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Below is a list of free podcast hosting platforms, which is where people will find and listen to your work. Bigger names like Spotify will likely garner more exposure, but if you're just getting started, you can easily get similar exposure on lesser known platforms simply by link sharing.
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Spotify for Podcasters is a 100% free podcast host owned by Spotify. The service provides unlimited access to everything, including tools for recording and editing your podcast. You’ll even gain access to free libraries of music and sound effects that can be used to give your podcast a more professional feel. In addition, in March of 2023, Spotify merged with Anchor, an all-in-one free hosting and distribution platform, making Spotify one of the top go-to's for podcasters.
Another big advantage of Spotify for Podcasters is access to the platform’s detailed analytics. Podcasters can easily access information about the number of people who listen to each podcast episode, what services people are using to listen, and where in the world your listeners are. You can also view a line graph that tracks listener trends over a weekly, monthly, or even a daily period.
Podcasters are also able to take advantage of this tool’s monetization program (the podcast subscriptions are available in 34 countries, while the other monetization options are available only in the US). This is a revenue sharing program where Spotify for Podcasters splits the revenue 70/30 with the creator, with the 70% going directly to podcasters. This makes it one of the best free podcast hosting options for those who want to maximize their monetization potential.
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Acast offers one of the most generous free plans on this list. There’s no limit to the number of episodes you can have, file sizes you can upload, or the number of times people can download your podcast. You’ll also get access to an easily edited podcast site.
Free users can also access marketing tools, like an AI transcription service and access to Podcastle, a tool that helps you record, edit, and mix your audio files.
Unfortunately, you won’t be able to run multiple podcasts on their free plan. However, it’s worth noting that the premium plans include direct integration with Patreon, one of the most popular tools for earning money on podcasts.
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Pinecast earns its place on this list of the best free podcast hosting by offering wide distribution, unlimited bandwidth and downloads, and tip jar capabilities to all of its users, including folks on the free plan. You can also have up to 10 episodes, split between up to two podcasts, available through the free plan at any given time.
When you’re ready to go premium, you’ll find that Pinecast has a lot to offer. The Starter plan is available for $10 per month or $110 per year and includes unlimited shows, unlimited episodes, a podcast website, embeddable players, and premium analytics.
The one drawback of Pinecast is that it doesn’t include tools for recording or editing podcast episodes. You’ll need to use a separate program for the actual creation of your podcast.
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Podomatic is one of the best free podcast hosting services around because it lets you record and edit your podcasts, then quickly distribute them to a variety of podcast networks. The company also provides embeddable players for a wide variety of social networks and your website.
There is one way to monetize your podcast on a free Podomatic plan: you can get sponsorships through the Podcorn program. You can also get paid by your listeners through Patreon if you upgrade to the premium plan.
If you have plans to eventually upgrade to a paid account, it’s worth noting that Podomatic Pro is incredibly affordable, with plans starting at $2.99 per month (when billed annually).
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Founded over ten years ago, Buzzsprout is one of the oldest and most respected names in podcast hosting. Its main draw is automated file optimization and conversion. This makes it possible to plug virtually any file type into the Buzzsprout software and turn it into a high-quality podcast.
Another reason why Buzzsprout is on this list of the best free podcast hosting is the availability of integrations. You can combine Buzzsprout with a variety of popular tools, including advanced analytics tools and WordPress.
The one disadvantage of Buzzsprout is the limited storage space available on the free plan. This means you’ll need to have a plan for monetization, and the eventual switch to a paid hosting plan, if you host your podcast on Buzzsprout.
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Spreaker is a high-quality podcast host with a plethora of advanced features, including episode scheduling and the ability to host live podcasts. Moreover, it lets you host unlimited episodes in the free plan.
Once you publish a podcast episode, Spreaker auto-uploads it to iHeartRadio, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts so you don’t have to. If you want to share it on other podcasting platforms, you need to submit it through the one-click distribution feature.
One limit of Spreaker’s free plan is that it only lets you monetize your podcast through ads. If you want access to more monetization options, you’ll need to invest in one of their paid plans.
Therefore, it’s a little bit more limited compared to some of the other best free podcast hosting options.
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Podbean is a great podcast host with a limited free plan that lets you test their platform. You can upload episodes, create a simple website, and use integrations with email marketing tools and social media to perfect your promotion.
Another benefit of Podbean is the direct connection to the Podbean Audio Recorder app. This app lets you record, edit, and publish podcasts directly from your phone. There are versions available for both Android and iOS.
The five-hour limit does mean you’ll need to switch to a paid plan for a long running podcast, but the premium plans offer some of the most advanced features available. They include the ability to create a monthly patron program, similar to what many podcasters use Patreon for.
Source: Theisle
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