What podcast hosting services are available at a low cost or for free?

When it comes to hosting a podcast, there are several options available that offer low-cost or even free plans.
One popular choice for budget-conscious podcasters is Anchor. This platform provides free podcast hosting with unlimited storage and distribution on all major podcast platforms. Additionally, Anchor offers built-in tools for recording, editing, and monetizing your podcast, making it a comprehensive solution for those on a tight budget.

For those looking for a low-cost hosting option with additional features, services like Podbean and Buzzsprout offer affordable plans with various pricing tiers. These platforms typically include detailed analytics, customizable websites, and monetization options, making them suitable for podcasters who want more flexibility and control over their content.

It's important to note that while free or low-cost hosting services can be a great starting point, they may come with certain limitations such as storage caps, branding requirements, or restricted monetization options. As a result, it's essential to carefully review the features and terms of each hosting service to ensure it aligns with your specific podcasting goals and long-term strategy.
Whether you're a beginner podcaster or a seasoned pro looking to minimize costs, there are several podcast hosting options available at a low cost or for free. By considering your unique needs and weighing the features provided by each platform, you can find the right hosting service that fits your budget and empowers your podcasting endeavors.

I've come across various hosting options. While there are plenty of cheap and free ones available, the crucial factor is to avoid using SoundCloud, as it's not optimized for podcasts. It lacks proper category management, has unreliable statistics (which can even overestimate real listening by up to two times), and eventually leads to paid services.

So, what do we need from the hosting platform?

- Reasonable price/free
- Comprehensive statistics
- High uptime and reliability
- Advanced features

Many people opt for Anchor due to its simplicity and free usage. However, it fails to accurately count listeners and can't identify up to 50% of traffic sources.

Other paid options like simplecast and libsyn exist, but the good news is that there's a new platform called Mave, of which I happen to be the co-founder It's a free, unlimited Russian-language platform for both podcasters and advertisers.

Here are some of the benefits:

- Podcast statistics compliant with IAB requirements
- Advanced Podcast Analytics
- Real-time monitoring of Apple charts within the system
- Micro-site creation for podcasts
- Seamless transition from Anchor including analytics transfer
- Development of an advertising network for podcasters to earn from their past releases.

I'd be happy to share insights on the best podcast hosting platforms.

1) Simplecast

Simplecast boasts some of the most visually appealing embedded players. Users enjoy access to comprehensive analytics. The $15 per month plan offers unlimited downloads, analytics, a website, multi-user podcast management, and more. For $35 per month, in addition to the above, you get extra features like the ability to add team members, advanced analytics, a custom domain, 50 thousand downloads per month, and more. Noteworthy users of Simplecast include major companies like Slack and Shopify, along with numerous large and small podcasts. Plus, there's a 14-day free trial available.

2) Podbean

Podbean offers attractive pricing for new podcasters. The free plan includes 5 hours of limited downloads with basic statistics. However, using your own domain name is not allowed. The unlimited download plan starts at $9 per month (with annual payment) and includes advanced statistics, a website, custom domains, and more. Podbean also provides its own iOS and Android apps, as well as an Alexa voice assistant skill.

3) Libsyn

Libsyn has been a key player in podcast hosting since the early days of podcasting. It's highly recommended by experienced podcasters who have relied on it for years. However, the platform's website and dashboard are in need of an update. Prices start at $5 per month with a 50 MB download limit, which may be insufficient for most users. The $15 per month plan is more practical, offering up to 250 MB of downloads per month and basic statistics.

4) Anchor

Anchor stands out as one of the most well-known free podcast platforms. While it focuses on mobile podcasting, it also provides a web interface for episode editing and management. The platform features a built-in advertising platform, easy audio file editing, and regular updates with new features. One drawback is the inability to change the email address in the RSS feed, which is used to verify the podcast on many services.