Wondering where to post a podcast or which online podcast site you should prioritize when dropping new episodes? While there are plenty of podcast hosting platforms that automatically publish episodes to specific sites, there are other directories you should consider when uploading a podcast—especially if you want reviews and ratings. Here are the top 11 podcast directories where you should be publishing!
- Apple Podcasts
- Castbox
- Deezer
- Google Podcasts
- iHeartRadio
- Pandora
- Pocket Casts
- RadioPublic
- Spotify
- Stitcher
- TuneIn
Apple Podcasts
- Monthly listenership: 30,316,450
- Cost for listeners: Free or subscriptions start at $0.49/month
- Supported by: iOS, Web
- Available on: Smartwatches, voice assistants, car audio systems
If you’re looking to publish a podcast on a directory site with marketing resources and millions of listeners, check out Apple Podcasts! With subscribers in more than 170 countries, Apple Podcasts is largely considered one of the best online directories. It also easily connects with major podcast hosting sites like BuzzSprout and Podbean and will save you time by automatically listing your show on other popular podcast directories, including Overcast. Not only does this platform recommend personalized content to listeners based on their previous listens and the shows they follow, but Apple also helps podcasters measure their performance. Through the Apple Podcast Connect tool, creators can view podcast analytics, including the number and demographics of listeners, best-performing episodes, and episode drop-off data. Apple Podcasts even lets podcast creators monetize their show with Apple Podcasts Subscriptions.
Castbox
- Monthly listenership: 1,150,270
- Cost for listeners: Free or subscriptions start at $0.99/month
- Supported by: Android, iOS, Web
- Available on: Voice assistants, car audio systems
Castbox is a go-to podcast site for shows that want to reach new listeners. By utilizing SEO and AI tech, Castbox became the world’s first automated podcast transcription and indexing tool. These systems are behind Castbox’s cutting-edge in-audio search engine, which populates search results based on content within the audio file—right down to the exact second when relevant information appears in a podcast episode. Because of this unique searchability, the service attracts millions of monthly podcast listeners who want to discover new artists and shows. Additionally, you can claim ownership of your podcast through Castbox Creator Studio to gain access to further tools and features, including the ability to control advertisements and receive listener donations. You can also apply to be featured on Castbox’s Editor’s Picks page to further expand your listenership. Plus, listeners can leave comments on podcasts in real-time, giving creators the opportunity to engage with their fanbase, learn more about their interests, and further curate podcast content to their target demographic.
Deezer
- Monthly listenership: 220,748
- Cost for listeners: Free or subscriptions starting at $9.99/month
- Supported by: Android, iOS, Web
- Available on: Smartwatches, smart TVs, voice assistants, gaming consoles, car audio systems
Want to expand your podcast market to different countries? Check out Deezer! Available in more than 180 countries, French-based company Deezer offers listeners one of the largest audio catalogs in the world. This international podcast aggregator has also introduced Deezer for Creators, a one-stop-shop for music creators and Deezer podcasters. With an individual profile, creators can personalize their bio and photo, highlight new releases or their best podcast episodes, and upload content of all sizes for free! You also have access to audience insights like listener demographics and performance data. Additionally, Deezer has plans to implement a User-Centric Payment System (UCPS), where podcasts will be directly supported by their listeners, so local and niche artists receive fair payment for their shows.
Google Podcasts
- Monthly listenership: 2,060,549
- Cost for listeners: Free
- Supported by: Android, iOS, Web
- Available on: Voice assistants, Google Search
With both a web browser and app designed to give listeners on-the-go access to all their favorite podcasters, Google Podcasts is perfect for creators hoping to be found organically in Google search results. Listeners receive podcast recommendations based on their previous online searches, allowing the service to better match users with content relevant to their interests. This podcast service also offers creators the ability to view podcast analytics for free with Google Podcasts Manager, including drop-off rates and listening habits, like what devices listeners are using. And with more than 100 million Google Podcasts app downloads to date, creators can be sure their content is available to a large audience with this podcast directory.
iHeartRadio
- Monthly listenership: 672,402
- Cost for listeners: Free or subscriptions starting at $4.99/month
- Supported by: Android, iOS, Web
- Available on: Smartwatches, smart TVs, voice assistants, tablets, car audio systems
iHeartRadio is a free streaming platform and podcast aggregator for all types of audio entertainment. Audio shows published on this podcast directory can be streamed on more than 2,000 devices and are available to 150 million registered users, so creators can be discovered by a wider audience. For even more audience reach, iHeartRadio updates the station’s Top 100 Chart weekly, where listeners can find your show organically if it’s performing well. And iHeartRadio also gives podcasters the ability to include local or niche brand sponsors when uploading a podcast, so you have more control over your advertising partners!
