If you’d like to submit a podcast to the iTunes store, or any other marketplace like Stitcher, then you’re going to need to either host your own podcasts or purchase hosting with an online provider. I recommend the latter route for those just starting out. Check out some of the options below!
1) Libsyn
Libsyn is the hosting provider that I use for my podcast. So far, I’ve never run into issues with them as a provider and they’ve been around a long time. They also have a well established track record, having hosted several major shows.
Their pricing ranges from $5 – $75 per month. If you’re going to be posting a podcast once a week and average 30 minutes to 1 hour per show, I think the $15/month tier is fine. The upper tiers include advanced analytics and to provide your listeners with a white label mobile app for your show. However, there are extra fees attached.
On the negative side, their user interface really needs an update and they are due for a design update.
2) PodBean
PodBean is another podcast hosting website that will house your MP3 files and distribute them via RSS to the iTunes store. Based on this Reddit thread, there are positives and negatives associated with PodBean, as I’m sure there are also with Libsyn.
Like Libsyn, PodBean has a variety of pricing options for beginner and advanced podcasters. In addition, there is a monthly storage/bandwidth cap that will reset each month. The pricing starts at $5 per month and goes up to $149 per month.
3) BuzzSprout
When I was searching for a podcast host, I was referred to BuzzSprout from a friend in the same niche as me, who also has a podcast. They have a lot of helpful content for getting started, but also have a bit of a different pricing model than Libsyn or PodBean.
With BuzzSprout, you can host a podcast for free up until 2 hours of upload time per month. Keep in mind, that content will only be hosted for 90 days, and then you will either have to pay them for unlimited hosting with one of their upper tiers or transfer to another hosting provider.
Their paid tiers start at $12 per month and go upwards of $24 per month. I think that most other podcasters like me doing a weekly show would do the $12 or $18 per month option.
Keep in mind that BuzzSprout is newer to the game than other services, and has less add-ons and additional services. However, they have a pretty killer design.
On one Quora forum, a user says:
“The only 2 downsides so far is you can’t replace your files once they are up there (have to re-create the episode which kills your stats) and they don’t have an API for stats which means I can integrate them with my dashboard app.”
4) Blubrry
Blubrry is another option that you can use to host your podcast. Their pricing starts at $12 per month and goes upwards of $80 per month. Some of the premium tiers include the ability to host a video podcast and extra storage.
Having been started by a fellow podcaster, Bluebrry is another great Libsyn alternative with statistics and affordable pricing. They also have a consulting arm that starts at $100 per hour. Man, that’s some steep pricing, but if you need the help from a trained professional, it might be better than trying to seek someone out on Elance.
5) SoundCloud
You might have listened to an independent musician on SoundCloud or some cool new song, but you can also host a podcast (or your music compositions) with the service! At the time of writing, the program is still in beta, but you can check it out here.
I’m excited to see when they will officially launch the program and am curious how their general comment system might change the way that listeners interact with podcasts through blog posts.
Which podcast hosting service is best?
Surprise! There is no “best” hosting provider. They all have their positives and negatives. Ultimately, it comes down to choosing the one that you like most and that provides the kind of functionality you are looking for.
However, if you are hosting an accompanying website for your podcast or social media scheduling services, I do think there are better providers than others. Let me know which one you choose for your podcast and be sure to link me to your podcast once it’s up so I can listen!
