Podcast Services

Are you looking to start a podcast? Or, perhaps, you are looking for a new hosting service for a podcast you already are running. Finding the right podcast service can be challenge; you want to be sure you find the right service that provides everything you are looking for.

To help simplify the task of selecting the best podcast service, we have reviewed the top five options below for you. Read through our article, and then you should be armed with all the information you'll need to make your decision.

Top 5: Podcast Service Review

Product Image & Rating (Out Of 10)

Product Name

Contact

Buzzsprout

9.8

PodBean

9.6

Transistor

9.4

Simplecast

9.2

Spreaker

9.1

Recommendation #1

Buzzsprout

9.8

Recommendation #2

PodBean

9.6

Recommendation #3

Transistor

9.4

Recommendation #4

Simplecast

9.2

Recommendation #5

Spreaker

9.1

Buzzsprout

Buzzsprout offers a variety of podcast services designed to help you create and host a successful podcast. Podcast hosting is one of the main services that Buzzsprout provides. You will be able to create a customized website to allow your listeners to gain access to your podcast.

Once you have completed recording an episode of your podcast, you'll just need to upload it on to Buzzsprout. They will automatically optimize each episode to ensure that your listeners will receive a first-rate experience. You will also be able to choose to have your podcast published as soon as you upload it, or if you'd prefer, you can schedule a specific time for it to be published.

Buzzsprout

If you are looking for tools that will help you promote your podcast and gain new listeners, Buzzsprout's services can help you. You will be able to create soundbites from your podcast to encourage your listeners to share your content on their social media pages. You can also create transcription of your episodes to make it easier for your listeners to follow along with your content and for search engines to display your podcast.

You can also use Buzzsprout to monitor the performance of your podcast. You can see information related to how many times your episodes have been listened to, where your listeners are located, and the apps your listeners are using to listen to your podcast. Learning this information can help you make sure you are targeting your listeners and can also help you work on expanding your audience.

To help you improve your podcast, Buzzsprout has also created podcasting guides. There is also a private Facebook community you'll have access to where you can seek out answers for your questions as well as gain useful tips from other Buzzsprout users.

Pros

  • When you upload an episode of your podcast, Buzzsprout automatically optimizes it for you.
  • You can use Buzzsprout to create a customized website for your podcast.
  • Buzzsprout can help you keep track of your podcast's performance.

Cons

  • You may be able to find more features if you choose a different podcast service.
PodBean

If you are looking for a podcast service that offers free podcast hosing, consider PodBean. Their free plan with provide you with five hours of storage space. If you choose one of the other plans they offer, you will receive an unlimited amount of storage space, so you'll be able to share as many episodes of your podcast as you'd like.

PodBean

PodBean also makes it easy to distribute and share your podcast to help reach more listeners. You can distribute it to Spotify, Google Play, Alexa, iTunes, and other podcast apps and share it on social media. When you sign up with PodBean, you'll also automatically get listed in their direct and podcast app to help you attract more listeners.

If you are planning to start a podcast as a way of making a few extra bucks, PodBean has various features that can help you do so. You'll easily be able to add ads to your podcast or create patron campaigns with PodBean.

PodBean offers a variety of other features designed to help you achieve success through your podcast. You'll be able to view statistics related to how well your podcast is performing, customize your podcast player, and design a website that will match your podcast and encourage your listeners to check out your content.

Pros

  • If you choose one of the paid plans, you'll receive an unlimited amount of storage space.
  • PodBean makes it easy to share and distribute your podcasts.
  • There are various reports you can access to assess how your podcast is performing and help you grow your audience.

Cons

  • The free plan only includes five hours of storage space.
Transistor

Transistor is a great option to consider when you are looking for a service to host your podcast. With Transistor, you'll be able to host as many different podcasts as you'd like. Since you aren't charged per show, you can create multiple shows to increase your following.

Transistor also offers a smart podcast player. This will allow you to embed your podcast onto your existing WordPress or Squarespace website.

Transistor

You will also be able to share the player on Twitter. These features will help your listeners access your podcast in the way that is most comfortable for them. You will also be able to use Transistor to create a website for your podcast; new episodes of your podcast will automatically be uploaded to your website.

The analytics tools offered by Transistor can help you assess the performance of your podcast and identify areas for improvement. You will be able to view information such as how many subscribers you have and the average number of downloads per episode of your podcast.

Pros

  • You can embed Transistor's smart player into your WordPress website or Squarespace blog.
  • They offer a variety of analytics tools to help you assess the performance of your podcast.
  • If you're planning to switch to Transistor from another podcast service, they can take care of importing your podcast for you.

Cons

  • They offer a free trial, but you will need to enter your payment information to be able to sign up for it.
Simplecast

Simplecast offers one-click publishing of your podcast to Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and the other locations where your listeners find their podcasts. Simplecast also prides themselves on their audio quality. They have a powerful infrastructure that delivers high-quality audio and works to ensure that your podcast is always up and available to your listeners.

Simplecast also has developed podcast players for you to embed on your other websites, blogs, or social media platforms. This will make it easier for you to share your content with more individuals and increase the number of people who listen to your podcast.

Simplecast

With Simplecast, you'll also be able to assess the performance of your podcast and learn more about your listeners. They can help you learn where your users are located, whether they're listening to your podcast at work, home, or someplace else, and compare how different episodes of your podcast performed.

