Podcast RSS Provider Cost Comparison

Podcast RSS providers vary widely in pricing models. Some are completely free, while others charge based on storage, downloads, or advanced features. Below is a comparison of 10 of the most popular podcast hosting platforms, including free and paid options.

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1. Spotify for Podcasters (formerly Anchor)

Cost: Free

• Unlimited hosting

• No upload limits

• Monetization options available

• Revenue sharing applies

Best for: New podcasters, automation-first workflows, cost-conscious creators

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2. RedCircle

Cost: Free (paid upgrades available)

• Free unlimited hosting

• Built-in monetization marketplace

• Paid plans unlock advanced features

Best for: Podcasters who want free hosting with optional monetization tools

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3. SoundCloud (Podcast Plans)

Cost: Paid (monthly plans)

• Entry-level plans are affordable

• Upload limits on lower tiers

• Strong community discovery

Best for: Creators already using SoundCloud

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4. Buzzsprout

Cost: Paid (monthly, based on upload hours)

• Pay based on how much you upload

• Episodes may be removed if plan expires

• Add-ons available for retention

Best for: Beginners who want simplicity and support

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5. Libsyn

Cost: Paid (monthly, based on storage)

• Pricing scales with storage limits

• No episode removal

• Long-term hosting stability

Best for: Established podcasts with predictable release schedules

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6. Podbean

Cost: Paid (flat monthly plans)

• Unlimited hosting on higher tiers

• Built-in monetization and ads

• Live streaming options

Best for: Monetization-focused podcasts

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7. Transistor

Cost: Paid (flat monthly fee)

• Unlimited podcasts per account

• Team collaboration features

• No free plan

Best for: Podcast networks and teams

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8. Captivate

Cost: Paid (monthly, based on downloads)

• Pricing scales with audience size

• Strong analytics

• Unlimited podcasts

Best for: Growth-stage podcasts focused on analytics

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9. Simplecast

Cost: Paid (tiered monthly plans)

• Enterprise-level analytics

• IAB-certified metrics

• Higher cost at scale

Best for: Professional and branded podcasts

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10. Acast

Cost: Free and paid tiers

• Free hosting with monetization revenue share

• Paid plans unlock advanced tools

• Strong international presence

Best for: Podcasts focused on ads and global reach

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Choosing an RSS Provider Based on Cost

If minimizing cost is your priority, free or freemium platforms like Spotify for Podcasters, RedCircle, and Acast are strong starting points. Paid platforms offer more control, analytics, and monetization features but increase overhead as your podcast grows.

Your choice should reflect:

• Publishing frequency

• Growth goals

• Monetization strategy

• Automation needs

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ClawPod - Why RSS Provider Cost Matters for Automation

Automation tools that generate podcast clips or videos rely on RSS feeds. Using a cost-effective RSS provider allows you to invest more in growth tools instead of hosting fees.

ClawPod uses your RSS feed to create social media clips. We completely automate the clipping, video creation, etc. If you want to see more on this, check us out - here