Updated In 2024, The Ultimate Guide to Best Podcast Platforms

Updated In 2024, The Ultimate Guide to Best Podcast Platforms

Kate Lv12

The Ultimate Guide to Best Podcast Platforms

10 Best Podcast Hosting Platforms

author avatar

Benjamin Arango

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Covering interesting topics in your podcasts or using professional audio recording and editing tools to process them, won’t mean much if you cannot reach your audience. Uploading a large numbers of audio files to your own website is not always an option, since the storage space, you have at your disposal may be too small to store all of your podcasts.

That is where podcast hosting platforms like Buzzsprout or Podbean come in, to help podcasters store their content safely and deliver their latest podcast to different apps and directories through the RSS feed.

With so many options out there, finding a podcast hosting platform can be a daunting task for podcasters who are just starting out. So, in this article, we are going to take you through the ten best podcast hosting platforms and provide you with answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about podcast hosting services.

Comparison of the Best Podcast Hosting Platforms

Are you too busy to go through all of the podcast hosting platforms we featured in this article? Do not worry, here’s a quick comparison of the best podcast hosting platforms.

Hosting Platform Subscription Cost Storage Bandwidth Podcast Analytics RSS Support Website host
Buzzsprout Ranges from free to $24 Unlimited 250 GB Yes Yes Yes
Blubrry Ranges from $12 to $80 per month 100 MB Unlimited Yes Yes Yes
Castos Ranges from $19 to $49 per month Unlimited Unlimited Yes Yes Yes
Podbean Ranges from free to $99 per month Unlimited Unlimited Yes Yes Yes
Podiant Ranges from $12,99 to 35,97 per month Unlimited Unlimited Yes Yes Yes
Transistor.fm Ranges from $19,00 to $99 per month Unlimited Unlimited Yes Yes Yes
Simplecast Ranges from $15 to $85 per month Unlimited 20,000 downloads Yes Yes Yes
Speaker Ranges from free to $50 per month Varies from 5 to 1500 hours Unlimited Yes Yes No
Libsyn Ranges from $5 to $150 per month Varies between 50 MB and 80 MB Unlimited Yes Yes Yes
PODOMATIC Ranges from free to $20, 82 per month Limited, depends on the subscription model Limited, depends on the subscription model Yes Yes Yes

Part 1: Top Ten Podcast Hosting Platforms

Building an audience for your podcast can take months, sometimes even years, and for that reason having access to a reliable hosting platform that lets you distribute new episodes of your podcast effortlessly is vital for their success. Factors that range from subscription fees to RSS support can influence your choice of a podcast hosting platform, so let’s take a look at what some of the best hosting platforms for podcasters have to offer.

1. Buzzsprout

Price: Free, pricing options start at $12 per month

The fact that over 100,000 podcasters used Buzzsprout’s services to launch their podcasts, shows how highly esteemed the platform is within the podcasting community. The episode automation feature enables you to just upload an audio file and it takes care of the ID3 tags and bitrates for you. Buzzsprout grants you access to a huge audience by allowing your subscribers to listen to your podcast from Spotify, Apple and Google Podcasts, Alexa or Overcast. The platform also provides you with advanced statistics for each episode of your podcast you upload. So, you can easily find out which apps they are using to listen to your podcasts or to learn the location at which your podcast was played.

Pros

  • Unlimited storage space
  • 90-day trial period
  • Grants users access to most popular podcast directories
  • Offers monetization options through affiliate marketing

Cons

  • Bandwidth is limited to 250 GB
  • The free version of Buzzsprout places ads to your podcasts on public sites

2. Blubrry

Price: Pricing options start at $12 per month

Uploading a new podcast and publishing it through Blubrry is a simple three-step process that can be completed in just a few minutes. This hosting platform grants you complete control over the iTunes’ RSS feed and it is optimized for the use on Android devices. In case you are considering moving from another platform like Libsyn or SoundCloud, you can easily migrate all of your content to Blubrry. Even though this podcast hosting platform features analytics tools you must purchase the Podcast Statistics package if you want to have a clear overview of the statistics your podcasts are generating.

Pros

  • The effortless podcast publishing process
  • Offers WordPress plugins
  • Free and easy media migration
  • Unlimited bandwidth

Cons

  • Storage space depends on the subscription plan
  • Access to analytics tools is not free

3. Castos

Price: Pricing options start at $19 per month

If you are searching for a platform that places no limits on your storage space or the bandwidth then you shouldn’t look much further than Castos. The platform lets you create as many new shows as you want and allows you to upload an unlimited number of episodes to each show you create. Podcasts you upload to Castos are automatically shared to all of the most popular podcast directories, including Sticher, iTunes, Spotify or Google Play. You can also transcribe all of your podcasts with a click of a button, but you must pay a small fee for each minute of the podcast you transcribe.

Pros

  • Fully customizable podcast player
  • Offers support for both audio and video podcasts
  • Advanced analytics tools
  • Grants podcasters access to all of the most popular podcast directories

Cons

  • Short free trial period
  • Video republishing to YouTube is only available within the Growth subscription model

4. Podbean

Price: Free, pricing options start at $9 per month

Podcasters who would like to have their own full-featured podcast website and gain access to a website builder can hardly go wrong if they opt for Podbean. Moreover, you’ll be able to use your own domain and your branding if you create an account on this hosting platform. Podbean offers a broad selection of podcast templates and lets you choose the layout. Furthermore, Podbean provides excellent monetization opportunities, either through advertising, crowdfunding or premium content. The free version of the podcast hosting platform offers only limited broadband and storage space, while video support is only available if you purchase Unlimited Plus or Business pricing plans.

Pros

  • Compatible with iPhone and Android apps and embeddable media players
  • Provides RSS and iTunes support
  • Offers a broad selection of podcast themes
  • Allows podcasters to create their own podcast sites

Cons

  • You must upgrade from the free version in order to have unlimited storage and bandwidth
  • Running multiple podcast channels is only possible if you have the Business pricing plan

5. Podiant

Price: Pricing plans start at $12,99

Podiant grants you access to all the tools you are going to need to upload and publish a new episode of your podcast. In fact, 22,200 podcast episodes are published through Poidant each day that are delivered to hundreds of thousands of listeners around the globe. The platform lets you choose from a broad range of themes, but it also features a templating engine that allows you to change the code on your podcasting site. Moreover, you can use Poidant to create a blog, embed content from Twitter, Instagram or YouTube in order to extend the reach of your podcasts and broaden their audience.

Pros

  • Allows users to host all their shows on one website
  • No bandwidth and storage space limitations
  • Compatible with all major podcasting directories and apps
  • Supports integrations through Zapier

Cons

  • The quality of the analytics data depends on the subscription plan
  • The free trial period lasts only two weeks

6. Transistor

Price: Pricing plans start at $19,00 per month

Professional podcasters and creatives from every corner of the world are already using Transistor to publish their podcasts. This podcast hosting platform makes all episodes of your podcasts available on Spotify, Overcast, and other popular podcast directories. Moreover, you can create unlimited podcasts and upload as many episodes as you want to the website you created with Transistor. The platform produces analytics reports for each of your podcasts, regardless of the pricing plan you own, but the number of collaborators on a single Transistor account depends on the subscription model. The number of monthly podcast downloads is limited and it varies from one pricing plan to another.

Pros

  • Allows users to create private podcast feeds
  • Supports integrations with email marketing platforms like Drip or MailChimp
  • Embeddable podcast player
  • The functionally organized RSS feed

Cons

  • You must purchase the Business subscription model to remove the Transistor’s branding
  • If you would like to create more than three private podcasts, you must contact the customer support

7. Simplecast

Price: Pricing options start at $15

The distribution, analytics, and sharing tools this podcast hosting platform provides are powerful enough to cater even for the most demanding podcasting needs. Simplecast lets you choose from a variety of themes that are optimized for mobile devices and search engines. It also enables you to customize the colors of each theme with its website builder. All podcasts you upload to Simplecast can be shared on all of the podcast directories that attract millions of listeners. What’s more, the platform makes monitoring the statistics your podcasts generate easy, so that you can discover new ways to reach new audiences.

Pros

  • Websites built with Simplecast are secure
  • Great selection of web-players
  • Provides detailed statistics for all podcasts
  • Doesn’t restrict the bandwidth or storage space

Cons

  • The size of the team using Simplecast can’t exceed eight members
  • Building more than three pages with Simplecast isn’t an option

8. Spreaker

Price: Free, pricing options start at $7 per month

Spreaker is an affordable podcast hosting platform for all podcasters who are just starting out or looking for a new platform they can use to host their shows. In addition, you can also stream your podcasts live, although their maximum duration depends on the subscription plan you have. The storage space you are going to have at your disposal also varies from one pricing plan to another, but even the free version of Spreaker lets you store up to five hours of audio on the cloud. However, there are no limits to the number of listeners which enables you to grow your audience continually.

Pros

  • An inexpensive option for both novice and seasoned podcasters
  • A fully customizable RSS feed
  • Supports content migrations through RSS feed
  • Provides excellent monetization options

Cons

  • The storage space is limited
  • You must purchase the Broadcaster subscription model in order to gain access to the platform’s analytics tools.

9. Libsyn

Price: Pricing options start at $5

This platform integrates with more than twenty podcast apps, social media platforms, and WordPress websites via the OnPublish feature. Libsyin features powerful scheduling tools, which enables you to choose the exact date and time when the next episode of your podcast is going to be published. The RSS is compliant with Apple Podcasts, which makes it easier to add a title, choose a category or write podcast summaries for each new episode you would like to optimize for playback on Apple devices. Libsyn offers Double Opt-in Advertising and MyLibSyn Premium Paywall monetization options so that you can choose the method of earning money through this podcast hosting platform that is the most convenient for you.

Pros

  • Supports audio, video, text and PDF hosting
  • Excellent podcast distribution capabilities
  • Cheaper than most of its competitors
  • Creating a publishing schedule for your podcasts is easy

Cons

  • Very limited storage space, regardless of the pricing plan you purchase
  • Underwhelming statistics tracking options

10. Podomatic

Price: Free, pricing options start at $8,32

The options you will have at your disposal if you opt to publish your podcasts with Podomatic, largely depends on the subscription model you have. Even though anyone can use this podcast platform for free, the bandwidth and storage space that are available on the free version of Podomatic can limit your options. Besides, publishing podcasts, you can also use the platform to listen to podcasts, from browsers or iPhone and Android devices. Podomatic lets you monetize your podcasts by connecting your Patreon account to your podcast website or by adding Podomatic Podcast to Advertise Cast.

Pros:

  • Podomatic app is available for both iOS and Android devices
  • Podcast published through Podomatic can be played directly from Twitter and Facebook feeds
  • Equipped with a powerful drag-and-drop website builder
  • Offers a variety of themes designed exclusively for podcasts

Cons

  • Unlimited storage space and bandwidth are only available in the Enterprise subscription model
  • Offers only basic podcast statistics

Part 2: The Most Frequently Asked Questions about Podcast Hosting Platforms

In order to add episodes of your podcasts to podcast directories, you must meet only three requirements. Your audio file must be saved in the MP3 format, you must have access to the podcast hosting platform, and you must be able to add a podcast to an RSS feed. The hosting platform you selected will utilize its RSS feed to distribute your podcasts to the apps and services your audience is using to listen to them and deliver a new episode of your show to your listeners as soon as you publish it. The reach of your podcasts, your monetization capabilities or whether or not you will be able to create custom domains depends on the podcast hosting platform you choose.

What is podcast hosting and what are its main benefits?

All podcast hosting platforms let their users store their podcasts online and create an RSS feed for them that is used to add podcast to different podcast directories. Besides sending each new episode of your podcast to your subscribers, podcast hosting platforms also enable you to track their performance and learn which apps were used to access them as well as a plethora of other relevant metrics. Some podcast hosting platforms feature website builders that allow you to create custom domain landing pages, blogs or add widgets.

Why do I need podcast hosting services?

Podcast hosting services simplify the process of storing and publishing podcasts and ensure that each new episode you publish reaches your subscribers. In addition, most platforms offer a quick and easy way to add tags, cover art or podcast descriptions, so that you can provide all the information your listeners need to find your podcasts effortlessly.

How to select the right podcast hosting platform?

The reason why you are creating a podcast can often help you figure out which podcast hosting platform is the best option for you. If you would like to periodically share short interviews or simply have fun with your friends, then choosing a free version of a podcast hosting platform is your best option.

However, if you take podcasting seriously, finding out how much storage space a platform offers or the maximum bandwidth can help you decide if the platform you are considering is the right choice for you. Moreover, podcasters who also create video podcasts should check if the platform they would like to use to distribute their podcasts supports hosting and publishing video files. Ultimately, the amount of money you are willing to spend on subscription will determine which podcast hosting platform to pick since there is no reason to spend vast amounts of money on features you have no intention of using.

Is podcast hosting free?

Even though most podcast hosting platforms either have free versions or free trial, podcast hosting over an extended period of time is never free. Each platform offers different pricing options and lets you choose the one that is best suited for your needs. If you decide to publish your podcasts with a free version of the podcast hosting platform, you should keep in mind that the scope of your options is going to be limited.

What is the average cost of podcast hosting services?

The cost of a monthly subscription for a podcast hosting service can be anywhere between $7 and $99. The majority of basic and pro pricing plans can be purchased for less than $20, but if you would like to utilize all the features a podcast hosting platform has to offer, then your monthly subscription can cost much more than a hundred dollars. Lower priced options often lack advanced file-sharing tools or don’t provide integrations features, which is the reason why you should only consider them if you just need a quick way to publish a podcast.

