allows you to advertise your show on the major directories including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Alexa, Castro, Podchaser and many more. Additionally to that, the platform will automatically improve the audio file that you upload to ensure your podcast is one of the most efficient you could be.

Key Features

  • Free plan available
  • Podcast sites that are tailored to suit all plans.
  • A customizable, embeddable podcast player which you are able to embed on your site.
  • The capability to design chapter markers for episodes.
  • Advanced stats that monitor your development
  • Dynamic content permits you to edit your posts or pre-rolls straight after you've published

Price Band:

Buzzsprout is also among the very few podcast platforms to offer a trial service that is free. In terms of their paid subscriptions , there are three options to choose from, including the following: $12, $18, and $24 per month. The company doesn't have price plans for the year-round plans currently which means you'll be charged the monthly price. One difference in these two plan options is the number of upload time each plan provides.

      RSS.com

RSS.com has a user-friendly interface that is well-known for its easy-to-use interface. The platform provides users with access to various features, including complete analytics, tools for scheduling for podcasts, embeddable episodes and sharing on social networks, as well as an integrated podcasting website.

In addition, when compared to other platforms hosting podcasts, RSS.com offers a donation button you can choose to either activate or deactivate. It allows you to access funds which isn't typical marketing and sponsorship techniques. But, if advertising and sponsorships are your preference, there are sponsorships and advertisements available. Podcasters can find sponsors through RSS.com's Podcorn marketplace.

Key Features

  • Unlimited music and unlimited episodes on all plans
  • The podcast website can be built for every plan
  • Embeddable podcast player for your website
  • Native episode scheduler
  • Optional donation button
  • Capability to make chapters, chapbooks with transcriptions and soundbites within the platform.

Price range and price range:

There is a possibility that RSS.com has three plans available however, the vast majority of customers can take advantage of plans like one of All in One Podcasting plan priced at $12.99 each month. Students, non-government entities and various other entities can also benefit by a program that's specifically designed for them for $4.99 each month. The Student plan has all the advantages of the All in One plan, however , you'll have to get accepted. If you've more than 10,000 daily downloads are allowed to join The Podcast Networks plan, but you'll have to talk to the network prior to joining.

     Captivate

Captivate is a fantastic choice for podcasters who are new. The hosting dashboard is widely praised in the world of podcasts because of its easy user interface. The platform allows you distribute your podcasts to the most popular directories of podcasts. You can also allow your podcasts to be made available for sale by using integrated tools for marketing and earn money through private podcasting.

The most important attributes

  • A podcast website that allows you to modify one of the plans
  • Unlimited Podcasts, Uploadsand Downloads along with storage space on every plan.
  • A player that can embed podcasts, which is customizable for your website
  • The Captivate Optional Sync(tm) WordPress Plugin for the flexibility of hosting control
  • Podcasting Premium/Private for all plans.
  • Members of teams are not limited and can be re-purposed to suit specific roles.

Price band:

Captivate provides three plans that include Professional ($19) and Professional ($49) as well as Professional ($99). The plans aren't free and you'll receive seven days of trial for free for each plan. The major difference between paid plans is the amount of networked podcasts as well as private ones, and the number of subscribers who are private that the plans allow. Other than that, there are many options, the plans are comparable.

     Transistor

Transistor is an excellent podcast hosting service that hosts well-known podcasts such as Cards Against Humanity. Transistor offers extensive analytics, private show content and distribution with one-click to the most popular directories. In addition, they offer one-click distribution for Listen Notes and The Podcast Index two famous search engines specifically designed for podcasts.

Transistor is an ideal option for podcasts that have a lot of episodes. Transistor offers unlimited episodes for any plan. Transistor doesn't limit podcasters' either downloads, bandwidth, or storage for a month, but rather with monthly downloads. This allows you to comprehend the limitations better.

The most important characteristics

  • Podcast sites that can be customized for all types of plans.
  • Unlimited podcasts are included with each hosting plan
  • Dynamic Ad Tool allows for simple and automatic insertion of advertisements
  • Automatically upload every episode to YouTube
  • Unique RSS feeds with unique RSS tags to each TV show you enjoy
  • Embeddable podcast player for your website

Price band:

Transistor offers three pricing plans including Starter ($19) along with Professional ($49) and Professional ($99). There are only a few features distinct between these plans. The only difference is the size of your team that you can add in addition to the amount of viewers to your show that you are able to choose and the limit to monthly downloads. It's good to know that the Starter plan allows the possibility of up to 10,000 downloads every month, which is plenty for most podcasters just starting their journey.

     Audioboom

Audioboom is a reputable platform ideal for the majority of users. The platform is available through directories that are of various types with unlimited episodes and the capability to download 15,000 monthly files for their basic plan. Their approach to revenue-generating distinguishes them from others. Podcasters have the ability to tap the marketplace for monetization once they've hit the mark of 10,000 monthly downloads. If you've got a substantial number of fans, this won't affect the quality of your podcast. If your podcast is small, you could be missing an opportunity to earn money when the time comes to reach that critical point.

