Transistor Review, Pricing & Features

Transistor is a podcast hosting platform with unlimited shows, downloads-based pricing from 19 dollars a month, analytics, and private podcast support.

Category
Podcast Hosting
Pricing
subscription, from $19/month
Verified
Not yet
Last updated
July 19, 2026
Founded
2018
Headquarters
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Web AppFree TrialAPIAI

What Is Transistor

Transistor is a podcast hosting platform that stores, distributes, and reports on podcast audio and video for independent creators, businesses, and podcast networks. Founded in 2018 by Justin Jackson and Jon Buda as a bootstrapped company, Transistor built its reputation on a simple promise: host as many podcasts as you want on a single account, with pricing based on how many downloads your shows generate rather than how many shows you run.

That unlimited-podcasts model sets Transistor apart from many legacy hosts that charge separately for each additional show, and it has made the platform particularly popular with podcast networks, agencies, and marketing teams that manage multiple shows for different clients or brands from one dashboard.

Beyond hosting, Transistor provides each podcast with an automatically generated, SEO-optimized website, distribution to every major podcast directory through standard RSS feeds, and analytics designed to meet Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) measurement standards, which matters for shows selling sponsorships.

Key Features

Every Transistor plan includes unlimited podcasts and unlimited episode storage, with the only variable being monthly download volume. Shows are automatically submitted and distributed to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and other directories through RSS, and each podcast gets a customizable, SEO-friendly website and episode pages without any extra setup.

For creators monetizing beyond advertising, Transistor supports private podcast feeds that can be gated behind a login or subscription, making it a common choice for premium content, internal company podcasts, or paid membership shows. Team accounts let multiple collaborators manage episodes, and the platform includes an embeddable web player for placing episodes directly on external websites.

The analytics dashboard reports downloads, listener geography, and platform breakdowns using IAB-certified methodology, giving shows credible numbers to share with sponsors. An API is also available for developers who want to automate publishing or pull analytics into other systems.

Pricing

Transistor prices its three core plans by monthly downloads rather than number of shows: Starter at 19 dollars a month includes up to 10,000 downloads, Professional at 49 dollars a month includes up to 50,000 downloads, and Business at 99 dollars a month includes up to 150,000 downloads. All three tiers include unlimited podcasts, unlimited episodes, and the full feature set, with higher tiers adding capabilities like additional team seats and advanced customization; usage beyond a plan's download allowance is billed as an overage.

There is no permanent free plan, but Transistor commonly offers a free trial period so prospective customers can test the platform before committing to a monthly subscription.

Key Features

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Unlimited shows and episodes on every plan, ideal for networks and agencies
  • Simple, predictable downloads-based pricing instead of per-show fees
  • Clean, modern interface and automatically generated podcast websites
  • Independently owned and bootstrapped, without ad-driven business incentives
  • Strong support for private, premium, and membership podcasts

Cons

  • No permanent free plan, unlike some entry-level competitors
  • Entry pricing is higher than budget hosts aimed at hobbyist podcasters
  • Download overage fees can increase costs for fast-growing shows
  • Fewer built-in monetization or sponsorship marketplace tools than some rivals
  • No self-hosting option since it is a fully managed cloud service

Pricing

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a free plan for Transistor?

Transistor does not offer a permanent free plan, but it typically provides a free trial for new users to test the platform.

How is Transistor's pricing calculated?

Pricing is based on monthly podcast downloads rather than the number of shows, so every plan allows unlimited podcasts and episodes.

Can I host multiple podcasts on one Transistor account?

Yes, unlimited podcasts and episodes are included on every plan, which is a key differentiator from many competitors.

Does Transistor support private or premium podcasts?

Yes, Transistor supports private RSS feeds for gated, subscription, or membership podcast content.

Where does Transistor distribute podcasts?

Episodes are distributed via RSS to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and other major podcast directories.

Who founded Transistor?

Transistor was founded by Justin Jackson and Jon Buda, who launched the product on August 1, 2018.

Is Transistor venture-backed?

No, Transistor is a bootstrapped, independently owned company rather than a venture-funded startup.

Does Transistor provide podcast analytics?

Yes, it includes an IAB-certified analytics dashboard covering downloads, listener location, and app breakdowns.

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