Conclusion

Each step of the process of creating a podcast is equally important, and the quality of the microphone you’re using to record an episode of your podcast is of no less significance than the hosting platform you’re using to publish a podcast. Each podcast hosting platform we included in this article ensures that your podcasts are delivered to all of your subscribers, but which one you are going to choose depends on a plethora of factors that range from a platform’s storage capacity to the number of podcast directories to which your podcasts are added. Which podcast hosting platform are you using to publish your podcasts? Leave a comment and let us know.

author avatar

Benjamin Arango

Benjamin Arango is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Benjamin Arango

Benjamin Arango

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Covering interesting topics in your podcasts or using professional audio recording and editing tools to process them, won’t mean much if you cannot reach your audience. Uploading a large numbers of audio files to your own website is not always an option, since the storage space, you have at your disposal may be too small to store all of your podcasts.

That is where podcast hosting platforms like Buzzsprout or Podbean come in, to help podcasters store their content safely and deliver their latest podcast to different apps and directories through the RSS feed.

With so many options out there, finding a podcast hosting platform can be a daunting task for podcasters who are just starting out. So, in this article, we are going to take you through the ten best podcast hosting platforms and provide you with answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about podcast hosting services.

Comparison of the Best Podcast Hosting Platforms

Are you too busy to go through all of the podcast hosting platforms we featured in this article? Do not worry, here’s a quick comparison of the best podcast hosting platforms.

Hosting Platform Subscription Cost Storage Bandwidth Podcast Analytics RSS Support Website host
Buzzsprout Ranges from free to $24 Unlimited 250 GB Yes Yes Yes
Blubrry Ranges from $12 to $80 per month 100 MB Unlimited Yes Yes Yes
Castos Ranges from $19 to $49 per month Unlimited Unlimited Yes Yes Yes
Podbean Ranges from free to $99 per month Unlimited Unlimited Yes Yes Yes
Podiant Ranges from $12,99 to 35,97 per month Unlimited Unlimited Yes Yes Yes
Transistor.fm Ranges from $19,00 to $99 per month Unlimited Unlimited Yes Yes Yes
Simplecast Ranges from $15 to $85 per month Unlimited 20,000 downloads Yes Yes Yes
Speaker Ranges from free to $50 per month Varies from 5 to 1500 hours Unlimited Yes Yes No
Libsyn Ranges from $5 to $150 per month Varies between 50 MB and 80 MB Unlimited Yes Yes Yes
PODOMATIC Ranges from free to $20, 82 per month Limited, depends on the subscription model Limited, depends on the subscription model Yes Yes Yes

Part 1: Top Ten Podcast Hosting Platforms

Building an audience for your podcast can take months, sometimes even years, and for that reason having access to a reliable hosting platform that lets you distribute new episodes of your podcast effortlessly is vital for their success. Factors that range from subscription fees to RSS support can influence your choice of a podcast hosting platform, so let’s take a look at what some of the best hosting platforms for podcasters have to offer.

1. Buzzsprout

Price: Free, pricing options start at $12 per month

The fact that over 100,000 podcasters used Buzzsprout’s services to launch their podcasts, shows how highly esteemed the platform is within the podcasting community. The episode automation feature enables you to just upload an audio file and it takes care of the ID3 tags and bitrates for you. Buzzsprout grants you access to a huge audience by allowing your subscribers to listen to your podcast from Spotify, Apple and Google Podcasts, Alexa or Overcast. The platform also provides you with advanced statistics for each episode of your podcast you upload. So, you can easily find out which apps they are using to listen to your podcasts or to learn the location at which your podcast was played.

Pros

  • Unlimited storage space
  • 90-day trial period
  • Grants users access to most popular podcast directories
  • Offers monetization options through affiliate marketing

Cons

  • Bandwidth is limited to 250 GB
  • The free version of Buzzsprout places ads to your podcasts on public sites

2. Blubrry

Price: Pricing options start at $12 per month

Uploading a new podcast and publishing it through Blubrry is a simple three-step process that can be completed in just a few minutes. This hosting platform grants you complete control over the iTunes’ RSS feed and it is optimized for the use on Android devices. In case you are considering moving from another platform like Libsyn or SoundCloud, you can easily migrate all of your content to Blubrry. Even though this podcast hosting platform features analytics tools you must purchase the Podcast Statistics package if you want to have a clear overview of the statistics your podcasts are generating.

Pros

  • The effortless podcast publishing process
  • Offers WordPress plugins
  • Free and easy media migration
  • Unlimited bandwidth

Cons

  • Storage space depends on the subscription plan
  • Access to analytics tools is not free

3. Castos

Price: Pricing options start at $19 per month

If you are searching for a platform that places no limits on your storage space or the bandwidth then you shouldn’t look much further than Castos. The platform lets you create as many new shows as you want and allows you to upload an unlimited number of episodes to each show you create. Podcasts you upload to Castos are automatically shared to all of the most popular podcast directories, including Sticher, iTunes, Spotify or Google Play. You can also transcribe all of your podcasts with a click of a button, but you must pay a small fee for each minute of the podcast you transcribe.

Pros

  • Fully customizable podcast player
  • Offers support for both audio and video podcasts
  • Advanced analytics tools
  • Grants podcasters access to all of the most popular podcast directories

Cons

  • Short free trial period
  • Video republishing to YouTube is only available within the Growth subscription model

4. Podbean

Price: Free, pricing options start at $9 per month

Podcasters who would like to have their own full-featured podcast website and gain access to a website builder can hardly go wrong if they opt for Podbean. Moreover, you’ll be able to use your own domain and your branding if you create an account on this hosting platform. Podbean offers a broad selection of podcast templates and lets you choose the layout. Furthermore, Podbean provides excellent monetization opportunities, either through advertising, crowdfunding or premium content. The free version of the podcast hosting platform offers only limited broadband and storage space, while video support is only available if you purchase Unlimited Plus or Business pricing plans.

Pros

  • Compatible with iPhone and Android apps and embeddable media players
  • Provides RSS and iTunes support
  • Offers a broad selection of podcast themes
  • Allows podcasters to create their own podcast sites

Cons

  • You must upgrade from the free version in order to have unlimited storage and bandwidth
  • Running multiple podcast channels is only possible if you have the Business pricing plan

5. Podiant

Price: Pricing plans start at $12,99

Podiant grants you access to all the tools you are going to need to upload and publish a new episode of your podcast. In fact, 22,200 podcast episodes are published through Poidant each day that are delivered to hundreds of thousands of listeners around the globe. The platform lets you choose from a broad range of themes, but it also features a templating engine that allows you to change the code on your podcasting site. Moreover, you can use Poidant to create a blog, embed content from Twitter, Instagram or YouTube in order to extend the reach of your podcasts and broaden their audience.

Pros

  • Allows users to host all their shows on one website
  • No bandwidth and storage space limitations
  • Compatible with all major podcasting directories and apps
  • Supports integrations through Zapier

Cons

  • The quality of the analytics data depends on the subscription plan
  • The free trial period lasts only two weeks

6. Transistor

Price: Pricing plans start at $19,00 per month

Professional podcasters and creatives from every corner of the world are already using Transistor to publish their podcasts. This podcast hosting platform makes all episodes of your podcasts available on Spotify, Overcast, and other popular podcast directories. Moreover, you can create unlimited podcasts and upload as many episodes as you want to the website you created with Transistor. The platform produces analytics reports for each of your podcasts, regardless of the pricing plan you own, but the number of collaborators on a single Transistor account depends on the subscription model. The number of monthly podcast downloads is limited and it varies from one pricing plan to another.

Pros

  • Allows users to create private podcast feeds
  • Supports integrations with email marketing platforms like Drip or MailChimp
  • Embeddable podcast player
  • The functionally organized RSS feed

Cons

  • You must purchase the Business subscription model to remove the Transistor’s branding
  • If you would like to create more than three private podcasts, you must contact the customer support

7. Simplecast

Price: Pricing options start at $15

The distribution, analytics, and sharing tools this podcast hosting platform provides are powerful enough to cater even for the most demanding podcasting needs. Simplecast lets you choose from a variety of themes that are optimized for mobile devices and search engines. It also enables you to customize the colors of each theme with its website builder. All podcasts you upload to Simplecast can be shared on all of the podcast directories that attract millions of listeners. What’s more, the platform makes monitoring the statistics your podcasts generate easy, so that you can discover new ways to reach new audiences.

Pros

  • Websites built with Simplecast are secure
  • Great selection of web-players
  • Provides detailed statistics for all podcasts
  • Doesn’t restrict the bandwidth or storage space

Cons

  • The size of the team using Simplecast can’t exceed eight members
  • Building more than three pages with Simplecast isn’t an option

8. Spreaker

Price: Free, pricing options start at $7 per month

Spreaker is an affordable podcast hosting platform for all podcasters who are just starting out or looking for a new platform they can use to host their shows. In addition, you can also stream your podcasts live, although their maximum duration depends on the subscription plan you have. The storage space you are going to have at your disposal also varies from one pricing plan to another, but even the free version of Spreaker lets you store up to five hours of audio on the cloud. However, there are no limits to the number of listeners which enables you to grow your audience continually.

Pros

  • An inexpensive option for both novice and seasoned podcasters
  • A fully customizable RSS feed
  • Supports content migrations through RSS feed
  • Provides excellent monetization options

Cons

  • The storage space is limited
  • You must purchase the Broadcaster subscription model in order to gain access to the platform’s analytics tools.

9. Libsyn

Price: Pricing options start at $5

This platform integrates with more than twenty podcast apps, social media platforms, and WordPress websites via the OnPublish feature. Libsyin features powerful scheduling tools, which enables you to choose the exact date and time when the next episode of your podcast is going to be published. The RSS is compliant with Apple Podcasts, which makes it easier to add a title, choose a category or write podcast summaries for each new episode you would like to optimize for playback on Apple devices. Libsyn offers Double Opt-in Advertising and MyLibSyn Premium Paywall monetization options so that you can choose the method of earning money through this podcast hosting platform that is the most convenient for you.

Pros

  • Supports audio, video, text and PDF hosting
  • Excellent podcast distribution capabilities
  • Cheaper than most of its competitors
  • Creating a publishing schedule for your podcasts is easy

Cons

  • Very limited storage space, regardless of the pricing plan you purchase
  • Underwhelming statistics tracking options

10. Podomatic

Price: Free, pricing options start at $8,32

The options you will have at your disposal if you opt to publish your podcasts with Podomatic, largely depends on the subscription model you have. Even though anyone can use this podcast platform for free, the bandwidth and storage space that are available on the free version of Podomatic can limit your options. Besides, publishing podcasts, you can also use the platform to listen to podcasts, from browsers or iPhone and Android devices. Podomatic lets you monetize your podcasts by connecting your Patreon account to your podcast website or by adding Podomatic Podcast to Advertise Cast.

Pros:

  • Podomatic app is available for both iOS and Android devices
  • Podcast published through Podomatic can be played directly from Twitter and Facebook feeds
  • Equipped with a powerful drag-and-drop website builder
  • Offers a variety of themes designed exclusively for podcasts

Cons

  • Unlimited storage space and bandwidth are only available in the Enterprise subscription model
  • Offers only basic podcast statistics

Part 2: The Most Frequently Asked Questions about Podcast Hosting Platforms

In order to add episodes of your podcasts to podcast directories, you must meet only three requirements. Your audio file must be saved in the MP3 format, you must have access to the podcast hosting platform, and you must be able to add a podcast to an RSS feed. The hosting platform you selected will utilize its RSS feed to distribute your podcasts to the apps and services your audience is using to listen to them and deliver a new episode of your show to your listeners as soon as you publish it. The reach of your podcasts, your monetization capabilities or whether or not you will be able to create custom domains depends on the podcast hosting platform you choose.

What is podcast hosting and what are its main benefits?

All podcast hosting platforms let their users store their podcasts online and create an RSS feed for them that is used to add podcast to different podcast directories. Besides sending each new episode of your podcast to your subscribers, podcast hosting platforms also enable you to track their performance and learn which apps were used to access them as well as a plethora of other relevant metrics. Some podcast hosting platforms feature website builders that allow you to create custom domain landing pages, blogs or add widgets.

Why do I need podcast hosting services?

Podcast hosting services simplify the process of storing and publishing podcasts and ensure that each new episode you publish reaches your subscribers. In addition, most platforms offer a quick and easy way to add tags, cover art or podcast descriptions, so that you can provide all the information your listeners need to find your podcasts effortlessly.

How to select the right podcast hosting platform?

The reason why you are creating a podcast can often help you figure out which podcast hosting platform is the best option for you. If you would like to periodically share short interviews or simply have fun with your friends, then choosing a free version of a podcast hosting platform is your best option.

However, if you take podcasting seriously, finding out how much storage space a platform offers or the maximum bandwidth can help you decide if the platform you are considering is the right choice for you. Moreover, podcasters who also create video podcasts should check if the platform they would like to use to distribute their podcasts supports hosting and publishing video files. Ultimately, the amount of money you are willing to spend on subscription will determine which podcast hosting platform to pick since there is no reason to spend vast amounts of money on features you have no intention of using.

Is podcast hosting free?

Even though most podcast hosting platforms either have free versions or free trial, podcast hosting over an extended period of time is never free. Each platform offers different pricing options and lets you choose the one that is best suited for your needs. If you decide to publish your podcasts with a free version of the podcast hosting platform, you should keep in mind that the scope of your options is going to be limited.

What is the average cost of podcast hosting services?

The cost of a monthly subscription for a podcast hosting service can be anywhere between $7 and $99. The majority of basic and pro pricing plans can be purchased for less than $20, but if you would like to utilize all the features a podcast hosting platform has to offer, then your monthly subscription can cost much more than a hundred dollars. Lower priced options often lack advanced file-sharing tools or don’t provide integrations features, which is the reason why you should only consider them if you just need a quick way to publish a podcast.

