1. What do you upload each month?

Multiply episode length by episodes per month. Under 6 hours: every host's entry plan works. 6–16 hours: avoid single-show upload-hour plans. Above that: pick an unlimited-upload host (Castos, Transistor, Captivate, RSS.com).

2. How many downloads will you get in a year?

Download-capped plans start at 20,000–30,000 a month. That is a lot for an independent show. If you expect more, compare where each tier ends on our growing shows page.

3. How many shows and people?

Hosts differ most here: unlimited shows and seats (Transistor), unlimited shows but limited seats (Castos), or per-show pricing (Buzzsprout, Podbean entry plans).

4. Audio only, or video?

Check whether a plan stores video files or only republishes to YouTube. See video hosting.

5. Can you leave easily?

Make sure you can 301-redirect your RSS feed when you move. Your subscribers follow the redirect. Transistor's FAQ states that you retain ownership of your content. Check the terms of any host you're considering.

6. How will you make money?

Dynamic ad insertion, ad marketplaces, listener donations and Apple Podcasts subscriptions vary by plan. RSS.com Plus, Podbean (all plans) and Castos (all plans) list built-in monetization options.

A quick decision path

Testing an idea → a no-expiry free tier.
Solo weekly show, budget first → the cheapest entry plan that covers your hours.
Expecting fast growth, solo → flat-rate unlimited downloads.
Team or network → unlimited seats and shows.

Then run your numbers through the calculator.

How to choose podcast hosting