Free Podcast Hosting: Is It Good?

When starting a podcast for little money, finding the right hosting platform can be challenging, especially when budget constraints come into play. Free podcast hosting platforms offer a way for aspiring podcasters to launch their shows without the upfront costs associated with premium services. These platforms provide essential tools like audio storage, basic analytics, and distribution to major directories, enabling creators to reach their audience without breaking the bank.

While free options may come with limitations, such as restricted storage or fewer monetization opportunities, they are an excellent starting point for those new to podcasting or those looking to experiment before committing to a paid plan.

Free Podcast Hosting Considerations

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• Content length: How long are your episodes?
• Monetization goals: Do you plan to monetize your podcast?
• Technical skills: How comfortable are you with the technology?
• Additional features: Are there any specific features that are important to you?

We advise signing up for the free plans and seeing what you like the best.

Calculate Podcast Storage Needs

Understanding podcast storage needs is crucial when deciding which free podcast hosting platform is right. To help estimate podcast episode sizes, we’ve created a Podcast Episode File Size Calculator. This tool calculates the file size of your episodes based on their length, bitrate, and file format. With this information, you can easily compare your needs with what different hosting platforms offer, ensuring you make the best choice for your podcasting journey.

Free Podcast Hosting Service Comparison

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Feature
Storage	2 hours/month	5 hours/month	Unlimited – but limited stats	Unlimited	5 episodes
Bandwidth	Unlimited	100GB/month	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited
Analytics	Basic	Basic	6 Months Limited	Detailed	Basic
Distribution	All major	All major	iHeartRadio, Apple, Spotify	All major	All major
Website	Basic	Customizable	None	Basic	Basic
Monetization	Affiliate program	Ads (not on free plan), Patreon	Ad Exchange	Donations, sponsorships (select markets)	Ads (not on free plan)
Additional Features	Magic Mastering™, chapter markers	Live streaming, social media	–	Built-in tools, background music	Embeddable player
Negatives	300-episode limit, MP3 only, no video support	Limited storage, limited analytics	Restricted timeline forces upgrade for statistics	Limited free storage	Per-show pricing, high ad fees
Best For	Beginners, short episodes	Variety of options, live streamers	Small shows	New podcasters, streamlined solution	Ad-focused podcasters

Best Free Podcasting Platforms

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Podbean

• Pros:
  • Unlimited storage and bandwidth on the free plan – perfect for podcasters with longer episodes or frequent publishing schedules.
  • Built-in monetization options (ads, premium content) – start earning from your podcast right away.
  • Customizable podcast website with various themes – create a professional online presence for your show.
  • Live streaming capabilities – engage with your audience in real-time.
• Cons:
  • Can be less intuitive for new users compared to Buzzsprout
  • Ads on the free plan
  • Limited advanced statistics

Other thoughts about Podbean in particular…

Podbean is an excellent choice for podcasters looking for both flexibility and scalability in their hosting platform. With a user-friendly interface and a feature-rich free tier, Podbean allows new podcasters to jump in and start creating without any financial commitment. Here are some of the standout benefits of using Podbean:

1. Generous Free Tier: Podbean’s free tier offers ample storage and basic analytics, providing everything you need to start building your show from scratch. It’s perfect for beginners to test the waters and get a feel for podcasting without upfront costs. This free plan also includes distribution to major directories like Apple Podcasts and Spotify, ensuring your content reaches a broad audience from day one.
2. Room for Growth: One of Podbean’s strengths is its scalability. As your podcast grows, Podbean offers seamless upgrades to paid plans with advanced features, such as enhanced analytics, dynamic ad insertion, premium content options, and monetization tools like listener support and sponsorships. This flexibility means you won’t have to switch platforms as your needs evolve, making Podbean a solid long-term choice.
3. Robust Monetization Options: Podbean is known for its comprehensive monetization features, including a sponsorship marketplace, listener support, and PodAds (dynamic ad insertion). These tools allow you to explore multiple revenue streams as your audience expands, giving you the potential to turn your podcasting passion into a sustainable income source.
4. User-Friendly Interface: Podbean is designed with ease of use in mind, making it accessible to new podcasters who may not be familiar with technical setups. With intuitive navigation and clear options for uploading, scheduling, and managing episodes, Podbean keeps the podcasting process simple, letting you focus more on creating content.
5. Reliable Distribution and Analytics: Even on the free plan, Podbean offers reliable distribution to major podcast directories and provides analytics that helps you track your audience growth. As you upgrade, Podbean’s analytics become more advanced, offering insights into listener demographics, engagement, and download trends, which are valuable for refining content and targeting your marketing efforts.

Buzzsprout Free Tier

• Pros:
  • User-friendly interface, ideal for beginners
  • Magic Mastering feature enhances audio quality
  • Advanced statistics to track listener engagement
  • Monetization options through affiliate marketing
• Cons:
  • Limited free plan with 2 hours of upload time per month
  • No video podcasting capabilities
  • Basic website customization options

Spreaker Free Tier

• Pros:
  • Desktop and mobile app for recording and editing
  • Live streaming with chat interaction
  • Monetization options through listener donations and subscriptions
  • Distribution to multiple platforms
• Cons:
  • Limited storage (10 hours) on the free plan
  • Ads on the free plan
  • Can feel cluttered compared to other platforms

Anchor (Spotify for Podcasters)

• Pros:
  • Completely free with unlimited storage
  • Seamless integration with Spotify
  • Easy-to-use recording and editing tools
  • Built-in monetization through listener support and ads
• Cons:
  • Limited customization options
  • Basic analytics
  • No direct ownership of your RSS feed

Acast 

• Pros:
  • Unlimited storage and bandwidth even on the free plan
  • Access to Acast’s advertising marketplace
  • Advanced analytics for tracking audience demographics and behavior
  • Customizable website with various themes
• Cons:
  • Free plan includes Acast branding on your podcast website
  • Can be less beginner-friendly compared to other options
  • Limited customer support on the free plan

Choosing the Best Free Platform for You

While all of these platforms offer valuable features, Podbean’s generous free plan, coupled with its monetization and customization capabilities, makes it an attractive option for podcasters seeking both flexibility and growth potential. However, consider these additional factors when making your final decision:

• Your podcasting goals: If you’re just starting out, a simple platform like Buzzsprout or Anchor might be ideal. If you plan to grow your show and monetize it, Podbean is a strong contender.
• Technical skills: If you’re not tech-savvy, choose a platform with an intuitive interface and good customer support.
• Monetization: If earning money from your podcast is a priority, look for platforms with built-in monetization options like Podbean.
• Storage and bandwidth: If you plan to publish long episodes or have a large audience, unlimited storage and bandwidth are crucial, which Podbean provides.