If you’ve been keeping up with podcast trends it’s no surprise that video is securing its spot in the once audio-only medium.
The closure of Google Podcasts in early 2024 paved the way for YouTube, the world’s second-largest search engine and beloved video platform, to make its podcasting debut with YouTube Podcasts.
While still new to the podcast scene, YouTube has already made a sizeable impact:
- 64% of podcast listeners found YouTube to be a better podcast experience compared to audio-only formats
- 48% of podcast listeners find new podcasts on YouTube
- 65% of people who watch a podcast on YouTube are consuming it for the first time
But video podcasts don’t just start and end with YouTube. Podnews reports that Spotify is making offers of up to 7-figures to attract more video-centric creators.
With all that in mind, it’s no surprise that more creators are opting to add video to their podcasts and one of the first steps in this process is finding a video podcast hosting platform to streamline your distribution to YouTube Podcasts and other listening apps.
To help make the process easier, we’ve compiled a list of our top 7 picks.
Podcast hosting platforms that support video podcasts
1. CoHost
Price: Plans start at $89/month
CoHost is a podcast hosting and analytics tool designed to provide podcasters and brands with the data and tools they need to grow their audience, save time in the podcast workflow, and measure performance.
Trusted by leading brands and creators, like PwC, Paramount, Expedia, and Interac, CoHost empowers users to effectively manage, measure, and improve their podcasts.
Video capabilities: CoHost allows video publishing to Apple Podcasts.
Main features:
- Automatic Transcriptions at no extra cost
- Advanced Audience Demographics, also offered through CoHost’s Prefix so you can use it regardless of your hosting setup
- Tracking Links show you which marketing sources your downloads are coming from
- B2B Analytics: See which companies and industries are listening to your podcast, so you can measure your reach into target accounts.
Cons:
- No mid-roll ads (in production)
2. Libsyn
Price: Plans starting at $7/month
Libsyn is a podcast hosting, distribution, and monetization platform that supports both audio and video podcasting. Since its launch in 2004, Libsyn has become a go-to platform for over 75,000 podcasts worldwide. Libsyn simplifies workflows and connects content with global audiences, making it a leading choice for those looking to launch, grow, and monetize their podcasts.
Video capabilities:
- Can publish your podcast directly to YouTube as either a video podcast or you can upload your audio file and Libsyn will generate a video with your artwork before publishing it to YouTube
- Copy episode keywords
- Set premium episodes to private
- Set visibility for YouTube
- Add artwork
- Default playlist
Main features:
- Advanced analytics including an Interactive worldwide map, consumption metrics, app analytics, and demographic data
- Custom iOS and Android App
- Multiple monetization streams including live-read and stitched ads, subscriptions, and donations
- Unlimited overall storage; however, there’s a plan-specific limit on monthly uploads
Cons:
- No recording capabilities (you’ll need to use a separate recording and editing tool)
- Outdated interface and design
- Charges on a per podcast basis
- Limited monthly uploads (plan dependent)
3. Ausha
Price: Plans start at $13/month
Ausha is an all-in-one podcast hosting and marketing platform designed to help podcasters grow and engage with their audiences. With a user-friendly, sleek interface and a comprehensive suite of tools, Ausha makes it easy to manage your podcast from creation to distribution.
Video capabilities:
- Create custom video clips for social media (plan-dependent limit)
- Transcription for video clips (plan-dependent limit)
- One-click publication to YouTube is available when you sync your account to Ausha
- Note: They don’t distribute actual video content; just the audio with your podcast icon
Main features:
- Audience engagement tools including integrated social sharing features, automatic newsletters, and automatic podcast websites
- Ausha’s PSO tool helps you optimize your show for SEO and track keyword rankings
- Ausha Intelligence creates AI-generated search-optimized podcast content
- Smartlink, like a LinkTree for podcasts to direct listeners to your latest episode on their preferred listening platform
Cons:
- No Livestream capabilities
- Unable to manage subscriptions
4. Podbean
Price: Free plan. Paid plans start at $9/month
Podbean, a leader in the podcasting ecosystem since its launch in 2015, provides a user-friendly platform that allows anyone to easily record, publish, and distribute podcasts with just a few clicks. Beyond hosting, Podbean offers powerful monetization tools, including a sponsorship marketplace, a patron program for recurring income, and live podcasting features.
