If you are thinking about starting a podcast, choosing a hosting platform is one of those decisions that sounds simple until you actually start comparing your options.
You may have heard of Buzzsprout. You have probably also heard of Anchor.
There is just one important thing to clear up first: Anchor is no longer a separate podcast platform. Spotify acquired Anchor and later combined it with Spotify’s podcast creator tools. The service is now called Spotify for Creators. Spotify still describes it as the platform formerly known as Anchor.
So when people search for “Buzzsprout vs Anchor,” what they really mean today is Buzzsprout vs Spotify for Creators.
Both platforms can host podcasts, distribute episodes, provide analytics, and help creators build an audience. But they are quite different in how they approach podcasting.
Buzzsprout is mainly focused on making podcast hosting simple and professional. Spotify for Creators is more focused on free hosting, Spotify integration, distribution, audience growth, and monetization.
So which one should you use?
For most beginners who don’t mind paying for hosting, Buzzsprout is the better overall choice for simplicity. If keeping your costs as low as possible is your biggest concern, Spotify for Creators is the obvious winner because its podcast hosting is free.
Let’s break down the differences.
What Happened to Anchor?
Before comparing the two, it is worth understanding what happened to Anchor.
Anchor became popular because it made podcasting much easier for beginners. You could record and publish a podcast without needing to understand much about hosting, RSS feeds, or podcast distribution.
Spotify acquired Anchor in 2019. A few years later, Spotify combined Anchor’s hosting and distribution tools with Spotify’s own podcast creator features.
In 2023, Spotify announced the new combined platform as Spotify for Podcasters. The service has since been renamed Spotify for Creators. Spotify describes it as a platform that provides free hosting, distribution, monetization, and audience insights.
So if you find an old article saying “Anchor is the best free podcast host,” keep in mind that the information is probably referring to the platform that has now become Spotify for Creators.
Buzzsprout: What Does It Offer?
Buzzsprout has been around for years and has built a reputation for being easy to use.
That is probably the first thing you’ll notice about it.
The platform doesn’t try to make podcast hosting feel more complicated than it needs to be. You upload your episode, add your title and show notes, choose when you want it published, and Buzzsprout handles the hosting and distribution side.
Its current plans include features such as podcast directories, advanced statistics, unlimited episodes, a podcast website, transcripts, listener support, subscriptions, dynamic content, custom players, and podcast migration tools.
Buzzsprout also supports both audio and video podcasts. Its current audio and video plan allows creators to publish video to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. That makes it more than just a basic place to upload MP3 files.
It is trying to give creators most of the tools they need to run a podcast from one dashboard.
Spotify for Creators: What Does It Offer?
Spotify for Creators takes a different approach. The biggest selling point is simple: free hosting.
Spotify says creators can host their podcasts for free and distribute them across major podcast apps, not just Spotify. The platform also offers monetization tools and audience insights.
This is a major advantage if you’re just starting out.
You might not know whether your podcast will get 20 listeners or 20,000 listeners. Paying for hosting before you have an audience may not make sense.
With Spotify for Creators, you can start without adding a monthly hosting bill to your expenses.
The platform also has a strong connection to Spotify’s massive audience. Creators can get access to Spotify-specific tools for understanding how their shows are performing and interacting with listeners.
For someone who plans to make Spotify an important part of their podcast strategy, this can be a big advantage.
Buzzsprout vs Anchor Pricing
This is probably the biggest difference between the two. Spotify for Creators offers free podcast hosting.
Buzzsprout has a free plan too, but it works more like a trial or starter option than a permanent unlimited free hosting solution.
Buzzsprout’s current free plan lets you upload two hours of content during each cycle, but the episodes are hosted for only 90 days.
Its paid audio plan currently starts at $15 per month when billed annually and gives you up to 72 hours of upload allowance per year. The monthly price is currently $18.
That is a reasonable price for a professional podcast hosting service, but it is still a cost. Spotify for Creators wins this category easily if your main concern is saving money.
You could spend $0 on hosting and put that money toward a microphone, website, advertising, or other parts of your podcast.
Which One Is Easier to Use?
This is where Buzzsprout starts to pull ahead. Spotify for Creators is not difficult to use. In fact, its whole concept comes from Anchor, which was built around making podcasting accessible to beginners.
But Buzzsprout has a very clean and focused approach.
When you log in, you are dealing with a podcast hosting platform. The important features are easy to find, and the process of publishing an episode is straightforward.
This might not sound like a huge advantage, but it becomes important when you’re publishing every week.
Imagine you have been podcasting for six months. You’ve already recorded the episode. You’ve edited it. You’ve written the show notes.
You don’t want to spend another 30 minutes trying to figure out where something is in your hosting dashboard. You just want to upload the episode and move on. That’s one of the reasons Buzzsprout is so appealing.
Podcast Distribution
Both platforms do well when it comes to distribution. You don’t want to upload your podcast and then manually submit every episode to dozens of podcast apps.
Both Buzzsprout and Spotify for Creators are designed to make distribution easier.
Buzzsprout helps creators get their shows listed in podcast directories including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other major platforms.
Spotify for Creators also supports distribution beyond Spotify. Spotify specifically says creators can distribute their shows across major podcast apps, meaning you are not forced to keep your podcast exclusively inside the Spotify ecosystem.
