Budget & hosting
Start a podcast for free: what is actually included
Phone, editing, hosting and distribution: a free workflow to get started and the limits to check before publishing your podcast.
You can start without a new subscription if you already have a recording device, free software and suitable hosting. Check episode retention, feed export and paid options in particular.
Free to create or free to listen?
An application that lets you listen to podcasts for free is not necessarily a service that can host yours. To produce your show, separate three needs: recording, editing and hosting. Distribution through a directory is another step again. This distinction helps you avoid paying for a listening subscription because you think it is needed to publish.
Free tools and their limits in one table
This is a workflow for a solo audio show, not a universal ranking. Free here means no mandatory new subscription for the use described; you still need existing equipment, an internet connection and your own content.
| Need | Starting point | Limit to plan for |
|---|---|---|
| Recording | The microphone on a phone or computer you already have. | Quality varies with the room, noise and placement. Make a test recording. |
| Editing | Audacity, free on Windows, macOS and Linux. | Requires installation and learning to use it on a computer. Keep the project and export an audio file. |
| Long-term hosting | Spotify for Creators: advertised free, unlimited hosting. | Enable RSS and submit to external platforms. Some features you want may require a different solution. |
| Trying a host | Buzzsprout’s free plan: 2 hours of new files per month. | Each episode is kept for 90 days. This is not a permanent free archive. |
| Distribution | Submit the feed to your chosen listening applications. | Hosting and a directory listing are separate; check procedures and approvals. |
A workflow without additional purchases
For a solo pilot, start with the phone or computer you have. On iPhone, Voice Memos can record your voice. On a computer, Audacity is free recording and editing software. The built-in microphone lets you run a test, but its quality depends on the room, placement and setup.
“Without additional purchases” assumes you already own the device, have internet access and a way to back up your files. It does not remove the time needed for preparation and editing.
- Make a short recording in a quiet room.
- Back up the original before cutting mistakes.
- Export an audio file accepted by your host.
- Create readable cover artwork using your own elements or resources you are authorised to use.
Spotify for Creators: free hosting
Spotify for Creators currently advertises free, unlimited hosting. After publishing the first episode, you can enable the RSS feed to submit your podcast to other platforms. Free hosting does not mean automatic distribution everywhere or automatic eligibility for monetisation.
The email address included in the enabled RSS feed becomes public. Use a dedicated address you check regularly. Before choosing this solution, check the tools you actually need: collaboration, multiple shows, analytics, private distribution or support.
Buzzsprout’s free plan: watch the archives
Buzzsprout’s free plan allows two hours of new uploads per month and hosts each episode for 90 days. It can be useful for experimenting, but this duration does not suit a catalogue you want to keep long term without changing plans.
For example, four thirty-minute episodes already reach two hours. A trailer or bonus episode adds more volume. Check the total duration of the files uploaded, not just your usual episode’s length. Check the current terms before signing up: a free plan and a temporary trial are not interchangeable.
When paying becomes a useful decision
A paid plan can make sense if a specific limit is blocking you: archives, audio volume, teamwork, multiple shows or private listeners. You do not need to pay to make the project look serious. Define the essential feature first, then compare its cost.
Our calculator covers the paid audio plans from Buzzsprout, Captivate and Transistor; it does not list every free offer on the market. It helps you price a move to a paid plan, not demonstrate that paying is always better.
The checklist before choosing
Test the solution with a pilot episode and keep a local copy independent of the provider. Before building a full catalogue, look for explicit answers to the following questions.
- How long do episodes stay online?
- Which limits apply to hours, storage or downloads?
- Can I retrieve my audio and RSS feed?
- How does migration to another host work?
- Which options or features require payment?
Official sources
Guide updated on 7 October 2026. Check the sources below: plans and interfaces may change.