These days, hosting platforms handle podcast distribution service. They create the RSS feed, connect it to listening platforms (example: Apple Podcasts), and make sure every new episode gets delivered.
Here’s a deep dive into the hosting platforms with the best podcast distribution service. 🏅
Top 10 Podcast Distribution Service Providers
- Ausha: Distributes to 20 listening platforms, plus YouTube and SoundCloud
- Buzzsprout: Distributes to 12 listening platforms
- Blubrry: Distributes to 8 listening platforms
- Castos: Unclear, but 6 listed
- Simplecast: Unclear, but 5 listed
- RSS.com: Unclear, but 5 listed
- Spreaker: Distributes to 3 listening platforms
- PodBean: Unclear, 3 listed
- Libsyn: Unclear, but 3 listed
- Captivate: Unclear, but 2 listed
Ausha
Ausha stands as a leading force in the realm of Innovative Podcast Marketing.
Founded in France in 2018 and making its mark in the U.S. since 2022, Ausha provides an all-in-one platform that simplifies every facet of podcast marketing. 🏆
From seamless hosting and distribution across major global directories to advanced promotional tools backed by AI, Ausha is the go-to platform for over 11,000 podcasters worldwide. 🌍
Always at the cutting edge of technology, Ausha is committed to empowering podcasters to grow their audience. Beyond our tech expertise, Ausha is proud to be a “Great Place to Work” and is dedicated to various social and environmental causes.
Global Distribution to Over 20 Listening Platforms, including YouTube
Ausha distributes your show to absolutely anywhere podcast listeners go to listen to their favorite shows. 🌎
We automatically distribute to podcast listening platforms: Apple, Spotify, Amazon, Pandora, iHeart, Google Podcasts, Castbox, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Castro, Stitcher, Deezer, TuneIn, Podchaser, Listen Notes, PlayerFM, Podcast Index, Gaana, JioSaavn, and Podcast Addict.
Ausha also distributes to SoundCloud, which is rare for a podcast distribution services. SoundCloud has 175 million monthly listeners and is available in 190 countries. It is an incredible opportunity for podcasters to gain a ton of new listeners. 🤩
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, Ausha distributes to YouTube. YouTube has an audience of 2 billion people all over the world. According to a recent study by Veritonic, 65% of people watching a podcast on YouTube are consuming the show for the first time. It is a critical place to put your podcast if you want to grow your audience. Plus it will do wonders for your podcast’s general SEO (search engine optimization) because YouTube is part of Google.
Pro Tip: Large distribution also makes for stronger analytics. The more data you can bring in through several different listening platforms, the better picture you will have of what is working and what needs to be tweaked. Better analytics is just another way that Ausha’s big distribution helps grow your podcast! 📈
Unlimited Storage
Here’s the thing: A hosting platform can distribute to all the listening platforms it wants, but if it has limited storage, then it effectively has limited distribution.
That’s why Ausha has unlimited storage. Unlimited storage = unlimited distribution. 😍
Upload as many episodes as you want. As many hours of audio content as you want. We will store it all for you, no problem. Keep that RSS feed pipeline to listening platforms nice and full!
The same goes for downloads. No bandwidth limits. Zero episode limits. No sudden increase in price because your show is just too popular. In other words, no punishment or disincentive for growth. Every service, feature, and tool we make is to make growth smooth for podcasters. 😎
Distribution via Social Media, Website, SmartLink, and Newsletter
In today’s world, we know that distribution can’t just be limited to traditional podcast listening platforms. You have to get your show out on social media networks, in people’s inboxes, and in their search results. And you need tools that make this easy to do.
That’s why Ausha has a built-in social media manager to spread the word about your podcast on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Linked. We also have a mini video clip generator so your posts will rank high in social media networks’ algorithms.📱
We also create a podcast website for you with a built-in audio player, boosting both your SEO and your reach to even more listeners.
Ausha also provides you with a Smartlink, so that wherever you post about your show, people can click on the Smartlink, pick their preferred listening platform, and start listening right away. 🎧
Last but not least, Ausha’s newsletter feature sends automatic emails to your subscribers when you drop your latest episode.
Best Overall Pricing
Ausha combines a lot of tools into one streamline experience: Hosting and distribution, data analyst, social media creator and manager, link tree, website creator, and newsletter system. ⚒️
Rather than having to pay and manage all these tools separately, you get them for one low price. Depending on your exact needs, you can go with the Launch plan ($13/month), the Boost plan ($29/month), or the Supersonic plan ($69/month).
