RSS.com: The Rare "Actually Free" Podcast Host
Podcast hosting is notoriously known for nickel-and-diming creators at every turn. Most platforms lure you in with a seemingly generous free tier, only to delete your older episodes after 90 days or strictly cap your uploads to a mere two hours a month. RSS.com takes a completely different approach. Their free tier gives you unlimited episodes and unlimited audio storage right out of the gate, without hidden expiration dates.
If you are a solo creator testing the waters of podcasting, this pricing model is difficult to beat. You get a customizable embeddable player, automatic distribution to major directories like Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and Spotify, and a basic public RSS feed without paying a single cent. They even throw in a built-in podcast website so you do not have to immediately buy a domain or set up WordPress.
Where the Paywall Hits
The catch is that RSS.com heavily gates its growth, monetization, and production tools. The free plan is purely for hosting audio and getting it to listeners. If you want to run programmatic ads or generate transcripts for accessibility, you will need to open your wallet and upgrade to the Plus plan.
The Plus tier costs $15 per month if you pay annually, but jumps to $19.99 if you prefer month-to-month billing. That is a noticeable premium for flexibility. At the Plus level, you get dynamic ad insertion, which lets you automatically roll pre-roll or mid-roll ads across your entire back catalog with just a few clicks. It also grants access to audio-to-video conversion for YouTube, allowing you to push static video versions of your episodes directly to a YouTube channel.
However, if you want to host actual video podcasts (a format that is dominating the industry right now) you have to bypass the Pro tier ($26/month) entirely and subscribe to the Max plan at $37 per month.
The Word on the Street
When digging through Reddit threads comparing hosts, RSS.com is frequently pitched against Anchor (now Spotify for Podcasters). A common Reddit complaint is that while Anchor offers video podcasting and monetization for free, users often feel trapped in the Spotify ecosystem and struggle with non-existent customer service. On the other hand, Product Hunt reviewers consistently praise RSS.com for its highly responsive human customer support, which is remarkably included even on the free plan.
Creators switching from legacy hosts like Buzzsprout typically point to the unlimited storage as their main reason for migrating. Not having to aggressively compress audio files to stay under a monthly megabyte limit is a major relief for interview-heavy shows.
The Good
- Genuinely free hosting with no expiration dates on your audio files.
- Human support is available to everyone, not just paying customers.
- Dynamic ad insertion allows you to monetize your back catalog easily.
- Annual billing takes a solid 25% off the monthly price.
- The included podcast website saves beginners from having to build their own.
The Limitations
- Video podcasting requires the most expensive Max tier ($37/month), while some competitors offer it for free.
- The $19.99 month-to-month price for the entry paid tier is steep compared to the annual rate.
- Features like AI transcripts and adding team members force an upgrade.
- You must have at least the Plus plan to monetize with Apple Podcasts Subscriptions.
Who Should Pick It
If you want to start a traditional audio podcast and do not want to worry about upload limits or surprise bills, RSS.com is a great starting point. It is not built for massive enterprise networks that need complex permissions, but for independent creators who want ownership of their feed without arbitrary storage caps, the free tier provides an excellent runway. Just be prepared to pay a premium later if you decide to expand into video content.