Why do I need a podcast host? Can't I just upload my podcast to Apple Podcasts?

You might think Apple Podcasts and other apps will host your podcast for you. That's a common misconception!

Every podcast needs a hosting provider. Your host stores your audio (and video, if you make a video podcast), creates your RSS feed, and keeps your episode titles and show notes in it.

Apple Podcasts, Overcast and the Spotify app are listening apps with their own podcast directories. They don't store your files. When someone follows your podcast or plays an episode, the app reads your RSS feed and gets the file from your host, like Transistor.

So instead of uploading episodes to Apple Podcasts, you submit the RSS feed that Transistor creates. From then on, every episode you publish in Transistor reaches Apple Podcasts and other apps through that feed.

If you make a video podcast, Transistor hosts your video too and publishes it to YouTube, Apple Podcasts and your RSS feed.

See Does Transistor support video podcasts?

To get hosting for your podcast, sign up for Transistor. Transistor includes:

Audio and video hosting on a global CDN (video is on the Professional plan and above)
Unlimited podcasts on one account
Free podcast websites, one for each show, with your own domain if you want one
Embeddable audio players
Download analytics that follow IAB guidelines
Team members, so you can work with co-hosts and producers
Integrations with email newsletter tools, YouTube, Bluesky, Zapier, Make and more

To get started, see:

If you have additional questions please reach out to us:

Email - support@transistor.fm
Live Chat: https://transistor.fm/contact/

Updated on: 11/11/2026

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