Of course you can also do a 14-day trial, any time, no credit card required. 👍
Buzzsprout
Distribution to 12 Platforms
Buzzsprout distributes to twelve platforms: Apple, Spotify, Google Podcasts, iHeart, Alexa,Stitcher, TuneIn, Podchaser, Castbox, Castro, Overcast, and PocketCasts.
Limited Storage
Buzzsprout puts a limit on storage for all of its plans. For the cheapest plan, you can only upload about two hours of audio content a month. Even with their most expensive plan, you can only upload about twelve hours of audio content a month. 😩
Almost No Non-Traditional Distribution
Buzzsprout will help you create a website for your podcast, complete with an audio player. It will also create visual soundbites from your episodes to use on social media. Besides that, there really aren’t any non-traditional distribution options with Buzzsprout.
Average Beginner Pricing
At about $12/month Buzzsprout still charges as much for its cheapest plan as competitors with more offerings. Its most advanced plans do reflect the limited offerings, though: $18/month and $24/month. 🤑
It allows you ninety days of free usage before you start on a paid plan.
Blubrry
Distributes to 8 Platforms
The host platform Blubrry provides podcast distribution service to eight listening platforms: TuneIn, iHeart, Deezr, Pandora, Apple, Spotify, Google, and Amazon.
Upload and Download Caps for Storage
Blubrry does limit your storage space so even though it distributes to eight platforms, you may have a little bit of trouble making sure your listeners can access your full content. At its first price plan, you are capped at 125MB upload storage. Then at its second price plan, you are capped at 400MB storage. On both those plans, you have unlimited download bandwidth. On the flip side, its most expensive plan allows unlimited upload storage but limits downloads to 1TB. 🫠
No Real Non-Traditional Distribution
Blubrry doesn’t offer any features related to social media, email newsletters, etc. Basically you just get a WordPress website for your podcast.
Middle of the Road Price Plan
Even though Blubrry doesn’t offer many of the features we now expect from hosting platforms, it still charges a middle of the road price. Its pricing tiers are $12, $20, and $100 per month. 🤷♀️
Castos
Distribution: Unclear, but at least 6
The listening platforms that Castos lists under its podcast distribution service are Overcast, Pocket Casts, TuneIn, Apple, Google Podcasts, and Spotify. Its not clear if this is an exhaustive list since Castos says it distributes to all the leading podcasts directories.
Storage Limited by Downloads
The highest number of downloads your podcast is allowed to reach on Castos is 200,000 and that’s only if you are paying for the most expensive price plan. At the lowest price plan, you are only allowed 20,000 downloads. The small bit of silver lining is that there is no cap on uploads. 😳
Distribution Via Website
Castos does not provide any social media or email features. It only provides a webpage and WordPress plugin.
Pricing on the High Side
Especially considering the lack of support like non-traditional distribution tools, including social media posts or email, the plans are on the high end. The cheapest plan is $19/month. The medium one is $49/month. And for the most expensive plan you need to pay $99/month. Remember- your download limit is capped based on your price plan. 🛑
Simplecast
Distributes to At Least 5 Sites
As the host platform for Pandora and Stitcher, it distributes episodes to those two listening platforms plus Apple, Google, and Spotify. Simplecast’s website says it also provides podcast distribution service to more listening platforms, but it does not list any more by name. 📋
Storage: Unlimited Uploads, Limited Downloads
While you can upload to your heart’s content on Simplecast, you are limited in terms of how many downloads are available to your fans. The lowest price plan caps downloads at 20,000 every month, while the highest price plan allows 120,000.
Website and Custom Clips for Non-Traditional Distribution
Simplecast does offer a website and embed player to podcasters. Plus it has a tool to pull clips from an episode to post on social media. But that is basically its limit in terms of spreading your podcast beyond traditional listening platforms. 💻
Higher Lowest, Lower Higher Price Plans
In terms of pricing plans, Simplecast offers plans starting at $15 a month and rising to $85 a month. That puts it on the slightly pricier end for starter plans and on the lower end for the most advanced plans.
RSS.com
Distribution to At Least 5 Platforms
RSS.com, aptly named after RSS feed technology, distributes podcasts to Samsung, Amazon, Google, Apple, and Spotify. Its website says it distributes to even more than that, but these others aren’t named.
Unlimited Storage
No limits on your storage here! Upload as many episodes as you want and grow your downloads as much as you want with no extra cost. 🌱
Some Social Media Distribution
RSS.com does have a tool called one-click social media sharing. However, it is not clear which social media platforms this works on. Also, like many other hosting sites, RSS.com offers users a webpage and embedded player. 🖥️
One Price Option
You only have one price option with RSS.com: $15 per month. Well, technically you have two because they also offer a free plan. The difference between the two? With the free plan, RSS.com runs advertising during your show and you don’t get any of the proceeds. With a paid plan, you can run advertising on your show and get a big cut of the proceeds.
