Podcasting continues to surge in popularity in 2025, with over 4.5 million podcasts and more than 70 million episodes available globally. But creating great content is only half the battle — getting your podcast in front of the right audience is just as important. That’s where podcast distribution platforms come in. A podcast hosting company syndicates your show via RSS to all the different apps.
Whether you're a seasoned podcaster or just starting out, choosing the right platform to distribute your content can significantly impact your growth, reach, and monetization opportunities. Here are the top 10 podcast distribution platforms in 2025 to consider.
There is No One Size Fits All
As you look at this data, these are not listed in any order (so the first company should not be seen as the best company). For example an entrepreneur may choose Captivate for their dynamic tool. A school producing a weekly show (who isn't interested in dynamic content) may choose Libsyn.
Different hosts often list featues that ALL hosts provide. Here are the key features that all the major podcast hosts (like Spotify for Podcasters, Libsyn, Buzzsprout, Podbean, etc.) generally provide:
Core Features Common to All Major Podcast Hosts
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Podcast Hosting & Storage
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Upload and store your audio files securely
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Includes bandwidth for streaming and downloading episodes
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RSS Feed Generation
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Automatically generates and manages your RSS feed
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This feed is what gets submitted to directories like Apple Podcasts and Spotify
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Directory Distribution
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Easy or automatic submission to top platforms like:
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Apple Podcasts
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Spotify
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Amazon Music
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Pocket Casts, etc.
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Analytics & Stats
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Basic download and listener stats
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Most offer IAB-compliant analytics (important for advertisers)
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Embedded Podcast Player
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A shareable player for websites and blogs
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Customizable look in most cases
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Custom Podcast Website or Page
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A basic website or landing page for your show
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Includes episode listing, descriptions, and subscription links
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Episode Scheduling
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Ability to publish episodes immediately or schedule for future release
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Monetization Options
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Ad integrations, sponsorship tools, or listener donations
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Some platforms have built-in ad marketplaces
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Basic Support for Podcast SEO
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Tagging, episode titles, and metadata to help with discoverability
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Support for Video or Enhanced Podcasts (varies slightly)
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Many support video uploads or embedding, especially as YouTube enters the podcast space
Bonus Features Some Hosts Also Provide (but not all):
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Dynamic Ad Insertion (DAI)
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Private podcasting options (for internal company use or paid members)
- Transcription services
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Collaborator/team access
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WordPress plugin integration (like PowerPress for Blubrry)
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Cross-promotion tools (like on RedCircle or Captivate)
1. Captivate
Captivate is a growth-focused podcast hosting platform. It includes smart marketing tools like one-click sponsor kits, customizable websites, and calls-to-action built into episodes. Their dynamic tool is amazing and super flexible. Their episode planning tool speeds up podcast production. Their business model allows as many shows, with as many episodes as you want for one price. Your price only increases if all of your shows combined got over 30,000 for the month. Its analytics are IAB-certified. They also have network tools built in.
Best for: Entrepreneurs and multi-show creators
Cost: Plans start at $17/month
2. Buzzsprout
Buzzsprout is a user-friendly podcast hosting and distribution platform known for its intuitive dashboard, detailed analytics, and automatic distribution to top platforms like Apple, Spotify, and Google. It also offers transcription services and a sleek podcast website. There service includes dynamic capability to promote your own products and services, and at a certain level you can qualify for buzzsprout ads that pay $14/1000 downloads. Their magic mastering (fo an additional fee) levels out your sound and boosts the quality. Their “Co-host” feature automatically generates show notes, chapters and more (additional feed)
Best for: Podcasters looking for ease of use and analytics
Cost: Free plan available; paid plans start at $12/month
3. Transistor
Transistor is a professional-grade platform used by many businesses and creators. It offers excellent analytics, podcast website hosting, and multiple user logins for teams. They use the business model where you can have as many shows with as many episodes. If your combined shows got over 20,000 downloads/month your bill increases. Their built in website integrates with the bluesky social site.
Best for: Businesses and multi-show creators
Cost: Plans start at $19/month
4. Libsyn (Liberated Syndication)
The original podcast hosts, Libsyn is a trusted platform known for its reliability and distribution reach. It integrates with Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, and many more. It also offers advanced monetization options like dynamic ad insertion and custom apps. Libsyn is one of the few media hosts that utilizes video hosting.
Best for: Solid reliability at a low price. Not as feature rich as others.
Cost: Plans start at $5/month
5. Podbean
Podbean offers robust hosting, monetization options, live streaming capabilities, and automatic distribution to major directories. Its dynamic ad insertion and crowdfunding tools make it a great option for creators looking to scale. Podbean is one of the few hosting companies that supports video. Their $39 plan allows unlimited storage and band width.
Best for: Video podcasters
Cost: Free plan available; paid plans from $9/month
6. RSS.com
RSS.com is quickly gaining popularity due to its clean interface, global reach, and unlimited episodes and bandwidth. It includes analytics and sponsorship tools.
Best for: Podcasters looking to get the word out.
Cost: Starts at $12.99/month
7. Blubrry
Blubrry is a veteran podcast hosting platform known for its reliable service, advanced analytics, and seamless integration with WordPress through the PowerPress plugin. It offers IAB-certified stats, monetization options, and full control over your RSS feed — making it a favorite among serious podcasters who value flexibility and ownership. If you’re a YouTuber looking to convert their show to a podcast they have a “set it and forget it” tool to make it simple.
Best for: Podcasters who use WordPress and want control over hosting
Cost: Plans start at $12/month
8. RedCircle
RedCircle focuses on growth and monetization, with tools for cross-promotion, dynamic ad insertion, and listener donations. It’s particularly well-suited for independent creators and offers revenue share opportunities. If you’re thinking of using Spotify because they are free, Red Circle offers an OPEN podcast solution that is easier to monetize making them what may feel is the best option for those looking for a free solution. One month my CPM calculated to $5.64/1000 downloads.
Best for: Indie creators seeking monetization
Cost: Free and paid options available
9. Acast
Acast is an end-to-end podcasting solution that offers hosting, distribution, and monetization. It’s especially appealing for professional creators looking to tap into advanced advertising and branded content opportunities. In the early days of podcasting Acast would send unsolicited emails to their competitors customers asking them to jump ship. When asked to stop, they declined (source: podnews)
Best for: Professional podcasters and networks
Cost: Free and premium options available
10. Spotify for Podcasters
With its all-in-one platform (formerly Anchor), Spotify for Creators (they dropped the term podcasters in 2025) offers free hosting, automatic distribution to Spotify and other directories, listener analytics, and built-in monetization tools like subscriptions and ads.
Sometimes known as “The walled garden” Spotify tends to make features that only work in the Spotify app. This is done to entice podcasters to nudge their audience to use their app.
Spotify has been known not to reveal all the details of their features. For example when they announced, “You can play music in your podcast” the fine print revealed they needed to approve your episode, and it would only be heard in the app (not the website) and only to paying customers. Later they would remove this feature. Another example that was leaked was when Spotify praised the success of people using video on their platform, it was later revealed that Spotify provided $5000 in free advertising to boost these shows (source). Another video user reported losing money when they started using Spotify for video (source).
Best for: Beginners and creators focused on the Spotify ecosystem
Cost: Free
For more information about the different features on all hosts, see this post.
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