A podcast is a series of digital audio files that are clumped into a single file. Out of a podcast channel, listeners can automatically listen to new podcast episodes over the Internet.

With podcasts piling up over time, more space and bandwidth are needed. Personal web servers may not be sufficient to store all podcast files of great size. Hence the podcast hosting platforms were born. Podcast hosting differs from website hosting in that it has built-in tools specifically optimized for the experience with audio formats.

There’s more to a podcast hosting site than just a place to store all your podcast files. It also provides an RSS-Really Simple Syndication feed, unlimited bandwidth, advanced analytical reports, customer support round-the-clock, and many more. Some might offer free hosting of domains and websites.

Podcast subscribers can use streaming applications to stream or download audio content, or access it through podcast directories such as Stitcher, Castbox, Google Play Music, or Apple Podcasts. It is essential to choose a dependable podcast hosting platform to make podcast hosting an easy, secure, and convenient process.

Top Podcast Hosting Platforms

BuzzSprout

BuzzSprout as a podcasting platform is simple and easy to use. If you’re new to podcasting then BuzzSprout will be user-friendly. Simply upload the audio file to most podcast directories and it will automatically broadcast new episodes. You can stream or download your podcasts on any kind of device or podcast apps.

Embed your podcasts either directly on a web page or via a WordPress plugin. You can customize the cover art and share the episodes with the listeners via the social sharing buttons. There are other features that you can play in there.

Simplecast

Simplecast, as the name suggests, made podcast hosting and distribution incredibly simple. You can publish your podcasts on Google Play Music, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever your listeners hang out, with their one-click publishing. Some of the biggest brands using Simplecast include Nike, Fast Company, TechCrunch, and Shopify.

Whether you’re an expert in podcasting or a newcomer, you can so much benefit from its powerful features. They offer unlimited storage and upload; embeddable web players and multiple show management accounts.

PodBean

With just a few steps, PodBean gets your podcast up and running, so you can focus on producing quality content, and less on podcast hosting techniques. PodBean guides you through every step of the way, from hosting, management, distribution, and promotion. And they let you publicize episodes directly from a smartphone.

Their User Retention Tool is one of their standout features. It gives your listeners an insight into how attractive your podcast is to them. The user graph displays the percentage of your active listeners over the last few weeks.

Transistor

The transistor is another podcast hosting platform that powers so many professional and novice podcasts. They don’t charge for adding any more shows as long as you keep your download limit. Embed your Transistor-hosted podcast channel into a WordPress site or, if you don’t have one, allow them to create a website for you. By integrating it with email marketing platforms like ConvertKit, MailChimp, and Drip, you can also convert passive listeners into active ones.