Spreaker
Distributes to 3 Platforms
Spreaker automatically sends new episodes to iHeartRadio (its own listening platform), Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. 3️⃣
Pay As You Go Storage
Spreaker essentially has a pay as you go storage limit. On its cheapest plan, you can store up to 100 hours of audio content. If you go beyond that– which most podcasters probably would after a couple years– you need to sign up for their 500 hours of storage plan. The next level up is 1,500 hours of audio content stored. You only get unlimited storage if you sign up for their most expensive plan at $120/month.
Zero Non-Traditional Distribution
Social media posts? A website? Email newsletters? Nope. Nada. Zilch. No non-traditional distribution support at all. 😔
Typical Pricing
Despite not offering a lot of tools other podcast distribution service providers do, Spreaker’s price plan is pretty close to average. The cheapest plan is $8/month. Then it rises to $20/month, then $50/month, and finally $120/month.
Its free plan does let you upload and distribute 10 episodes at not cost.
PodBean
Basic Distribution plus Live Streaming
PodBean claims that its podcast distribution service is “all destination,” but it isn’t really clear what that means. Specifically it lists Apple, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. The website also says it distributes to Alexa devices so it probably distributes to Amazon as well.
Almost Unlimited Storage
For its basic and medium plan, PodBean does offer unlimited storage and download bandwidth. However, for its highest growing customers, PodBean limits bandwidth to 3TB in its biggest plan.
Keep in mind that its free plan caps you at five hours of audio total in terms of storage. So don’t assume that you can actually use their free plan for anything more than distributing like two episodes. 👨🏫
Distribution Integration with Social Media, MailChimp, Website
With a PodBean plan, you can integrate your PodBean account to your social media accounts and automatically post new episodes. It also generates video clips for social media. In terms of emails, PodBean is compatible with MailChimp. Also, PodBean provides users with a website template. PodBean does offer a live streaming feature. 🎤
Average Pricing
In terms of pricing, PodBean’s plans are $14/month, $39/month, and $99/month, depending which services you want.
Libsyn
Distribution: Unclear, but 3 for sure
Libsyn says it distributes to “all popular audience apps.” That is pretty undefined. On one part of its website it does list Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. So that’s at least 3.
Limited Uploads in Storage
The good news: With Libsyn you get unlimited bandwidth. In other words, listeners can download your content as much as they want. 😃
The bad news: With Libsyn, your uploads are limited both in terms of play time and data size. On its smallest plan, your uploads are capped at three hours or 162MB per month. That’s pretty tight even if you only release a new episode every other week. On its most expensive plan you get fifty-five hours or 3000MB. ☹️
Distribution via Social Promotion and Website
Libsyn does provide some social promotion tools to help get your podcast attention across social media networks. All plans also include a website and podcast player for that website.
Price Mostly Based on Storage
At $20/month, you get all the features Libsyn has to offer. But if you want more storage, you’ll have to pay more, all the way up to $150/month. 💰
Captivate
Distribution: Unclear
Captivate’s website says that it will distribute your podcast episodes to “Apple, Google, and every other other podcast app.” Not sure what “every other” entails specifically. 🤔
Pay for Storage by Downloads
The good news about Captivate is that you do have unlimited uploads. You can upload all the audio content you want. However, your downloads are limited depending on what plan you are on. That means that even though you can upload all the content you want, you are limited at how many people can actually access that content.
Its least expensive plan allows 30,000 downloads a month. Which, to be honest, is a pretty high number for one independent podcaster so you should be fine. If you get really famous, or maybe you do multiple podcasts, you might need the most expensive plan which caps you at 300,000 downloads per month. 🤯
Little to No Non-Traditional Distribution
Besides a WordPress plugin, embeddable player, and some link features, Captivate does not have a strong non-traditional distribution game.
Priced High for Not Many Features
Considering this hosting platform doesn’t provide any real social media tools or monetization features, the price seems a bit high. The cheapest plan is €19 per month. Then €49. And €99 every month for its most expensive plan.
Final Word on Podcasting Distribution
In podcasting, distribution is the foundation of a successful, growing show. You have to go where the audience is. The more distribution, the more discoverability. 🕵️
Also, the more platforms you distribute to, the better data you collect. And the better data you collect, the better you can steer the success of your show.
We hope this blog post was helpful, and as always, enjoy the podcasting journey! 🧑🚀 🪐
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