Launch your podcast with numbers you can check

Most guides to starting a podcast are written by the companies that sell podcast hosting or editing software. That is not a problem in itself, but it makes it hard to compare plans on equal terms, and the details that decide your real bill are often left out: upload caps, download caps, what happens when you go over, and which free plans quietly expire your episodes.

Episode Ledger documents those details from the vendors' own pricing pages and help centers. Every figure links to the page it came from and carries the date it was checked. We do not claim to have tested products we have not tested, we do not publish star ratings, and we do not invent experts.

Start here

1. Map the jobs before buying anythingRecording, editing, hosting and distribution are separate jobs. Our podcast tools guide explains which ones you can cover for free.
2. Understand how hosts limit youUpload hours, monthly downloads or unlimited plans: the hosting guide explains what each model means for a growing show.
3. Compare entry plans side by sideThe hosting comparison lists entry prices, billing basis and the main limit of ten hosts.
4. Prepare files the directories acceptLoudness, formats and cover art requirements are summarized in the audio preparation guide.
5. Budget your first yearUse the launch budget planner with your own prices to see the upfront, monthly and per-episode cost.