For most beginners, either option will work well. The bigger difference is that Spotify has a natural advantage when it comes to features designed specifically for Spotify listeners.
Analytics
Analytics are something you might not care about when you publish your first episode. A few months later, you’ll probably care a lot.
You want to know which episodes people are listening to, how your audience is growing, and where your listeners are coming from.
Buzzsprout provides advanced statistics on its paid plans. Its current feature list includes detailed podcast statistics along with other tools designed to help creators understand and grow their shows.
Spotify for Creators also provides audience insights. Spotify says its creator platform gives podcasters detailed insights into their performance and audience. It also provides Spotify-specific information about how listeners discover and interact with a show.
If most of your audience listens through Spotify, those Spotify-specific insights can be especially useful. For general podcast analytics, however, Buzzsprout remains a strong choice.
I’d call this category fairly close, with the winner depending on where your audience listens.
Podcast Websites
A podcast website can be useful even if most people listen through Spotify or Apple Podcasts. It gives you somewhere to send people who want to learn more about your show.
Buzzsprout includes a podcast website with its paid plans and allows creators to use their own URL.
Spotify for Creators also gives creators a presence for their podcast, but Spotify’s main strength is obviously its own ecosystem.
If you are serious about building a long-term podcast brand, I would actually recommend having your own website regardless of which host you choose. Your own website gives you more control.
You can publish transcripts, articles, email signup forms, affiliate links, videos, resources, and other content. Your podcast host should be part of your strategy, not your entire strategy.
Monetization
This is another important area. Both platforms provide ways for eligible creators to make money.
Buzzsprout offers listener support and subscriptions. Its subscription tools allow listeners to make recurring payments or access premium content. Buzzsprout currently charges a 15% fee on subscription payments.
Spotify for Creators also provides monetization opportunities.
Spotify’s current creator platform includes the Spotify Partner Program for eligible podcasts, along with advertising and fan-support options. Spotify says eligible podcasts can earn through advertising revenue share, while video creators in selected markets can have additional opportunities.
The important word here is eligible.
You should not choose a hosting platform assuming you will immediately make money.
First you need an audience. If you have 50 people listening to each episode, monetization is probably not going to be your biggest concern.
If you eventually have thousands or hundreds of thousands of listeners, the differences between monetization programs become much more important.
Video Podcasting
This is becoming increasingly important. Podcasts aren’t just audio anymore. A lot of people discover podcasts through YouTube, clips on social media, and video versions of shows.
Both platforms have moved in this direction. Buzzsprout currently offers an Audio + Video plan that lets creators publish video to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.
Spotify for Creators also supports audio and video podcasting. Spotify says its platform supports both formats and allows creators to publish audio through RSS distribution while using Spotify for video.
This is one area where Spotify has a particularly interesting advantage because video can be integrated directly into Spotify’s ecosystem.
If you know you want to make a video podcast, it is worth comparing the current video features carefully before signing up.
Customer Support
Support is one of those things you don’t appreciate until something goes wrong.
Maybe your RSS feed isn’t working.
Maybe an episode isn’t showing up correctly.
Maybe you accidentally uploaded the wrong file.
When you’re dealing with something like that, good support can save you a lot of frustration.
Buzzsprout has built a reputation around beginner-friendly support and provides podcasting guides alongside its hosting tools. Its current site also highlights its support and customer reviews.
Spotify for Creators also provides creator support, including 24/7 creator support according to its current platform information.
Both are reasonable options here.
Buzzsprout vs Anchor: Pros and Cons
Buzzsprout’s biggest advantage is simplicity.
It is easy to understand, has a clean workflow, offers strong podcast-specific features, and provides useful tools as your show grows.
The downside is that it costs money if you want to use the full platform long-term.
Spotify for Creators has the opposite advantage. It is free to host, has strong Spotify integration, supports distribution beyond Spotify, and offers useful analytics and monetization features.
The downside is that creators who want a more traditional podcast-hosting experience may prefer the focused approach of Buzzsprout.
Spotify is also a huge ecosystem, so some creators may prefer having a hosting company that is focused specifically on podcast infrastructure.
Which One Should You Choose?
If you’re starting your first podcast and have almost no budget, I’d choose Spotify for Creators.
There is no reason to spend money on hosting if you are still testing your idea.
You can start for free, publish episodes, see how people respond, and upgrade or move to another platform later if your needs change.
If you are serious about podcasting and want a simple professional hosting platform, I’d choose Buzzsprout.
The monthly cost is reasonable, and the platform gives you a straightforward workflow without making you feel like you need to become a podcast technology expert.
If your podcast is going to be heavily focused on Spotify, I’d give Spotify for Creators another serious look.
Its direct connection to Spotify gives you access to platform-specific features and insights that can be valuable.
Final Thoughts
For me, Buzzsprout wins for the overall user experience, while Spotify for Creators wins for value.
If money is tight, I’d start with Spotify for Creators.
If I were building a podcast that I knew I wanted to take seriously from day one, I’d probably choose Buzzsprout.
But here’s the thing that matters more than either platform: don’t spend three months choosing your podcast host and zero days making your podcast.Your hosting platform won’t determine whether your show succeeds.
Your topic, consistency, storytelling, audio quality, promotion, and connection with your listeners will matter much more.
Pick the platform that fits your situation, publish your first episode, and start learning from your audience.