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What podcast hosting costs, and what to compare
Last updated 14 October 2026
Hosting prices look simple on a pricing page and get complicated in month three. The monthly figure is only the start; what matters is what the plan does when your show grows, which features are extras, and what it costs to leave. Here is what to compare, in the order it usually bites.
The monthly price, and what it buys
Entry plans sit at roughly $5 to $15 a month, mid plans $15 to $30, and plans with video, networks or white label websites $50 and up. Yearly billing commonly gives two months free. Compare plans at the same yearly total, not the monthly figure, and check whether the price shown includes tax in your country.
The limits behind the price
- Upload allowance. Most hosts cap how much audio you can upload each month (hours or megabytes). A weekly one hour show at a normal bitrate needs roughly 250 to 300 MB a month; a daily show several times that. Check whether unused allowance carries over (usually not) and whether old episodes count against storage (they should not).
- Downloads or bandwidth. Some hosts meter listener downloads and charge or throttle beyond a figure. For a growing show this is the cost that surprises people. Unmetered downloads with a fair use clause are the safer model.
- Number of podcasts. Entry plans usually allow one show. If you run a second, check the price of the plan that allows it rather than paying twice.
- Team seats. A co host or an editor needs a login. Entry plans often allow one.
The extras
Features that cost the host money per use are where the extras appear: AI transcription, AI written notes, video, and sometimes stats detail or a custom domain. Look for a stated free amount per month and a stated price beyond it, rather than "contact us" or a feature that quietly moves to a higher plan.
Support
Entry plans often come with help articles only. If you are moving an existing show, or you publish on a schedule that cannot slip, a plan with a response time promise is worth the difference on the first day something goes wrong.
The cost of leaving
The two things that make leaving expensive are feed redirects and episode identifiers. A host that lets you set a permanent redirect of your feed to a new host, and that keeps every episode's identifier when you import from somewhere else, costs nothing to leave; one that does not can cost you your subscribers. Ask both questions before you sign up, not when you want to go. Also check what happens to your files when you cancel: a grace period of a few weeks, with a warning before anything is deleted, is reasonable.
What is worth paying for
In order: honest download counting that follows the IAB guidelines (sponsors ask), a website and player that need no other service, transcripts in the feed, and a team seat if you have a co host. Video and subscriber only content matter for some shows and are a waste of money for others.
Podmaniac's prices
Basic $8.39 a month, Smart $12, Pro $29, Studio $59, each about two months cheaper on yearly billing, in US dollars before tax. Unlimited storage and unmetered downloads on every plan, monthly upload allowances from 600 MB to 40 GB, stated AI prices beyond the free hours, a free feed redirect if you ever leave, and a 14 day trial on Basic and Smart. The full table is in Plans and allowances.
Common questions
How much does it cost to host a podcast?
Typically $5 to $15 a month for an entry plan with one show, $15 to $30 for plans with team seats and extra features, and $50 and up for video, networks and white label websites. Yearly billing is usually two months cheaper.
Is free podcast hosting worth it?
For a hobby show, sometimes. Check who owns the feed address, whether you can redirect it when you leave, and what counting rules the stats follow. The price of a free host is usually paid when you try to move.
What hidden costs should I look for in podcast hosting?
Metered downloads, per use charges for transcription and video, a second podcast needing a second subscription, team seats, and any fee or missing feature around redirecting your feed when you leave.
Does Podmaniac charge for downloads or storage?
No. Storage is unlimited and downloads are unmetered on every plan; the monthly allowance is for uploads only.