WordPress plugins have some serious power behind them, but because WordPress powers over one-third of the internet, you have to sift through a world of would-be plugin startups just to find the diamonds in the rough.
We present to you: those diamonds in the rough. These podcast plugins for WordPress help you save time, present your podcast in a more professional, clean manner, and overall help with the entire process to make it more enjoyable.
#1 PowerPress
RSS feeds are important, and PowerPress helps you quickly publish information to your RSS feed so it can be picked up by Google and other podcasting directories easier. It works hard and also supports iTunes posting as well.
The main benefit definitely comes in from the integrated subscriber tools, which can seriously help you increase your viewer count month after month.
It’s an all-in-one plugin that simply takes the cake if you can get beyond its slightly complex setup and list of options. While it’s better to have more control than not enough control, beginning podcasters might be a little put-off at first.
Pros
- Powerful analytics that helps you understand your audience and listening habits better
- Wildly affordable for anyone who wants to get serious with podcasting (plus a free option)
- Excellent customer support
- More features than most podcasters need; it lets you run your podcast your way
- Works well in Gutenberg (popular on WordPress)
Cons
- Instructions can be unclear for beginners and make the process arduous
- Pricing plans don’t include enough storage for savvy podcasters with large shows/multiple guests
Who it’s Best for
PowerPress is excellent for beginners with their free plan, and allows you to scale up if you decide that podcasting is something you really enjoy doing.
PowerPress has created the perfect solution and grants tons of control options as well (if you want to use them). It’s great for beginners and useful for any other stage in your podcasting journey.
#2 Libsyn Podcasting Plugin
Libsyn is a service that comes with a little bit of everything. They made it to the second spot on this list because they simply do it better than a lot of other plugins, but that’s also because they’re a company, not just a small SaaS development team of two.
You’re going to be marketed to, since they are a business, so if you enjoy the idea of a plugin being snapped onto your WordPress site and then not being bothered after it, Libsyn might be a stretch for you.
But if that doesn’t bother you, and you just want to reap the rewards of using their service, you can do that. Everything is stored off-site, so your page speeds are amazing, and you can customize how your podcast appears to your audience.
Many podcast plugins are very cut-and-dry, so it’s nice that Libsyn gives you the option to customize how it looks. It’s also HTML5-compliant, so it’s as future-proof as anything can be for the future of the internet.
Pros
- Completely HTML5-compliant player integrated onto your site
- No page speed reduction because everything is stored on a Libsyn server
- You can create an app through Libsyn if you wanted to go the extra mile
- Custom ways to show your podcast to viewers
Cons
- Very restrictive subscription-based platform feels like it strips some control from the user
- Heavily marketed services for Libsyn customers
Who it’s Best for
If you don’t mind paying a premium and you enjoy page speeds being optimal, Libsyn (see also ‘Podomatic Vs Libsyn‘) is good for you. They store all of your podcast episodes/material on their own servers so that it doesn’t slow down your website from site-hosting your episodes.
However, they are a business and not just a plugin subscription (a lot of plugins can be made by one or two people and maintained as WordPress updates). You will be marketed to, and they’ll try to upsell.
#3 AudioIgniter
AudioIgniter is a service that’s actually marketed to individuals hosting songs on their WordPress site, but it ended up becoming a safe haven for podcasters who wanted to have more control over how their audio is presented.
You can access custom features and controls to make your viewing/listening experience as fantastic as possible, just keep in mind there’s no video option here. You would have to host video (see also ‘Best Video Podcast Software‘) on another platform.
Despite being extremely integratable and custom, AudioIgniter is only $49 per year for a single-user license without a tier-based system.
Regardless of how you want to use AudioIgniter, you have the ability to customize it and change your option as you see fit.
While a lot of these options were designed for song hosting, there’s no track length limit that we were able to find, so it’s perfect for long-form podcasting as well. The mobile-ready player means you’re always accommodating to your listener’s preferred way to tune in to your podcast.
Pros
- Batch file uploads are excellent if you’re migrating to this from another platform or plugin
- Customize your playback controls to your liking (excellent retention for viewers)
- Works with tons of existing widgets and plugins
- Player is completely mobile-responsive for all mobile listeners
- Unlimited playlists; works well if you have more than one podcast show
Cons
- Some functionality is designed to be used for hosting songs, so the players can look a bit odd at times
- Customization to a fault; new users might be overwhelmed
Who it’s Best for
AudioIgniter is good for someone who wants assistance with their podcast but isn’t expecting a complete all-in-one service from a website plugin. In fact, AudioIgniter’s features can help you with everything short of recording, so it’s really up to you to customize how it works.
It’s not plug-and-play, so you will have to fiddle around with it. If you want a done-for-you solution, AudioIgniter might be a bit too hands-on. It does require a little getting used to.
#4 Fusebox
Fusebox is an all-in-one solution that plugs straight into your WordPress site, and includes enough features that actually blow us away with its compact design.
Fusebox allows you to capture emails to add to your email marketing list, has a Sticky Player feature, and is still being updated to this day (you’d be surprised how many plugins just sit in the dark).
You can completely customize your display while utilizing the built-in organization list for your episodes.
Users can spend more time than ever on a single page of your site while getting full access to all of your past episodes, so you bump up that retention rating and keep people interested.
