What is RedCircle? How to Setup & Monetize (Alternatives Top 10 + Fees)

What if your podcast actually started paying you not just in reach, but real cash?

If you’ve been putting in the reps recording episodes, lining up guests, slowly building your audience, but still thinking, “When does this start making money?”… you’re not the only one.

I’ve been on hundreds of podcasts and run interviews with folks like Vimeo’s former CEO. One thing I’ve seen over and over: having a stage gets you invited onto more stages. But turning those stages into income? That bit takes some strategy.

That’s where RedCircle comes in.

It’s one of the few platforms out there that actually helps smaller podcasters make money without needing millions of downloads. Ads, listener payments, cross-promotions; all built to help you grow and earn.

In this guide, I’ll show you how it works, what it costs, and how to figure out if RedCircle’s the right fit for your show.

Let’s turn that mic into something that pays.

What Is RedCircle?

RedCircle is a podcast hosting platform built for indie creators who want more control and more money from their audio show.

Launched in 2018 by two ex-Uber and Facebook guys, Mike Kadin and Jeremy Lermitte, this media company is backed by $7.5 million in funding and based in San Francisco.

You get the core features:

• Unlimited hosting
• One-click distribution (Spotify, Apple, YouTube)
• Dynamic ad insertion
• Cross-promotion tools
• Subscriptions and exclusive content
• Easy migration
• No contracts or bloated setup

RedCircle’s made for smaller podcasters; the ones doing good work without a big network behind them. Their data shows 65% of listening happens outside the major shows, yet most of the money flows to the top.

As co-founder Mike Kadin puts it: “We built RedCircle to ensure that podcasters of all sizes can benefit from the industry’s growth.”

If you want a simple, flexible platform that helps you grow and earn, RedCircle’s worth a look.

How podcasters make money on RedCircle

RedCircle lets you monetize your podcast in multiple ways (listener donations, exclusive content, programmatic ads, and host-read ads) all managed in one spot.

To run ads through their RedCircle Ad Platform (RAP), your show needs at least 500 weekly downloads. Once approved, you can choose:

• Host-Read ads: You record the ads, approve campaigns, and set your CPM rates. You keep 70% of the podcast revenue.
• Programmatic ads: Pre-recorded ads automatically inserted based on bidding. You keep 50% of revenue.

You control where ads run in your episodes (e.g., pre-roll, mid-roll, or post-roll) using simple insertion points. Payments come monthly or after campaigns finish, paid via Stripe Express.

RedCircle handles connecting you with advertisers and managing payments, so you can focus on your content.

RedCircle pricing breakdown

RedCircle offers four plans to match your podcasting goals from starting out to scaling a full network. All plans include unlimited hosting, bandwidth, and distribution.

You can try any paid plan with a 7-day free trial.

Getting started with RedCircle: Setup and migration

Here’s how to move your show to RedCircle without losing episodes, listeners, or analytics:

Step 1: Import your podcast

1. Sign up for a RedCircle account and go to the Podcasts page.
2. Click “Import Podcast” (don’t create a new one).
3. Enter your RSS feed or show name to locate your existing podcast.
4. Confirm ownership of your show.
5. Choose “Fully move my show to RedCircle” when prompted.
6. Click Import and wait a few minutes for the process to complete.
7. Only MP3 and M4A files are accepted, so convert any others beforehand.
8. Remove any dynamic ads before importing. Once they’re in, they can’t be removed.
9. If you’re using Libsyn, remove the 100-episode limit so your full archive is included.

Step 2: Redirect your RSS feed

1. After importing, look for the yellow banner and click “redirect your podcast.”
2. Select your previous podcast host from the dropdown menu (or choose “Other”).
3. Follow the instructions provided for your platform.
4. RedCircle offers help docs for most major hosts to walk you through it.
5. Once set up, click “Verify Redirect” in RedCircle.
6. Don’t change anything on your show between importing and redirecting. It can reset the whole process. That’s podcasting 101.

Step 3: Check podcast content distribution

1. Most podcast platforms will automatically update to your new RedCircle feed.
2. Still, it’s a good idea to manually confirm updates on key platforms like Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
3. Use RedCircle’s support guides to update your feed on each platform if needed.

How To Monetize Your Podcast With RedCircle

RedCircle helps you monetize your podcast in a few ways: listener donations, exclusive content, programmatic ads, and host-read ads.

Here’s how the money flows and what fees to expect:

1. Donations and exclusive content: Stripe takes 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction, plus RedCircle keeps 12%. When you cash out, Stripe charges $0.25 per transfer.
2. Programmatic ads: These run automatically once you opt in. You get paid monthly, usually within 7-10 days after the month ends. New programmatic ads start paying after a 90-day delay.
3. Host-read ads: These come from brand deals invoiced monthly. Payments depend on when brands pay up, which can take some time. Your dashboard tracks it all.
4. Local sponsorships: Reach out to local businesses to secure your own ads. Use dynamic ad insertion to add them smoothly to episodes.
5. Sponsored episodes: Get paid by brands to create episodes centered around their products or themes.
6. Listener support: Offer subscriptions for exclusive bonus content like behind-the-scenes episodes or Q&As to build community and earn extra income.
7. Donations and tips: Let listeners give one-time or recurring donations without subscribing. It’s a simple way for fans to support you.
8. Merchandise: Sell branded merchandise like stickers or T-shirts to connect with fans and boost revenue.
9. Live shows: Host in-person events for deeper audience engagement and additional income.

Example: For a $5 subscription, after fees and payout costs, you’ll get about $3.70.

