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Best podcast directories in 2026

Submitting your feed is a one afternoon job you do once. These are the places worth the afternoon, plus the databases that decide whether anyone can look your show up.

Prices on this page last verified August 2026. Nobody paid to be here.

What we weighed

  • Real listener reach, or real influence over who gets discovered.
  • A submission that sticks, so new episodes appear on their own.
  • Free to list.
  1. 01Submit here first

    Apple Podcasts

    FreeFreePrice checked August 2026

    Still the directory other apps read from, and claiming the show unlocks your own listening data.

    Who it is for
    Every podcaster, full stop, this is not optional if you want any real reach.
    The gotcha
    Review and approval can take anywhere from a few hours to a few days, and there's no way to speed it up once submitted.

    Read the full Apple Podcasts verdict

  2. 02Submit here second

    Spotify

    FreeFreePrice checked August 2026

    The other half of the audience, with its own analytics and its own video ambitions.

    Who it is for
    Every podcaster, since Spotify's audience size makes it a default distribution target regardless of show niche.
    The gotcha
    Spotify's algorithm and app design push its own exclusive and original content, independent shows compete for attention inside a crowded, algorithm driven feed.

    Read the full Spotify verdict

  3. 03Best for discovery

    YouTube Music

    FreeFreePrice checked August 2026

    Search and recommendations reach people who would never open a podcast app.

    Who it is for
    Shows already recording video episodes for YouTube who want that same content to also show up as a podcast listing.
    The gotcha
    Getting full podcast features often means connecting through YouTube itself and uploading video, not just submitting an audio RSS feed.

    Read the full YouTube Music verdict

  4. 04Best open index

    Podcast Index

    FreeFreePrice checked August 2026

    Open and free, and it feeds a whole generation of independent apps.

    Who it is for
    Anyone who wants their show available to independent apps and the podcasting 2.0 feature set.
    The gotcha
    Being indexed is not distribution. Listeners still find you in the big apps.

    Read the full Podcast Index verdict

  5. 05Best credits database

    Podchaser

    FreeFreePrice checked August 2026

    The place guests, hosts, and bookers look you up, so a filled in profile earns bookings.

    Who it is for
    Guest bookers, PR and sales teams, and hosts who want appearance credits in public.
    The gotcha
    The public directory is free. The Pro outreach desk hides its price behind a demo.

    Read the full Podchaser verdict

  6. 06Best search engine

    Listen Notes

    From $200/moMonthlyPrice checked August 2026

    Full text episode search that journalists and researchers actually use to find shows.

    Who it is for
    Hosts hunting guests and clips, researchers, and anyone who needs to find that episode across the long tail.
    The gotcha
    The search site is free. The API bill starts the moment you make one paid request.

    Read the full Listen Notes verdict

Not on the shortlist?

A shortlist is a shortlist. We list 46 directories tools in the catalog, filterable by budget and by what they actually do.

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