If you already have a podcast that is hosted by a different site, Simplecast's Show Migrator will make it easy to move your podcast to their site. If you need assistance, you'll also be able to reach out their support team seven days a week for help.

Pros

  • You can use Simplecast to create a website for your podcast.
  • You can embed the Simplecast podcast player on your other websites, blogs, and social media platforms.
  • Simplecast's Show Migrator will help you easily transfer your podcast to be hosted on their servers.

Cons

  • If you choose the Basic Plan, which is the least expensive, you won't be able to customize the colors of your web players or access a mini player.
Spreaker

You'll love the various features offered by Spreaker. They offer a Content Management System (CMS) which will allow you to manage your podcast and keep track of your episodes and publishing information. From the CMS, you'll be able to upload the latest episodes of your podcast, schedule their release dates, or share your podcast to social media.

With Spreaker, you'll be able to distribute your podcast to all of the platforms where your listeners (and potential new listeners) find their podcasts. They offer a one-click distribution feature, so you'll be able to share your podcast in no time at all.

Spreaker

Spreaker is also designed to help you achieve your goals of making money from your podcast. You'll be able to control the ads that pay during your podcast. This will allow you to strike up deals with the manufacturers of certain products, so you can make money by advertising their products during your podcast.

Spreaker also offers various analytics tools that will help you learn more about those who listen to your podcast and how your podcast is performing. You'll be able to access information including the ages, genders, and location of your listeners, the devices that your listeners are using, and any trends related to how your podcast has performed over time.

Pros

  • You can embed your podcast onto websites and share it on social media.
  • With just a click of a button, you'll be able to distribute your podcasts to all of your users' favorite platforms.
  • You can embed your podcast onto your website or blog.

Cons

  • In order to be able to view advanced statistics related to your podcast, you will need to upgrade to the Broadcaster plan.

Buying Guide

If you're looking to start a podcast, finding the right podcast hosting services is essential. You want to be sure to select a service that offers all the features you'll need to help you create a successful and, ideally, profitable podcast. Before you make a decision about which hosting service is right for you, take some time to compare your different options and think about what you want to get from the podcast service you select.

One of the first things you should look for in the service you select is the various tools offered to help you create and upload your podcast. You will want to choose a service that will make it easy for you to upload your podcast and share it with your listeners. Finding a service that will automatically optimize your podcast for you is another key feature to consider.

Next, you should look at the additional features offered by the different services you are considering. Can you segment your podcast into chapters or create transcriptions of it? Do they offer tools to help you promote your podcast and increase your audience?

Finally, look for a podcast hosting service that is reliable and offers support when you need it. You want to make sure that your podcast will be available for your listeners when they visit your page; otherwise you may see a dip in the size of your audience. Finding a company that offers support to help you if you encounter any technical issues is also important.

Top Pick

Out of the five podcast services we reviewed, Buzzsprout is our top pick. The services they offer are designed to make it simple for you to host your podcast and attract new audience members.

With Buzzsprout, you can create the perfect webpage to match the content offered on your podcast. Once you have a podcast recorded, you'll just need to upload it, and Buzzsprout will take care of optimizing it for you. You will also be able to segment your podcast into chapters and create transcriptions for your listeners and search engines.

Buzzsprout

Buzzsprout also offers tools to help you track your podcast's performance. You can view data to see how the number of listeners has grown over time. You will also be able to view information related to where your customers are located to help ensure you are properly targeting them during each episode.

There are many different reasons to love Buzzsprout. If you are ready to start a podcast, visit their website today to get all set up!

Frequently Asked Questions

What Do You Need to Start a Podcast?

If you're thinking of starting a podcast, there are a few things you'll need to have. First, you'll need to decide on a topic for your podcast and create an overview of the type of things you'll discuss during your episodes. You will also want to make sure you have the necessary equipment you'll need to record and produce your podcast. Finally, make sure that you decide on a podcast hosting service where you'll post the completed episodes of your podcast.

How Do I Get My Podcast Noticed?

If you are looking to gain a large following for your podcast, there are a few steps you can take to increase the chances that it will happen. First, garner interest in your upcoming podcast by collecting emails to create an email list. You will also want to have a few episodes of your podcast recorded before your launch date. This will allow new listeners to hear a few episodes at once to really get a feel for what your podcast will be about.

You'll also want to create quotes, images, and clips from your podcast that people can share on social media. This can help increase the number of people who get a chance to hear what you have to offer. Once you have your podcast up and running, be sure to message the people on your email list and remind them to tune it!

It is also important to make sure that you are frequently posting new episodes of your podcast to encourage your listeners to keep coming back for more.

How Can You Make Money off a Podcast?

If you want to make money off of your podcast, you will first need to gain a lot of listeners. Once you have a large audience base, you may be able to start making money through receiving sponsorships or making agreements to mention specific products during your podcast.

How Long Should a Podcast Be?

The recommended length for a podcast varies based on how frequently new episodes are produced. If you will create a new episode every day, you will want to try to keep each episode shorter than 15 minutes. If you are only planning on releasing a new episode every week, then you could aim to have your podcast last close to an hour. If you'll only be releasing a new episode about once a month, an hour and a half may be a better length of time for your podcast.

REFERENCE & RESOURCES


Official Top 5 Review Team
Official Top 5 Review Team

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