Important Features

  • Unlimited episodes per month
  • 15,000 downloads per month on entry-level plan
  • Distribution to the most popular directories
  • IAB compliant analytics dashboard
  • You'll be able join the world's biggest advertising marketplace once you reach 10,000 downloads per month

Price Band:

The pricing options offered by Audioboom are straightforward! Audioboom offers two plans per month comprising two plans: the Standard Plan ($9.99) and the Plus Plan ($19.99). The Standard plan offers up to 15,000 downloads each month. If you're in search of more capacity, upgrading to the Plus Plan allows up to 10,000. If it's still not enough, you'll have get in touch with them to create a custom Podcast Pros Account.

      Resonate

Resonate is a great podcast hosting platform that is perfect for people looking for a complete solution. The plans for hosting offer several of the best-known features but don't provide an individualized website, premium or private podcasting , or support for users who choose their lower plans. Although Resonate doesn't deliver the most common features for hosting, it could be able to make up the gap through additional features.

Resonate provides a variety of options for podcasts like producer, launch and video production, as well as podcast marketing, and enterprise services. This allows podcasters to make high-quality and professional show on one platform.

Important characteristics

  • Automatically built a podcast microsite
  • Embeddable podcast player for your website
  • Complete analytics and stats gathered from embedded players
  • Integrated Dynamic Ad Insertion of Dynamic ads that feature announcements with a time-sensitive feature along with timed ads

Price band:

Resonate provides two monthly plans that include Premium ($25) and Premium ($49). Both plans allow users to download unlimited episodes, and show users. This microsite, however, is only to Premium customers, that separates Resonate from other platforms which offer web-based sites in the most simple plans. If you find that neither the Standard or the Premium plans meet your needs, think about the Professional plan, which gives you more microsites and options for assistance.

      Castos

Contrary to other platforms for hosting podcasts Castos can be classified as a WordPress plugin. It's designed to be integrated with Seriously Simple Podcasting and allows podcasters to handle the hosting of their podcasts via their WordPress website. Castos will also permit users to build custom websites for podcasts that include precise statistics.
   
    When compared to Buzzsprout or Buzzsprout the transcription services offered by Castos are significantly less expensive and are priced at $0.10 each minute. If you're thinking of starting your own podcast online using YouTube, Castos will also directly upload your episodes onto YouTube after you sign up for certain plans. Castos is committed to creating and improving new features which will provide specific data that is tailored to potential sponsors as well as the playback time duration that can help you get a better idea of how long viewers remain in the loop.

Important qualities

  • A podcast website that you can customize on every plan
  • Unlimited podcasts episode uploads
  • Private podcasting feature for premium content
  • Web page templates that can be built ahead
  • Automatic podcast transcriptions (optional)
  • YouTube is republishing

Price range:

Castos has four pricing options which include Basic ($19) Grow ($49) Pro ($99) as well as Premium ($499) monthly. If you choose to pay annually, it can save around 17% overall. While the standard plan includes the basics however, just the growth plan, or higher, includes YouTube Republishing.

Libsyn CMXLwrNQHMKKTEthurYb

Since its inception to 2004 Libsyn has been an established participant in the field of podcasting. It's a great platform for both new and established creators, as well as hosts with short podcasts with low episodes, or even paid-for podcasts. Keep the fact that it only permits uploads as well as bandwidth. This can create issues where podcasts have the most amount of media or have many listeners. In order to increase the storage capacity and bandwidth, you'll have select a bigger plan , and this is why this plan is a good option for podcasts that have small audience, or those which make money.

The most important characteristics

  • Podcast Website which can be customized for every plan
  • Built-in monetization through advertisements as well as podcasting while in private
  • Visual-builder integrated with Canva
  • Design a custom iOS as well as Android app for your own display
  • Distribution to some of the most well-known podcast directories

Price range for price:

Libsyn provides a range of options, which include 3 for audio podcasts and 3 for supporting video-based podcasts.

Audio Podcasts

The price for audio begins at $5, and goes upwards to $15 and 20 dollars per month. But, Libsyn restricts the amount of hours of audio that users can upload every month, in addition to its total storage capacity in comparison to other platforms on this list. Opting for a more expensive option will provide the highest amount of both.

Video Podcasts

Video podcasts are available for purchase starting at $45 per month and then increase up to between $150 and $85 per month. At this level, the analytics remain the same, however, the only difference is the upload and bandwidth limitations are changed as each month gets closer, and they will also increase when the cost increases.

The final thoughts

This is it! Nine of the best podcasting platforms. Selecting the right platform is only the beginning of many decisions you'll have to make as a professional podcaster. If you're trying to choose the right platform, be sure to take into consideration your particular needs in the world of podcasting. Think about your fundamental requirements, such as uploading data, bandwidth, downloads and budget. Next, think about how you can earn revenue via your web site as well as social media connections after narrowing down your three top options.

Need more help in starting an own show? Check out our previous podcasting posts:

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