Podcast hosting stores your audio and video episodes and publishes the RSS feed that Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube and other apps read, so every new episode appears there automatically. Hosts now split into free starter plans, unlimited shows for teams and agencies, and monetisation platforms. Ten options follow in no particular order.
Every podcast needs a home for its files and its feed, and that's what a host is. You upload an episode once, the host stores it, updates your RSS feed and sends the episode to the listening apps, then reports how many people downloaded it and where they listened.
This list covers hosting, not recording or editing software. The ten hosts below are listed alphabetically and in no particular order, and every description comes from each host's own website, read as of Oct 2026. If you haven't started yet, my guide to starting a podcast for your business walks through the steps before hosting.
Podcast hosts by plan type and audience
I checked the free plan column on each vendor's own website, as of Oct 2026. Yes means the page names a free plan, a free version or an open source edition. Trial only means it names a time-limited free trial. Not stated means the page I read named neither, so check the vendor's own site before you sign up.
| Tool | Type | Good for | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acast | Hosting and monetisation platform | Growing and earning across the big apps | Not stated |
| Blubrry | Podcast hosting for WordPress | Publishing with ad tools and surveys | Not stated |
| Buzzsprout | Podcast hosting | Free start with audio and video | Yes |
| Captivate | Unlimited podcast hosting | Building a brand, community or network | Not stated |
| Castos | Podcast hosting and private podcasts | Business and internal podcasts | Trial only |
| Libsyn | Podcast hosting and monetisation | Hosting, stats and ad income in one place | Not stated |
| Megaphone | Enterprise podcast platform (Spotify) | Networks running dynamic ad insertion | Not stated |
| Podbean | Podcast hosting and monetising | Free hosting with AI creation tools | Yes |
| Spreaker | Podcast hosting and listening app | Hosting tied to a discovery app | Not stated |
| Transistor | Unlimited podcast hosting | Many shows, video and private podcasts | Trial only |
Ten podcast hosting platforms
Acast
Best for: Shows that want to grow and earn across Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube, with an all-in-one CMS and listener subscriptions.
Blubrry
Best for: WordPress podcasters using its PowerPress plugin, with dynamic ad insertion, audience surveys and premium bonus episodes.
Buzzsprout
Best for: First-time podcasters wanting free hosting, video podcasts on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube, and AI help with show notes and transcripts.
Captivate
Best for: Creators and businesses growing a brand, a community or a podcast network, with free courses and a personal support team.
Castos
Best for: Businesses, churches, universities and nonprofits running public or private internal podcasts, with free migration from another host.
Libsyn
Best for: Growing shows wanting hosting, one-click distribution, IAB-verified stats and a built-in network of advertisers in one platform.
Megaphone
Best for: Publishers and networks needing dynamic ad insertion, real-time ad stitching and 24/7 enterprise support, plus the Spotify Audience Network.
Podbean
Best for: Creators who want free hosting plus AI tools that turn blogs, documents or YouTube playlists into podcasts.
Spreaker
Best for: Podcasters wanting hosting tied to a listening app where shows can trend, plus a web-based recording tool.
Transistor
Best for: Agencies and companies hosting unlimited shows on one account, including video podcasts and private podcasts for internal teams.
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Podcast hosts now sell three different things
Here's what the host home pages show. Buzzsprout and Podbean lead with free podcast hosting in their page titles. Captivate and Transistor lead with unlimited podcasts and shows on one account. Acast and Megaphone lead with monetisation and enterprise tools, and the latter's site now sits at a spotify.com address.
So the old question, which host is best, has three different answers. A first-time creator, an agency with twelve client shows and a publisher selling ads across a network aren't buying the same product, even though every host here publishes an RSS feed.
Free start, unlimited shows or monetisation
- Free or simple start. You'd like to publish quickly and see whether the show sticks. Look for a free plan, easy distribution and help with show notes.
- Unlimited shows. Agencies, networks and companies with several podcasts don't want to count feeds. They'll want one account, team access and private internal shows.
- Monetisation. If ads and subscriptions are the point, you'll need to look at dynamic ad insertion, access to advertisers and payouts tracked in the platform.
What to check before you upload episode one
- Video. Does it publish video episodes to YouTube and Spotify as well as audio everywhere else?
- Stats. Are download numbers IAB certified or verified, so advertisers will trust them?
- Private podcasts. Can you run an internal show for staff or members?
- Moving later. Will it redirect your feed if you switch hosts, and does the new host offer migration help?
- Ads. Can you insert ads into your back catalogue, or only new episodes?
If income is the goal, it helps to know every route before you choose a host. My explainer on how podcasts make money for their hosts covers ads, subscriptions and the rest.
Do you make podcast hosting? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
My plain advice on podcast hosting
Pick the host for the show you're making now, not the network you might run in five years. A free or simple host is fine for testing an idea. Move to unlimited shows when you have several podcasts, and to a monetisation platform when advertisers start asking about your numbers.
Whatever you choose, check that the host will redirect your RSS feed if you leave. That one setting decides whether you'll keep your listeners when you switch, and it's easy to miss.
Want your tool on this list? Featured spots and reviews here are paid partnerships. Here's how to partner with me.
Frequently asked questions
What is podcast hosting?
It's the service that stores your episode files and publishes the RSS feed that listening apps read, so new episodes appear on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other apps automatically.
Is there free podcast hosting?
Yes. Two hosts on this list name free podcast hosting on their own site, shown in the free plan column. Others offer a free trial.
Can I host a video podcast?
Yes. Several hosts here publish video episodes to YouTube and Spotify alongside audio for other apps.
What is a private podcast?
It's a show only invited listeners can hear, often used for internal company updates, training or members-only content.
Can I switch podcast hosts later?
Yes. Most hosts let you redirect your RSS feed to a new host so subscribers carry on getting episodes. Some offer free migration.