Conclusion

Each step of the process of creating a podcast is equally important, and the quality of the microphone you’re using to record an episode of your podcast is of no less significance than the hosting platform you’re using to publish a podcast. Each podcast hosting platform we included in this article ensures that your podcasts are delivered to all of your subscribers, but which one you are going to choose depends on a plethora of factors that range from a platform’s storage capacity to the number of podcast directories to which your podcasts are added. Which podcast hosting platform are you using to publish your podcasts? Leave a comment and let us know.

author avatar

Benjamin Arango

Benjamin Arango is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Benjamin Arango

Benjamin Arango

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Covering interesting topics in your podcasts or using professional audio recording and editing tools to process them, won’t mean much if you cannot reach your audience. Uploading a large numbers of audio files to your own website is not always an option, since the storage space, you have at your disposal may be too small to store all of your podcasts.

That is where podcast hosting platforms like Buzzsprout or Podbean come in, to help podcasters store their content safely and deliver their latest podcast to different apps and directories through the RSS feed.

With so many options out there, finding a podcast hosting platform can be a daunting task for podcasters who are just starting out. So, in this article, we are going to take you through the ten best podcast hosting platforms and provide you with answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about podcast hosting services.

Comparison of the Best Podcast Hosting Platforms

Are you too busy to go through all of the podcast hosting platforms we featured in this article? Do not worry, here’s a quick comparison of the best podcast hosting platforms.

Hosting Platform Subscription Cost Storage Bandwidth Podcast Analytics RSS Support Website host
Buzzsprout Ranges from free to $24 Unlimited 250 GB Yes Yes Yes
Blubrry Ranges from $12 to $80 per month 100 MB Unlimited Yes Yes Yes
Castos Ranges from $19 to $49 per month Unlimited Unlimited Yes Yes Yes
Podbean Ranges from free to $99 per month Unlimited Unlimited Yes Yes Yes
Podiant Ranges from $12,99 to 35,97 per month Unlimited Unlimited Yes Yes Yes
Transistor.fm Ranges from $19,00 to $99 per month Unlimited Unlimited Yes Yes Yes
Simplecast Ranges from $15 to $85 per month Unlimited 20,000 downloads Yes Yes Yes
Speaker Ranges from free to $50 per month Varies from 5 to 1500 hours Unlimited Yes Yes No
Libsyn Ranges from $5 to $150 per month Varies between 50 MB and 80 MB Unlimited Yes Yes Yes
PODOMATIC Ranges from free to $20, 82 per month Limited, depends on the subscription model Limited, depends on the subscription model Yes Yes Yes

Part 1: Top Ten Podcast Hosting Platforms

Building an audience for your podcast can take months, sometimes even years, and for that reason having access to a reliable hosting platform that lets you distribute new episodes of your podcast effortlessly is vital for their success. Factors that range from subscription fees to RSS support can influence your choice of a podcast hosting platform, so let’s take a look at what some of the best hosting platforms for podcasters have to offer.

1. Buzzsprout

Price: Free, pricing options start at $12 per month

The fact that over 100,000 podcasters used Buzzsprout’s services to launch their podcasts, shows how highly esteemed the platform is within the podcasting community. The episode automation feature enables you to just upload an audio file and it takes care of the ID3 tags and bitrates for you. Buzzsprout grants you access to a huge audience by allowing your subscribers to listen to your podcast from Spotify, Apple and Google Podcasts, Alexa or Overcast. The platform also provides you with advanced statistics for each episode of your podcast you upload. So, you can easily find out which apps they are using to listen to your podcasts or to learn the location at which your podcast was played.

Pros

  • Unlimited storage space
  • 90-day trial period
  • Grants users access to most popular podcast directories
  • Offers monetization options through affiliate marketing

Cons

  • Bandwidth is limited to 250 GB
  • The free version of Buzzsprout places ads to your podcasts on public sites

2. Blubrry

Price: Pricing options start at $12 per month

Uploading a new podcast and publishing it through Blubrry is a simple three-step process that can be completed in just a few minutes. This hosting platform grants you complete control over the iTunes’ RSS feed and it is optimized for the use on Android devices. In case you are considering moving from another platform like Libsyn or SoundCloud, you can easily migrate all of your content to Blubrry. Even though this podcast hosting platform features analytics tools you must purchase the Podcast Statistics package if you want to have a clear overview of the statistics your podcasts are generating.

Pros

  • The effortless podcast publishing process
  • Offers WordPress plugins
  • Free and easy media migration
  • Unlimited bandwidth

Cons

  • Storage space depends on the subscription plan
  • Access to analytics tools is not free

3. Castos

Price: Pricing options start at $19 per month

If you are searching for a platform that places no limits on your storage space or the bandwidth then you shouldn’t look much further than Castos. The platform lets you create as many new shows as you want and allows you to upload an unlimited number of episodes to each show you create. Podcasts you upload to Castos are automatically shared to all of the most popular podcast directories, including Sticher, iTunes, Spotify or Google Play. You can also transcribe all of your podcasts with a click of a button, but you must pay a small fee for each minute of the podcast you transcribe.

Pros

  • Fully customizable podcast player
  • Offers support for both audio and video podcasts
  • Advanced analytics tools
  • Grants podcasters access to all of the most popular podcast directories

Cons

  • Short free trial period
  • Video republishing to YouTube is only available within the Growth subscription model

4. Podbean

Price: Free, pricing options start at $9 per month

Podcasters who would like to have their own full-featured podcast website and gain access to a website builder can hardly go wrong if they opt for Podbean. Moreover, you’ll be able to use your own domain and your branding if you create an account on this hosting platform. Podbean offers a broad selection of podcast templates and lets you choose the layout. Furthermore, Podbean provides excellent monetization opportunities, either through advertising, crowdfunding or premium content. The free version of the podcast hosting platform offers only limited broadband and storage space, while video support is only available if you purchase Unlimited Plus or Business pricing plans.

Pros

  • Compatible with iPhone and Android apps and embeddable media players
  • Provides RSS and iTunes support
  • Offers a broad selection of podcast themes
  • Allows podcasters to create their own podcast sites

Cons

  • You must upgrade from the free version in order to have unlimited storage and bandwidth
  • Running multiple podcast channels is only possible if you have the Business pricing plan

5. Podiant

Price: Pricing plans start at $12,99

Podiant grants you access to all the tools you are going to need to upload and publish a new episode of your podcast. In fact, 22,200 podcast episodes are published through Poidant each day that are delivered to hundreds of thousands of listeners around the globe. The platform lets you choose from a broad range of themes, but it also features a templating engine that allows you to change the code on your podcasting site. Moreover, you can use Poidant to create a blog, embed content from Twitter, Instagram or YouTube in order to extend the reach of your podcasts and broaden their audience.

Pros

  • Allows users to host all their shows on one website
  • No bandwidth and storage space limitations
  • Compatible with all major podcasting directories and apps
  • Supports integrations through Zapier

Cons

  • The quality of the analytics data depends on the subscription plan
  • The free trial period lasts only two weeks

6. Transistor

Price: Pricing plans start at $19,00 per month

Professional podcasters and creatives from every corner of the world are already using Transistor to publish their podcasts. This podcast hosting platform makes all episodes of your podcasts available on Spotify, Overcast, and other popular podcast directories. Moreover, you can create unlimited podcasts and upload as many episodes as you want to the website you created with Transistor. The platform produces analytics reports for each of your podcasts, regardless of the pricing plan you own, but the number of collaborators on a single Transistor account depends on the subscription model. The number of monthly podcast downloads is limited and it varies from one pricing plan to another.

Pros

  • Allows users to create private podcast feeds
  • Supports integrations with email marketing platforms like Drip or MailChimp
  • Embeddable podcast player
  • The functionally organized RSS feed

Cons

  • You must purchase the Business subscription model to remove the Transistor’s branding
  • If you would like to create more than three private podcasts, you must contact the customer support

7. Simplecast

Price: Pricing options start at $15

The distribution, analytics, and sharing tools this podcast hosting platform provides are powerful enough to cater even for the most demanding podcasting needs. Simplecast lets you choose from a variety of themes that are optimized for mobile devices and search engines. It also enables you to customize the colors of each theme with its website builder. All podcasts you upload to Simplecast can be shared on all of the podcast directories that attract millions of listeners. What’s more, the platform makes monitoring the statistics your podcasts generate easy, so that you can discover new ways to reach new audiences.

Pros

  • Websites built with Simplecast are secure
  • Great selection of web-players
  • Provides detailed statistics for all podcasts
  • Doesn’t restrict the bandwidth or storage space

Cons

  • The size of the team using Simplecast can’t exceed eight members
  • Building more than three pages with Simplecast isn’t an option

8. Spreaker

Price: Free, pricing options start at $7 per month

Spreaker is an affordable podcast hosting platform for all podcasters who are just starting out or looking for a new platform they can use to host their shows. In addition, you can also stream your podcasts live, although their maximum duration depends on the subscription plan you have. The storage space you are going to have at your disposal also varies from one pricing plan to another, but even the free version of Spreaker lets you store up to five hours of audio on the cloud. However, there are no limits to the number of listeners which enables you to grow your audience continually.

Pros

  • An inexpensive option for both novice and seasoned podcasters
  • A fully customizable RSS feed
  • Supports content migrations through RSS feed
  • Provides excellent monetization options

Cons

  • The storage space is limited
  • You must purchase the Broadcaster subscription model in order to gain access to the platform’s analytics tools.

9. Libsyn

Price: Pricing options start at $5

This platform integrates with more than twenty podcast apps, social media platforms, and WordPress websites via the OnPublish feature. Libsyin features powerful scheduling tools, which enables you to choose the exact date and time when the next episode of your podcast is going to be published. The RSS is compliant with Apple Podcasts, which makes it easier to add a title, choose a category or write podcast summaries for each new episode you would like to optimize for playback on Apple devices. Libsyn offers Double Opt-in Advertising and MyLibSyn Premium Paywall monetization options so that you can choose the method of earning money through this podcast hosting platform that is the most convenient for you.

Pros

  • Supports audio, video, text and PDF hosting
  • Excellent podcast distribution capabilities
  • Cheaper than most of its competitors
  • Creating a publishing schedule for your podcasts is easy

Cons

  • Very limited storage space, regardless of the pricing plan you purchase
  • Underwhelming statistics tracking options

10. Podomatic

Price: Free, pricing options start at $8,32

The options you will have at your disposal if you opt to publish your podcasts with Podomatic, largely depends on the subscription model you have. Even though anyone can use this podcast platform for free, the bandwidth and storage space that are available on the free version of Podomatic can limit your options. Besides, publishing podcasts, you can also use the platform to listen to podcasts, from browsers or iPhone and Android devices. Podomatic lets you monetize your podcasts by connecting your Patreon account to your podcast website or by adding Podomatic Podcast to Advertise Cast.

Pros:

  • Podomatic app is available for both iOS and Android devices
  • Podcast published through Podomatic can be played directly from Twitter and Facebook feeds
  • Equipped with a powerful drag-and-drop website builder
  • Offers a variety of themes designed exclusively for podcasts

Cons

  • Unlimited storage space and bandwidth are only available in the Enterprise subscription model
  • Offers only basic podcast statistics

Part 2: The Most Frequently Asked Questions about Podcast Hosting Platforms

In order to add episodes of your podcasts to podcast directories, you must meet only three requirements. Your audio file must be saved in the MP3 format, you must have access to the podcast hosting platform, and you must be able to add a podcast to an RSS feed. The hosting platform you selected will utilize its RSS feed to distribute your podcasts to the apps and services your audience is using to listen to them and deliver a new episode of your show to your listeners as soon as you publish it. The reach of your podcasts, your monetization capabilities or whether or not you will be able to create custom domains depends on the podcast hosting platform you choose.

What is podcast hosting and what are its main benefits?

All podcast hosting platforms let their users store their podcasts online and create an RSS feed for them that is used to add podcast to different podcast directories. Besides sending each new episode of your podcast to your subscribers, podcast hosting platforms also enable you to track their performance and learn which apps were used to access them as well as a plethora of other relevant metrics. Some podcast hosting platforms feature website builders that allow you to create custom domain landing pages, blogs or add widgets.

Why do I need podcast hosting services?

Podcast hosting services simplify the process of storing and publishing podcasts and ensure that each new episode you publish reaches your subscribers. In addition, most platforms offer a quick and easy way to add tags, cover art or podcast descriptions, so that you can provide all the information your listeners need to find your podcasts effortlessly.

How to select the right podcast hosting platform?

The reason why you are creating a podcast can often help you figure out which podcast hosting platform is the best option for you. If you would like to periodically share short interviews or simply have fun with your friends, then choosing a free version of a podcast hosting platform is your best option.

However, if you take podcasting seriously, finding out how much storage space a platform offers or the maximum bandwidth can help you decide if the platform you are considering is the right choice for you. Moreover, podcasters who also create video podcasts should check if the platform they would like to use to distribute their podcasts supports hosting and publishing video files. Ultimately, the amount of money you are willing to spend on subscription will determine which podcast hosting platform to pick since there is no reason to spend vast amounts of money on features you have no intention of using.

Is podcast hosting free?

Even though most podcast hosting platforms either have free versions or free trial, podcast hosting over an extended period of time is never free. Each platform offers different pricing options and lets you choose the one that is best suited for your needs. If you decide to publish your podcasts with a free version of the podcast hosting platform, you should keep in mind that the scope of your options is going to be limited.

What is the average cost of podcast hosting services?

The cost of a monthly subscription for a podcast hosting service can be anywhere between $7 and $99. The majority of basic and pro pricing plans can be purchased for less than $20, but if you would like to utilize all the features a podcast hosting platform has to offer, then your monthly subscription can cost much more than a hundred dollars. Lower priced options often lack advanced file-sharing tools or don’t provide integrations features, which is the reason why you should only consider them if you just need a quick way to publish a podcast.

