Discover the Top 6 Free Podcast Hosting Platforms Worth Trying
Starting to build a Podcast doesn't require perfect audio equipment. You can start with just a smartphone and a headset to record your voice.
Then you can put your voice content on the best free podcast hosting service without spending a cent.
Currently, podcasts have become a digital platform that can make money online and are popular with many people besides YouTube. Whatever skills you have, there is no reason not to try this audio content platform.
Podcasts are also a solution for those embarrassed to appear in front of the camera. With just audio, you can now create without being embarrassed to see your beautiful face. Some people choose to work on Podcasts because they don't have the confidence to work on YouTube.
Why Need a Podcast Hosting Service?
Maybe now someone is asking, why do you need a Podcast Hosting service? Isn't it just a matter of uploading it to a Podcast network like Spotify or Apple Podcasts? Or maybe to the website hosting you own?
So you see, actually podcast platforms like Spotify or Apple Podcasts don't store our podcast content. Yes, that's the fact. And why not just put it on website hosting, because website hosting technology doesn't have the tools to compress audio and of course doesn't have a podcast network that can distribute our podcast content.
Therefore, so that our podcast content can be distributed, we need to work with a special podcast host.
Another advantage is that some podcast hosting services also have features for recording, editing, and monetizing our podcasts. So in one service, we can do many things without changing services or tools.
Why are Podcast Hosting Services Free?
As a user, you may get podcast hosting services for free. But it's actually not really free. This means that they will still get benefits from the services they provide.
There are several ways why podcast hosting services can provide services for free.
First, provide restrictions. Some free podcast hosting services impose limitations on their users. For example, restrictions on storage space or podcast duration. Later, if users want to get more storage space or a longer podcast duration, they can upgrade to a premium account.
So indirectly, the free service it provides is an equally profitable marketing strategy.
Second, Profit Sharing System. Apart from using a limiting system, some podcast hosting services also use a revenue-sharing system from advertisements served by podcasters. This is one way for hosting companies to earn money from the free services they provide.
Best Free Podcast Hosting
Well, we don't really need to know how a podcast hosting service can provide its services for free. The most important thing is that you as a podcaster can get a free podcast hosting service that you can use for your work without having to spend any capital.
Below are the 6 best free podcast hosting services that you can use.
1. Anchors
Anchor is a 100% free podcast service owned by Spotify. This service has unlimited access, including tools for recording and editing audio. You can also get various sound effects and music for free in its music library. So this will make your podcast more professional.
Another benefit that users get from Anchor is access to complete analysis tools. Later you can get complete analytical data such as the number of listeners per episode, what services listeners use, listener demographics, and you can see trends in listeners over several periods.
For now, podcasters from the US can take advantage of the Anchor monetization program to make money. The profit-sharing system is 70:30, where 70% will go to the podcaster, while 30% will go to the Anchor.
Feature :
- Storage capacity: Unlimited
- Number of podcasts per account: 1
- Bandwidth: Unlimited
- Website : –
- Monetization: US users only
- Distribution: One-click distribution
- Analytics tools: Yes
2. Acast
For this Starter (free) package, unfortunately podcasters cannot enjoy the monetization service. Unless you want to upgrade to a premium package. Later it can be integrated with Patreon, a quite popular podcast monetization service.
Feature :
- Number of episodes/storage: Unlimited
- Number of podcast accounts: 1
- Bandwidth: Unlimited
- Website: Yes (with ads)
- Monetization: None
- Distribution: Yes (limited)
- Analytics tool: Standard
If you want a free podcast hosting service that has recording, editing, and publishing tools in one, Podomatic is one of them.
What's interesting about Podomatic is the monetization system provided. Podcasters can have the monetization system they want. The first can be through a sponsorship system that has collaborated with the Podcorn program. Second, you can sell merchandise through What For Apparel.
What For Apparel is a subsidiary of Podomatic. What is unique is that in the distribution of product advertisements, it will use POD technology so that it can easily reach listeners.
Feature :
- Number of episodes / storage: 6 hours/20 episodes
- Number of podcast accounts: 1
- Bandwidth: 15 GB per month
- Website: none
- Monetization: Yes
- Distribution: Yes
- Analytics tool: Standard
4. Buzzsprout
Buzzsprout is a long-established podcast hosting service. One of the advantages that users like is its automatic conversion and optimization technology. Not only that, all types of audio files can also be converted via Buzzsprout software into quality audio podcasts.
Many people think that Anchor is the best free podcast hosting service, but Buzzsprout can be said to be the best in the free podcast hosting category. The reason is that the integration features are quite complete.
Users can combine Buzzsprout with various popular tools in terms of both analytics and blogging services such as WordPress.
In terms of monetization, it is also quite complete. Users can monetize using sponsorship systems, advertising, or donations from listeners.
Feature :
- Number of episodes / storage : 2 hours/month for 90 days
- Number of podcast accounts: 1
- Bandwidth: 250 GB
- Website: Yes (with ads)
- Monetization: Yes
- Distribution: Yes
- Analytics tool : Standard
5. Spreakers
One of the advantages of this free podcast hosting service is that it has a podcast episode scheduling feature. Apart from that, you can also host several podcasts in one account.
Unfortunately, this free Spreaker package has limitations that are quite unpleasant for users. For example, users can only save a maximum of 10 episodes or a total of 5 hours of content.
For those who have long-term podcast plans, this doesn't seem like the right fit. Because there is a time limit in it.
Apart from that there are other limitations in terms of monetization. For this free service, there is no monetization program.
Feature :
- Number of episodes/storage: 5 hours (10 episodes)
- Number of podcast accounts: unlimited
- Bandwidth: unlimited
- Website: none
- Monetization: none
- Distribution: none
- Analytics tool: Standard
- Number of episodes/storage: 5 hours (total 500 MB)
- Number of podcast accounts: 1
- Bandwidth: 100 GB per month
- Website: available (with ads)
- Monetization: none
- Distribution: Yes
- Analytics tool: Standard
- If you want to find podcast hosting that is free forever, then the choice falls on Anchor or Acast.
- If you want one that has existing integration tools and services, then choose Buzzsprout or Podbean.
- If you need to host several podcasts without spending a budget, just choose Speaker.
- Meanwhile, if you want something that has various monetization features, the best choice is Podomatic.
6. Podbean
This free podcast hosting could be a solution for those of you who want to try starting a trial podcast with the support of a simple website and integration of existing email and social media marketing tools.
Support for the Podbean Audio Recorder application makes it easier for you to record, edit, and publish podcasts directly from your cellphone. Currently, Podbean is available for Android and iOS.
If you want the podcast to last a long time, you can switch to the premium package.
Feature :
The Best Free Podcast Hosting Final Advice
Of the 6 options above, all of them are good to use. If you are confused about which one to choose, it all comes back to your podcast needs and goals.
Whatever your needs and goals, the most important thing is to start now and create quality content.
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