If you started podcasting a few years ago, there is a good chance you remember Anchor.
Anchor became popular because it made podcasting feel incredibly simple. You could record from your phone, upload episodes, distribute your show, and host everything without paying a monthly fee.
But Anchor isn’t really Anchor anymore. Spotify acquired Anchor in 2019, later combined it with Spotify for Podcasters, and the platform is now part of Spotify for Creators. Spotify’s own site still identifies Spotify for Creators as formerly known as Anchor.
The platform is still available, but Spotify has changed the product over time and removed some of the tools that made the original Anchor experience attractive. That has led many podcasters to look for alternatives with better analytics, editing tools, monetization options, websites, or simply more control over their podcast.
What is the Best Anchor Alternatives?
The good news is that there are plenty of options. Some are better for beginners. Some are built for professional podcast networks. Others focus heavily on monetization.
1. Buzzsprout
If you want the easiest Anchor alternative, Buzzsprout would be my first choice. Buzzsprout has built its reputation around making podcasting simple. You don’t need to understand much about RSS feeds, audio encoding, or podcast distribution to get started.
You upload your episode, enter the title and description, choose when you want it published, and Buzzsprout handles the rest. That’s exactly what many former Anchor users are looking for.
Buzzsprout also offers a much broader set of tools than basic podcast hosting. Current features include podcast analytics, audio enhancement, transcripts, podcast websites, monetization, team members, and video podcasting.
Its paid Audio plan currently starts at $15 per month when billed annually, while its Audio + Video plan starts at $25 per month annually.
The biggest downside is that Buzzsprout isn’t completely free forever in the same way Anchor was.
But if you’re serious about your podcast, paying for a good host isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
2. Podbean
Podbean is another excellent Anchor alternative, particularly if monetization is important to you.
Podbean offers podcast hosting, distribution, analytics, podcast websites, advertising, subscriptions, live streaming, and other creator tools. It also has a strong focus on monetization.
You can use Podbean’s advertising marketplace, listener support tools, and premium content options to create different revenue streams.
Another reason to consider Podbean is its support for both audio and video podcasting. It has also added AI-powered tools for things such as audio enhancement, transcripts, show notes, titles, chapters, and other podcast-production tasks.
That makes Podbean feel more like an all-in-one podcast platform than simply an RSS hosting service. The downside is that there are more features to learn.
If Anchor’s simplicity was your favorite thing about it, Podbean may initially feel a little overwhelming. But once you understand the dashboard, those extra tools become useful.
3. Transistor
If you’re planning to run multiple podcasts, Transistor is one of the best Anchor alternatives available. The biggest reason is simple: Transistor lets you manage multiple podcasts under one account.
Its current Starter plan costs $19 per month and includes unlimited podcasts, unlimited team members, advanced analytics, podcast websites, private podcasting, and other professional features. That’s particularly useful for businesses and podcast networks.
Imagine you’re running a company with three different podcasts. Instead of creating three completely separate accounts, you can manage them from the same Transistor dashboard. Transistor also has strong analytics and private podcasting features.
The main disadvantage is the price. There isn’t a permanent free plan like Anchor had. But if you’re building a serious podcast operation, the additional control can easily justify the cost.
4. RSS.com
RSS.com is worth considering if you want straightforward podcast hosting without a complicated interface.
The platform focuses on the basic things podcasters need: hosting, RSS feeds, distribution, analytics, websites, and monetization. It is also frequently included in current comparisons of the leading podcast hosting platforms.
One of its biggest attractions is that it doesn’t try to turn podcast hosting into something unnecessarily complicated. You upload your episode and manage your podcast from one dashboard.
RSS.com also supports monetization options, including advertising. It’s a particularly good choice if you are moving away from Anchor because you want more control over your podcast but don’t necessarily need dozens of advanced features.
5. Libsyn
Libsyn is one of the oldest and most established podcast hosting platforms. It has been around since the early days of podcasting, which gives it something newer platforms simply don’t have: a very long track record.
Libsyn is particularly popular among established podcasters and professional publishers.
It offers podcast hosting, distribution, analytics, monetization, advertising, and other professional tools.
Current podcast-hosting comparisons continue to position Libsyn as a strong choice for established podcasters with large back catalogs.
One advantage of Libsyn is that it doesn’t feel like a platform designed only for beginners. It has the infrastructure and features needed by creators who have been podcasting for years.
The downside is that its interface can feel less modern and beginner-friendly than Buzzsprout. If you’re coming directly from Anchor, you may find Libsyn takes a little more time to learn.