Conclusion

Each step of the process of creating a podcast is equally important, and the quality of the microphone you’re using to record an episode of your podcast is of no less significance than the hosting platform you’re using to publish a podcast. Each podcast hosting platform we included in this article ensures that your podcasts are delivered to all of your subscribers, but which one you are going to choose depends on a plethora of factors that range from a platform’s storage capacity to the number of podcast directories to which your podcasts are added. Which podcast hosting platform are you using to publish your podcasts? Leave a comment and let us know.

author avatar

Benjamin Arango

Benjamin Arango is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Benjamin Arango

Benjamin Arango

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Covering interesting topics in your podcasts or using professional audio recording and editing tools to process them, won’t mean much if you cannot reach your audience. Uploading a large numbers of audio files to your own website is not always an option, since the storage space, you have at your disposal may be too small to store all of your podcasts.

That is where podcast hosting platforms like Buzzsprout or Podbean come in, to help podcasters store their content safely and deliver their latest podcast to different apps and directories through the RSS feed.

With so many options out there, finding a podcast hosting platform can be a daunting task for podcasters who are just starting out. So, in this article, we are going to take you through the ten best podcast hosting platforms and provide you with answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about podcast hosting services.

Comparison of the Best Podcast Hosting Platforms

Are you too busy to go through all of the podcast hosting platforms we featured in this article? Do not worry, here’s a quick comparison of the best podcast hosting platforms.

Hosting Platform Subscription Cost Storage Bandwidth Podcast Analytics RSS Support Website host
Buzzsprout Ranges from free to $24 Unlimited 250 GB Yes Yes Yes
Blubrry Ranges from $12 to $80 per month 100 MB Unlimited Yes Yes Yes
Castos Ranges from $19 to $49 per month Unlimited Unlimited Yes Yes Yes
Podbean Ranges from free to $99 per month Unlimited Unlimited Yes Yes Yes
Podiant Ranges from $12,99 to 35,97 per month Unlimited Unlimited Yes Yes Yes
Transistor.fm Ranges from $19,00 to $99 per month Unlimited Unlimited Yes Yes Yes
Simplecast Ranges from $15 to $85 per month Unlimited 20,000 downloads Yes Yes Yes
Speaker Ranges from free to $50 per month Varies from 5 to 1500 hours Unlimited Yes Yes No
Libsyn Ranges from $5 to $150 per month Varies between 50 MB and 80 MB Unlimited Yes Yes Yes
PODOMATIC Ranges from free to $20, 82 per month Limited, depends on the subscription model Limited, depends on the subscription model Yes Yes Yes

Part 1: Top Ten Podcast Hosting Platforms

Building an audience for your podcast can take months, sometimes even years, and for that reason having access to a reliable hosting platform that lets you distribute new episodes of your podcast effortlessly is vital for their success. Factors that range from subscription fees to RSS support can influence your choice of a podcast hosting platform, so let’s take a look at what some of the best hosting platforms for podcasters have to offer.

1. Buzzsprout

Price: Free, pricing options start at $12 per month

The fact that over 100,000 podcasters used Buzzsprout’s services to launch their podcasts, shows how highly esteemed the platform is within the podcasting community. The episode automation feature enables you to just upload an audio file and it takes care of the ID3 tags and bitrates for you. Buzzsprout grants you access to a huge audience by allowing your subscribers to listen to your podcast from Spotify, Apple and Google Podcasts, Alexa or Overcast. The platform also provides you with advanced statistics for each episode of your podcast you upload. So, you can easily find out which apps they are using to listen to your podcasts or to learn the location at which your podcast was played.

Pros

  • Unlimited storage space
  • 90-day trial period
  • Grants users access to most popular podcast directories
  • Offers monetization options through affiliate marketing

Cons

  • Bandwidth is limited to 250 GB
  • The free version of Buzzsprout places ads to your podcasts on public sites

2. Blubrry

Price: Pricing options start at $12 per month

Uploading a new podcast and publishing it through Blubrry is a simple three-step process that can be completed in just a few minutes. This hosting platform grants you complete control over the iTunes’ RSS feed and it is optimized for the use on Android devices. In case you are considering moving from another platform like Libsyn or SoundCloud, you can easily migrate all of your content to Blubrry. Even though this podcast hosting platform features analytics tools you must purchase the Podcast Statistics package if you want to have a clear overview of the statistics your podcasts are generating.

Pros

  • The effortless podcast publishing process
  • Offers WordPress plugins
  • Free and easy media migration
  • Unlimited bandwidth

Cons

  • Storage space depends on the subscription plan
  • Access to analytics tools is not free

3. Castos

Price: Pricing options start at $19 per month

If you are searching for a platform that places no limits on your storage space or the bandwidth then you shouldn’t look much further than Castos. The platform lets you create as many new shows as you want and allows you to upload an unlimited number of episodes to each show you create. Podcasts you upload to Castos are automatically shared to all of the most popular podcast directories, including Sticher, iTunes, Spotify or Google Play. You can also transcribe all of your podcasts with a click of a button, but you must pay a small fee for each minute of the podcast you transcribe.

Pros

  • Fully customizable podcast player
  • Offers support for both audio and video podcasts
  • Advanced analytics tools
  • Grants podcasters access to all of the most popular podcast directories

Cons

  • Short free trial period
  • Video republishing to YouTube is only available within the Growth subscription model

4. Podbean

Price: Free, pricing options start at $9 per month

Podcasters who would like to have their own full-featured podcast website and gain access to a website builder can hardly go wrong if they opt for Podbean. Moreover, you’ll be able to use your own domain and your branding if you create an account on this hosting platform. Podbean offers a broad selection of podcast templates and lets you choose the layout. Furthermore, Podbean provides excellent monetization opportunities, either through advertising, crowdfunding or premium content. The free version of the podcast hosting platform offers only limited broadband and storage space, while video support is only available if you purchase Unlimited Plus or Business pricing plans.

Pros

  • Compatible with iPhone and Android apps and embeddable media players
  • Provides RSS and iTunes support
  • Offers a broad selection of podcast themes
  • Allows podcasters to create their own podcast sites

Cons

  • You must upgrade from the free version in order to have unlimited storage and bandwidth
  • Running multiple podcast channels is only possible if you have the Business pricing plan

5. Podiant

Price: Pricing plans start at $12,99

Podiant grants you access to all the tools you are going to need to upload and publish a new episode of your podcast. In fact, 22,200 podcast episodes are published through Poidant each day that are delivered to hundreds of thousands of listeners around the globe. The platform lets you choose from a broad range of themes, but it also features a templating engine that allows you to change the code on your podcasting site. Moreover, you can use Poidant to create a blog, embed content from Twitter, Instagram or YouTube in order to extend the reach of your podcasts and broaden their audience.

Pros

  • Allows users to host all their shows on one website
  • No bandwidth and storage space limitations
  • Compatible with all major podcasting directories and apps
  • Supports integrations through Zapier

Cons

  • The quality of the analytics data depends on the subscription plan
  • The free trial period lasts only two weeks

6. Transistor

Price: Pricing plans start at $19,00 per month

Professional podcasters and creatives from every corner of the world are already using Transistor to publish their podcasts. This podcast hosting platform makes all episodes of your podcasts available on Spotify, Overcast, and other popular podcast directories. Moreover, you can create unlimited podcasts and upload as many episodes as you want to the website you created with Transistor. The platform produces analytics reports for each of your podcasts, regardless of the pricing plan you own, but the number of collaborators on a single Transistor account depends on the subscription model. The number of monthly podcast downloads is limited and it varies from one pricing plan to another.

Pros

  • Allows users to create private podcast feeds
  • Supports integrations with email marketing platforms like Drip or MailChimp
  • Embeddable podcast player
  • The functionally organized RSS feed

Cons

  • You must purchase the Business subscription model to remove the Transistor’s branding
  • If you would like to create more than three private podcasts, you must contact the customer support

7. Simplecast

Price: Pricing options start at $15

The distribution, analytics, and sharing tools this podcast hosting platform provides are powerful enough to cater even for the most demanding podcasting needs. Simplecast lets you choose from a variety of themes that are optimized for mobile devices and search engines. It also enables you to customize the colors of each theme with its website builder. All podcasts you upload to Simplecast can be shared on all of the podcast directories that attract millions of listeners. What’s more, the platform makes monitoring the statistics your podcasts generate easy, so that you can discover new ways to reach new audiences.

Pros

  • Websites built with Simplecast are secure
  • Great selection of web-players
  • Provides detailed statistics for all podcasts
  • Doesn’t restrict the bandwidth or storage space

Cons

  • The size of the team using Simplecast can’t exceed eight members
  • Building more than three pages with Simplecast isn’t an option

8. Spreaker

Price: Free, pricing options start at $7 per month

Spreaker is an affordable podcast hosting platform for all podcasters who are just starting out or looking for a new platform they can use to host their shows. In addition, you can also stream your podcasts live, although their maximum duration depends on the subscription plan you have. The storage space you are going to have at your disposal also varies from one pricing plan to another, but even the free version of Spreaker lets you store up to five hours of audio on the cloud. However, there are no limits to the number of listeners which enables you to grow your audience continually.

Pros

  • An inexpensive option for both novice and seasoned podcasters
  • A fully customizable RSS feed
  • Supports content migrations through RSS feed
  • Provides excellent monetization options

Cons

  • The storage space is limited
  • You must purchase the Broadcaster subscription model in order to gain access to the platform’s analytics tools.

9. Libsyn

Price: Pricing options start at $5

This platform integrates with more than twenty podcast apps, social media platforms, and WordPress websites via the OnPublish feature. Libsyin features powerful scheduling tools, which enables you to choose the exact date and time when the next episode of your podcast is going to be published. The RSS is compliant with Apple Podcasts, which makes it easier to add a title, choose a category or write podcast summaries for each new episode you would like to optimize for playback on Apple devices. Libsyn offers Double Opt-in Advertising and MyLibSyn Premium Paywall monetization options so that you can choose the method of earning money through this podcast hosting platform that is the most convenient for you.

Pros

  • Supports audio, video, text and PDF hosting
  • Excellent podcast distribution capabilities
  • Cheaper than most of its competitors
  • Creating a publishing schedule for your podcasts is easy

Cons

  • Very limited storage space, regardless of the pricing plan you purchase
  • Underwhelming statistics tracking options

10. Podomatic

Price: Free, pricing options start at $8,32

The options you will have at your disposal if you opt to publish your podcasts with Podomatic, largely depends on the subscription model you have. Even though anyone can use this podcast platform for free, the bandwidth and storage space that are available on the free version of Podomatic can limit your options. Besides, publishing podcasts, you can also use the platform to listen to podcasts, from browsers or iPhone and Android devices. Podomatic lets you monetize your podcasts by connecting your Patreon account to your podcast website or by adding Podomatic Podcast to Advertise Cast.

Pros:

  • Podomatic app is available for both iOS and Android devices
  • Podcast published through Podomatic can be played directly from Twitter and Facebook feeds
  • Equipped with a powerful drag-and-drop website builder
  • Offers a variety of themes designed exclusively for podcasts

Cons

  • Unlimited storage space and bandwidth are only available in the Enterprise subscription model
  • Offers only basic podcast statistics

Part 2: The Most Frequently Asked Questions about Podcast Hosting Platforms

In order to add episodes of your podcasts to podcast directories, you must meet only three requirements. Your audio file must be saved in the MP3 format, you must have access to the podcast hosting platform, and you must be able to add a podcast to an RSS feed. The hosting platform you selected will utilize its RSS feed to distribute your podcasts to the apps and services your audience is using to listen to them and deliver a new episode of your show to your listeners as soon as you publish it. The reach of your podcasts, your monetization capabilities or whether or not you will be able to create custom domains depends on the podcast hosting platform you choose.

What is podcast hosting and what are its main benefits?

All podcast hosting platforms let their users store their podcasts online and create an RSS feed for them that is used to add podcast to different podcast directories. Besides sending each new episode of your podcast to your subscribers, podcast hosting platforms also enable you to track their performance and learn which apps were used to access them as well as a plethora of other relevant metrics. Some podcast hosting platforms feature website builders that allow you to create custom domain landing pages, blogs or add widgets.

Why do I need podcast hosting services?

Podcast hosting services simplify the process of storing and publishing podcasts and ensure that each new episode you publish reaches your subscribers. In addition, most platforms offer a quick and easy way to add tags, cover art or podcast descriptions, so that you can provide all the information your listeners need to find your podcasts effortlessly.

How to select the right podcast hosting platform?

The reason why you are creating a podcast can often help you figure out which podcast hosting platform is the best option for you. If you would like to periodically share short interviews or simply have fun with your friends, then choosing a free version of a podcast hosting platform is your best option.

However, if you take podcasting seriously, finding out how much storage space a platform offers or the maximum bandwidth can help you decide if the platform you are considering is the right choice for you. Moreover, podcasters who also create video podcasts should check if the platform they would like to use to distribute their podcasts supports hosting and publishing video files. Ultimately, the amount of money you are willing to spend on subscription will determine which podcast hosting platform to pick since there is no reason to spend vast amounts of money on features you have no intention of using.

Is podcast hosting free?

Even though most podcast hosting platforms either have free versions or free trial, podcast hosting over an extended period of time is never free. Each platform offers different pricing options and lets you choose the one that is best suited for your needs. If you decide to publish your podcasts with a free version of the podcast hosting platform, you should keep in mind that the scope of your options is going to be limited.

What is the average cost of podcast hosting services?

The cost of a monthly subscription for a podcast hosting service can be anywhere between $7 and $99. The majority of basic and pro pricing plans can be purchased for less than $20, but if you would like to utilize all the features a podcast hosting platform has to offer, then your monthly subscription can cost much more than a hundred dollars. Lower priced options often lack advanced file-sharing tools or don’t provide integrations features, which is the reason why you should only consider them if you just need a quick way to publish a podcast.

