Every podcast guide, sorted by topic
69 plain-English guides in 10 topics. Pick a topic, or search for the exact thing you are stuck on.
Podcasting basics 8
What a host does, how RSS feeds work, and the terms every podcaster runs into.
How Much Money Does It Cost to Start a Podcast in 2026?
How much does it cost to start a podcast in 2026? A real budget: hosting, a mic, and editing. You can launch for under $100, and here is where the money goes.
GuideDo You Need a Podcast Host if You’re on Spotify or YouTube?
Do you need a podcast host if you use Spotify or YouTube? Only if you want to reach every app and own your feed. Here is when you can skip one and when you can’t.
GuideWhat Is a GUID in a Podcast Feed?
A podcast GUID is the permanent ID your host gives every episode. Apple requires it to never change, and here is why changing one duplicates your whole catalog.
GuideWhat Are Podcast Show Notes (and Why They Matter)?
What are podcast show notes? The episode description in your feed that tells listeners and search engines what an episode covers. Here is what to include and why.
GuidePodcast RSS Feed Format: The Tags That Matter
The podcast RSS feed format explained tag by tag. What every field does, which ones break your show if they are wrong, and why you rarely edit the file yourself.
GuidePodcast Hosting vs a Website: What’s the Difference?
Podcast hosting vs a website: a host stores audio and builds your RSS feed for the apps, a website is a page for humans. Here is which you need and when.
GuideWhat Is a Podcast RSS Feed? How It Works in 2026
What is a podcast RSS feed? It is the one file every app reads to find your episodes. What is inside it, how apps read it, and where to find your feed URL.
GuideWhat Is a Podcast Host? A Plain-English Explainer for 2026
What is a podcast host? It stores your audio and builds the RSS feed every app reads. Here is what a host does, what it does not, and when you need one.
Best host for your situation 12
Picks for beginners, tight budgets, video, multiple shows, and more, plus alternatives to the big names.
Libsyn Alternatives: 5 Better Hosts to Switch To
Leaving Libsyn? These 5 podcast hosts beat it on price, ease, or ad tools. Transistor, Buzzsprout, Podbean, Captivate, and Acast, picked by your reason.
GuideHow to Choose a Podcast Host (2026 Guide)
How to choose a podcast host in 2026: what a host does, the eight things that actually matter, and the best pick by use-case, from a real tester.
GuideTransistor Alternatives: 5 Hosts Worth Switching To
Transistor alternatives worth a switch: Captivate for cheap ad insertion, Buzzsprout and Podbean to cut cost, Acast to start free. Pick by why you’re leaving.
GuideCheapest Podcast Hosting (2026): Free and Under $15 Ranked
Cheapest podcast hosting in 2026: RSS.com hosts free with a portable feed, and Podbean is the cheapest good paid host at $12/mo. Every option and the catch.
GuideBest Podcast Host for Video Podcasts (2026)
The best podcast host for video is Transistor for YouTube-first shows, or Buzzsprout Audio + Video for real 1080p on Apple Podcasts today. Full 2026 breakdown.
GuideBest Podcast Host for Churches and Nonprofits (2026)
The best podcast host for churches is Transistor for multi-show or private feeds, Buzzsprout for volunteers, or Captivate for its 25% nonprofit discount.
GuideBuzzsprout Alternatives: Better Options by Use-Case
Buzzsprout alternatives by reason for leaving: Transistor for multiple shows, Captivate for ad insertion, Podbean for cheap unlimited storage, Acast to start free.
GuidePodbean Alternatives in 2026 After the Livestream Cut
Podbean alternatives by reason for leaving: Captivate if you lost ad insertion, Transistor for several shows, Buzzsprout to keep it simple, StreamYard to go live.
GuideBest Podcast Host for Beginners in 2026
The best podcast host for beginners is Buzzsprout, with the easiest setup, real human support, and a free tier to test first. Here’s why, the runner-up, and the catch.
GuideBest Podcast Host That Auto-Distributes to YouTube (2026)
The best podcast host that auto-posts to YouTube is Transistor. It turns each episode into a static-image video and pushes it to your channel. Here’s the real catch.
