Podcasting has emerged as a radically innovative method to engage the target audience. This has led to a massive uptick in the number of podcasters. Perhaps, this is why platforms for podcast hosting have become super important lately.
But if you use a regular website server to upload or host your podcast files, it can cause problems like:
- Slow down your website.
- Emptying your internet data.
- Making it hard for people to access your podcast.
When more people listen to or download your podcast, it might slow down your server and make it not sound as good. That’s when the top podcast hosting sites step in to help.
Hosting podcast platforms is like the home for your podcasts. They help you upload, store, and share your audio files so people can listen to them quickly. This blog will talk about the right platforms to host your podcasts.
What does a podcast hosting platform do, and why should you use it?
A free podcast platform, site, or service keeps your podcast episodes safe and sometimes sends them out to listeners. They do this by making a special web link called an RSS feed. Listening apps use this link to get all the info about your show and episodes.
Every hosting site has RSS feeds, but not all are sent to places where people listen. You can do it yourself if your host doesn’t share your podcast. Put your podcast on big listening places like Apple Podcasts and Spotify so everyone can hear it, no matter where they listen.
What aspects to consider when picking a podcast hosting platform?
Each podcast is unique. This is why it’s vital to pick a video podcast hosting platform that matches with your needs. But what to look? Here are a few ideas-
Free vs. paid hosting platforms
You can host your podcast free of charge at certain spots, yet you could need to sacrifice a few significant features. For instance, you won’t have the option to distribute limitless episodes, and you won’t have the option to make money from your show.
If you’re not putting out several episodes for fun and need to make some cash, paying for hosting is ideal. When you pay for hosting, you typically get bunches of helpful data about your listeners, enough room to store your audio documents, chances to make money through advertisements on your podcast, and your podcast gets distributed to huge platforms where individuals tune in.
Switching hosting platforms is pretty straightforward. If you want to start with a free one and switch to a paid one later, you can do that. Just make sure to check what your host needs for transferring shows before you do it.
7 factors in choosing a hosting service
Once you pick whether you want free or paid hosting, it’s important to compare your choices using the same standards. If you don’t have much money to spend, focus on the features you need and be ready to give up some things to get what’s most important for your podcast.
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User interface and customer service
Using the tools and dashboard on a hosting website can take a while, which might slow down getting your podcast out there. If you want it to be quick and easy, find a hosting service with a simple dashboard.
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Storage and bandwidth
Web hosting plans might not be strong enough to hold podcasts. The space you need depends on how long your show is and how often you want to put out episodes. Usually, there are limits on how big your files can be (measured in megabytes) and how much time they take. Bandwidth limits are typically set in megabytes too. You might have to pay extra for more storage and unlimited bandwidth, especially if you release episodes frequently.
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Data and analytics
To know if your podcast is doing well, you need information. And if you want to team up with advertisers, they’ll want to see how many people listen to your podcast. Websites where you upload your podcast usually give you data and analytics, even if you’re using the free version. But if you want more detailed analytics, you might have to pay for a higher level of service.Â
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Distribution
Some people who make podcasts send their shows to big places like Spotify, Apple, and Google Podcasts. If your podcast host doesn’t do this for you, you’ll have to send your podcast yourself using a special link called an RSS feed.
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Visibility
Some podcast streaming platforms where you host your podcasts can save your episodes on special pages. These pages can turn out to be your key page for the show if you don’t want to make a website. If you choose this option, write detailed summaries of your episodes and post transcripts. This helps with making your podcast more searchable on the internet.
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Sharing features
Sharing features help you promote your podcast more easily. You’ll need a hosting service that creates links to episodes, provides codes to put them on websites, and lets you share content straight to social media.
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Monetization options
Some podcast streaming services, like Anchor, permit clients to earn money through advertisements and promotion of their platform. It’s a decent opportunity to figure out how to make ads. A few sites also offer supportive articles and documents to help you attract sponsors.
The Five podcast hosting platforms
There are many places where you can share podcasts online. But here are some of the 5 top podcast platforms to check out.
