Whether you’re new to podcasting or a seasoned pro, choosing the right podcast platform allows you to share your content, analyze performance, and grow your audience. Here, NetInfluencer covers how to select the perfect platform and details on some of today’s top options. 

What to Look For in a Podcasting Platform

When creating a successful podcast, recording your episodes is just the beginning. Most podcasts are hosted on a platform that offers several key benefits. Here are some of the main reasons podcasters choose to host their shows on a platform:

• Streamline distribution and make it easier for listeners to find episodes
• Store media files
• Grow the show’s audience
• Get access to performance data and statistics

As you’re researching a home for your podcast, consider how often you publish, the length of each episode, and whether your show is in audio or video format. Platforms usually limit the number of hours you can host at a time or how much storage space is available. If analytics are important to you, look for platforms with statistical tools to help you monitor performance.

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If you plan on monetizing your podcast, consider a platform that allows for advertising. Some platforms even match you to compatible ad partners. Additionally, consider your budget. Plenty of great free podcast platforms are available, and you can find paid plans at just about every price point. Free plans are often limited in features, so depending on your overall strategy, investing in a paid subscription may be beneficial.

Top Largest Podcasting Platforms for Influencers

Now that you’re familiar with what makes an excellent podcasting platform let’s look at some of the most popular companies.

Podbean

Podbean offers both free and paid hosting plans for podcasters. The platform boasts a generous amount of media storage space and a mobile app for Android and iOS to manage your podcast on the go. The free plan includes five hours of monthly storage space, a dedicated podcast website, and distribution to top listening platforms like Apple Music, Spotify, and Google Podcasts.

Podbean’s paid plans range from $9 to $79 per month. The $9 Unlimited Audio plan includes everything from the free plan plus access to monetization tools like an ads marketplace and premium sales. The mid-tier Unlimited Plus plan costs $29 per month and features a patron program and full access to custom themes for your podcast website. The $79 per month Network plan includes everything from the other plans with unlimited multiple podcast channels and access to live chat support.

Buzzsprout

The Buzzsprout platform also offers both free and paid podcast hosting plans. Buzzsprout provides podcasters with audio and video media storage and a suite of podcast analytics tools. The free plan offers two hours of space per month. However, audio files get deleted after 90 days. Buzzsprout distributes podcasts to all major listening outlets and has a WordPress plugin.

In addition to their free hosting plan, Buzzsprout offers three paid plans priced by hours hosted per month. Each of the paid plans also provides indefinite hosting. The three-hour plan costs $12 per month, the six-hour plan costs $18, and the 12-hour plan costs $24. All paid plans include unlimited storage, access to advanced statistics, and the ability to add an unlimited amount of team members. 

Buzzsprout also offers podcast transcription services starting at $.25 per minute.

Anchor

Owned by Spotify, Anchor is known for its free hosting and does not offer any paid plans. Like its parent company, Anchor hosts video podcasts as well as audio. The platform is known for being beginner-friendly and includes unlimited hosting. However, Anchor only allows hosting for one podcast per account.

Anchor seamlessly integrates with Riverside so podcasters can easily upload their recordings to Spotify. Through Anchor, you also own all rights to your material. You can monetize your podcast and get matched with compatible brands and sponsors through the Ads by Anchor feature. Because of the partnership with Spotify, you can also include music from the platform in your podcast episodes. 

Spreaker

The podcasting platform Spreaker falls under the iHeartRadio umbrella. There is a free plan available, as well as several paid options. Spreaker’s free plan allows podcasters to access an online recording studio and unlimited bandwidth. The free plan includes up to five hours of audio and up to 10 podcast episodes. You also get 15 minutes of live streaming capabilities. However, there are no monetization features available. 

Spreaker’s On-Air Talent plan costs $8 per month and includes everything in the free plan, plus customizable RSS feeds and monetization features. You can also automatically upload podcast episodes to the major listening platforms. The $20 per month Broadcaster plan includes advanced statistics, enhanced private podcasts, and in-app support. Speaker’s Anchorman plan costs $50 per month and comes with full statistics and customizable player colors. 

For $120 per month, the Publisher plan includes the platform’s full suite of features, plus access to an ad campaign manager and priority customer support. Each of the paid plans also comes with additional storage space. 

Acast

Acast is a free podcasting platform that offers several features. Podcasters benefit from unlimited episodes, downloads, and bandwidth, as well as a basic website with ads. Acast also provides essential marketing tools and transcription capabilities. Podcasters who use the platform can gain performance insights through analytics tools and submit RSS feeds to the major listening outlets. 

Podomatic

Like Anchor, Podomatic is a beginner-friendly platform that offers free and paid plans. Podomatic’s free plan includes up to six hours and 20 episodes, and 500MB of storage space. You can also record your podcast through their mobile recording app and monetize your show through partnerships with platforms like Patreon.

Podomatic’s Pro plan costs $29.90 annually and features 2 MB of storage space and 100 GB of bandwidth. The $99.90 per year Pro Plus plan includes 3 GB of storage space and 200 GB of bandwidth. The highest tier plan from Podomatic is the Pro Platinum plan for $249.90 per year. This plan comes with 5 GB of storage space and 500 GB of bandwidth. There is also a Broadcaster plan with unlimited storage space and bandwidth, and you can contact the Podomatic sales team for pricing details.