This post went through some renovations as I wrote it out, and by the time this comes out I might need to update it again. Podcast hosting is a growing area now that video has become so relevant.

I'm still going to try for the 5 tool format, but I am going to include alternatives in each layer too. The format is going to be: Free Tools, Audio Focused Tools, Video Focused Tools, then the top two tools.

Overall this post I think will help a LOT of creators. Many people don't know that certain tools have "X" feature, or even hosting itself. Not to mention the rise of video podcasts, and certain platforms that are on the rise. Yet you might not have heard of them until now.

#5 - FREE: Podcastle/Riverside/Spotify for Creators

While not the greatest hosts, these are basically the top tools to use for hosting for free. I know there are a couple others, but the use cases of these beat out the others. Especially given that two of them are recording tools.

Podcastle

Podcastle has made vast improvements to their other features as well, as they try to be the jack of all trades podcasting tool.

They are going through a bit of a rebrand at the time of this writing, and the overall platform I've had mixed results with. The recording feature was great, until it wasn't, and I had some really weird tech problems with it. Hopefully they've improved it since then. Same goes for their editing tool, they made some weird UI changes, that made it almost unusable, but again at the beginning of 2025 is when I used it last. I'm hoping that with the rebrand, and the new features that things will even out!

Riverside

I have a love hate relationship with Riverside. They are often the most stable when it comes to video connection for recording, and if an issue occurs they are one of the only tools that does a cloud backup.

However their editor lags a lot, and while it has some of best features like Magic Audio. It isn't always the best choice, as I often find myself editing in Resolve instead.

Just like their "Livestreaming" features, they do have hosting as well. I'm not sure as to the quality of it. Although I would presume it is similar to how Podcastle handles their hosting solution.

Spotify for Creators

Spotify on the other hand I feel has not improved their dashboard very much. I tried it a year and half ago to upload video versions of my podcasts, and it failed half the time (meaning I had to redo them). In Dec of 2024 I was able to finally upload all of my videos (and now clips too, one each). However it was still failing 20% of the time for long form videos.

It is a good choice if you want free, but keep that in mind. It also can be a bit clunky when it comes to sending to over to other platforms, and their support is mid when you need help.

#4 - AUDIO Focused: OmnyStudio/Simplecast/Captivate FM

These are some of the best audio podcast hosting tools on the market, and while I have some better ones listed later on in the list. I wanted to give these a shoutout as well.

I find that a lot of the podcast hosting tools often have similar feature sets, with some of them differentiating themselves in unique ways. These have been some of the better ones on the market, especially in comparison to some of the more older tools that have been around too long (and haven't innovated).

#3 - Ausha

An all in one platform, that has social media marketing, automations, repurposing, and more for your podcast hosting needs.

While I haven't used it myself besides just trying it out, there are a lot of things it offers that other hosts just don't even compare.

I figured this tool should be at least on your mind when making this decision!

#2 - VIDEO Focused: FlightCast/Substack/Podbean

Whether you like it or not... video is the future for many podcasters out there in the world. If anything it is the current development in the space. Unless you have some sort of audio-drama, or a specific reason to be audio only. The majority of shows are either already video, or will be video.

Thus you need a host that can actually syndicate your video podcast, and ideally cut out the audio for you.

FlightCast

The first real VIDEO podcast hosting platform (obviously including audio distribution too), backed by Diary of A CEO podcast, and developed by a talented programmer. This tool has caught my eye for a while.

It is still in the early stages at the time of this writing, but I figure you should know about it. Given that it was first to the market for video podcast hosting, and the people behind it. I figure it should also be one of the best in this category.

Flightcast | Podcast hosting platform made for video
The first podcast hosting platform made just for video podcasts. Get early access now!
Flightcast

Substack

Okay this one is hit or miss for me. Most people see Substack as a newsletter/written platform. However you can have video/audio/written posts, and even Livestreams.

The fact that any video post, live or not, can turn into a podcast. Not to mention all audio posts are podcasts too. They can both be a great way to automate that step of the process. I've considered moving my podcasts over to there, as there is also a Video Post to YouTube automation as well.

Meaning I'd render once, and post once, and it will go to all of the platforms. Flightcast does this too, but Substack is free. Imagine too if you were an independent journalist, and you livestream a major event. Then it will automatically syndicate across platforms.

CAVEAT: I have had a lot of tech problems, none of the thumbnails ever make it to YT meaning I have to go in and edit the video. No tags, description, or playlists either.
I've had issues with livestreams not ending when I end stream, meaning the video file is 1-2 min longer than it should be, and I even had an extra 20min added to my video one day. Killing watch time on YT and Spotify.
Lastly, the Substack team doesn't seem to care about its creators. I've never been able to get ahold of them, and I've been using the tool for the last five years off and on. I reached out half a dozen times recently because of feedback, and aforementioned issues. No response.

Podbean

I'm as sort of surprised as I presume you are. To me Podbean is one of the relics in the podcasting space, akin to Libsyn, but it was one of the first to finally adapt to the modern times of video podcast hosting.

I'm not aware of the quality, given the interface, and the age of the product time will tell.

Honorable Mentions: Transistor FM (Audio Only)

My previous platform of choice due to the modern and clean interface. Outstanding team behind the company, and overall very stable product.

After coming from Podcast.co which basically was abandoned, it was nice to see a team actively working on the tool.

The pricing to feature ratio I found to be quite worth it, although I am considering other options due to my show being primarily video based. You can have unlimited podcasts in your hosting pool, and even create your own podcast network.

Beamly

A tool that has been around for a bit, but under a previous name of Podcastpage-io. Formerly more focused on Podcasts on its own, but had some really unique features even back then. I found it to be a great consolidator of audio/written/video all in one place.

Now with their more creator as focus approach, they are still a great choice for hosting your podcast.

However they also have a unique integration with video/youtube, and you can have your blog on there as well. Really consolidating your whole content ecosystem.

#1 Updated Last Minute - I don't have a top tool...

Okay hear me out, it was either going to be Substack or Beamly, so if that's what you're here for then go check those out.

If you want to know why I'm breaking the pattern with this post then keep reading.

I have been banging my head against the wall for the last month, and I even had a debate with an ai chatbot to try and figure it out. The podcasting market in my opinion SUCKS right now.

Many people would disagree, and they think its great. They are not thinking outside of the present moment, but I'm thinking of future proofing. I for one don't want to keep changing hosts, and I think we have to in order to stay on top.

The video podcasts, vodcasts, are here to stay. I don't want to hear the podcasters whining about that anymore. They're stuck in their ways, and that is going to be their fault for not adapting.

I for one want a podcast host for video podcasts, quite like Flightcast, but I can't afford $40-50 a month. Sorry Rox.

To me the ONLY two choices that made any sort of sense were:

  1. Substack
  2. Spotify

Seriously they were the only ones that offered video, and to be honest spotify's interface still is sub par, and substack breaks all the time especially with video.

💡
IF YOU USE SUBSTACK VIDEO. Then DO NOT use their video post to youtube automation. It is garbage, and it breaks. Doesn't follow any of your channel defaults settings, doesn't transfer thumbnail, and it broke on me 25% of the time.

Find the right tool for YOU:

The PolyTools Database
The Polymath’s Toolkit for all things Digital Renaissance. From content repurposing to automation and personal knowledge management! This is the database for the PolyTools brand.
Official Website for Dustin Miller PolyInnovator [LLC]Dustin Miller | PolyInnovator

This is a link to a page that has the database within, and you can sort by tag for podcast hosting tools if you need to look around!