6. Spreaker
If monetization is your main reason for leaving Anchor, Spreaker deserves a serious look. Spreaker has a strong focus on advertising.
Its platform combines podcast hosting, distribution, analytics, advertising, listener subscriptions, and live podcasting. That’s an interesting combination. You can publish normal episodes but also experiment with live shows.
Spreaker’s advertising tools allow eligible podcasters to monetize their episodes with ads, including pre-roll, mid-roll, and post-roll placements. It also has a Supporters Club that allows listeners to support podcasts directly.
This makes Spreaker particularly appealing once your show starts attracting a meaningful audience.
The downside is that some of its higher-tier plans can become expensive. Still, if you’re thinking about your podcast as a business, the monetization tools can make the cost worthwhile.
7. Castos
Castos is another strong option, especially if you already have a WordPress website. Castos has built a close relationship with WordPress through its Seriously Simple Podcasting plugin. That makes it convenient if your podcast is part of a larger website.
Instead of having your podcast and website completely separated, you can manage much of the publishing workflow through WordPress. Castos also provides podcast analytics, private podcasting, transcription, and monetization tools.
Current 2026 comparisons highlight Castos for unlimited uploads, WordPress integration, private podcasting, and monetization.
If your main goal is to build a website around your podcast, Castos is worth considering. It isn’t necessarily the best choice for someone who simply wants to upload an episode from their phone and move on. But for website-focused creators, it can be excellent.
8. Captivate
Captivate is designed with podcast growth in mind. It’s not just about hosting your audio. The platform provides tools for audience growth, marketing, calls to action, websites, analytics, and monetization.
That makes it particularly interesting for creators who treat their podcast as part of a larger business.
For example, if your podcast is designed to generate leads for your company, Captivate’s marketing-oriented tools can be useful. It also provides features designed for professional podcasters rather than only casual hobbyists.
The downside is similar to Transistor: you’re paying for professional tools rather than getting the completely free experience that made Anchor famous. If your podcast is already generating revenue, that isn’t necessarily a problem.
9. SoundCloud
SoundCloud is a slightly unusual Anchor alternative. It’s not primarily a podcast hosting platform in the same way Buzzsprout or Libsyn are. But it has one major advantage: it already has a large community of listeners.
That’s useful because your content can potentially be discovered by people who are already using SoundCloud.
SoundCloud also supports RSS-based podcast distribution for eligible accounts. This makes it an interesting option for musicians, audio creators, and podcasters who already have an audience on the platform.
The downside is that it isn’t as focused on podcast-specific tools as dedicated hosts. If you’re starting a serious podcast business, I’d generally choose Buzzsprout, Podbean, or Transistor instead.
10. Spotify for Creators
This might sound strange because Anchor became part of Spotify’s podcasting platform. But it’s still worth mentioning.
If what you loved about Anchor was free hosting, Spotify for Creators remains one of the most obvious options.
Spotify itself describes Spotify for Creators as the successor to Anchor. The platform remains free and is particularly attractive to creators who want a simple way to publish podcasts and reach Spotify’s huge audience.
However, this isn’t really an alternative to Anchor in the traditional sense. It’s the platform Anchor evolved into.
The reason you might choose something else is if you want greater control, more advanced analytics, better websites, different monetization options, or tools that aren’t centered around Spotify.
That’s why many former Anchor users are now looking at independent hosting companies instead.
Final Thoughts
Anchor changed podcasting because it made starting a show incredibly easy. But you don’t have to stay with the Spotify ecosystem just because that’s where you started.
There are now plenty of strong alternatives, and several current 2026 comparisons put Buzzsprout, Podbean, Transistor, RSS.com, Libsyn, Castos, and Captivate among the leading choices.
For most people, Buzzsprout is the best Anchor alternative. It’s easy to use, has strong analytics, offers audio and video tools, supports monetization, and doesn’t make podcasting feel unnecessarily complicated. Podbean is a better choice if you want more built-in monetization and AI tools.
Transistor is better if you’re running multiple podcasts or a business. Spreaker is particularly attractive if advertising and live podcasting are important to you. And Libsyn remains a solid option if you want a long-established podcast hosting company.
The important thing is not to spend weeks searching for the perfect platform. Choose one that fits your current needs, move your podcast carefully if you’re migrating, and spend the time you save actually creating better episodes.
After all, your podcast’s success will depend much more on the quality and consistency of your content than on which hosting dashboard you use.