3 Best Podcast Hosting Companies to Start A Podcast With In 2026

Is starting a new podcast part of your resolutions?

Kicking off the new year with a new podcast is a great choice. If you’re looking for the best podcast hosting company for your show, I might be able to help.

I’ve been podcasting for around 15 years. I also spent a chunk of my professional career working at a podcast hosting company (not listed here) and still spend a lot of my time reviewing and assessing what podcast hosting platforms actually provide for their customers.

There isn’t one perfect podcast hosting company I can point to. Many of them cater to a specific type of podcast creator. In this breakdown, I’m highlighting my three favorite choices.

I’m assessing these through the lens of someone who wants to treat their podcast seriously.

Maybe this podcast is part of your brand’s marketing initiatives. Maybe you want to add an audio layer to the content you already produce.

Either way, the options below can support the needs of a growing business or brand.

The 3 Best Podcast Hosting Companies for Starting Your Podcast

As mentioned earlier, there is no one-size-fits-all solution for podcast hosting.

Each platform offers a different experience depending on the type of podcaster you are. The three options below are great for anyone taking podcasting seriously. This isn’t just a hobby or an experiment, it's a podcast that represents you or your brand!

What You Get Across All Three Hosts

• Strong customer support across the board.
• A robust set of tools for podcasters.
• One-click distribution to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and more.
• Support for Podcasting 2.0 features and active participation in the podcasting ecosystem.

Transistor.fm: The Great All-Arounder

Sign up for Transistor (affiliate link, it supports us!) or use a clean link.

This is where I host most of my personal and professional podcasts. I’ve been using Transistor for the last four years, and it’s been rock solid. The support is excellent, and the feature set fits my workflow perfectly.

Key Features

• Simple, fast, and easy to use.
• Helpful when problems actually matter.
• Great for podcasters just getting started.
• Clean embeds for your website.
• Run sponsorship campaigns across episodes.

Podcasting 2.0 support

• Funding tag for donation links
• Transcript tag with AI-generated transcripts
• Person tag for hosts and guests

You can watch this series of videos where I walk through setting up a new Transistor account on my YouTube channel.

If you host multiple podcasts or like to experiment with new shows, Transistor’s pricing makes it easy and affordable.

If you want a reliable, all-around podcast host, Transistor.fm is my top pick.

RSS.com Hosting: From Free to Cutting Edge

Sign up for RSS.com.

There’s no better way to start a podcast than starting for free. RSS.com now offers a free plan, which is perfect for niche or local podcasts.

I often recommend RSS.com to podcasters who want to move from another host and need deeper features. Their analytics are especially strong and useful for brands and advertisers.

I also host Our Beloved Medium on RSS.com, and it’s been a great fit.

Features I Appreciate

• Deep insights for serious podcasters.
• PAID Ads: Monetize without selling ads yourself.
• A strong commitment to podcasters through The RSS Space.
• Unique Podcasting 2.0 tags
  • Live Item tag for live audio
  • Soundbite tag for short audio clips

Launching a free plan at the end of 2025 shows a real commitment to helping new creators succeed.

Buzzsprout: Easy Monetization, Easy Podcasting

Get started with Buzzsprout

Buzzsprout is one of the largest podcast hosting companies in the industry, yet it’s still run by a small, thoughtful team.

Every host I’ve recommended genuinely cares about podcasting and podcasters. Buzzsprout has been a champion of both for many years.

While I haven’t personally hosted a podcast there, I’ve used their paid ad network to promote Crew Collective, a podcast I produce at my full-time job. I also know many podcasters who’ve had great success with the platform.

Features That Stand Out

• Designed for beginners.
• In-house production tools: Magic Mastering and Cohost AI simplify production.
• Listener support (like Patreon) and dynamic ads through their network.

If you’re brand new to podcasting and want an easy path to monetization, Buzzsprout is a strong option.

Spotify and YouTube Are Not the Podcast Hosting Companies You Want

If you’ve spent any time listening to podcast professionals, you know one of the biggest debates right now is a simple question: What is a podcast?

Over the last year, YouTube has become the industry’s darling of podcasting. But YouTube isn’t the savior of podcasting.

YouTube wants you to start YouTube channels. While they offer a “podcast” option, it mainly exists to categorize episodes so they appear in the YouTube Music app.

Spotify tried a similar approach years ago when they acquired exclusive rights to The Joe Rogan Experience and made a massive push toward gated, premium content.

When people say you need an RSS feed, it can sound like a techie clinging to the past. But having a proper RSS feed is both an insurance policy and an access strategy.

It protects you from platforms changing the rules, throttling reach, or altering algorithms overnight. It also ensures your audience can always access your content using their podcast app of choice, not just Spotify or YouTube.

Even if platforms change, your audience can still listen anywhere.

That’s why your RSS feed should come from a dedicated podcast hosting company.

It’s About Features and Fit

Choosing a podcast hosting company can feel overwhelming.

You’re never quite sure if a platform will support your workflow or provide the help you need. The good news is that all three options here are solid choices.

Podcast hosting isn’t just about features. It’s about fit.

• Want to host multiple podcasts with a strong feature set? Transistor.fm
• Want deep analytics, a free plan, and cutting-edge features? RSS.com
• Want a turnkey solution with built-in monetization? Buzzsprout

You can start a 14-day free trial with Transistor (aff. link) or explore free plans from RSS.com and Buzzsprout.

Have questions about starting your podcast? Feel free to contact me.

Go podcasting!