Fusebox has its downsides, but they don’t measure enough to deter anyone from giving it a shot.
Pros
- Built-in episode organization list
- Helpful social sharing buttons for direct publishing to social media platforms
- Completely customizable to whichever degree you want
- Superior customer support compared to other leading plugin companies
- Completely mobile-friendly (which is good because that’s where 90%+ people access media)
Cons
- While customer support is helpful and knowledgeable, reaching them can take time
- Exclusive to WordPress; if you ever stray away from the platform, you’ll also be giving up all of what Fusebox has to offer
Who it’s Best for
Anyone who wants to get into podcasting with a moderate budget. It costs $189.96 per year if you pay for an annual subscription to Fusebox, or $228 per year if you pay a $19 monthly subscription.
For a WordPress plugin, it’s definitely pricier than most, but that’s the cost that comes with having Pat Flynn’s name attached to it.
#5 Seriously Simple Podcast
You want to start a podcast, but you don’t have any idea how to host it on your site. Seriously Simple Podcast couldn’t have a more spot-on name, because it just focuses on getting the most simplistic, easy podcast player going on your WordPress site.
If you don’t care about it being too flashy or anything along those lines, this is just the ticket.
You can upload your podcast episodes directly to your website, manage them on there, and give simple functions to your viewers.
While Seriously Simple Podcast isn’t flashy, it’s part of the Castos podcast products network, which has some seriously good support and helps creators bring their content to their audience easier. It’s a good service.
Pros
- Super lightweight and maintains good page speed
- Generates a feed compatible with most major podcasting platforms such as iTunes and Google Play
- Easy to set up and use for just about anyone
- Upload and manage your podcast episodes directly to your website
Cons
- Lacks more complex functions that you can find in other plugins
- May not match the design of your website; it’s a basic plugin
Who it’s Best for
Seriously Simple Podcast is best for anyone who simply wants to get their episodes out there and give viewers an opportunity to experience their podcast.
You’re not worried about anything being too flashy, and you’re not trying to overly design any of this; you just want to get it to viewers.
This is a good starting point for newcomers who are still learning WordPress or just began a podcast, and plan to upgrade later on. It’s not an end-all, be-all plugin or solution, but it’s good for right now.
#6 Simple Podcast Press
Simple Podcast Press is designed to, well, make things simple. There’s no intense, flashy appearance, but there is intense functionality. You get everything you need in one place, from notes to images and more, and that makes it super functional.
Another thing that people don’t often think about with their podcast players is that the SEO of your website, which helps people find you, relies on page loading speed (as part of it, not the whole shebang).
Because Simple Podcast Press lives up to its name, it’s lightweight on the page and helps everything load quickly.
When you add your iTunes URL for your podcast and where it’s hosted, Simple Podcast Press automatically renders a player where people can listen to your podcast. It’s pretty easy to use, and while it’s fairly basic, it works for the intended purpose.
Pros
- Customizable buttons to make your podcast player your own
- Integrates with iTunes to display your podcast properly with minimal effort
- Social share buttons are useful and immediately work
- Display notes and images on the top of your player for viewer access
- Takes little to no time to use effectively
Cons
- Email list function has some issues from time to time
- Very basic appearance that may not be up to snuff for more detailed website designs
Who it’s Best for
Simple Podcast Press is best for anyone who wants to focus on function over flair on their website.
If you’re not the type to care about it being super flashy and you just want your viewers to have access to information, such as your social links and notes, Simple Podcast Press is exactly what you need. If you’re looking to have design as a huge element to your podcast player, you might want to look back to Fusebox.
#7 Smash Balloon
Smash Balloon is basically the all-in-one solution that every one-man podcast needs. You can display your socials embedded on your site in a way that aligns with your existing theme and showcase every update across your social channels.
This can show social proof of your podcast popularity, while also showing users that you’re still posting content in some form even if your podcast is just once a week.
Overall, Smash Balloon’s pricing is just egging you on to get the $299 all-inclusive package.
However, since some people are just using this for their YouTube podcasts and don’t care for the rest of social media, which is okay, the $149 annual price per piece isn’t bad either.
There are a ton of features to help you take control of your social media presence in a short amount of time.
Pros
- Includes YouTube Pro, Twitter Pro, Facebook Pro, and Instagram Pro for embedding everything you need to on your WordPress site
- Excellent annual pricing to get all four of their major products in their full capacity for just $299 per year
- Multiple display feeds of your choosing
- Completely SEO-friendly and works well with your current site design
- Entirely mobile responsive for enhanced on-the-go viewing and listening experience
Cons
- Features list looks a lot more promising than everything in application
- No off-WordPress design, so you can’t migrate to another site host later and keep your Smash Balloon service
Who it’s Best for
Any podcaster who wants to focus heavily on social media marketing for their podcast. While Smash Balloon doesn’t allow you to make clips or share separate content, it does make it easier to share when your podcast episodes are up and running.
This low-budget solution may be a bit pricier than Fusebox, but if social media is where you want to focus while bringing traffic to your site, Smash Balloon could be a great pick for you.
Making Your Podcasting WordPress Site That Much Better
WordPress plugins never cease to amaze us. They’re often versatile, but these apps just go completely above and beyond to make your experience as a podcaster that much better.
Save time, enhance the listener experience, and make all of your podcast content easier to find with these plugins, and watch your production value increase at the same time.