Conclusion

Each step of the process of creating a podcast is equally important, and the quality of the microphone you’re using to record an episode of your podcast is of no less significance than the hosting platform you’re using to publish a podcast. Each podcast hosting platform we included in this article ensures that your podcasts are delivered to all of your subscribers, but which one you are going to choose depends on a plethora of factors that range from a platform’s storage capacity to the number of podcast directories to which your podcasts are added. Which podcast hosting platform are you using to publish your podcasts? Leave a comment and let us know.

author avatar

Benjamin Arango

Benjamin Arango is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Benjamin Arango

Audio Anchors: Advanced Mobile Apps for Accurate Track Detection in the Android Realm

The Best Song Finder Apps to Recognize Music on Android

author avatar

Benjamin Arango

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

There must have been instances in your life when you heard a song on the go, and it took you down memory lane, with you remembering those long-gone times when you used to listen to that song regularly.

You tried searching for that song in your phone’s music app so that you might savor some sweet nostalgia, but alas, you realize that you no longer remember the song’s name or any definitive lyrics or the artist’s name.

Does that mean you forego that song until you remember the details? Absolutely not. There are many song finder apps that you can install on your android phone, which will help you find that song. You just need to hum whatever tune you remember of that song into the built-in-mic, and the app would do the rest.

Best Free Song Finder Apps for Android in 2021

Some song identifier apps for Android can be downloaded and used for free. Following are 6 of the best such apps.

1. Google App

On 15th October 2020, Google introduced the hum to search feature to the Google app and widget. Google hum to search is like any other hum to search music app and is very easy to use. Apple users can avail of this feature in English, while Android users can search songs in excess of 20 languages. Almost 4 billion people worldwide use Google, making it the most popular app of all time.

Using your hummed input, the Google hum to search algorithm identifies probable songs that sound closer to the tune and presents you with the results. Then you choose the appropriate match from among it. The results also include information on the artist and the song, related music videos, covers, lyrics and song analysis.

This is how you use the Google app for song recognition:

Step 1- Open the Google app or Google search widget on your phone and tap the mic button.

Step 2- Either click on the “Search a song” button or say “what’s this song?” before humming the tune for 10 to 15 seconds. That’s it. That’s all you need to do, and the Google hum to search feature will do the rest.

It is as easy to identify a song using Google Assistant. Say, “Hey Google, what’s this song?” before humming the tune, and that’s about what is required by the algorithm to pull out probable songs from the database.

And don’t worry about the quality of your humming. It need not be pitch perfect, just distinct and clear enough.

2. Shazam

Shazam music recognition app can identify your tune and song in seconds. You will get to find and listen to your desired song and get all related information like lyrics, videos, and artist’s profile.

Shazam: Discover songs & lyrics in seconds for Android

You can listen to the song on this song identifier app or add the song to your Spotify or Apple Music, or Google Play Music playlist. Shazam also allows you to watch music videos from YouTube and Apple Music.

The Pop-Up feature of Shazam is one of its best features. It enables you to identify music on any app like YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. Besides, you can use the app offline and in the background to continue identifying songs even though the app is not in use.

The app will also notify you about your country’s and city’s current music scene, recommend playlists according to your tastes and lets you share songs on social media. The Shazam app has been downloaded over 200 million times in 150+ countries. This should convince you of the app’s credibility.

In 2018, Apple Inc. completed acquiring Shazam for $400 million dollars. Since, then Shazam comes integrated with iOS (version 14.2 and higher).

3. BeatFind Music Recognition

The Beatfind Music recognition app for Android is one of the best song identifier apps out there. It is straightforward to use; just switch on the app’s listen mode and let it process the yet unidentified music or song playing around you, and the app will identify it almost instantly. As many as 8 million people worldwide has downloaded this app.

BeatFind Music Recognition for Android

You can gather information about the song, the artist and be notified about the top tracks recorded by him/her. Beatfind will allow you to play a preview of the song on the app so that you can be sure that this is the song you are looking for and then you will have the option to listen to the full track on Deezer or Spotify or YouTube. It records your searches so that it is easier for you to find a song later.

The unique feature of this song finder app is that it can turn any room into a discotheque. It has a flashlight party mode that emanates strobes of light in sync with the music being played. You can also share identified songs with your friends and family via social media.

4. SoundHound

SoundHound is simple to use and has a host of features that give you a complete music experience. It has over 300 million users. Switch on the app’s listening mode and discover any song or music playing around you. You can also identify a song or a tune stuck in your mind by just humming it to the listening mode and SoundHound will do the rest.

All your song searches are stored so that you can replay them later without having to search for them all over again. The app has real-time lyrics that let you sing along your favorite song. Consequently, you can also search for lyrics of a particular song by using type search and voice search features of the app (which works like Google Assistant). You can use this voice search to conduct all types of searches on this song finder app.

You can transfer all your discovered songs to your Spotify playlist, provided you have accounts in both Spotify and SoundHound. Or you can play the discovered songs on SoundHound itself. You can also stream your Spotify playlist on SoundHound.

Apart from the above, you can get all related information on your discovered songs and share those songs with your friends and family via social media.

5. Genius – Song Lyrics & More

Genius is more of a lyrics finder app than a song identifier app for Android. Its database contains lyrics of more than 1.7 million songs, and that database is entirely crowdsourced. Besides lyrics, you will get authentic information regarding the backstory of the songs on the database.

Genius — Song Lyrics & More for Android

It is very simple to use the app. Just open the app, press the soundwave button and hold the phone near the source of the music. You will get lyrics and other information on that song in a matter of seconds.

Genius is run by the inputs of dedicated and obsessed music fans. So, if you fall into that category and want more to do with a song than just listening to it, then this is a must-have app for you.

6. MusiXmatch - Lyrics for your music

The MusiXmatch is an app dedicated to bringing you the lyrics to any song you are listening at the moment. It has a handy floating lyrics widget feature that enables you get real-time lyrics on the track you are playing. The app has been downloaded more than 50 million times.

MusiXmatch - Lyrics for your music for Android

What is best is that, the track can be playing on any music streaming app, and the floating widget of MusiXmatch will display the lyrics in sync with the song being played. Lyrics will appear embedded in YouTube music videos, whether they be in portrait or landscape mode.

It can also translate lyrics in real-time, thus enabling you to learn a new language while doing one of your favorite tasks listening to music. You can get the lyrics and translation of any song playing around you with a single tap. You can also find your favorite song by simply typing a single line of lyrics of that song.

The app also contains allied information on the identified songs. You can be a part of this app’s community and feed this database with music knowledge and information, lyrics and translations.

You can stream MusiXmatch on television via Chromecast, and the app is available on all Android wearable devices. A premium version of this app allows you to view lyrics offline, removes advertisements from the app, and enables a party mode where themes play in sync with the song lyrics.

Conclusion

The world of music is vast and dynamic. There are hundreds of music genres, thousands of songs in each genre and billions of recorded songs if we take into account songs from every country and language in this world.

Finding your favorite songs in this musical universe is nothing short of a treasure hunt, especially if you know very little of your coveted song( like just a tune, a jingle, a single line of lyrics, or you just heard the song for the first time).

To assist you in this hunt are the above song finder apps and lyric finders. Use them, and no song will be beyond your reach.

author avatar

Benjamin Arango

Benjamin Arango is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Benjamin Arango

Benjamin Arango

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

There must have been instances in your life when you heard a song on the go, and it took you down memory lane, with you remembering those long-gone times when you used to listen to that song regularly.

You tried searching for that song in your phone’s music app so that you might savor some sweet nostalgia, but alas, you realize that you no longer remember the song’s name or any definitive lyrics or the artist’s name.

Does that mean you forego that song until you remember the details? Absolutely not. There are many song finder apps that you can install on your android phone, which will help you find that song. You just need to hum whatever tune you remember of that song into the built-in-mic, and the app would do the rest.

Best Free Song Finder Apps for Android in 2021

Some song identifier apps for Android can be downloaded and used for free. Following are 6 of the best such apps.

1. Google App

On 15th October 2020, Google introduced the hum to search feature to the Google app and widget. Google hum to search is like any other hum to search music app and is very easy to use. Apple users can avail of this feature in English, while Android users can search songs in excess of 20 languages. Almost 4 billion people worldwide use Google, making it the most popular app of all time.

Using your hummed input, the Google hum to search algorithm identifies probable songs that sound closer to the tune and presents you with the results. Then you choose the appropriate match from among it. The results also include information on the artist and the song, related music videos, covers, lyrics and song analysis.

This is how you use the Google app for song recognition:

Step 1- Open the Google app or Google search widget on your phone and tap the mic button.

Step 2- Either click on the “Search a song” button or say “what’s this song?” before humming the tune for 10 to 15 seconds. That’s it. That’s all you need to do, and the Google hum to search feature will do the rest.

It is as easy to identify a song using Google Assistant. Say, “Hey Google, what’s this song?” before humming the tune, and that’s about what is required by the algorithm to pull out probable songs from the database.

And don’t worry about the quality of your humming. It need not be pitch perfect, just distinct and clear enough.

2. Shazam

Shazam music recognition app can identify your tune and song in seconds. You will get to find and listen to your desired song and get all related information like lyrics, videos, and artist’s profile.

Shazam: Discover songs & lyrics in seconds for Android

You can listen to the song on this song identifier app or add the song to your Spotify or Apple Music, or Google Play Music playlist. Shazam also allows you to watch music videos from YouTube and Apple Music.

The Pop-Up feature of Shazam is one of its best features. It enables you to identify music on any app like YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. Besides, you can use the app offline and in the background to continue identifying songs even though the app is not in use.

The app will also notify you about your country’s and city’s current music scene, recommend playlists according to your tastes and lets you share songs on social media. The Shazam app has been downloaded over 200 million times in 150+ countries. This should convince you of the app’s credibility.

In 2018, Apple Inc. completed acquiring Shazam for $400 million dollars. Since, then Shazam comes integrated with iOS (version 14.2 and higher).

3. BeatFind Music Recognition

The Beatfind Music recognition app for Android is one of the best song identifier apps out there. It is straightforward to use; just switch on the app’s listen mode and let it process the yet unidentified music or song playing around you, and the app will identify it almost instantly. As many as 8 million people worldwide has downloaded this app.

BeatFind Music Recognition for Android

You can gather information about the song, the artist and be notified about the top tracks recorded by him/her. Beatfind will allow you to play a preview of the song on the app so that you can be sure that this is the song you are looking for and then you will have the option to listen to the full track on Deezer or Spotify or YouTube. It records your searches so that it is easier for you to find a song later.

The unique feature of this song finder app is that it can turn any room into a discotheque. It has a flashlight party mode that emanates strobes of light in sync with the music being played. You can also share identified songs with your friends and family via social media.

4. SoundHound

SoundHound is simple to use and has a host of features that give you a complete music experience. It has over 300 million users. Switch on the app’s listening mode and discover any song or music playing around you. You can also identify a song or a tune stuck in your mind by just humming it to the listening mode and SoundHound will do the rest.

All your song searches are stored so that you can replay them later without having to search for them all over again. The app has real-time lyrics that let you sing along your favorite song. Consequently, you can also search for lyrics of a particular song by using type search and voice search features of the app (which works like Google Assistant). You can use this voice search to conduct all types of searches on this song finder app.

You can transfer all your discovered songs to your Spotify playlist, provided you have accounts in both Spotify and SoundHound. Or you can play the discovered songs on SoundHound itself. You can also stream your Spotify playlist on SoundHound.

Apart from the above, you can get all related information on your discovered songs and share those songs with your friends and family via social media.

5. Genius – Song Lyrics & More

Genius is more of a lyrics finder app than a song identifier app for Android. Its database contains lyrics of more than 1.7 million songs, and that database is entirely crowdsourced. Besides lyrics, you will get authentic information regarding the backstory of the songs on the database.

Genius — Song Lyrics & More for Android

It is very simple to use the app. Just open the app, press the soundwave button and hold the phone near the source of the music. You will get lyrics and other information on that song in a matter of seconds.

Genius is run by the inputs of dedicated and obsessed music fans. So, if you fall into that category and want more to do with a song than just listening to it, then this is a must-have app for you.

6. MusiXmatch - Lyrics for your music

The MusiXmatch is an app dedicated to bringing you the lyrics to any song you are listening at the moment. It has a handy floating lyrics widget feature that enables you get real-time lyrics on the track you are playing. The app has been downloaded more than 50 million times.

MusiXmatch - Lyrics for your music for Android

What is best is that, the track can be playing on any music streaming app, and the floating widget of MusiXmatch will display the lyrics in sync with the song being played. Lyrics will appear embedded in YouTube music videos, whether they be in portrait or landscape mode.

It can also translate lyrics in real-time, thus enabling you to learn a new language while doing one of your favorite tasks listening to music. You can get the lyrics and translation of any song playing around you with a single tap. You can also find your favorite song by simply typing a single line of lyrics of that song.

The app also contains allied information on the identified songs. You can be a part of this app’s community and feed this database with music knowledge and information, lyrics and translations.

You can stream MusiXmatch on television via Chromecast, and the app is available on all Android wearable devices. A premium version of this app allows you to view lyrics offline, removes advertisements from the app, and enables a party mode where themes play in sync with the song lyrics.

Conclusion

The world of music is vast and dynamic. There are hundreds of music genres, thousands of songs in each genre and billions of recorded songs if we take into account songs from every country and language in this world.

Finding your favorite songs in this musical universe is nothing short of a treasure hunt, especially if you know very little of your coveted song( like just a tune, a jingle, a single line of lyrics, or you just heard the song for the first time).

To assist you in this hunt are the above song finder apps and lyric finders. Use them, and no song will be beyond your reach.

author avatar

Benjamin Arango

Benjamin Arango is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Benjamin Arango

Benjamin Arango

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

There must have been instances in your life when you heard a song on the go, and it took you down memory lane, with you remembering those long-gone times when you used to listen to that song regularly.

You tried searching for that song in your phone’s music app so that you might savor some sweet nostalgia, but alas, you realize that you no longer remember the song’s name or any definitive lyrics or the artist’s name.

