Podcaster's Tech Stack: Recording + Hosting + Growth
You need four things to run a podcast: recording software, a hosting platform, a way to grow your audience, and a simple website. Most podcasters overspend on all four. Here's the exact stack from $1.58/month to $20.58/month — every price verified.
The Complete Podcaster Stack
| Category | Tool | Plan | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recording | Riverside | Standard | $19/mo |
| Recording (alt) | Descript | Hobbyist | $24/mo |
| Hosting | Spotify for Podcasters | Free | $0/mo |
| Newsletter | beehiiv | Launch (Free) | $0/mo |
| Website | Carrd | Pro Standard | $19/yr (~$1.58/mo) |
| Total (with Riverside) | ~$20.58/mo | ||
| Total (with Descript) | ~$25.58/mo | ||
Recording: Riverside vs Descript
Riverside Standard ($19/mo)records locally on each participant's device for studio-quality audio (48kHz) and up to 4K video. You get 5 hours of recording, no watermark, and separate audio/video tracks for each guest. The AI-powered Magic Clips feature auto-generates short-form clips for social media.
Descript Hobbyist ($24/mo)is a recording tool plus a full editor. Edit your podcast by editing the text transcript — delete a sentence from the transcript, and Descript removes it from the audio. You get 10 hours of transcription/month, 1080p export, and 100GB storage. Studio Sound removes background noise automatically.
The decision: Riverside if you interview remote guests and need the best possible recording quality. Descript if you want recording and editing in one tool and love the text-based editing workflow.
Hosting: Spotify for Podcasters (Free)
Spotify for Podcasters (formerly Anchor) is genuinely free with unlimited hosting, automatic distribution to major platforms (Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music), and basic analytics. No storage limits, no episode limits, no paywall.
The trade-off: You give up some analytics depth and customization compared to paid hosts like Buzzsprout ($12/mo) or Transistor ($19/mo). But for a new podcast, the $0 price tag is hard to argue with. Migrate to a paid host when you need advanced analytics, private podcasting, or multi-show management.
Newsletter: beehiiv Free
beehiiv Launch (Free, $0/mo) supports 2,500 subscribers with unlimited sends. Send episode announcements, show notes, and exclusive content to build a direct relationship with listeners outside of podcast apps. The built-in website can double as your podcast landing page.
Why email matters for podcasters:Podcast apps don't give you listener email addresses. A newsletter converts casual listeners into an audience you own. beehiiv's referral program (on Scale at $49/mo) can help grow your list organically.
Website: Carrd Pro ($19/year)
Carrd Pro Standard ($19/yr, ~$1.58/mo)gives you 10 sites, custom domains, forms, embeds, analytics, and payment integration. A one-page podcast website with your show description, latest episodes (embedded from Spotify), newsletter signup form, and social links. That's all most podcasts need.
Alternative:Use beehiiv's built-in website on the free plan instead, which saves the $19/yr. Less customizable, but functional. Add Carrd when you want a polished, branded landing page.
What to Skip
- Buzzsprout/Transistor/Podbean (at first): Paid podcast hosts cost $12–$19/mo. Their main advantage is better analytics and multi-show support. Spotify for Podcasters is free and sufficient until you need those features.
- Adobe Audition / Logic Pro: Professional DAWs with steep learning curves. Descript and Riverside handle 90% of podcast editing needs. Use a DAW only if you produce music or heavily produced audio fiction.
- Squarespace/WordPress ($25+/mo): A full website builder is overkill for a podcast site. Carrd at $19/year or beehiiv's free built-in website does the job.
- Paid transcription services: Descript Hobbyist includes 10 hours/month of AI transcription. Riverside Standard includes transcription too. No need for a separate Otter.ai or Rev.com subscription.
Common Mistakes Podcasters Make
- Not collecting email addresses from day one. Every episode should mention your newsletter. An email list is the only audience you truly own. beehiiv Free costs $0 to start.
- Over-investing in equipment before validating the show. A $60 USB microphone + free software is enough for the first 20 episodes. Upgrade equipment after proving you can publish consistently.
- Choosing Riverside AND Descript. Pick one. Riverside for remote interview recording quality. Descript for recording + editing in one place. Using both is redundant.
- Paying for a website before having 10 episodes. Use beehiiv's free website or a simple Carrd page. A full Squarespace or WordPress site is premature until your show has traction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I start a podcast for free?
Almost. Record with Riverside Free (2 hours, 720p watermarked) or Descript Free (1 hour transcription/mo), host on Spotify for Podcasters ($0), and use beehiiv Free for a website + newsletter. Total: $0/mo. Quality improves significantly at $19–$24/mo with Riverside Standard or Descript Hobbyist.
Riverside or Descript for a solo podcast?
Descript. Its text-based editing is faster for solo shows where you record locally. Riverside's strength is remote guest recording quality — less relevant for solo formats.
When should I switch from Spotify for Podcasters to a paid host?
When you need advanced analytics (listener demographics, retention curves), private podcast feeds, or manage multiple shows. Transistor ($19/mo) and Buzzsprout ($12/mo) are the best first upgrades.
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