RedCircle

RedCircle hosts the files and sends them to the apps. Core is free for one show with unlimited storage and downloads. Paid plans add more shows, video, transcripts, and team seats. The real product is RAP, their ads desk: host-read campaigns and program ads dropped into the file. Podnews lists them as both a host and an ad-sales shop. OpenRAP can insert host-reads even if you keep another host, if that host will let them drop those ads in.

It is for a weekly host who wants hosting and a way to get paid without shopping a separate network. It is also for a catalog that wants seats and a dedicated manager. The marketing site sells brands against shows with very large download numbers. It is not only a starter host.

What people keep coming for is the free plan plus ads. The Podcast Host still puts RedCircle in the free-host list, and still flags the 500-download gate before RAP. Public talk is mixed: some stay for the price and cross-promos, some fight about payouts and flagged downloads. Trustpilot sits in that same split.

RAP is optional, but if you turn on program ads they play without a per-ad yes. Stripe Express has to work in your country or the money has nowhere to go. Instant payouts sit on Growth and up. Core is one show. Leave later and the feed the apps read still has to move.

Make the free account. Import the old feed. Keep RAP off until you hear a test episode. If you want ads, wait until you actually have 500 downloads in a week, then opt in on purpose. If you wanted a host that never touches ads, people already stay on Transistor or Buzzsprout. If you wanted iHeart's stack, that is Spreaker. If you wanted SiriusXM's stack, that is Simplecast.

If free hosting with an ads desk later is the job, it holds. If you wanted a quiet paid host and no marketplace, pick something else.