GuideWhich Podcast Hosts Include a Free Website? (2026 Compared)
Transistor and Captivate include the best built-in podcast free website builder on every plan, custom domain and all. Here’s which hosts bundle a site and which charge extra.
GuideBest Podcast Host for Multiple Shows (2026)
The best podcast host for multiple shows is Transistor, with unlimited podcasts on every plan, even the $19 tier. Here’s why, the runner-up, and what to avoid.
Head-to-head comparisons 9
Two hosts or tools side by side, and which one fits which kind of show.
Riverside vs Descript: Best Way to Record and Edit Your Podcast
Riverside vs Descript comes down to one thing: Riverside captures remote interviews in the highest quality, Descript edits and repurposes them fastest. Here’s the split.
ComparisonSpotify for Creators vs Buzzsprout: Is Paid Hosting Worth It?
Spotify for Creators vs Buzzsprout in 2026: Spotify is genuinely free, Buzzsprout wins on ownership, analytics, and support. Full comparison and verdict.
ComparisonBuzzsprout vs Podbean: Is the Cheaper Host Worth It?
Buzzsprout vs Podbean comes down to polish versus price. Buzzsprout wins for most podcasters on support and UX. Podbean wins on unlimited storage and private business podcasting.
ComparisonAcast vs Buzzsprout: Which Free-to-Start Host Wins?
Acast vs Buzzsprout in 2026: Acast is free to start with a path to ad money, Buzzsprout is the smoothest paid beginner host. Full comparison, prices, and verdict.
ComparisonTransistor vs Simplecast: Best Host for Multiple Shows?
Transistor vs Simplecast for multiple shows: Transistor hosts unlimited podcasts on one $19 bill, while Simplecast charges $15 per show. Here is the verdict.
ComparisonLibsyn vs Buzzsprout: Which Podcast Host Wins in 2026?
Libsyn vs Buzzsprout in 2026: Buzzsprout wins on ease and support for most, Libsyn on advanced distribution and monetization at scale. Prices and verdict.
ComparisonCaptivate vs Buzzsprout: Full Comparison (2026)
Captivate vs Buzzsprout compared for 2026. Captivate unlocks every feature on its cheap plan; Buzzsprout is the simplest beginner start. Here’s who wins.
ComparisonTransistor vs Buzzsprout: Which Wins in 2026?
Transistor vs Buzzsprout in 2026: Transistor wins for multiple shows and no per-show fee, Buzzsprout for the easiest beginner start. Full comparison, prices, and verdict.
ComparisonTransistor vs Captivate: Best Host for a Growing Show?
Transistor vs Captivate comes down to how you grow. Transistor wins for running multiple shows and month-to-month billing; Captivate unlocks every feature at $17.
Prices and reviews 7
Every plan, cap, and fee, checked against the vendor's own pricing page.
Podcast Hosting Prices 2026: Every Plan, Tracked Monthly
What 12 podcast hosts charge in 2026, monthly and annual, what a weekly show really pays on each, and every price change since 2023. Re-checked monthly.
Review & pricingRiverside Pricing 2026: Plans, Fees, and Is It Worth It?
Riverside pricing runs from a free plan to $24/mo billed annually, with 4K remote recording on paid tiers. Here is every plan, the real limits, and the verdict.
Review & pricingLibsyn Pricing 2026: $8 to $150 a Month, All 9 Plans
Libsyn pricing runs $8 to $150 a month, metered by upload storage, not downloads. Here is every 2026 plan, six tiers the pricing page hides, and the verdict.
Review & pricingBuzzsprout Review 2026: Is It Worth It for Your Podcast?
Buzzsprout review: the $15 to $18 Audio plan, the 6-hour upload cap, what is free, what costs extra, and who should pick it over Transistor or Captivate.
Review & pricingBuzzsprout Pricing 2026: Plans, Fees, and Is It Worth It?
