Podcasts have been growing in popularity since their introduction in the early 2000s. With 41 percent, or an estimated 116 million Americans, listening to podcasts at least monthly, the appeal of podcasts is increasing at a rate of 15 percent in less than three years. In addition, people are listening to podcasts more frequently as audiences integrate audio content consumption into their busy schedules.

The growing demand for podcasts is pushing brands and thought leaders to share their insights across multiple channels, including audio. Creating a podcast requires an investment of time and resources. This includes the expertise behind the content, planning, recording, editing, delivery and distribution. One vital part of this process is choosing the right podcast hosting platform for your needs. Whether you’re a veteran podcaster or dipping your toes in online audio, choosing the right platform to record, share and distribute podcasts is a must.

Recommended Podcast Hosting Platforms in 2022

Dr. Jeremy Weisz, audio content expert and co-founder of Rise25, says his clients often ask, “Where do you put it? How do you get it on all these channels? Just like a website needs a website host, audio needs an audio host.” Choosing the right hosting platform and software can shape your podcast and how you’ll create it. “There are lots of audio hosts out there,” Dr. Weisz says. “We look for something that has been in the industry for a long time, that is stable and dependable.”

Dr. Weisz recommends using paid hosting platforms over the free options available. “If you’re not paying for the product, you are the product,” he says, referring to the concern that free platforms can use or freeze your content at their discretion. Recommended podcast hosting platforms allow for content creation and ownership. They provide integrated recording, sharing and other development and growth features depending on your needs and goals. Here are five audio hosting platforms to consider:

• RSS.com is a popular and longstanding podcast hosting platform that strives to be an all-in-one podcast solution. It offers an easy-to-use interface that integrates recording, branding and visuals, social media sharing and monetization to streamline the process into one platform. RSS.com provides different packages depending on your needs. Packages can include a free website for your podcast, an embeddable player for your existing website, episode analytics and integration with larger audio platforms such as Spotify and Apple Music. Since RSS has been around since 2005, it leverages existing partnerships to help podcasters easily find suitable sponsorships and dynamically insert advertisements.

• Buzzsprout claims to be “the easiest way to start podcasting,” and caters specifically to users with no previous podcast experience. Buzzsprout offers basic tools for uploading, sharing, graphics creation and simplified audio optimization. More advanced functions include automatic transcription, dynamic content functions to help keep audio content evergreen by allowing for ongoing changes to old episodes, and in-depth analytics for evaluation and enhancement of podcast content. Buzzsprout provides a free option allowing users to upload two hours of audio per month with hosting for 90 days. Paid plans allow users to choose basics and then add additional functions for a fee.

• Podbean is an excellent option for users beginning to experiment with podcasts and aren’t ready to make an investment. Podbean offers a free option with five hours of audio at a limited monthly bandwidth. Users can experiment with basic podcast functions to develop a viable podcast plan and style, and discover which features are worth investing in. Paid plans allow for unlimited audio uploading with different features, including a free podcast website, dynamic advertising, live audio streaming, and recording and editing software.

• Simplecast balances a powerful framework built for audio with advanced analytics features that help podcasters understand and grow their audience. With their aptly named analytics software “Audience,” podcast creators have access to a wealth of details about their listeners. Analytics include the programs they use to listen, where they are located, their industries and listening habits across other podcasts. In addition, Simplecast offers specific analytics about episodes, such as when listeners stopped listening and where they clicked next. These analytics are audited and approved by the IAB Tech Lab. Simplecast claims their Audience analytics program is “industry-standard right out of the box. We’ve made enterprise-scale analytics affordable for podcasters everywhere.”

• Castos is a platform that allows for the management of multiple podcasts for one price. It has advanced analytics, pay-as-you-go transcription services and integration with top audio players. Castos also is fully integrated with WordPress, making it the ideal option for companies or thought leaders with WordPress-based websites. Castos is a great option for podcasters looking to repurpose their audio content across multiple mediums, particularly through Castos’ YouTube converter, which automatically converts audio into a YouTube video to reach a wider audience.

One Cog in the Machine

Podcasts provide opportunities for listeners to hear insights directly from experts as if invited to sit in on the conversation. Which podcast hosting platform you choose is one part of a much larger strategy to deliver value through audio content. That said, your podcast hosting platform supplies the structure and tools needed to create and distribute that value to the right audiences, at the right time through the right channels. Value-driven podcast content can boost visibility and credibility for your expertise by delivering vital insights to the audiences who need it. If leveraged appropriately by marketing and sales teams, podcasts can drive high-quality leads into your sales funnel.