A plain guide to picking a host for audio or video, sponsor ads and your team, so your show is set up right from day one.
Checked October 2026
Video · Ads · Community
Quick answer
The right podcast host depends on three things: whether your show is audio only or video, which app matters most to your audience (Apple Podcasts, Spotify or YouTube), and whether you want to run your own sponsor ads. For most of our clients, Buzzsprout is the simplest way to get video onto all three apps, Captivate is the strongest choice for sponsor ads, and Spotify for Creators is the free option when Spotify is where your listeners are.
Start here
01
Almost every host handles audio well. Video is where they really differ, so answer this first.
02
Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube each receive video a different way, and not every host reaches all three.
03
If so, look for a host that lets you place an ad across episodes and set an end date, so it comes off on its own when the deal ends.
Video, explained
"Does this host do video?" really means "video to which app?" Here is how each one works.
Apple now streams video in a new format that your host sends for you, the same way it sends your audio. Many hosts support it, but some only on certain plans, and Apple approves each show first.
Spotify video isn't picked up from your regular feed. Your host has to send it to Spotify directly, and only some hosts can. Spotify for Creators has video built in.
Video lives on your YouTube channel. Some hosts post episodes there for you, some let YouTube pull in your feed, and otherwise you upload by hand.
If your host can't send video to Spotify, claim your show in Spotify for Creators and replace each audio episode with the video version. That video plays only in Spotify, it can't earn money through Spotify's programs, and it's one extra upload per episode.
The catalog
What each host can do for audio, video, sponsor ads and your team. Some features are only on a host's higher plans, so check the plan before you sign up.
Best for video on Apple, Spotify and YouTube from one place
Audio: Yes, including a free starter plan
Video to Apple: Yes, on video plans
Video to Spotify: Yes, sent directly
Video to YouTube: Yes, posts automatically once connected
Your own sponsor ads: Yes, but no end dates, so you take them off by hand
Team access: Unlimited team members on paid plans
Best for sponsor ads and growth tools
Audio: Yes
Video to Apple: Yes, as an add-on (Apple approves each show)
Video to Spotify: Spotify workaround only
Video to YouTube: YouTube pulls in your Captivate feed
Your own sponsor ads: Yes, on every plan, with start and end dates
Team access: Unlimited, on every plan
Best for video-first shows focused on Apple and YouTube
Audio: Yes
Video to Apple: Yes, rolling out gradually in beta
Video to Spotify: Not yet (on their roadmap)
Video to YouTube: Posts automatically, on higher plans
Your own sponsor ads: Yes, with start and end dates, on higher plans
Team access: Unlimited, with roles
Best for Spotify video plus automatic YouTube posting
Audio: Yes
Video to Apple: Coming soon, not live yet
Video to Spotify: Yes, sent directly, on higher plans
Video to YouTube: Posts automatically, on every plan
Your own sponsor ads: On its top plans only; end dates not documented
Team access: Up to 5 users per podcast
Best for free hosting when Spotify is your main app
Audio: Yes, free
Video to Apple: Announced; check the current status
Video to Spotify: Yes, built in
Video to YouTube: Upload by hand
Your own sponsor ads: Yes, host-read sponsorships with end dates, once your show qualifies for Spotify's Partner Program
Team access: Yes, with access levels
Best for audio shows selling their own audio ads
Audio: Yes
Video to Apple: Yes, on its video plans
Video to Spotify: Spotify workaround only
Video to YouTube: Limited auto-sharing
Your own sponsor ads: Yes, audio only, with an optional end date and a small fee per ad play
Team access: Only on its top plans
Best for a simple, budget-friendly start
Audio: Yes, including a free plan
Video to Apple: Yes, on its top plan
Video to Spotify: Spotify workaround only
Video to YouTube: On its top plan
Your own sponsor ads: Mostly automatic marketplace ads; your own sponsors only on custom plans
Team access: Up to 3 on the entry plan, unlimited on higher plans
Hosting features are changing fast in 2026. We checked every host's own website in October 2026; confirm on the host's site before you choose.
Our picks
Find the one that sounds like your show. Each pick is the best fit as of October 2026, along with the tradeoff you accept.
