18 rules in 5 groups, worth 100 points in all. They were set before any product was scored and apply the same way to all 10.
Version 1, published 9 Oct 2026
In short
Each rule is a yes-or-no fact, a list (such as the systems with an app) or a number with published thresholds, read from the vendor's own pages.
A fact the vendor does not publish earns nothing. A feature in beta or preview does not count.
The list follows the points. A tie goes to the lower price on "cheapest paid plan", then to the name.
Hosting services for creators and small teams who publish their own show, used in a web browser on Windows. Enterprise and quote-only plans, podcast apps, ad marketplaces and recording tools are left out. A line that reads "on at least one plan" counts only plans with a public price or a free plan; paid add-ons sold separately do not count.
Hosting limits 20 points
Rule
What it takes
Points
Unlimited episodes
The cheapest paid plan that accepts new uploads states that episodes (or storage) are unlimited, and no vendor page states a total storage limit in GB or MB for it. Monthly upload allowances are scored separately. If the vendor says nothing either way, record null.
4
No monthly upload cap
The cheapest paid plan that accepts new uploads states that uploads are unlimited. An allowance in hours or MB, per month or per year, counts as a cap; if the plan card and the FAQ disagree, any stated cap makes it false. A limit on the size of a single file does not count against it. If the vendor says nothing, record null.
6
No download cap
The cheapest paid plan that accepts new uploads states no limit on monthly downloads or bandwidth. A stated monthly download number makes it false; if the vendor says nothing, record null.
6
More than one show
The cheapest paid plan that accepts new uploads allows two or more separate podcasts under one account. Use the plan card or comparison table; if an FAQ disagrees, the card or table wins.
4
Publishing 28 points
Rule
What it takes
Points
Directory submission guides
The vendor documents on its own help or feature pages how to send your feed to each directory, or says it submits for you. Each one earns 1 point.
4
Private podcasts
You can make a feed for chosen listeners only, with its own sign-in or secret link, on at least one plan.
6
Video podcasts
You can upload video files as episodes and the host distributes them to YouTube, Spotify or a video feed, on at least one plan. Turning audio into a still-image video for YouTube does not count. Beta or waitlist features do not count.
4
Automatic transcripts
The host creates episode transcripts for you, included in the price of at least one plan or in the free plan. Transcripts sold as a separate paid add-on do not count.
3
Team members
You can invite other people to manage the show with their own logins, on at least one plan.
4
Public API
The vendor publishes API documentation that lets you create or manage episodes from your own tools, on at least one plan.
3
Show website and player
The plan includes a public website for each show with episode pages, and an embeddable web player, with no extra fee.
4
Ads and stats 13 points
Rule
What it takes
Points
Dynamic ad insertion
A vendor page for the host says it offers dynamic ad insertion (or programmatic ad insertion at download time), on at least one plan. Ad marketplaces and links to third-party ad networks, and tools that only add fixed intro or outro segments to the audio file, do not count.
7
IAB-certified downloads
The vendor says its download numbers are certified under the IAB Tech Lab Podcast Measurement guidelines, or the IAB Tech Lab public compliance list names the host. A logo or badge without a statement of certification does not count.
6
Your data 21 points
Rule
What it takes
Points
Import from another host
A help page describes a tool that pulls your existing feed and episodes into the new account.
7
Redirect when you leave
The vendor documents a permanent (301) redirect of your feed to a new host, or a tool that does it, so listeners and directory listings follow you.
8
Download your files
A help page says you can download your own episode audio files, one by one or in bulk, from the dashboard.
6
Price 18 points
Rule
What it takes
Points
Free plan that publishes
A free plan (not a trial) that lets you publish at least one podcast to public directories.
8
Cheapest paid plan
The cheapest paid plan that accepts new episode uploads, for one show, at its regular price, in US dollars a month, billed yearly. If a page shows only a monthly price plus a yearly deal such as 12 months for the price of 10, apply the deal (monthly price x 10 / 12); if it shows no yearly deal, use the monthly price. Archive-only plans do not count. A product with no paid plan counts as $0. $6 or less earns 10 points, $10 or less 7, $13 or less 4, $16 or less 2.