9 of the Top Podcasting Platforms (2023)
In order to help you with your search , we've put together a concise introduction, highlighted the top features as well as outlined the cost options on nine top podcasting platforms. The platforms have been ranked by costs, uploads and bandwidth limitations, tools for monetization, and many more. Let's get started!
Our top list of 9 top podcasting platforms:
PodBean
More than ten years of experience, PodBean boasts an impressive 650,000 podcasters on its platform. PodBean gives users easy-to-read information like downloads by date and time, trends and the top 10 podcasts' audience demographics, listener numbers and the retention rate of their users. You can also live stream live to your listeners and viewers as well as permit guests and listeners to connect with your streaming and listen to your stream.
Important Features
- Plan available for free
- A podcast website that is customizable on all plans
- A custom and embeddable podcast player to embed on your site
- Native tools that make it simple to podcast monetization
- Auto-sharing on linked accounts on social media
- Live streaming that allows for users to make calls and listen
Price band:
PodBean is one of the few platforms that offer affordable plans. Its free plan works with the format mp3 and offers 5 hours of space (500MB) in addition to 100GB of bandwidth per month.
In addition to the basic plan that is free, PodBean provides three paid plans which include Unlimited Audio ($9), Unlimited Plus ($29) along with Network ($79). Unlimited Audio as well as Unlimited Plus plans are unlimited in storage space and bandwidth, while the Network plans limit bandwidth to 3TB. There is also the possibility of buying more bandwidth.
Buzzsprout
Buzzsprout is the preferred podcast hosting platform of choice for more than 100,000 podcasters. It offers sophisticated analytics which allow you to track the number of people who take your show to download, which countries they're coming from, and the amount of listeners to your podcast. They also give you the option of using a variety of options including embeddable players on web pages, the option of a transcript for your episode, as well as "Dynamic Content" that lets you edit your posts as well as pre-roll segments following posting.
Once you've uploaded your podcast to Buzzsprout it, your podcast will be able to promote your podcast in all of the top directories, including iTunes Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Alexa, Castro, Podchaser, and much more. The platform will also enhance uploads, making your podcast the most effective it can be.
Key Features
- Free plan available
- Podcast websites that can be customized for each plan
- Embeddable customizable podcast player for your site
- Ability to design chapter markers for episodes.
- Advanced statistics for tracking your development
- Dynamic content lets you alter pre and post-roll segments immediately after you have published
Price price range:
Buzzsprout is also among the handful of podcasting platforms that offer a trial plan with no cost. For their paid plans They offer three plans , which include the price of $12, $18 and $24 for one month. There are no pricing for an annual period at this time, which means you'll be stuck to their monthly rates. One difference in these two paid plans is the available upload times that each plan offers.
RSS.com
RSS.com provides a user-friendly interface well-known for its simplicity in use. Users can avail access to features including extensive analytics, scheduling of episodes and embeddable episodes along with social media sharing, as and a podcasting website with podcasts.
Additionally, it is different from other podcasting platforms, RSS.com offers a donation button which you can activate or disable. This donation button allows you to raise funds along with conventional ads and sponsorship choices. However, if ads and sponsorships are your thing, they have that too. Podcasters will find sponsors using RSS.com's Podcorn marketplace.
Key attributes
- Unlimited music and episodes for each plan
- Podcast websites that are customized for all plans
- Embeddable podcast player for your website
- Native episode scheduler
- Donation button, with option to donate
- Ability to create episodes, chapters, soundbites as well as transcripts in the platform.
Price band:
It appears that RSS.com has three plans available, most users will only get only one plan. This is that of the All in One Podcasting plan that costs $12.99 every month. Non-governmental organizations, students as well as students are able to get a different plan available to these plans at $4.99 per month. The Student plan includes similar features to that of the All in One plan, but you'll have to be accepted. If you've got greater than 10,000 downloads per day, you can be eligible for the Podcast Networks plan, but you'll need to reach out first to the service.
Captivate
Captivate is an ideal choice for those who are just beginning their podcasting career. The hosting dashboard is well-known by the industry of podcasts for its user-friendly interface. Users can distribute their podcast episodes across every one of the leading podcast directories, sell their content using integrated tools for marketing and earn profits from private podcasting.
The most important attributes
- Podcast websites that are customized for all plans
- Unlimited uploads and podcasts and storage space included on all plans
- A customizable and embeddable podcast player can be added to your site
- Other Add-on Captivate Sync(tm) WordPress Plugin for greater control over hosting
- Podcasting Premium and private included in every plan
- Unlimitable team members, each with different duties
Price Band:
Captivate offers three plans that include Personal ($19) as well as Professional ($49) as well as business ($99). There isn't a trial plan for free, you can take advantage of a free trial that lasts 7 days for every plan. The main difference between paid plans is the number of networked podcasts in addition to subscribers and podcasts that are private. Apart from these various alternatives each plan is identical.
Transistor
Transistor is a premium podcasting platform that features major shows like Cards Against Humanity. They have complete analytics and private podcasts as well as one-click distribution to all of the top directories. They also provide 1-click delivery through Listen Notes and The Podcast Index Two search engines that are popular exclusively dedicated to podcasts.
Transistor is a great option in the event that you have multiple podcasts. Transistor allows unlimited episodes for any plan. They don't restrict podcasters on bandwidth or storage but only monthly downloads. This helps to understand limitations more clearly.