Buzzsprout pricing starts free or $15/mo billed yearly for 6 upload hours. Here’s every 2026 plan, the upload-hour catch, and whether Buzzsprout is worth it.
Review & pricingCaptivate Pricing 2026: Plans, Fees, and Is It Worth It?
Captivate pricing starts at $17/mo with every feature unlocked on all plans. Here’s each tier, the real download limits, and whether Captivate is worth it in 2026.
Review & pricingTransistor Pricing 2026: Plans, Fees, and Is It Worth It?
Transistor pricing starts at $19/mo for unlimited shows. Here’s every plan, the real download limits and fees, and whether Transistor is worth it in 2026.
Switching hosts 4
Move your show without losing subscribers, downloads, or episode history.
Duplicate Episodes After Switching Podcast Hosts? Fix the GUID
Duplicate episodes after switching podcast hosts almost always mean the GUID changed on import. Here is how to match GUIDs, fix the feed, and prevent it.
GuideHow to Move Your Podcast Off Spotify for Creators (2026)
Switch from Spotify for Podcasters without losing subscribers. Export your RSS feed, import it into Transistor, and set the 301 redirect the right way in 2026.
GuideHow to Switch Podcast Hosts Without Losing Your Subscribers (2026)
Switch podcast hosts without losing your subscribers. Locate your RSS feed, import into Buzzsprout or Transistor, set the 301 redirect, then verify in Apple.
GuideHow to Move Off Podbean Without Losing Subscribers
Move off Podbean without losing subscribers: import your back catalog, set the 301 redirect in Advanced Feed Settings, and leave the old feed up four weeks.
Get listed and fix your feed 4
Submit to Apple, Spotify, and YouTube, and fix a feed that is rejected or missing.
Podcast Feed Rejected by Apple? The Validation Fix Checklist
Podcast feed rejected by Apple? Fix cover art sized 1400 to 3000 pixels, add the missing website, author, and category tags, then rerun a feed validator.
GuidePodcast Not Showing in Apple Podcasts or Spotify? How to Fix It
Podcast episode not showing in Apple Podcasts or Spotify? Apple can take 24 hours, so check your publish status, validate the RSS feed, and force a refresh.
GuideWhere to Find Your Podcast RSS Feed URL
Where to find your podcast RSS feed URL on Buzzsprout, Transistor, Captivate, and Spotify for Creators, plus what to do with it once you have it.
GuideHow to Submit Your Podcast to Apple, Spotify, and YouTube
How to submit your podcast to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube: grab your RSS feed, submit it once to each, and let the apps pull every episode after.
Audio, recording, and video 6
File formats, upload limits, remote recording, and live streaming.
How to Record a Podcast Remotely With a Guest (2026)
How to record a podcast remotely with a guest: record each person locally so one bad connection cannot ruin the audio. The best tools and setup, tested.
GuideDoes Your Podcast Host Re-Encode Your Audio File?
Does your podcast host re-encode your audio? Buzzsprout converts to 96k mono by default. Transistor, Captivate, and Castos leave your MP3 alone.
GuideCan You Upload a WAV File to a Podcast Host?
Buzzsprout, Transistor, and Spotify take WAV uploads. Castos, Acast, and Podbean do not. And every host converts it to MP3 anyway. Here is what to export.
GuidePodcast Episode File Size Limits by Host (2026)
Buzzsprout allows 5 GB per episode, Acast just 150 MB, and Libsyn caps you by the month instead. Every major host’s upload limit, compared and verified.
GuideBest Live Streaming Software for Podcasters (2026)
Best live streaming for podcasts comes down to two tools: StreamYard for a clean live show plus recording, Restream for multistreaming everywhere. See 2026 pricing.
GuidePodcast Audio Quality: File Formats and Bitrate Explained
Podcast audio quality explained: why MP3 is the standard, what bitrate to export at, mono vs stereo for voice, and the settings that keep files small and clean.
Grow and earn 13
Downloads, sponsors, ads, analytics, newsletters, and websites.
