Any good host will get your episodes onto the main listening apps, so judge them on what comes with hosting. Look at the stats, the podcast website, private feeds, ad and monetisation tools, and how easily your back catalogue moves across. Those extras are where the real differences sit.
Every host on this list will publish your show to the big listening apps. Transistor's own pitch covers that too: upload once, send audio and video to the main platforms, with analytics, a podcast website and human support. The choice comes down to everything around the upload.
Podcast hosts side by side
| Tool | Leans towards | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Blubrry | Hosting plus stats | A free plan to get started |
| Buzzsprout | Beginner-friendly hosting | Getting listed in the top directories |
| Captivate | Growth-focused hosting | Several shows and online recording |
| Castos | Private and public podcasts | Internal company podcasts |
| Libsyn | Hosting and promotion | Managing every episode from one page |
| RedCircle | Podcast advertising | Earning from brand ad campaigns |
| Simplecast | Hosting and analytics | One-click publishing and listener stats |
| Spreaker | Hosting plus listener discovery | Being found through its own network |
What comes bundled with your hosting
The thing to test in any replacement is how episodes are published to apps, and what stats, website and import tools come with hosting. Those last three are where hosts differ most. One gives you a private feed for staff, another puts ad deals front and centre, a third keeps things simple for a first show.
Import matters more than people expect. If you've got a back catalogue, ask how the new host brings your episodes across and how it redirects your feed, so listeners keep getting new episodes without resubscribing. Then publish one test episode and check how it looks in two listening apps.
Video's the other thing to check now. More shows publish video episodes as well as audio, and hosts don't all handle that the same way. If you film your show, ask whether the host sends video to the apps you care about or whether you'll still need to upload it somewhere else by hand.
Podcast hosting platforms from A to Z
They're in no particular order beyond the alphabet. Each line sums up who the vendor says the platform is for.
Blubrry
Best for: Podcasters wanting hosting, analytics and monetisation tools in one account; a free plan is named on the vendor's site.
Buzzsprout
Best for: First-time podcasters who want audio and video episodes listed in the main directories, with fan mail and support the vendor says help you keep going.
Captivate
Best for: Independent shows focused on growth, with unlimited podcasts, multi-person online recording and monetisation tools, per the vendor.
Castos
Best for: Companies and creators who need private podcasts, such as a show only employees can hear, plus one-click publishing to the main apps, per the vendor.
Libsyn
Best for: Growing shows that want production, promotion and performance stats in one platform, with media uploaded once and managed from a single page, as the vendor says.
RedCircle
Best for: Podcasters who want to earn from ads, since the vendor's focus is matching brands with podcast hosts and handling the campaign work.
Simplecast
Best for: Teams that want hosting with one-click publishing, distribution, analytics and monetisation tools under one roof, according to the vendor.
Spreaker
Best for: Shows that want discovery too: the vendor's homepage leads with trending podcasts, its own network and a supporters club.
Why podcasters switch, and where they land
To earn from the show. RedCircle is built around matching brands with hosts, while Captivate and Libsyn both put monetisation tools alongside hosting. If income is the goal, my piece on how podcasts make money sets out the main routes.
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For a company or private show. Castos stands apart here, with private podcasting for audiences such as staff.
To keep things simple. Buzzsprout aims at first-time podcasters, Blubrry names a free plan, and Simplecast pitches one-click publishing with analytics. Spreaker leans into discovery, with trending shows and its own network on the homepage.
My advice for picking a podcast host
Decide what the show is for before you compare hosts. A brand podcast for customers, an internal show for staff and an indie show chasing ad income need different things. Shortlist two hosts that fit that purpose, move one older episode across as a test, and check the stats and website you get. If you're still at the planning stage, start with my guide on how to start a podcast.
Who should stay put
Switching hosts isn't free of risk, so it's fair to ask whether you need to. If your current host publishes reliably, gives you the stats you use and you aren't after private feeds or ad tools, moving may only add work. The time to switch is when you need something your host doesn't offer, not because a list says there are other options.
If you do move, don't rush it. Pick a gap between episodes, move the feed, and check the next new episode reaches your listeners before you close the old account. For bigger shows, it's worth telling your audience in an episode that nothing's changing on their side, so nobody panics if an app shows the show twice for a day. And if you're planning a fresh season while you're at it, my guide on choosing podcast guests is a good place to start.
Do you make podcast hosting tools? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
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 should I check when moving from Transistor?
Check how episodes are published to listening apps, what stats and website you get, and how your back catalogue and feed move across. Test one older episode before moving the lot.
Will I lose subscribers if I change podcast host?
Not if the feed is redirected correctly. Ask the new host how it handles imports and redirects, and check new episodes appear in the main apps afterwards.
Can I run a private podcast for my team?
Some hosts offer private podcasting for audiences such as employees. Check how listeners are invited and removed, and whether the feed works in common apps.
Do podcast hosts help with ads?
Some include monetisation tools or connect shows with advertisers. Read the terms carefully, including how ad income is shared and whether ads are inserted into older episodes.
Is this list ranked?
No. It's alphabetical with no crowned pick. The right host depends on what your show is for and which extras you need.