Pandora
- Monthly listenership: 489,619
- Cost for listeners: Free or subscriptions starting at $4.99/month
- Supported by: Android, iOS, Web
- Available on: Smart TVs, voice assistants, gaming consoles
With more than 600,000 podcast episodes available, Pandora is the directory site for podcast explorers. Just as Pandora’s Music Genome Project suggests songs curated for each user based on their tastes, Simplecast Creator Connect (formerly Pandora for Podcasts and the Podcast Genome Project) analyzes podcast content based on more than 1,500 different attributes and uses listening history—like which episodes a user gives a thumbs up or down—to make personalized listener recommendations at both the show and episode level. Podcasts on Pandora are also eligible for monetization since creators can opt in for ad spots through the platform.
Pocket Casts
- Monthly listenership: 617,512
- Cost for listeners: Free or subscriptions starting at $0.99/month
- Supported by: Android, iOS, Web
- Available on: Smartwatches, voice assistants, car audio systems
Pocket Casts, which recently partnered with Automattic—the company behind WordPress and Tumblr—is a great choice for podcast publishers looking to grow a web audience, thanks to their free website integration tools. Great for local, niche, and up-and-coming podcasts, this podcast directory prioritizes human-curated recommendations so that emerging podcasts can compete with more established leaders. The listening experience is further improved by the ability to select multiple episodes at once, filter by length, or auto-archive played episodes.
RadioPublic
- Monthly listenership: N/A
- Cost for listeners: Free or subscriptions starting at $12/month
- Supported by: Android, iOS, Web
- Available on: Smartwatches, smart TVs, voice assistants, tablets
If you’re looking for a podcast aggregator where you can reach more mobile audio listeners and have greater control of your podcast’s visual brand, RadioPublic is a perfect choice. RadioPublic podcasters have access to the site’s discovery, engagement, and marketing features like Podsite—a web builder where creators can design a custom, professional website for their podcast. Additionally, RadioPublic makes it possible for creators to embed podcast episodes into webpages that are mobile optimized. And after publishing a podcast with RadioPublic, creators can partner with Podfund to raise funds for their show or receive financial support directly from their listeners! Plus, the site was recently acquired by Acast, which further supports creators through monetization efforts and advertising.
Spotify
- Monthly listenership: 25,526,917
- Cost for listeners: Free or subscriptions start at $4.99/month
- Supported by: Android, iOS, Web
- Available on: Smartwatches, smart TVs, gaming consoles, car audio systems
Spotify is quickly becoming one of the most popular podcasting sites in the U.S., meaning that uploading a podcast to Spotify can increase listenership by making the podcast available to a broad audience. Podcast publishers can take advantage of affiliate sites like Anchor by Spotify and Soundtrap to record first-rate audio and upload, edit, distribute, and monetize episodes for free. Spotify itself has built-in analytics tools that podcast creators can use every day for free, plus personal Spotify Wrapped statistics that Spotify podcasts receive at the end of each year, where podcasters can learn about where people have listened to episodes, how many minutes were streamed, and more. Spotify has also introduced Spotify Greenroom, which accommodates live podcasting for hosts and unique interactive podcast features for listeners like Q&As, polls, and audio chats, allowing you to connect with active users on a deeper level.
Stitcher
- Monthly listenership: 541,269
- Cost for listeners: Free or subscriptions starting at $4.99/month
- Supported by: Android, iOS, Web
- Available on: Voice assistants, car audio systems
While many podcast directories double as platforms for music or other audio productions, Stitcher was designed specifically for podcasts. Launched in 2008, this directory site is still one of the most popular audio platforms in the U.S. Instead of just playing individual podcast episodes (though listeners have this option too), Stitcher offers podcasts in more of a radio format, with episodes streaming continuously from playlists created by users or by the company’s staff. This podcasting site also has custom queueing, seek controls, and playback speeds available. Additionally, audience insights and podcast statistics are available through the site’s Stitcher Partner Portal. It’s also possible to use this podcast directory to advertise your own show or merchandise through its partnerships with SXM Media, where advertisements can reach listeners on other directories, including Pandora and PodSwag. And Stitcher Premium allows podcasters to offer exclusive podcast content to paying listeners!
TuneIn
- Monthly listenership: 105,735
- Cost for listeners: Free or subscriptions starting at $9.99/month
- Supported by: Android, iOS, Web
- Available on: Smartwatches, smart TVs, voice assistants, gaming consoles, car audio systems
While TuneIn is well-known as a public radio site, it’s also a high-quality podcast service! With active monthly listeners in nearly 200 countries, this service provides a variety of podcasts in languages from Aboriginal to Yoruba, so you can expand globally. And if you’re looking to publish a podcast about sports, news, current events, or culture, TuneIn is a great place to reach a radio audience with similar interests! Furthermore, with a focus on authentic and meaningful branding, TuneIn partners with podcasters to create brand advertisements and digital media content specific to their shows. The directory site’s sharing tools make it easier to create buzz for a show by helping users customize their website visuals, and TuneIn Amplifier reveals podcasts statistics, including listener insights about where and when people tune in! Plus, Amazon and TuneIn have partnered so listeners can get live sports coverage straight from a TuneIn account to their Alexa devices, giving users more options for how to listen.
Looking to launch a podcast? Check out our professional podcasting services at Hurrdat Media today!
Monthly listenership statistics from Buzzsprout