Does that mean you forego that song until you remember the details? Absolutely not. There are many song finder apps that you can install on your android phone, which will help you find that song. You just need to hum whatever tune you remember of that song into the built-in-mic, and the app would do the rest.

Best Free Song Finder Apps for Android in 2021

Some song identifier apps for Android can be downloaded and used for free. Following are 6 of the best such apps.

1. Google App

On 15th October 2020, Google introduced the hum to search feature to the Google app and widget. Google hum to search is like any other hum to search music app and is very easy to use. Apple users can avail of this feature in English, while Android users can search songs in excess of 20 languages. Almost 4 billion people worldwide use Google, making it the most popular app of all time.

Using your hummed input, the Google hum to search algorithm identifies probable songs that sound closer to the tune and presents you with the results. Then you choose the appropriate match from among it. The results also include information on the artist and the song, related music videos, covers, lyrics and song analysis.

This is how you use the Google app for song recognition:

Step 1- Open the Google app or Google search widget on your phone and tap the mic button.

Step 2- Either click on the “Search a song” button or say “what’s this song?” before humming the tune for 10 to 15 seconds. That’s it. That’s all you need to do, and the Google hum to search feature will do the rest.

It is as easy to identify a song using Google Assistant. Say, “Hey Google, what’s this song?” before humming the tune, and that’s about what is required by the algorithm to pull out probable songs from the database.

And don’t worry about the quality of your humming. It need not be pitch perfect, just distinct and clear enough.

2. Shazam

Shazam music recognition app can identify your tune and song in seconds. You will get to find and listen to your desired song and get all related information like lyrics, videos, and artist’s profile.

Shazam: Discover songs & lyrics in seconds for Android

You can listen to the song on this song identifier app or add the song to your Spotify or Apple Music, or Google Play Music playlist. Shazam also allows you to watch music videos from YouTube and Apple Music.

The Pop-Up feature of Shazam is one of its best features. It enables you to identify music on any app like YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. Besides, you can use the app offline and in the background to continue identifying songs even though the app is not in use.

The app will also notify you about your country’s and city’s current music scene, recommend playlists according to your tastes and lets you share songs on social media. The Shazam app has been downloaded over 200 million times in 150+ countries. This should convince you of the app’s credibility.

In 2018, Apple Inc. completed acquiring Shazam for $400 million dollars. Since, then Shazam comes integrated with iOS (version 14.2 and higher).

3. BeatFind Music Recognition

The Beatfind Music recognition app for Android is one of the best song identifier apps out there. It is straightforward to use; just switch on the app’s listen mode and let it process the yet unidentified music or song playing around you, and the app will identify it almost instantly. As many as 8 million people worldwide has downloaded this app.

BeatFind Music Recognition for Android

You can gather information about the song, the artist and be notified about the top tracks recorded by him/her. Beatfind will allow you to play a preview of the song on the app so that you can be sure that this is the song you are looking for and then you will have the option to listen to the full track on Deezer or Spotify or YouTube. It records your searches so that it is easier for you to find a song later.

The unique feature of this song finder app is that it can turn any room into a discotheque. It has a flashlight party mode that emanates strobes of light in sync with the music being played. You can also share identified songs with your friends and family via social media.

4. SoundHound

SoundHound is simple to use and has a host of features that give you a complete music experience. It has over 300 million users. Switch on the app’s listening mode and discover any song or music playing around you. You can also identify a song or a tune stuck in your mind by just humming it to the listening mode and SoundHound will do the rest.

All your song searches are stored so that you can replay them later without having to search for them all over again. The app has real-time lyrics that let you sing along your favorite song. Consequently, you can also search for lyrics of a particular song by using type search and voice search features of the app (which works like Google Assistant). You can use this voice search to conduct all types of searches on this song finder app.

You can transfer all your discovered songs to your Spotify playlist, provided you have accounts in both Spotify and SoundHound. Or you can play the discovered songs on SoundHound itself. You can also stream your Spotify playlist on SoundHound.

Apart from the above, you can get all related information on your discovered songs and share those songs with your friends and family via social media.

5. Genius – Song Lyrics & More

Genius is more of a lyrics finder app than a song identifier app for Android. Its database contains lyrics of more than 1.7 million songs, and that database is entirely crowdsourced. Besides lyrics, you will get authentic information regarding the backstory of the songs on the database.

Genius — Song Lyrics & More for Android

It is very simple to use the app. Just open the app, press the soundwave button and hold the phone near the source of the music. You will get lyrics and other information on that song in a matter of seconds.

Genius is run by the inputs of dedicated and obsessed music fans. So, if you fall into that category and want more to do with a song than just listening to it, then this is a must-have app for you.

6. MusiXmatch - Lyrics for your music

The MusiXmatch is an app dedicated to bringing you the lyrics to any song you are listening at the moment. It has a handy floating lyrics widget feature that enables you get real-time lyrics on the track you are playing. The app has been downloaded more than 50 million times.

MusiXmatch - Lyrics for your music for Android

What is best is that, the track can be playing on any music streaming app, and the floating widget of MusiXmatch will display the lyrics in sync with the song being played. Lyrics will appear embedded in YouTube music videos, whether they be in portrait or landscape mode.

It can also translate lyrics in real-time, thus enabling you to learn a new language while doing one of your favorite tasks listening to music. You can get the lyrics and translation of any song playing around you with a single tap. You can also find your favorite song by simply typing a single line of lyrics of that song.

The app also contains allied information on the identified songs. You can be a part of this app’s community and feed this database with music knowledge and information, lyrics and translations.

You can stream MusiXmatch on television via Chromecast, and the app is available on all Android wearable devices. A premium version of this app allows you to view lyrics offline, removes advertisements from the app, and enables a party mode where themes play in sync with the song lyrics.

Conclusion

The world of music is vast and dynamic. There are hundreds of music genres, thousands of songs in each genre and billions of recorded songs if we take into account songs from every country and language in this world.

Finding your favorite songs in this musical universe is nothing short of a treasure hunt, especially if you know very little of your coveted song( like just a tune, a jingle, a single line of lyrics, or you just heard the song for the first time).

To assist you in this hunt are the above song finder apps and lyric finders. Use them, and no song will be beyond your reach.

author avatar

Benjamin Arango

Benjamin Arango is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Benjamin Arango

Benjamin Arango

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

There must have been instances in your life when you heard a song on the go, and it took you down memory lane, with you remembering those long-gone times when you used to listen to that song regularly.

You tried searching for that song in your phone’s music app so that you might savor some sweet nostalgia, but alas, you realize that you no longer remember the song’s name or any definitive lyrics or the artist’s name.

Does that mean you forego that song until you remember the details? Absolutely not. There are many song finder apps that you can install on your android phone, which will help you find that song. You just need to hum whatever tune you remember of that song into the built-in-mic, and the app would do the rest.

Best Free Song Finder Apps for Android in 2021

Some song identifier apps for Android can be downloaded and used for free. Following are 6 of the best such apps.

1. Google App

On 15th October 2020, Google introduced the hum to search feature to the Google app and widget. Google hum to search is like any other hum to search music app and is very easy to use. Apple users can avail of this feature in English, while Android users can search songs in excess of 20 languages. Almost 4 billion people worldwide use Google, making it the most popular app of all time.

Using your hummed input, the Google hum to search algorithm identifies probable songs that sound closer to the tune and presents you with the results. Then you choose the appropriate match from among it. The results also include information on the artist and the song, related music videos, covers, lyrics and song analysis.

This is how you use the Google app for song recognition:

Step 1- Open the Google app or Google search widget on your phone and tap the mic button.

Step 2- Either click on the “Search a song” button or say “what’s this song?” before humming the tune for 10 to 15 seconds. That’s it. That’s all you need to do, and the Google hum to search feature will do the rest.

It is as easy to identify a song using Google Assistant. Say, “Hey Google, what’s this song?” before humming the tune, and that’s about what is required by the algorithm to pull out probable songs from the database.

And don’t worry about the quality of your humming. It need not be pitch perfect, just distinct and clear enough.

2. Shazam

Shazam music recognition app can identify your tune and song in seconds. You will get to find and listen to your desired song and get all related information like lyrics, videos, and artist’s profile.

Shazam: Discover songs & lyrics in seconds for Android

You can listen to the song on this song identifier app or add the song to your Spotify or Apple Music, or Google Play Music playlist. Shazam also allows you to watch music videos from YouTube and Apple Music.

The Pop-Up feature of Shazam is one of its best features. It enables you to identify music on any app like YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. Besides, you can use the app offline and in the background to continue identifying songs even though the app is not in use.

The app will also notify you about your country’s and city’s current music scene, recommend playlists according to your tastes and lets you share songs on social media. The Shazam app has been downloaded over 200 million times in 150+ countries. This should convince you of the app’s credibility.

In 2018, Apple Inc. completed acquiring Shazam for $400 million dollars. Since, then Shazam comes integrated with iOS (version 14.2 and higher).

3. BeatFind Music Recognition

The Beatfind Music recognition app for Android is one of the best song identifier apps out there. It is straightforward to use; just switch on the app’s listen mode and let it process the yet unidentified music or song playing around you, and the app will identify it almost instantly. As many as 8 million people worldwide has downloaded this app.

BeatFind Music Recognition for Android

You can gather information about the song, the artist and be notified about the top tracks recorded by him/her. Beatfind will allow you to play a preview of the song on the app so that you can be sure that this is the song you are looking for and then you will have the option to listen to the full track on Deezer or Spotify or YouTube. It records your searches so that it is easier for you to find a song later.

The unique feature of this song finder app is that it can turn any room into a discotheque. It has a flashlight party mode that emanates strobes of light in sync with the music being played. You can also share identified songs with your friends and family via social media.

4. SoundHound

SoundHound is simple to use and has a host of features that give you a complete music experience. It has over 300 million users. Switch on the app’s listening mode and discover any song or music playing around you. You can also identify a song or a tune stuck in your mind by just humming it to the listening mode and SoundHound will do the rest.

All your song searches are stored so that you can replay them later without having to search for them all over again. The app has real-time lyrics that let you sing along your favorite song. Consequently, you can also search for lyrics of a particular song by using type search and voice search features of the app (which works like Google Assistant). You can use this voice search to conduct all types of searches on this song finder app.

You can transfer all your discovered songs to your Spotify playlist, provided you have accounts in both Spotify and SoundHound. Or you can play the discovered songs on SoundHound itself. You can also stream your Spotify playlist on SoundHound.

Apart from the above, you can get all related information on your discovered songs and share those songs with your friends and family via social media.

5. Genius – Song Lyrics & More

Genius is more of a lyrics finder app than a song identifier app for Android. Its database contains lyrics of more than 1.7 million songs, and that database is entirely crowdsourced. Besides lyrics, you will get authentic information regarding the backstory of the songs on the database.

Genius — Song Lyrics & More for Android

It is very simple to use the app. Just open the app, press the soundwave button and hold the phone near the source of the music. You will get lyrics and other information on that song in a matter of seconds.

Genius is run by the inputs of dedicated and obsessed music fans. So, if you fall into that category and want more to do with a song than just listening to it, then this is a must-have app for you.

6. MusiXmatch - Lyrics for your music

The MusiXmatch is an app dedicated to bringing you the lyrics to any song you are listening at the moment. It has a handy floating lyrics widget feature that enables you get real-time lyrics on the track you are playing. The app has been downloaded more than 50 million times.

MusiXmatch - Lyrics for your music for Android

What is best is that, the track can be playing on any music streaming app, and the floating widget of MusiXmatch will display the lyrics in sync with the song being played. Lyrics will appear embedded in YouTube music videos, whether they be in portrait or landscape mode.

It can also translate lyrics in real-time, thus enabling you to learn a new language while doing one of your favorite tasks listening to music. You can get the lyrics and translation of any song playing around you with a single tap. You can also find your favorite song by simply typing a single line of lyrics of that song.

The app also contains allied information on the identified songs. You can be a part of this app’s community and feed this database with music knowledge and information, lyrics and translations.

You can stream MusiXmatch on television via Chromecast, and the app is available on all Android wearable devices. A premium version of this app allows you to view lyrics offline, removes advertisements from the app, and enables a party mode where themes play in sync with the song lyrics.

Conclusion

The world of music is vast and dynamic. There are hundreds of music genres, thousands of songs in each genre and billions of recorded songs if we take into account songs from every country and language in this world.

Finding your favorite songs in this musical universe is nothing short of a treasure hunt, especially if you know very little of your coveted song( like just a tune, a jingle, a single line of lyrics, or you just heard the song for the first time).

To assist you in this hunt are the above song finder apps and lyric finders. Use them, and no song will be beyond your reach.

author avatar

Benjamin Arango

Benjamin Arango is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Benjamin Arango

Demystifying the Art of Anime Adaptation for Global Audiences

All about Anime Dubbing

author avatar

Shanoon Cox

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Anime might have been originated from Japan, but today it has become a worldwide phenomenon with millions of fans out there. Since most of the anime series are in Japanese, they are dubbed in different languages for their global audience. Though, anime dubbing is an art in itself as it takes a lot of effort to provide a seamless entertainment experience to others. In this post, I’m going to make you familiar with the process that goes behind anime dubbing and how you can master it in no time.

All about Anime Dubbing

What is the Art of Anime Dubbing?

Art of Anime Dubbing

http://animeyourway.blogspot.com/

There are tons of anime out there, but most of them are originally made in Japanese. To make them appealing to an international audience, the concepts of dubbing and subbing are implemented. In subbing, we simply add subtitles to the scene by placing its strip at the bottom, which is comparatively easier.

On the other hand, Anime dubbing is a more complex process in which the original soundtrack in Japanese is first removed from the video. Now, a script is designed for the other language (like English) in which the video has to be dubbed. Afterward, voiceover artists would match the dialogues with the original pace of the video to attain flawless dubbing results. Now, the audience of the second language can also watch the anime with the dubbed soundtrack instead of the Japanese.