How to Join the Spotify Partner Program Without Spotify
You can join the Spotify Partner Program without hosting on Spotify, but only through five hosts. Here is who supports it, what it costs, and the catches.
GuideHow Many Downloads Do You Need to Get a Podcast Sponsor?
You do not need 10,000 downloads to land a podcast sponsor. Marketplaces like Buzzsprout Ads and Acast accept shows at 1,000 downloads. Here is the real math.
GuideWhat’s a Good Podcast Download Number in 2026?
What is a good podcast download number in 2026? Benchmarks by episode, what percentile you are in, and the download counts sponsors actually care about.
GuideBest Podcast Host for Monetization and Sponsorships (2026)
The best podcast host for monetization is Captivate for self-serve sponsor ads on every plan, or Acast to start free and let its marketplace sell ads for you.
ComparisonBeehiiv vs Kit: Best for a Podcast Newsletter?
Beehiiv vs Kit for a podcast newsletter: Beehiiv wins on growth and its recommendation network, Kit on automation and tagging. Prices, catches, and verdict.
GuideBest Newsletter Platform for Podcasters (2026)
The best newsletter for podcasters is Beehiiv for growth, Kit for automation, or MailerLite on a budget. Here’s how to pick the email tool that grows your show.
GuideBest Podcast Website Builder (2026): Podpage vs Beamly
Podpage is the best podcast website builder when your host’s site is weak, and Beamly wins for all-in-one memberships. See the real 2026 pricing compared.
GuideWhat Counts as a Podcast Download? (The IAB Standard)
What counts as a podcast download? Under the IAB v2.2 standard, at least 60 seconds requested, bots filtered, deduplicated per 24 hours. Here is what that means.
GuidePodcast CPM and Ad Rates Explained (2026)
Podcast CPM explained: what host-read and programmatic ads pay in 2026, how to calculate your episode’s ad revenue, and why pre, mid, and post-roll differ.
GuideHow to Read Your Podcast Analytics
How to read podcast analytics: what downloads, consumption, unique listeners, and retention actually tell you, and the vanity metrics safe to ignore.
GuideHow Podcasts Actually Make Money (the Real Paths)
How do podcasts make money? The real revenue paths, ranked: sponsorships, listener support, premium feeds, affiliates, and services, with honest numbers.
GuideWhat Is Dynamic Ad Insertion (and Do You Need It)?
What is dynamic ad insertion? DAI drops ads into your episodes on the fly instead of baking them in. Here is how it works and whether you actually need it.
GuideCheapest Podcast Host With Dynamic Ad Insertion (2026)
The cheapest podcast host with dynamic ad insertion is Podbean at $12/mo, but it adds a $1 CPM fee. For insertion fully included, Captivate at $17 is the better buy.
Private podcasts 3
Feeds only your team, members, or students can hear.
How to Turn Your Online Course Into a Private Podcast
Private podcast for an online course: your course platform cannot build one. Here is what does the job, what it costs, and how students get added automatically.
GuideWhat Is Private Podcasting (and Who Needs It)?
What is private podcasting? A feed only invited people can access, used for premium content, courses, and internal comms. Here is how it works and who needs it.
GuideBest Podcast Host for a Private or Internal Podcast (2026)
The best podcast host for a private or internal podcast is Transistor. Here’s how private feeds work, the subscriber limits per plan, and what it costs in 2026.
AI tools for podcasters 3
Show notes, clips, and AI voices that actually save time.
Best AI Show Notes Generator for Podcasters (2026)
The best AI show notes generator is Castmagic for all-rounders, Podsqueeze on a budget, and quso.ai for turning episodes into clips. Here’s the honest pick.
ComparisonBest Tool to Turn Your Podcast Into Clips (2026)
The best podcast clip tool is Opus Clip overall, quso.ai on a budget, and Podsqueeze for audio-only shows. September 2026 pricing, plus what happened to Munch.
GuideBest AI Voice Generator for Podcasters (2026)
The best AI voice generator for podcasters is Murf for scripted narration, ElevenLabs to clone your own voice cheaply, and Descript to fix a flubbed line.