By Louis Corneloup · Updated The 11 best free podcast hosting tools we track: 2 completely free and 9 with a free plan alongside paid tiers. No credit card needed to start.
Ranked by public user ratings (G2, Capterra, Trustpilot), not vendor pitches. Every rating shows its date.
| Tool | Type | Rating | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buzzsprout | Free plan | 4.6 (797) as of Sep 2026 | Podcast hosting with AI-powered audio enhancement and listener support |
| Riverside.fm | Free plan | 3.7 (3,908) as of Sep 2026 | Record podcasts and videos remotely |
| Acast | Free plan | 4.4 (193) as of Sep 2026 | Podcast hosting and monetization |
| Soundcloud | Free plan | 3.2 (867) as of Sep 2026 | Audio platform for music and podcasts |
| RSS.com | Free plan | 4.9 (66) as of Sep 2026 | Simple podcast hosting and distribution |
Ratings from G2, Capterra, and other public review sites. Each cell shows the snapshot date so a cited number is never an undated one.
Toolradar data
Toolradar data: Toolradar tracks 24 podcast hosting tools as of October 12, 2026. 46% of the podcast hosting tools on Toolradar are free, freemium or open source. Toolradar re-checked the pricing of 92% of podcast hosting tools in the last 90 days. Toolradar aggregates 13,470 public user reviews (G2, Capterra, Trustpilot and other review sites) across 22 rated podcast hosting tools. The most cross-shopped podcast hosting tool is Riverside.fm, listed as an alternative to 20 other tools on Toolradar. The most compared podcast hosting tool on Toolradar over the last 90 days is Riverside.fm, with 153 side-by-side comparisons. Computed from the Toolradar catalog and on-site activity.
| Rank | Tool | Listed as an alternative to |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Riverside.fm | 20 tools |
| 2 | Buzzsprout | 18 tools |
| 3 | Transistor | 18 tools |
| Rank | Tool | Comparisons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Riverside.fm | 153 |
| 2 | Buzzsprout | 76 |
| 3 | Transistor | 73 |
Source and method: live podcast hosting tools statistics
Podcast hosting with AI-powered audio enhancement and listener support
4.6/5 across G2, Capterra and SourceForge · 797 ratings, Sep 2026
Buzzsprout is a podcast hosting platform with easy publishing, listener support features, advanced stats, and AI tools like Cohost AI and Magic Mastering for audio enhancement.
Record podcasts and videos remotely
3.7/5 across Trustpilot, G2 and SourceForge · 3,908 ratings, Sep 2026
Riverside is an AI-powered platform for recording, editing, and distributing professional video and audio content remotely. It captures studio-quality recordings locally at up to 4K video and 48kHz audio, independent of internet quality. The platform includes a text-based video editor, AI-driven noise removal, filler word removal, eye contact correction, automatic transcription, and Magic Clips that generate short-form social content automatically. Riverside supports live streaming in full HD to multiple destinations simultaneously, podcast hosting with analytics, and direct publishing to YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. Used by Spotify, Microsoft, The New York Times, and TED.
Podcast hosting and monetization
4.4/5 across G2 and Trustpilot · 193 ratings, Sep 2026
Acast is a podcast hosting and monetization platform that helps creators distribute content and earn money through advertising. It's known for its dynamic ad insertion and global advertiser network.
Audio platform for music and podcasts
3.2/5 across Trustpilot, G2 and Capterra · 867 ratings, Sep 2026
SoundCloud is an audio platform that allows creators to upload, share, and promote music and podcasts. It's known for its community features and has helped launch the careers of many independent artists.
Simple podcast hosting and distribution
4.9/5 on G2 · 66 ratings, Sep 2026
RSS.com is a straightforward podcast hosting platform focused on simplicity. It provides easy podcast creation, distribution to major platforms, and basic analytics at an affordable price.
Record, host, distribute, and monetize your podcast for free
2.3/5 across G2, SourceForge and Trustpilot · 5,755 ratings, Sep 2026
Spotify for Podcasters (formerly Anchor) is a free podcast hosting platform by Spotify. Record, edit, and publish podcasts from your phone or computer. Distribute automatically to Spotify and all major platforms. Monetize with Spotify Ads and listener support. Analytics show who's listening and how they found you. Video podcasts support included. Everything you need to start and grow a podcast, completely free.
Create, distribute, and monetize podcasts
4.0/5 across SourceForge, G2 and Capterra · 103 ratings, Sep 2026
Spreaker is a podcast hosting and distribution platform that provides creators with tools to record, publish, and monetize audio content. It distributes podcasts to major directories including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and iHeartRadio from a single dashboard. The platform offers built-in monetization through programmatic ads and listener subscriptions, along with analytics to track audience growth. Spreaker supports live recording, episode scheduling, and collaborative podcast production, making it suitable for independent podcasters through to professional publishers managing multiple shows.
Create natural sounding AI podcasts, instantly
4.4/5 on G2 · 43 ratings, Mar 2026
Speechify Podcasts leverages AI to deliver curated and customized audio content for learning, entertainment, and professional growth. The platform combines human curation with AI-generated summaries to create a seamless listening experience. Users can access AI-powered podcasts, generate their own content, summarize episodes, and receive personalized recommendations based on their interests.
Host, grow, and monetize your podcast with automated ads and powerful analytics.
4.4/5 on G2 · 7 ratings, Sep 2026
RedCircle is a comprehensive platform designed for podcasters to host, distribute, grow, and monetize their content. It offers unlimited hosting for episodes and downloads, distribution to all major podcast platforms, and robust analytics to understand audience behavior. The platform's core strength lies in its advertising capabilities, featuring an automated ad platform that combines host-read and programmatic ads. Podcasters can utilize RedCircle's hosting with dynamic insertion technology or integrate their existing hosting via OpenRAP. Beyond advertising, RedCircle facilitates audience growth through cross-promotion with other podcasters and offers flexible monetization options like subscriptions and donations. It's suitable for individual podcasters, growing creators, and even podcast networks looking for an all-in-one solution.
Publish, analyze, and grow your podcast with comprehensive hosting and monetization tools.
3.9/5 on G2 · 5 ratings, Sep 2026
Blubrry provides an all-in-one podcast platform designed to simplify publishing, growth, and monetization for podcasters of all levels, from individuals to corporations and networks. It offers robust hosting solutions, detailed audience statistics, and tools to enhance content and streamline production. The platform includes features like the Blubrry Publisher and PowerPress WordPress plugin for flexible content management, a Podcast AI assistant for planning and promotion, and options for creating dedicated podcast websites. Blubrry also supports various monetization strategies, including programmatic and dynamic ad insertion, premium content offerings, and Apple Podcast Subscriptions. Its comprehensive analytics help podcasters understand listener trends, demographics, and retention to effectively grow their audience and impact.
Free podcast hosting by Spotify
Anchor (now part of Spotify for Podcasters) is a free podcast hosting platform that makes it easy to create, distribute, and monetize your show. Record directly in the app or browser, add background music from their library, and publish to all major platforms. Features include episode analytics, listener support through donations, and sponsored content opportunities. Perfect for beginners starting their podcasting journey.
Free podcast hosting tools are an excellent way to get started without financial commitment. Whether you're a startup, freelancer, or small business, these tools offer essential features at no cost.
Completely free with no paid upgrades available. Best for simple, focused workflows that don't require advanced features.
Generous free tier with optional paid plans that unlock advanced features, higher limits, or team collaboration.
Last updated: October 12, 2026
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