In some cases, even after dubbing, subtitles are also added in post-production to get better results.

Why is Voicing Important in an Anime?

Voice in Anime

Anime is an art-form and hence, it is should be treated creatively when transitioning into different cultures. The first generation of anime traces to the 1910s in Japan while they became mainstream with Astro Boy that was a hit not only in Japan but in the US as well. Needless to say, the anime industry has grown drastically with over $17 billion worth worldwide.

That’s why it has become more important than ever to focus on anime dubbing and make the content appealing to a vast audience. Too many times, while dubbing, the original nature of a character is lost due to the improper voice transition. Sometimes, there are edits in the script to match the pace of the scene that ends up changing the meaning drastically.

Therefore, to make sure the true essence of the anime is maintained, the concept of voice interpretation is implemented. In this, voiceover artists are taught about their characters and their nature. Instead of bringing their own flair while recording, they are encouraged to voice their characters instead.

What is the Process of Anime Dubbing?

Now when you know the importance of anime dubbing, let’s get to know about the process in detail. Although the overall process can be implemented differently in various countries and studios, the following steps are mostly followed by professionals.

Step 1: Transitioning and Translation

This is the foundation of anime dubbing as it helps us in scriptwriting and voiceover. Firstly, the anime is studied by the team, which includes native Japanese experts. For instance, if the anime is about Japanese history or its pop culture, then an expert from the related field is asked to join.

Furthermore, all the dialogues are transcribed and further translated by professionals. To make sure that no cultural norms are lost in the process, a group of people is invited to work on this. If the anime is about pop culture, then it can be a bit tough since some dialogues might lose the original meaning in the translation.

Step 2: Scripting and Adaptation

A mere translation of the anime is not enough as it is needed to fit the scene and should have a flawless transition. For this, scriptwriters take the translated document (for instance, Japanese to English translated version) and start developing a script for that. They will watch the scene simultaneously and would work with voiceover artists as well. In this way, we can avoid any delay or rapid movement between the picture and voiceover audio.

  • The new dialogues should be spoken in the same way so that the original speech and the voiceover should be matched.
  • A lot of sentences have to be reconstructed entirely since Japanese grammar is pretty different than English. Sometimes, a single word in Japanese might mean a whole sentence in English. This means we need to write the script while matching the pace of the scene and keeping the meaning intact (which can be pretty challenging).
  • Scriptwriters need to focus on the way a sentence is delivered and conveyed. If you are not careful, then you will lose out on certain nuances.
  • To get an ideal script, you might need to watch the anime and deliver your dialogues back-and-forth. Writers are encouraged to be more adaptive and keep the cultural knowledge of their audience in mind as well.
  • If the anime is deeply rooted in Japanese cultural norms that you know your audience won’t understand, then you can abandon it while still being faithful to the original material. For instance, Shin-chan had too many Japanese norms and thus it was re-written in English to include more local terms.

Step 3: Recording and Finishing

After completing the scriptwriting, recording artists work on it to give it a final touch. Although it is recommended for all recording artists to do their voice work together for a seamless amalgamation, sometimes they record their dialogues separately as well.

The recording artists are encouraged to do their bit of research and are made familiar with the anime. During the recording process, artists focus on the “matching flap” movement, which means their dialogues should match with the movement of their character’s lips. For this, they can fasten or slow their speed of dialogue delivery or add bits and pieces in between to give it a personal character.

While it is not possible to be entirely accurate and match the pace, artists try their best by looking at the video while delivering their dialogues. Some mistakes and flubs are bound to happen in the process, but that is what makes anime dubbing so hilarious and creative.

Is Anime Dubbing Enjoyable or Painful?

This is something that a lot of anime fans would like to ask voiceover professionals. Well, it would be subjective and depend on the anime as well as the professionals working on it.

In most of the cases, the process is pretty enjoyable if the artists and writers are fans of anime. Yes, the process can be a bit tedious, but that is the demand of this challenging profession altogether.

Michael Lindsay, who was widely appreciated for his work in the Marmalade Boy, admits how tough the job can be. It requires a lot of rework and the voiceover artists need to go back-and-forth to get the right pace.

Olivia Venegas, who has been a part of the anime dubbing industry for over a decade, admits how the process has changed. Now, production houses are more focused on creating a “localized” version of the anime that their audience can understand instead of keeping it rigid to their original material.

Overall, the change in the anime dubbing process and the presence of better technology has certainly made it more fun and less painful.

Anime Dubbing Tips for Beginners

If you are just starting your career in anime dubbing and would like to improve your work, then consider these expert tips.

  • To start with, do your bit of research and make sure you understand the Japanese culture. If the anime is about history or a cultural phenomenon, then get to know about it so that you won’t miss any nuance.
  • If you are a voiceover artist, then sit with the scriptwriter during the translation and writing process. This will help you understand their writing process and you can also give suggestions regarding voiceover.
  • Focus on your speech and the pace while recording every word. At times, we are needed to eat some words or have to stretch them to match with the movement of the character’s lips.
  • Try not to be overdramatic and don’t “act” too much while recording. Consider anime characters as real humans with organic feelings. If you over-do it, then it can become funny and take away the gravity of the scene.
  • Apart from your usual research, also watch the body language of your characters and their expressions. You can try to take the same posture and position while delivering any dialogue for a better anime dubbing experience.
  • Most importantly, let the transition be more organic and feel free to make some creative choices to own the character. Remember, your aim is to be the character and not let the character become you.
  • Lastly, keep in mind your audience while dubbing and make sure that they should relate to the nuances and cultural slangs you have included. While it is suggested to stick to the source material, you can bend it keeping the mindset of your target audience.

That’s a wrap, everyone! I’m sure that after reading this guide, you would be able to know more about anime dubbing and the effort that goes behind it. Although it is a complicated and tiresome process, some new-age tools and applications have made it better. If you are also just starting, then make sure you follow the above-listed tips and be familiar with the available tools. This will help you become a pro and you can certainly level-up your skills with time.

author avatar

Shanoon Cox

Shanoon Cox is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Shanoon Cox

Shanoon Cox

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Anime might have been originated from Japan, but today it has become a worldwide phenomenon with millions of fans out there. Since most of the anime series are in Japanese, they are dubbed in different languages for their global audience. Though, anime dubbing is an art in itself as it takes a lot of effort to provide a seamless entertainment experience to others. In this post, I’m going to make you familiar with the process that goes behind anime dubbing and how you can master it in no time.

All about Anime Dubbing

What is the Art of Anime Dubbing?

Art of Anime Dubbing

http://animeyourway.blogspot.com/

There are tons of anime out there, but most of them are originally made in Japanese. To make them appealing to an international audience, the concepts of dubbing and subbing are implemented. In subbing, we simply add subtitles to the scene by placing its strip at the bottom, which is comparatively easier.

On the other hand, Anime dubbing is a more complex process in which the original soundtrack in Japanese is first removed from the video. Now, a script is designed for the other language (like English) in which the video has to be dubbed. Afterward, voiceover artists would match the dialogues with the original pace of the video to attain flawless dubbing results. Now, the audience of the second language can also watch the anime with the dubbed soundtrack instead of the Japanese.

In some cases, even after dubbing, subtitles are also added in post-production to get better results.

Why is Voicing Important in an Anime?

Voice in Anime

Anime is an art-form and hence, it is should be treated creatively when transitioning into different cultures. The first generation of anime traces to the 1910s in Japan while they became mainstream with Astro Boy that was a hit not only in Japan but in the US as well. Needless to say, the anime industry has grown drastically with over $17 billion worth worldwide.

That’s why it has become more important than ever to focus on anime dubbing and make the content appealing to a vast audience. Too many times, while dubbing, the original nature of a character is lost due to the improper voice transition. Sometimes, there are edits in the script to match the pace of the scene that ends up changing the meaning drastically.

Therefore, to make sure the true essence of the anime is maintained, the concept of voice interpretation is implemented. In this, voiceover artists are taught about their characters and their nature. Instead of bringing their own flair while recording, they are encouraged to voice their characters instead.

What is the Process of Anime Dubbing?

Now when you know the importance of anime dubbing, let’s get to know about the process in detail. Although the overall process can be implemented differently in various countries and studios, the following steps are mostly followed by professionals.

Step 1: Transitioning and Translation

This is the foundation of anime dubbing as it helps us in scriptwriting and voiceover. Firstly, the anime is studied by the team, which includes native Japanese experts. For instance, if the anime is about Japanese history or its pop culture, then an expert from the related field is asked to join.

Furthermore, all the dialogues are transcribed and further translated by professionals. To make sure that no cultural norms are lost in the process, a group of people is invited to work on this. If the anime is about pop culture, then it can be a bit tough since some dialogues might lose the original meaning in the translation.

Step 2: Scripting and Adaptation

A mere translation of the anime is not enough as it is needed to fit the scene and should have a flawless transition. For this, scriptwriters take the translated document (for instance, Japanese to English translated version) and start developing a script for that. They will watch the scene simultaneously and would work with voiceover artists as well. In this way, we can avoid any delay or rapid movement between the picture and voiceover audio.

  • The new dialogues should be spoken in the same way so that the original speech and the voiceover should be matched.
  • A lot of sentences have to be reconstructed entirely since Japanese grammar is pretty different than English. Sometimes, a single word in Japanese might mean a whole sentence in English. This means we need to write the script while matching the pace of the scene and keeping the meaning intact (which can be pretty challenging).
  • Scriptwriters need to focus on the way a sentence is delivered and conveyed. If you are not careful, then you will lose out on certain nuances.
  • To get an ideal script, you might need to watch the anime and deliver your dialogues back-and-forth. Writers are encouraged to be more adaptive and keep the cultural knowledge of their audience in mind as well.
  • If the anime is deeply rooted in Japanese cultural norms that you know your audience won’t understand, then you can abandon it while still being faithful to the original material. For instance, Shin-chan had too many Japanese norms and thus it was re-written in English to include more local terms.

Step 3: Recording and Finishing

After completing the scriptwriting, recording artists work on it to give it a final touch. Although it is recommended for all recording artists to do their voice work together for a seamless amalgamation, sometimes they record their dialogues separately as well.

The recording artists are encouraged to do their bit of research and are made familiar with the anime. During the recording process, artists focus on the “matching flap” movement, which means their dialogues should match with the movement of their character’s lips. For this, they can fasten or slow their speed of dialogue delivery or add bits and pieces in between to give it a personal character.

While it is not possible to be entirely accurate and match the pace, artists try their best by looking at the video while delivering their dialogues. Some mistakes and flubs are bound to happen in the process, but that is what makes anime dubbing so hilarious and creative.

Is Anime Dubbing Enjoyable or Painful?

This is something that a lot of anime fans would like to ask voiceover professionals. Well, it would be subjective and depend on the anime as well as the professionals working on it.

In most of the cases, the process is pretty enjoyable if the artists and writers are fans of anime. Yes, the process can be a bit tedious, but that is the demand of this challenging profession altogether.

Michael Lindsay, who was widely appreciated for his work in the Marmalade Boy, admits how tough the job can be. It requires a lot of rework and the voiceover artists need to go back-and-forth to get the right pace.

Olivia Venegas, who has been a part of the anime dubbing industry for over a decade, admits how the process has changed. Now, production houses are more focused on creating a “localized” version of the anime that their audience can understand instead of keeping it rigid to their original material.

Overall, the change in the anime dubbing process and the presence of better technology has certainly made it more fun and less painful.

Anime Dubbing Tips for Beginners

If you are just starting your career in anime dubbing and would like to improve your work, then consider these expert tips.

  • To start with, do your bit of research and make sure you understand the Japanese culture. If the anime is about history or a cultural phenomenon, then get to know about it so that you won’t miss any nuance.
  • If you are a voiceover artist, then sit with the scriptwriter during the translation and writing process. This will help you understand their writing process and you can also give suggestions regarding voiceover.
  • Focus on your speech and the pace while recording every word. At times, we are needed to eat some words or have to stretch them to match with the movement of the character’s lips.
  • Try not to be overdramatic and don’t “act” too much while recording. Consider anime characters as real humans with organic feelings. If you over-do it, then it can become funny and take away the gravity of the scene.
  • Apart from your usual research, also watch the body language of your characters and their expressions. You can try to take the same posture and position while delivering any dialogue for a better anime dubbing experience.
  • Most importantly, let the transition be more organic and feel free to make some creative choices to own the character. Remember, your aim is to be the character and not let the character become you.
  • Lastly, keep in mind your audience while dubbing and make sure that they should relate to the nuances and cultural slangs you have included. While it is suggested to stick to the source material, you can bend it keeping the mindset of your target audience.

That’s a wrap, everyone! I’m sure that after reading this guide, you would be able to know more about anime dubbing and the effort that goes behind it. Although it is a complicated and tiresome process, some new-age tools and applications have made it better. If you are also just starting, then make sure you follow the above-listed tips and be familiar with the available tools. This will help you become a pro and you can certainly level-up your skills with time.

author avatar

Shanoon Cox

Shanoon Cox is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Shanoon Cox

Shanoon Cox

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Anime might have been originated from Japan, but today it has become a worldwide phenomenon with millions of fans out there. Since most of the anime series are in Japanese, they are dubbed in different languages for their global audience. Though, anime dubbing is an art in itself as it takes a lot of effort to provide a seamless entertainment experience to others. In this post, I’m going to make you familiar with the process that goes behind anime dubbing and how you can master it in no time.

All about Anime Dubbing

What is the Art of Anime Dubbing?

Art of Anime Dubbing

http://animeyourway.blogspot.com/

There are tons of anime out there, but most of them are originally made in Japanese. To make them appealing to an international audience, the concepts of dubbing and subbing are implemented. In subbing, we simply add subtitles to the scene by placing its strip at the bottom, which is comparatively easier.

