Choose by what you need beyond storage. If you're starting out, a simple host with a free option keeps things easy. If you want to earn from the show, look at hosts built around ads and monetisation. If the podcast is internal or for members, a host with private feeds is the one to shortlist.
Moving a podcast feels risky, but your listeners shouldn't notice a thing if it's done carefully. Captivate's own site pitches unlimited shows and growth-focused hosting. The seven hosts below, in no particular order, approach the same job from different starting points, so it pays to know what you want hosting to do.
What changes when you move podcast hosts
Every host stores your audio and produces an RSS feed. That feed is what Apple Podcasts, Spotify and the other apps read, so the thing to test in any replacement is how episodes are published to those apps, and what stats, website and import tools come with the hosting.
Most hosts will import your back catalogue from your existing feed. The step that keeps your audience is the redirect: your old host points the feed to the new one, and the apps follow it. Until that's in place, don't delete anything. Stats are the other surprise, because each host counts downloads in its own way, so expect your numbers to look a little different after the move and judge trends, not single weeks.
Seven hosts in one table
| Tool | Main focus | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Buzzsprout | Podcast hosting | First-time podcasters wanting hosting and promotion |
| Castos | Hosting with private podcasts | Internal or members-only shows |
| Libsyn | Hosting, distribution and monetisation | Established shows focused on distribution |
| Podbean | Hosting and monetising platform | Creating, promoting and earning in one place |
| RedCircle | Hosting with brand ads | Connecting shows with advertisers |
| Simplecast | Hosting, distribution and analytics | Simple publishing to the major apps |
| Transistor | Audio and video podcast hosting | Publishing audio and video from one upload |
Podcast hosts listed A to Z
These are alphabetical, so the order isn't a ranking. Each line is based on the vendor's own description.
Buzzsprout
Best for: New podcasters who want hosting, promotion tools and stats in one place; the vendor's homepage leads with free podcast hosting.
Castos
Best for: Businesses running private or members-only podcasts, since the vendor lists private podcasting alongside monetisation and analytics.
Libsyn
Best for: Podcasters who want hosting, distribution and monetisation together, with the detailed stats the vendor highlights on its homepage.
Podbean
Best for: Hobby and growing shows wanting creation, promotion and monetising tools together; the vendor's site names a free option.
RedCircle
Best for: Creators who want to grow and earn through brand ads; the vendor says it connects brands with podcast audiences and gives creators growth tools.
Simplecast
Best for: Teams wanting straightforward publishing to the major apps with analytics; the vendor describes one-click publishing to Apple Podcasts and others.
Transistor
Best for: Brands and creators publishing audio and video podcasts from one upload to Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube, per the vendor, which names a free trial.
Matching a host to your show's goal
Starting a first show
Buzzsprout and Podbean both make the first episode easy. One leads with free hosting plus promotion and stats; the other bundles creation, promotion and earning tools. If you're still finding your format, keep it simple and move later if you outgrow it.
Earning from your audience
RedCircle and Libsyn put more weight on monetisation. One connects brands with podcast audiences through ads, and the other pairs distribution with ways to earn. Read the terms on ad placement carefully, since some programmes insert ads across your back catalogue.
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Publishing everywhere, including video
Transistor and Simplecast focus on getting episodes out widely. One publishes audio and video from a single upload to the big apps and YouTube; the other stresses one-click publishing with analytics. Brands running several shows tend to start here.
Private and members-only shows
Castos lists private podcasting as a core feature, which suits internal company updates, courses and members-only communities where only invited listeners should hear an episode.
Advice from the podcasting side
Don't choose a host for a feature you might use one day. Choose it for the job your show does now, whether that's growing an audience, earning, or reaching staff and members. Moving hosts is very doable, so you're not locked in forever.
If you're still early, my guide on how to start a podcast step by step covers the basics, and this look at how podcasts make money helps you decide whether monetisation features matter to you yet. A good guest list does more for growth than any hosting dashboard, too.
One more thing worth checking before you sign up: what the host gives you besides the feed. Some include a podcast website, embeddable players, transcripts or team access. If you'd otherwise pay for a separate website or player, those extras can matter more than the stats screen. Make a short list of what you use today and tick it off on each host's features page.
Moving your show without losing listeners
- Set up the new account and import your existing feed, then check every episode, title and show note came across.
- Compare the new feed with the old one in a podcast app before you change anything else.
- Turn on the feed redirect at your old host so the apps follow you to the new address.
- Update the feed address anywhere you've submitted it by hand, and on your website.
- Keep the old account open until new episodes are showing in every app, then download your old stats for your records.
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Frequently asked questions
What is Captivate?
It's a podcast hosting platform. Its own site pitches unlimited podcasts and growth-focused hosting, with tools to create, grow and monetise a show.
Will I lose subscribers if I change podcast host?
Not if you set up a feed redirect from your old host. The apps follow the redirect, so existing subscribers keep receiving new episodes.
Can I move my old episodes to a new host?
Yes. Most hosts import episodes from your existing RSS feed. Check titles, artwork and show notes after the import, before you redirect.
Why do my download numbers change after moving hosts?
Each host counts downloads slightly differently. Compare trends over several weeks on the new host rather than matching single episodes against old numbers.
Do I need a private podcast host for internal shows?
If only staff or members should hear episodes, yes. A private feed lets you control who can listen, which a public feed can't do.
