budget podcast
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PODCAST HOSTING COMPARISON

Compare podcast hosting.

The right host, at the right price.

Compare plans
  • Free, no signup required
  • Official sources
Start my first podcast
BudgetPodcastWatch the tutorial (in French), on YouTube, new tab

What does your
podcast need?

Need help? Watch the tutorial (in French), on YouTube, new tab

Editable examples to adjust to your project.

Live calculation
Public and private, combined
Across all your shows
Total audio volume
Private podcastFor a specific audience.

Audio only. Prices in US$, excluding taxes and add-ons.Audio only · USD · Taxes and add-ons excluded.

Billing

Instant results · 3 podcast hosts compared

Your simulation is saved in this tab.

THE RIGHT PLAN FOR YOUR PROJECT

Less calculation. More creation.

3 plans matching your criteria

A non-exhaustive selection of 3 podcast hosts. Ranked by increasing annual base cost, excluding taxes and add-ons. The selected plan covers your audio volume without extra upload hours; a lower plan with paid extra hours is not simulated. Hosts do not pay to be listed. Some Buzzsprout and Captivate links are affiliate links: a subscription may earn us a commission, without affecting the ranking. Calculation method and limitations.

LOWEST BASE COST
b

Buzzsprout

Audio

A first podcast, included transcripts and a straightforward setup.

US$15/ month equivalent

US$180 billed per yearAnnual payment, paid upfront

  • Transcripts included
  • Unlimited team members
  • Podcast website included

Selected for 1 show and 4 hours/month. Capacity: 1 show; 72 hours/year. Bandwidth overages are excluded.

View the plan at Buzzsprout, new tab

Affiliate link: a subscription may earn us a commission, at no added cost.

1 TB of traffic included. Bandwidth overages and add-ons excluded.

Check pricing at the source
For multiple shows
t

Transistor

Starter

One subscription for your network, with private feeds and teams.

US$15.83/ month equivalent

US$190 billed per yearAnnual payment, paid upfront

  • Unlimited podcasts
  • Private feeds included
  • Network website included

Selected for 1 show and 4 hours/month. 5,000 downloads/month fit within the 20,000 limit.

View the plan at Transistor, new tab

Download and private-listener quotas determine the plan.

Check pricing at the source
For growing your audience
c

Captivate

Personal

Capacity plus built-in promotion and monetization features.

US$17/ month equivalent

US$204 billed per yearAnnual payment, paid upfront

  • Unlimited podcasts and storage
  • Dynamic insertion
  • Promotion tools included

Selected for 1 show and 4 hours/month. 5,000 downloads/month fit within the 30,000 limit.

View the plan at Captivate, new tab

Affiliate link: a subscription may earn us a commission, at no added cost.

Private podcast calculation for one feed only. Confirm quotas before subscribing.

Check pricing at the source

Compare features

Capacities of the plans selected by the calculation. Optional features remain outside the displayed price.

On a small screen, scroll the table horizontally to see all three hosts.

Features and limits of compared plans. A dash means no plan in the comparator covers the entered criteria.
CriterionBuzzsproutAudioTransistorStarterCaptivatePersonal
Shows on the accountUp to 1UnlimitedUnlimited
Automatic transcriptsIncluded for new episodes — official Buzzsprout source, new tabPaid AI add-on, outside the displayed price — official Transistor source, new tabPaid Assistant credits, outside the displayed price — official Captivate source, new tab
Individual private accessIndividual private access is outside this calculationUp to 50 people — official Transistor source, new tabUnique people across the accountCalculation threshold: 150 people — official Captivate source, new tabCalculation threshold for one feed; confirm with the host
AnalyticsIncluded — official Buzzsprout source, new tabIncluded — official Transistor source, new tabIncluded — official Captivate source, new tab
Published audio volume6 hours/month on average*No hourly quotaNo hourly quota
Monthly downloadsTraffic limit, see belowUp to 20,000Up to 30,000
Traffic and overages1 TB/month; overages excluded from price — official Buzzsprout source, new tabPlan based on downloads — official Transistor source, new tabPlan based on downloads — official Captivate source, new tab

* Buzzsprout: hours are shared across shows; annual billing provides an annual allowance. Download analytics do not guarantee that an episode was listened to in full.

Features checked on 9 October 2026; calculation plans checked on 1 October 2026.

Check the plans: Buzzsprout — official Buzzsprout source, new tab · Transistor — official Transistor source, new tab · Captivate — official Captivate source, new tab

Buzzsprout and Captivate: affiliate links, without affecting the ranking. How we compare

EVERY PODCAST HAS ITS OWN PACE

A price only makes sense
for your needs.

A subscription for one show can cost more than a network plan. The right choice also depends on what grows with you.

Understand the calculation
01

Multiple shows, one budget

Buzzsprout offers plans based on the number of shows and hours uploaded. Captivate and Transistor combine multiple shows in plans with download tiers.

02

The actual cost over 12 months

The monthly equivalent of an annual plan is not a monthly payment. Both amounts remain visible.

03

Clear limits, no fine print

Audio volume, downloads and private listeners: an incompatible plan does not become a recommendation.

BEFORE YOU PRESS RECORD

Create, publish, choose. Step by step.

Guides & advice
FIRST PODCAST

How do you create your first podcast?

A practical path from your idea to your first episode.

KEEP YOUR BUDGET IN CHECK

Can you create a podcast for free?

Available tools and the limits to know about.

DISTRIBUTION

Publish on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Prepare your RSS feed, submit it and check it.

To prepare your audio: choose free podcast software.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Everything is easier
when it’s clear.

Is the comparison tool free?

Yes. No account or payment is required. You subscribe directly with your chosen podcast host.

Why are prices in US dollars?

We keep the currency used in official pricing to avoid an approximate conversion. Taxes and currency conversion fees may apply.

Is this the exact amount of my future bill?

This is an estimate of the base cost. Taxes, add-ons, overages and price changes are excluded. Check the podcast host’s order summary before paying.

Are there free podcast hosts?

Yes. This selection compares three paid services and does not cover the whole market. If you are getting started, also consider free options, checking their retention limits and features.

How are the results ranked?

By increasing annual cost among plans compatible with the criteria you entered. A low price does not replace choosing the features you need.