On the other hand, Anime dubbing is a more complex process in which the original soundtrack in Japanese is first removed from the video. Now, a script is designed for the other language (like English) in which the video has to be dubbed. Afterward, voiceover artists would match the dialogues with the original pace of the video to attain flawless dubbing results. Now, the audience of the second language can also watch the anime with the dubbed soundtrack instead of the Japanese.

In some cases, even after dubbing, subtitles are also added in post-production to get better results.

Why is Voicing Important in an Anime?

Voice in Anime

Anime is an art-form and hence, it is should be treated creatively when transitioning into different cultures. The first generation of anime traces to the 1910s in Japan while they became mainstream with Astro Boy that was a hit not only in Japan but in the US as well. Needless to say, the anime industry has grown drastically with over $17 billion worth worldwide.

That’s why it has become more important than ever to focus on anime dubbing and make the content appealing to a vast audience. Too many times, while dubbing, the original nature of a character is lost due to the improper voice transition. Sometimes, there are edits in the script to match the pace of the scene that ends up changing the meaning drastically.

Therefore, to make sure the true essence of the anime is maintained, the concept of voice interpretation is implemented. In this, voiceover artists are taught about their characters and their nature. Instead of bringing their own flair while recording, they are encouraged to voice their characters instead.

What is the Process of Anime Dubbing?

Now when you know the importance of anime dubbing, let’s get to know about the process in detail. Although the overall process can be implemented differently in various countries and studios, the following steps are mostly followed by professionals.

Step 1: Transitioning and Translation

This is the foundation of anime dubbing as it helps us in scriptwriting and voiceover. Firstly, the anime is studied by the team, which includes native Japanese experts. For instance, if the anime is about Japanese history or its pop culture, then an expert from the related field is asked to join.

Furthermore, all the dialogues are transcribed and further translated by professionals. To make sure that no cultural norms are lost in the process, a group of people is invited to work on this. If the anime is about pop culture, then it can be a bit tough since some dialogues might lose the original meaning in the translation.

Step 2: Scripting and Adaptation

A mere translation of the anime is not enough as it is needed to fit the scene and should have a flawless transition. For this, scriptwriters take the translated document (for instance, Japanese to English translated version) and start developing a script for that. They will watch the scene simultaneously and would work with voiceover artists as well. In this way, we can avoid any delay or rapid movement between the picture and voiceover audio.

  • The new dialogues should be spoken in the same way so that the original speech and the voiceover should be matched.
  • A lot of sentences have to be reconstructed entirely since Japanese grammar is pretty different than English. Sometimes, a single word in Japanese might mean a whole sentence in English. This means we need to write the script while matching the pace of the scene and keeping the meaning intact (which can be pretty challenging).
  • Scriptwriters need to focus on the way a sentence is delivered and conveyed. If you are not careful, then you will lose out on certain nuances.
  • To get an ideal script, you might need to watch the anime and deliver your dialogues back-and-forth. Writers are encouraged to be more adaptive and keep the cultural knowledge of their audience in mind as well.
  • If the anime is deeply rooted in Japanese cultural norms that you know your audience won’t understand, then you can abandon it while still being faithful to the original material. For instance, Shin-chan had too many Japanese norms and thus it was re-written in English to include more local terms.

Step 3: Recording and Finishing

After completing the scriptwriting, recording artists work on it to give it a final touch. Although it is recommended for all recording artists to do their voice work together for a seamless amalgamation, sometimes they record their dialogues separately as well.

The recording artists are encouraged to do their bit of research and are made familiar with the anime. During the recording process, artists focus on the “matching flap” movement, which means their dialogues should match with the movement of their character’s lips. For this, they can fasten or slow their speed of dialogue delivery or add bits and pieces in between to give it a personal character.

While it is not possible to be entirely accurate and match the pace, artists try their best by looking at the video while delivering their dialogues. Some mistakes and flubs are bound to happen in the process, but that is what makes anime dubbing so hilarious and creative.

Is Anime Dubbing Enjoyable or Painful?

This is something that a lot of anime fans would like to ask voiceover professionals. Well, it would be subjective and depend on the anime as well as the professionals working on it.

In most of the cases, the process is pretty enjoyable if the artists and writers are fans of anime. Yes, the process can be a bit tedious, but that is the demand of this challenging profession altogether.

Michael Lindsay, who was widely appreciated for his work in the Marmalade Boy, admits how tough the job can be. It requires a lot of rework and the voiceover artists need to go back-and-forth to get the right pace.

Olivia Venegas, who has been a part of the anime dubbing industry for over a decade, admits how the process has changed. Now, production houses are more focused on creating a “localized” version of the anime that their audience can understand instead of keeping it rigid to their original material.

Overall, the change in the anime dubbing process and the presence of better technology has certainly made it more fun and less painful.

Anime Dubbing Tips for Beginners

If you are just starting your career in anime dubbing and would like to improve your work, then consider these expert tips.

  • To start with, do your bit of research and make sure you understand the Japanese culture. If the anime is about history or a cultural phenomenon, then get to know about it so that you won’t miss any nuance.
  • If you are a voiceover artist, then sit with the scriptwriter during the translation and writing process. This will help you understand their writing process and you can also give suggestions regarding voiceover.
  • Focus on your speech and the pace while recording every word. At times, we are needed to eat some words or have to stretch them to match with the movement of the character’s lips.
  • Try not to be overdramatic and don’t “act” too much while recording. Consider anime characters as real humans with organic feelings. If you over-do it, then it can become funny and take away the gravity of the scene.
  • Apart from your usual research, also watch the body language of your characters and their expressions. You can try to take the same posture and position while delivering any dialogue for a better anime dubbing experience.
  • Most importantly, let the transition be more organic and feel free to make some creative choices to own the character. Remember, your aim is to be the character and not let the character become you.
  • Lastly, keep in mind your audience while dubbing and make sure that they should relate to the nuances and cultural slangs you have included. While it is suggested to stick to the source material, you can bend it keeping the mindset of your target audience.

That’s a wrap, everyone! I’m sure that after reading this guide, you would be able to know more about anime dubbing and the effort that goes behind it. Although it is a complicated and tiresome process, some new-age tools and applications have made it better. If you are also just starting, then make sure you follow the above-listed tips and be familiar with the available tools. This will help you become a pro and you can certainly level-up your skills with time.

author avatar

Shanoon Cox

Shanoon Cox is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Shanoon Cox

Shanoon Cox

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Anime might have been originated from Japan, but today it has become a worldwide phenomenon with millions of fans out there. Since most of the anime series are in Japanese, they are dubbed in different languages for their global audience. Though, anime dubbing is an art in itself as it takes a lot of effort to provide a seamless entertainment experience to others. In this post, I’m going to make you familiar with the process that goes behind anime dubbing and how you can master it in no time.

All about Anime Dubbing

What is the Art of Anime Dubbing?

Art of Anime Dubbing

http://animeyourway.blogspot.com/

There are tons of anime out there, but most of them are originally made in Japanese. To make them appealing to an international audience, the concepts of dubbing and subbing are implemented. In subbing, we simply add subtitles to the scene by placing its strip at the bottom, which is comparatively easier.

On the other hand, Anime dubbing is a more complex process in which the original soundtrack in Japanese is first removed from the video. Now, a script is designed for the other language (like English) in which the video has to be dubbed. Afterward, voiceover artists would match the dialogues with the original pace of the video to attain flawless dubbing results. Now, the audience of the second language can also watch the anime with the dubbed soundtrack instead of the Japanese.

In some cases, even after dubbing, subtitles are also added in post-production to get better results.

Why is Voicing Important in an Anime?

Voice in Anime

Anime is an art-form and hence, it is should be treated creatively when transitioning into different cultures. The first generation of anime traces to the 1910s in Japan while they became mainstream with Astro Boy that was a hit not only in Japan but in the US as well. Needless to say, the anime industry has grown drastically with over $17 billion worth worldwide.

That’s why it has become more important than ever to focus on anime dubbing and make the content appealing to a vast audience. Too many times, while dubbing, the original nature of a character is lost due to the improper voice transition. Sometimes, there are edits in the script to match the pace of the scene that ends up changing the meaning drastically.

Therefore, to make sure the true essence of the anime is maintained, the concept of voice interpretation is implemented. In this, voiceover artists are taught about their characters and their nature. Instead of bringing their own flair while recording, they are encouraged to voice their characters instead.

What is the Process of Anime Dubbing?

Now when you know the importance of anime dubbing, let’s get to know about the process in detail. Although the overall process can be implemented differently in various countries and studios, the following steps are mostly followed by professionals.

Step 1: Transitioning and Translation

This is the foundation of anime dubbing as it helps us in scriptwriting and voiceover. Firstly, the anime is studied by the team, which includes native Japanese experts. For instance, if the anime is about Japanese history or its pop culture, then an expert from the related field is asked to join.

Furthermore, all the dialogues are transcribed and further translated by professionals. To make sure that no cultural norms are lost in the process, a group of people is invited to work on this. If the anime is about pop culture, then it can be a bit tough since some dialogues might lose the original meaning in the translation.

Step 2: Scripting and Adaptation

A mere translation of the anime is not enough as it is needed to fit the scene and should have a flawless transition. For this, scriptwriters take the translated document (for instance, Japanese to English translated version) and start developing a script for that. They will watch the scene simultaneously and would work with voiceover artists as well. In this way, we can avoid any delay or rapid movement between the picture and voiceover audio.

  • The new dialogues should be spoken in the same way so that the original speech and the voiceover should be matched.
  • A lot of sentences have to be reconstructed entirely since Japanese grammar is pretty different than English. Sometimes, a single word in Japanese might mean a whole sentence in English. This means we need to write the script while matching the pace of the scene and keeping the meaning intact (which can be pretty challenging).
  • Scriptwriters need to focus on the way a sentence is delivered and conveyed. If you are not careful, then you will lose out on certain nuances.
  • To get an ideal script, you might need to watch the anime and deliver your dialogues back-and-forth. Writers are encouraged to be more adaptive and keep the cultural knowledge of their audience in mind as well.
  • If the anime is deeply rooted in Japanese cultural norms that you know your audience won’t understand, then you can abandon it while still being faithful to the original material. For instance, Shin-chan had too many Japanese norms and thus it was re-written in English to include more local terms.

Step 3: Recording and Finishing

After completing the scriptwriting, recording artists work on it to give it a final touch. Although it is recommended for all recording artists to do their voice work together for a seamless amalgamation, sometimes they record their dialogues separately as well.

The recording artists are encouraged to do their bit of research and are made familiar with the anime. During the recording process, artists focus on the “matching flap” movement, which means their dialogues should match with the movement of their character’s lips. For this, they can fasten or slow their speed of dialogue delivery or add bits and pieces in between to give it a personal character.

While it is not possible to be entirely accurate and match the pace, artists try their best by looking at the video while delivering their dialogues. Some mistakes and flubs are bound to happen in the process, but that is what makes anime dubbing so hilarious and creative.

Is Anime Dubbing Enjoyable or Painful?

This is something that a lot of anime fans would like to ask voiceover professionals. Well, it would be subjective and depend on the anime as well as the professionals working on it.

In most of the cases, the process is pretty enjoyable if the artists and writers are fans of anime. Yes, the process can be a bit tedious, but that is the demand of this challenging profession altogether.

Michael Lindsay, who was widely appreciated for his work in the Marmalade Boy, admits how tough the job can be. It requires a lot of rework and the voiceover artists need to go back-and-forth to get the right pace.

Olivia Venegas, who has been a part of the anime dubbing industry for over a decade, admits how the process has changed. Now, production houses are more focused on creating a “localized” version of the anime that their audience can understand instead of keeping it rigid to their original material.

Overall, the change in the anime dubbing process and the presence of better technology has certainly made it more fun and less painful.

Anime Dubbing Tips for Beginners

If you are just starting your career in anime dubbing and would like to improve your work, then consider these expert tips.

  • To start with, do your bit of research and make sure you understand the Japanese culture. If the anime is about history or a cultural phenomenon, then get to know about it so that you won’t miss any nuance.
  • If you are a voiceover artist, then sit with the scriptwriter during the translation and writing process. This will help you understand their writing process and you can also give suggestions regarding voiceover.
  • Focus on your speech and the pace while recording every word. At times, we are needed to eat some words or have to stretch them to match with the movement of the character’s lips.
  • Try not to be overdramatic and don’t “act” too much while recording. Consider anime characters as real humans with organic feelings. If you over-do it, then it can become funny and take away the gravity of the scene.
  • Apart from your usual research, also watch the body language of your characters and their expressions. You can try to take the same posture and position while delivering any dialogue for a better anime dubbing experience.
  • Most importantly, let the transition be more organic and feel free to make some creative choices to own the character. Remember, your aim is to be the character and not let the character become you.
  • Lastly, keep in mind your audience while dubbing and make sure that they should relate to the nuances and cultural slangs you have included. While it is suggested to stick to the source material, you can bend it keeping the mindset of your target audience.

That’s a wrap, everyone! I’m sure that after reading this guide, you would be able to know more about anime dubbing and the effort that goes behind it. Although it is a complicated and tiresome process, some new-age tools and applications have made it better. If you are also just starting, then make sure you follow the above-listed tips and be familiar with the available tools. This will help you become a pro and you can certainly level-up your skills with time.

author avatar

Shanoon Cox

Shanoon Cox is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Shanoon Cox

Also read:

  • Title: Updated In 2024, The Ultimate Guide to Best Podcast Platforms
  • Author: Kate
  • Created at : 2024-05-05 08:09:53
  • Updated at : 2024-05-06 08:09:53
  • Link: https://audio-editing.techidaily.com/updated-in-2024-the-ultimate-guide-to-best-podcast-platforms/
  • License: This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.
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Updated In 2024, The Ultimate Guide to Best Podcast Platforms