How to Make a Private Podcast for Free (No Paid Hosting Needed)

You don’t need a fancy podcast host or a big budget to share exclusive audio with a select group of people. Whether you’re a coach, teacher, business owner, or hobbyist, there are several free ways to run a private podcast that only your intended audience can hear.

In this guide—created by a long-time podcast advisor and content strategist—you’ll learn how to record, host, and share private audio content without spending a dime.

TL;DR: You don’t need Apple or Spotify to run a podcast. You just need free tools and a bit of creativity.

What Is a Private Podcast?

A private podcast is audio content that isn’t publicly accessible in podcast directories like Spotify or Apple Podcasts. It’s designed for a limited group—like paid members, employees, students, or a close-knit community.

Private vs Public Podcasts

Step 1: Plan Your Private Podcast

Before recording anything, define your goals:

• Who is it for? (Employees, clients, students, subscribers)
• What format? (Solo, interviews, lessons)
• How often? (Weekly, monthly, evergreen?)
• How will they access it? (Links, email, Facebook group?)

Pro Tip: Private audiences appreciate clarity and consistency more than length.

Step 2: Record & Edit for Free

You don’t need a professional studio. Try:

• Audacity (Free desktop recording for Mac/Windows/Linux)
• GarageBand (Free on Mac)
• Dolby On (Free mobile app for iOS/Android)

Keep it simple: record, trim silence, reduce noise, and export as MP3.

Step 3: Host It Without Paying

Here are free ways to host and share your episodes privately:

A. Google Drive or Dropbox

• Upload MP3 files
• Set sharing to “Anyone with the link can view”
• Share links via email, newsletter, or webpage

B. YouTube (Unlisted Videos)

• Convert your audio into a video (with a static image)
• Upload as “Unlisted” on YouTube
• Share the link privately—it won’t show up in search

C. Password-Protected Website

• Use Carrd, WordPress.com, or Notion to create a simple site
• Embed Dropbox or Google Drive links
• Protect the page with a password

D. Private Facebook Group

• Create a “Private” or “Hidden” group
• Post your MP3s or YouTube unlisted links
• Members can comment and engage

E. Private Discord or Slack Channel

• Invite listeners to a free community space
• Upload audio directly or link to Google Drive
• Great for live chats and real-time updates

Step 4: Share With the Right People

Once your content is uploaded:

• Email the private link directly
• Post inside a gated Facebook group or Slack
• Embed on a password-protected page
• Offer early access or extras via a Notion hub or Google Doc

Tip: Remind your audience not to share links. You’re trusting them—and they’ll usually respect that.

Step 5: Make It Feel Premium (Even for Free)

• ✅ Use AI tools like Krisp to clean up audio
• ✅ Add episode titles like “Lesson 1: The Setup” or “Week 3 Check-In”
• ✅ Stick to a schedule, even monthly
• ✅ Create a sense of community with comments or discussion threads

When You Might Want to Upgrade

If you want to:

• Let people subscribe via Apple/Spotify
• Charge money for access
• Add analytics and listener tracking
• Control exactly who hears what

… then platforms like Castos, Transistor, Hello Audio, or Libsyn are worth the investment.

FAQs

Can I use Spotify or Apple Podcasts for private content?
No—those are public directories. You need to use private links or feeds.

Is Google Drive secure?
Yes, as long as you don’t share the link publicly.

Can I do this with video too?
Yes—YouTube unlisted videos or Loom recordings are great for video podcast-style updates.

Can I monetize this setup?
Yes—pair it with a free Gumroad account, email list, or PayPal donation link.

Is this method scalable?
For small groups or internal communication—absolutely. If you’re growing fast or want advanced control, a private podcast host is a better long-term fit.

Final Thoughts

You don’t need expensive podcast software to start a private show. With just a free recording app and smart file sharing, you can:

• 🎧 Create private episodes
• 🔐 Share only with your intended audience
• 🍿 Spend exactly $0

Choose your method and launch today—and if you’re ready to scale, you’ve got options.