Video capabilities:
- Automatic YouTube publication
- Tools designed to convert YouTube videos into video podcasts
- Note: They don’t distribute actual video content; just the audio with your podcast icon
Main features:
- Unlimited audio and video hosting
- Build in recording and editing software
- Monetization options like the Patron Program, Ads Marketplace, and Premium Podcasting
- Mobile app for on-the-go podcast creation and management
Cons:
- Only supports mp3, m4a, and mp4 file
- Can only record from the Podbean app
- Only supports audio live-streaming
- Closed captions are an extra $0.20/minute
5. Spotify for Podcasters
Price: Free
Spotify for Podcasters provides creators with a powerful platform to share their content with millions of listeners worldwide. With easy-to-use tools for distributing both audio and video podcasts, Spotify helps podcasters reach and engage global audiences effortlessly.
The platform has taken a large interest in video podcasts recently, taking strides to attract more video-centric creators. The company reports that video podcast publishing on the platform has surged by nearly 70%.
Video capabilities:
- Riverside integration allows you to have high-grade audio and video recordings wherever you (or your guests) are based.
- You can only upload video episodes on Spotify for Podcasters on the web.
Main features:
- Advanced analytics including demographics, impressions, and episode performance
- Free unlimited hosting
- Audience engagement features like comments, replies, and polls
- Monetization options including podcast ads and subscriptions
Cons:
- Limited customization
- Spotify-focused: Unsurprisingly, the platform caters to Spotify. You can distribute your show to other platforms, but the process is not automatic
6. Blubrry
Price: Plans start at $12/month
Blubrry, one of the original pioneers in podcasting, supports over 150,000 podcasters with a full suite of tools to publish, distribute, and grow their shows. From independent creators to commercial podcast networks, Blubrry offers hosting, advanced audience statistics, and monetization options to meet the needs of all podcasters.
Video capabilities:
- Full video podcast hosting
- Audio or video player options are available
- Vid2Pod transforms your YouTube playlist into a podcast
- Note: They don’t distribute actual video content; just the audio with your podcast icon
Main features:
- Custom WordPress website
- Include a subscription page on your website with Blubrry’s subscribe shortcode embed.
- Headliner integration for social video clips and audiograms
- Blubrry Pro Podcast Production allows you to work with a team of experts who will edit, upload, and produce your podcast
Cons:
- No creation capabilities
- No monetization options
- Standard plans have a monthly upload limit
7. Castos
Price: Plans start at $19/month
Castos simplifies podcasting for creators of all levels with its intuitive hosting platform and Seriously Simple Podcasting WordPress plugin. Trusted by tens of thousands of podcasters, Castos offers seamless integration, powerful tools, and dedicated support to help you grow your series.
Video capabilities:
- YouTube Republishing: Converts podcast audio files to videos and automatically publishes them to YouTube. Included on all Growth and Pro accounts
- Customize the background of audio-only podcasts on YouTube
- Note: They don’t distribute actual video content; just the audio with your podcast icon
Main features:
- On-demand podcast editing
- A suite of integrations including Headliner, Zapier, MemberSpace, Stripe, and Descript
- ‘Seriously Simple Podcasting’ WordPress Plugin: Manage your podcast directly from your WordPress dashboard with one-click imports to easily migrate existing shows
- One-click migration
Cons:
- Does not support WAV (lossless) files.
- Limit on paying subscribers
- No native advertising features
- Video file hosting is only available on their Pro plan ($99/month)
| Platform | Starting price | Video capability |
|---|---|---|
| CoHost | $89/month | Multi-platform video publishing to YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram (in production) |
| Libsyn | $7/month | Publishes to YouTube as a video podcast, or generates a video from your artwork |
| Ausha | $13/month | One-click YouTube publication; they do not distribute actual video content, just the audio with your podcast icon |
| Podbean | Free plan; paid from $9/month | Automatic YouTube publication; they do not distribute actual video content, just the audio with your podcast icon |
| Spotify for Podcasters | Free | Riverside integration for high-grade audio and video recording; video episodes can only be uploaded on the web |
| Blubrry | $12/month | Full video podcast hosting; they do not distribute actual video content, just the audio with your podcast icon |
| Castos | $19/month | YouTube Republishing converts audio files to videos and publishes them to YouTube, though they do not distribute actual video content, just the audio with your podcast icon; video file hosting is only on the Pro plan ($99/month) |
Are you ready to add video to your podcast?
If you’re serious about adding video to your podcast workflow, choosing the right video podcast hosting platform is crucial. To help save you time, hassle, and automate your distribution, take your time comparing the options above, including their features, prices, and limitations.
If you’re interested in learning more about the audience insights and podcast analytics you need to take your show to the next level, regardless of your current hosting setup, reach out to CoHost.