Audio only, running your own sponsor ads
Tradeoff: plans step up as your downloads grow.
Audio only, keeping it simple
Tradeoff: fewer sponsor-ad and growth tools.
Video on Apple, Spotify and YouTube
Tradeoff: sponsor clips have no end dates, so you remove them by hand.
Video, and Spotify is your main app
Tradeoff: YouTube is a manual upload, and sponsor tools need Spotify's Partner Program.
Video on Apple, plus sponsor ads with end dates
Tradeoff: Spotify video is a manual upload each episode.
Video on Spotify and YouTube, Apple can wait
Tradeoff: Apple video isn't live on Libsyn yet.
If most of your audience is on one app, choose for that app first. You can move hosts later, but it takes a redirect and your detailed stats history doesn't come with you.
Community
Community features belong to the listening app, not your host. You keep them no matter which host you choose.
Listeners can comment on episodes in the Spotify app. By default, comments that aren't flagged go live automatically; switch the setting to High if you want to approve every one. Claim your show in Spotify for Creators to manage them.
These live on your YouTube channel. Any host works, as long as your episodes are posted there.
Ratings and written reviews only. There are no episode comments.
So choose your host on video and ads, not community. Just make sure your show stays claimed in Spotify for Creators after any move.
Worth it?
Early signs are good. Among 562 established Buzzsprout shows, median Apple Podcasts downloads were 19% higher in the 28 days after their first Apple video episode than in the 28 days before. That's one host's own data, so treat it as promising rather than proven.
Most people still listen. Triton Digital's 2025 U.S. Podcast Report found only 7% of podcast consumers only watch, though newer podcast consumers are more likely to watch. Apple video is mostly a way to give your existing Apple listeners more.
You already film your show, a good share of your audience listens on Apple, and your host can send video there.
Your show is audio only, or nearly all of your audience is on Spotify or YouTube.
For our clients
You own the hosting account, and our team works inside it as invited members. Setup takes about 15 minutes.
01
Create the account in your name and keep the subscription on your card. The show stays yours no matter what.
02
Invite the Podcast Impact Studio production email as an Admin, or an Editor where Admin isn't offered. We use one shared studio address so access never breaks when our team changes.
03
Claim your show in Spotify for Creators if you're hosted anywhere else, so you keep comments and Spotify stats.
04
Set an end date on every sponsor ad when you create it, where your host allows it, so it comes off all episodes automatically. We name each ad with the sponsor and end date so it's easy to see what's running.
Questions
What is the best podcast host for video podcasts?
As of October 2026, Buzzsprout is the simplest way to send one video episode to Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube. Captivate and Transistor send video to Apple, while Libsyn and Spotify for Creators send video to Spotify. Choose based on the app your audience uses most.
What is the best podcast host for an audio-only podcast?
Captivate is the strongest choice if you plan to run your own sponsor ads, because ads with start and end dates come on every plan. If you just want to keep it simple, Buzzsprout and RSS.com are easy to use and both have free starter plans.
Is there a free podcast host?
Yes. Spotify for Creators is free and includes video on Spotify. Buzzsprout and RSS.com also offer free plans with limits on uploads and features, which are fine for testing before you commit.
Can I switch podcast hosts later?
Yes. Your new host imports your episodes and your old host redirects your feed, so subscribers follow you. Your detailed stats history doesn't move with you, so export it first. Some hosts can import your past download totals.
Do I need a podcast host if I'm already on YouTube?
Yes, if you want to be on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other podcast apps. Those apps read your show from the RSS feed your host creates. YouTube only covers YouTube.
Does my podcast host affect comments?
No. Spotify comments come with claiming your show in Spotify for Creators, YouTube comments live on your channel, and Apple Podcasts has ratings and reviews only. These work the same whichever host you use.
Notes
Checked against each host's own website in October 2026. Several features are still rolling out: Spotify has announced Apple video for Spotify for Creators, Transistor's Spotify video is on its roadmap, and Libsyn's Apple video is marked coming soon. We'll recheck this guide in January 2027.
Need a hand?
Book a free intro call and we'll help you choose, then set it up with you.