Spotify for Podcasters grew from Anchor, an app that made podcasting free and easy. Creators can record from a phone or computer, upload episodes, and publish to Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and other directories from one place, with no hosting fees. Tools include simple editing, music and sound effects, and a way to bring in guests remotely.
The creator tools have expanded to include video podcasts, which Spotify has promoted heavily, along with analytics on audience size, demographics, and listening behavior. Monetization options include ad insertion, listener subscriptions, and partner programs for eligible shows. The brand has been folded into Spotify for Creators, which covers audio and video content creators on the platform.
The service is free. Hosting on a platform owned by a streaming company gives it strong distribution to Spotify’s audience, though creators should check how it handles their RSS feed and be careful about exclusivity. Alternatives include Buzzsprout, Transistor, Libsyn, Podbean, Captivate, and Riverside for recording. Spotify suits new podcasters who want a free start and easy publishing.