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OnTheFlyÂ
OnTheFly is an excellent podcasting tool that is both remarkable and feasible. It lets you record, save, and edit your podcasts in one place. It’s perfect for making content, advertising, or running media, entertainment, or info-sharing businesses.
FeaturesÂ
- Â Â Â It’s easy to use, there is no need to install anything, and it saves space.
- Â Â Â Record and stream high-quality audio for long podcasts.
- Â Â Â Do live or pre-recorded podcasts at top quality without compromise.
ProsÂ
- Â Â Â Security-focused channels
- Â Â Â User-friendly platform
- Â Â Â 24/7 live support
ConsÂ
·    No mobile application
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Podbean
Podbean is a podcast platform where you can have your podcast free of charge or pay a little for additional features. It also assists you with earning money from your podcast. Heaps of individuals, around 600,000, use it. They give you tools to record, edit, and store your podcast in one place.
FeaturesÂ
- Â Promote your show on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
- Â Â Â Handle Apple Podcasts Subscriptions for paid podcasts.
- Â Â Â Get detailed analytics for your podcast.
ProsÂ
- Â Â Â Get started for free!
- Â Â Â Easy-to-use features for beginners.
- Â Â Â Tools to Monetise from your podcast without seeking sponsorships.
ConsÂ
- Â Â Â A subscription plan might be required to access premium features.
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Acast
Acast is one of the known podcast services that allows people who make podcasts to host their shows online. Some famous ones include WTF with Marc Maron and The Young Turks. These podcasts altogether get listened to over 430 million times every month.
FeaturesÂ
- Â Â Â Edit podcasts online for free.
- Â Â Â Get brand advertising deals.
- Â Â Â Share podcasts widely
ProsÂ
- Â Â Â High-quality sound kept.
- Â Â Â Easy sign-up process.
- Â Â Â New episodes auto-share on podcasts.
ConsÂ
- Â Â Â The free plan has a 150MB limit for each episode.
- Â Â Â The platform only has one RSS feed link for each hosting account.
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Spotify for Podcasters
Spotify for Podcasters, previously known as Anchor, gives podcasters a free place to host their shows with no limits. Ashley Barnsley, who hosts the Barno Fitness Podcast, picked this platform because “it shows clear stats for each episode, so I can see how well each one is doing on the dashboard.
FeaturesÂ
- Â Â Â limitless space for storingÂ
- Â Â Â Each account can only have one podcast.Â
- Â Â Â Unrestricted outbound bandwidth
ProsÂ
- Â Â Â Absolutely free!
- Â Â Â Your show can reach over 100 million Spotify users.
- Â Â Â The platform can also be distributed to other places, such as Apple Podcasts.
ConsÂ
- Â Â Â Audio files can’t be bigger than 250MB.
- Â Â Â The monetization options here are Basic than on other sites.
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Buzzsprout
Buzzsprout is one of the best popular podcast platforms. It helps people who make podcasts by giving them lots of support and valuable tools to launch their shows. Famous podcasts like Daily Stoic, The Jasmine Star Show, and You’re Wrong About use Buzzsprout to share their episodes with listeners.
FeaturesÂ
- Â Â Â Every account, one podcast
- Â Â Â Maximum outgoing bandwidth of 250 GB
- Â Â Â There is monetization accessible.Â
ProsÂ
- Â Â Â No yearly agreementsÂ
- Â Â Â Unlimited storage for podcastsÂ
- Â Â Â Prompt client serviceÂ
ConsÂ
- Â Â Â On the free plan, episodes are removed after 90 days.Â
- Â Â Â Costly pricing plans restrict certain necessary functions.Â
How to choose the best podcast hosting platform
We’ve discussed the best platforms to host your podcast online, yet they all have a few things that could be better. So, think about what’s generally essential to you, like the amount it costs and what features it has. Then, pick the one that accommodates you best.
Some podcast hosting sites offer different service levels, so you can begin with a less expensive choice and switch to a superior one later. If you’re not happy with where your podcast is hosted, you can always move it somewhere else. And OnTheFly can help you do that smoothly. OnTheFly is a tool that helps you switch between podcast hosts easily. This ensures your content stays accessible even if you change providers.