The key Features
- Podcast Website that is customized for every plan
- Unlimited podcasts with every hosting plan
- Dynamic Ad tool for an easy and automatic insertion of ads
- Automatically upload every episode to YouTube
- Unique RSS feeds with unique RSS tags for every show you own
- Embeddable podcast player for your website
Price Band
Transistor has three price plans including Starter ($19) as well as Professional ($49)) and also as a business plan ($99). There are only three features that can vary from plan to plan. Three of them are the team size that you are able to add, as well as the number of listeners to your podcast that you can have, and the limit on monthly downloads. Fortunately, the Starter package is able to allow unlimited monthly downloads, which is 10,000 and is enough for those who are just beginning their podcast.
Audioboom
Audioboom is an acceptable platform, which is ideal for the majority of users. It is distributed through directories that are well-known with unlimited episodes and the capacity to download up to 15,000 files each month on their base plan. Their approach to monetization strategy is what sets it distinct from other platforms. Podcasters have access to the marketplace for monetization once they've reached the 10000 monthly downloads. For those with a substantial audience, it won't impact your blog's performance or in any other way. If your podcast is small it's possible that you're in a position to earn money after you've hit the critical threshold.
Key characteristics
- Unlimited episodes per month
- 15,000 downloads per month on entry-level plan
- Distribution of directories to many well-known directories
- IAB compliant analytics dashboard
- The possibility to become part of the largest advertising marketplace once you reach 10,000 monthly downloads
Price price range:
The plans for pricing of Audioboom is easy to comprehend! There are two plans per month offered, including both the Standard Plan ($9.99) and the Plus Plan ($19.99). The Standard plan offers the option of up to 15,000 downloads each month. If you require more, it's possible to upgrade the Plus Plan allows up to 10,000. If this isn't enough, then you'll need make contact with them for the creation of a Podcast Pros account.
Resonate
Resonate is an excellent podcast hosting platform for those looking for a complete solution. Although their plans for hosting offer certain standard options but they don't have the option to customize their website, private/premium podcasting and assistance for their customers on the cheaper plans. In the event that Resonate has a gap in its standard hosting features, it could make up for it with other features.
Resonate offers a range of podcasting services, such as producer, launch and editing, marketing of podcasts and enterprise services. These services enable podcasters to produce high-quality production and highly-produced show all on this same system.
The most important characteristics
- Automatically created podcast microsite
- Embeddable podcast player for your website
- Complete analytics and stats of embedded player
- Inbuilt Dynamic Ad insertion that allows for timing-sensitive announcements as well as timed campaigns
Price Band:
Resonate has two ready-to-go month-long plans The Standard ($25) and as Premium ($49). Each of them comes with the capacity to download an unlimited number of episodes as well as show viewers. The microsite however is available only for Premium subscribers which separates Resonate against other services offering websites as part of their more basic plans. If you find that neither the Standard or the Premium plan meets the needs of your business, look into the Professional plan that provides more microsites, as well as help alternatives.
Castos
As opposed to other podcasting platform, Castos is an WordPress plugin. It's designed to sync and integrate with Seriously Simple Podcasting and allows podcasters to control their podcasts directly on the WordPress website. Castos additionally allows users to build custom podcast sites and detailed statistics.
In comparison to Buzzsprout in audio transcription, Castos' services are less expensive than Buzzsprout with a price amount of $0.10 per minute. If you're considering starting the process of creating an audio podcast using YouTube, Castos will also automatically upload episodes to YouTube with certain plans. They are focusing on making its services better and is implementing new features that provide analysis reports specifically tailored to prospective sponsors , as well as playback duration metrics which will allow you to be aware of how long the listeners are listening to your show.
Key Features
- Podcast site you can customize on all plans
- Unlimited podcasts episode uploads
- Private podcasting feature for premium content
- Templates for web pages that are pre-built
- Automatic podcast transcriptions (optional)
- YouTube is republishing
Price price range:
Castos has four pricing options comprising Starter ($19) and Growth ($49) Pro ($99) along with Premium ($499) monthly. If you decide to pay annually the cost will be about 17% overall. The starting plan comes with all the features you would expect, but only the plans that are for growth and beyond come with YouTube publishing.
Libsyn
From the beginning to 2004, Libsyn has been a player for a long time within the world of podcasts. It's a great platform for new podcasters or hosts with short segments with low episodes as well as podcasts that can be monetized. It's crucial to remember that this platform limits upload speed as well as bandwidth. This may lead to issues when podcasts have a huge amount of content, or a lot of viewers. In order to increase the storage capacity and bandwidth, you'll need to choose larger plans which is why it's the best platform for shows with small audiences, or those generating profit.
Key attributes
- Podcast websites that are personalized for each plan.
- Built-in monetization via ads as well as private podcasting
- Integrated visual-builder , which integrates Canva
- Custom iOS and Android application for your show
- Distribution to the best-known podcast directories
Price Band:
Libsyn has six plans. 3 of them are for audio podcasts, while 3 are for videos podcasts.
Audio Podcasts
Prices for audio start at $5 and increases to $15 and $20 each month. Unfortunately, Libsyn limits the number of hours you can upload per month, in addition to the total storage capacity, in contrast with other choices listed on this page. If you decide to go with a higher-priced package , you will get the best of each.
Videos Podcasts
The video podcast plan starts at $45 and increase to $75 and $150 each month. When you pay this amount you pay, your metrics remain the same and only bandwidth and upload limit changes and increase as the cost increases.
Final thoughts
And there you have it! Nine of the most well-known podcasting platforms. The choice of a platform is only one of the biggest choices you'll have to make as a producer. When you're attempting to find the best platform for your podcast, make sure you take into consideration your particular requirements in podcasting. Take into consideration your most important requirements such as uploading, bandwidth downloading and the budget you have set. Think about things like your plan for monetization as well as the connectivity to social media once you've narrowed the list down to the most important ones.
Want more resources on starting an audio podcast? Check out our other podcasting articles:
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