The 4 free hosts from above that students can use.

1. Pinecast - Pinecast earns its place on this list of the best free podcast hosting by offering wide distribution, unlimited bandwidth and downloads, and tip jar capabilities to all of its users, including folks on the free plan. You can also have up to 10 episodes, split between up to two podcasts, available through the free plan at any given time.

When you’re ready to go premium, you’ll find that Pinecast has a lot to offer. The Starter plan is available for $10 per month or $110 per year and includes unlimited shows, unlimited episodes, a podcast website, embeddable players, and premium analytics.

The one drawback of Pinecast is that it doesn’t include tools for recording or editing podcast episodes. You’ll need to use a separate program for the actual creation of your podcast.

2. Buzzsprout - Founded over ten years ago, Buzzsprout is one of the oldest and most respected names in podcast hosting. Its main draw is automated file optimization and conversion. This makes it possible to plug virtually any file type into the Buzzsprout software and turn it into a high-quality podcast.

Another reason why Buzzsprout is on this list of the best free podcast hosting is the availability of integrations. You can combine Buzzsprout with a variety of popular tools, including advanced analytics tools and WordPress.

Buzzsprout also offers a wide range of monetization options that includes sponsorships, advertisements, and the ability to accept donations.

The one disadvantage of Buzzsprout is the limited storage space available on the free plan. This means you’ll need to have a plan for monetization, and the eventual switch to a paid hosting plan, if you host your podcast on Buzzsprout.

3. Spreaker - Spreaker is a high-quality podcast host with a plethora of advanced features, including episode scheduling and the ability to host live podcasts. It is also the only podcast host on this list that lets you host multiple podcasts on one account.

Yet, the free plan of Spreaker does come with some pretty strict limits. First, you can only store up to ten episodes or five hours of content at once. This is fine for a limited run podcast, but if you want your podcast to run for a long time, you’ll need to include a plan for monetization and moving to a paid tier.

The other major limit of Spreaker’s free plan is the lack of monetization options. If you want access to Spreaker’s advertising program, you’ll need to invest in one of their paid plans. Therefore, it’s a little bit more limited compared to some of the other best free podcast hosting options. However, at $8 per month (billed annually) for the lowest tier plan, it’s still very affordable.

4. Podbean - Podbean is a great podcast host with a limited free plan that lets you test their platform. You can upload episodes, create a simple website, and use integrations with email marketing tools and social media to perfect your promotion.

Another benefit of Podbean is the direct connection to the Podbean Audio Recorder app. This app lets you record, edit, and publish podcasts directly from your phone. There are versions available for both Android and iOS.

The five hour limit does mean you’ll need to switch to a paid plan for a long running podcast, but the premium plans offer some of the most advanced features available. They include the ability to create a monthly patron program, similar to what many podcasters use Patreon for.