Your RedCircle Money page tracks every payment (donations, ads, subscriptions), lets you filter by types of podcasts by show, and export your earnings history. You’ll see your total earned, what’s pending, and what’s ready to transfer to your bank.

How RedCircle Creates Equal Opportunity for Podcasters

RedCircle is one of the best podcast platforms for monetization. It breaks down the traditional barriers in podcast monetization. 

RedCircle puts the power in your hands, no matter your show size.

1. No gatekeepers or cold pitching. Brands find you through the platform, not the other way around.
2. Equal access to tools and opportunities. Everyone gets the same ad marketplace and monetization features for podcast advertising once qualified.
3. Full control over ads. Decide where ads play and which campaigns to accept, keeping your show’s integrity intact.
4. Multiple ways to earn. From programmatic and host-read ads to listener donations and exclusive content.
5. Fair revenue splits. You keep 70% from host-read ads and 50% from programmatic ads. Some of the best rates in the industry.

It’s a level playing field designed to help podcasters focus on what matters most: making great podcast content and growing their audience.

RedCircle Podcast Monetizing Review

RedCircle has a 3.6-star rating on Trustpilot, with most users giving it either 5 stars or 1 star so the reviews are pretty split. 

Some podcasters love it for its low cost, simple interface, and multiple shows on one plan. Others have raised concerns about payout issues and monetization restrictions.

Here’s what creators are actually saying on Reddit and Trustpilot:

What podcasters like about RedCircle:

• Low pricing with generous features. RedCircle stands out with unlimited shows, storage, and downloads for just $9/month. One podcaster put it simply: “It’s the multiple podcasts on one account for that price that has me skeptical.” Another chimed in: “$9/mo for multiple is a pretty good deal.”
• Good for beginners and hobbyists. One Redditor shared: “We haven’t made any money, but we really enjoy it… RedCircle seems perfect.”
• CEO is active in the community RedCircle’s CEO, Mike Kadin, personally explained: “Our prices are low because most of our revenue comes from ads and listener payments, not hosting fees.”
• Simple to use and monetization is doable. One user shared: “It has been excellent so far (about three months in) and monetizing through them. No complaints.”
• Cross-promotion and interface improvements. Another noted: “Their cross-promo system is a great idea and works fairly well… They’ve made some recent updates I really like.”
• Reliable and responsive support. From Trustpilot: “Customer service is also super friendly and quick to respond.” And: “I’ve been with them for over 4 years now and they have lived up to their word.”

What other podcasters say to watch out for:

• Monetization bans over invalid downloads. A few users say they were banned or had payouts withheld. One warning read: “They owe me over $250 and will never pay it out because they don’t like the reach I have obtained.”
• Limited ad control. One user noted: “A sponsor was already added in, and then an ad plays on the same episode for the competitor.”
• Some quality of life quirks. One podcaster mentioned: “I wish their rich text box accepted markdown… it’s a bit of a pain to add links manually.”
• Listener billing concerns. From a 1-star review: “They make it difficult to cancel your subscription. Don’t give them your credit card.”
  (RedCircle responded that cancelation info is sent by email and visible in the user dashboard.)
• Mixed experiences over time. As one Reddit user put it bluntly: “This post didn’t age well.”; a hint that their opinion may have changed after longer use.

10 Top RedCircle Alternatives

RedCircle isn’t the only option out there. Here are 10 solid podcast hosting platforms that might suit your show better.

1. Buzzsprout: Buzzsprout has a free plan that lets you upload 2 hours of content per month, with episodes hosted for 90 days. It’s great for beginners, but you’ll need a paid plan to unlock long-term storage and advanced features.
2. Spotify for Creators (formerly Anchor): Fully free with unlimited hosting, auto-distribution, and built-in monetization. Great for creators who want a simple, no-cost launch.
3. Libsyn: No free plan, but it’s a reliable, long-standing host with paid tiers starting at just $5/month. Ideal for podcasters who want stability, strong analytics, and monetization options.
4. Transistor: No free plan, but it offers a 14-day free trial and lets you host unlimited shows under one account. Plans start at $19/month and include private feeds and advanced analytics.
5. Podbean: Free plan gives you 5 hours of storage and 100GB of bandwidth. It also offers monetization, custom sites, and live-streaming on higher-tier plans.
6. Captivate: No free plan, but you can try it free for 30 days. Includes unlimited shows, storage, dynamic content tools, and growth-focused features like AMIE and Growth Labs.
7. Simplecast: No free plan, just a 14-day free trial. Paid plans start at $15/month for up to 20,000 downloads and include powerful analytics and dynamic ad insertion.
8. Spreaker: Spreaker offers a free plan and is unique for its live podcasting feature and built-in ad monetization. Owned by iHeartMedia, it’s a solid choice for creators looking to monetize early.
9. Acast: Acast is built for scale, offering dynamic ad tools, subscriptions, and premium support for larger shows and podcast networks. No free plan, but strong if you’re aiming to grow your podcast fast.
10. RSS.com: Paid plans start at $11.99/month with unlimited episodes, built-in monetization, and easy setup. A clean and simple choice if you’re looking for straightforward hosting.

From Mic Check to Paycheck

RedCircle makes it easy to monetize your podcast with ads, donations, and exclusive content so you can focus on creating great shows while earning. But growing your audience and booking the right guests is just as crucial to success.

That’s where Talks comes in. 

With your free Talks Creator profile, you can showcase your podcast, build your speaker one sheet, and connect with hosts actively looking for guests like you. It’s the fastest way to get booked, grow your reach, and make your show stand out.

Ready to turn your podcast into a bigger opportunity? 

Create your free Talks Creator profile today and get discovered by the right shows.

Help Me Get Booked on More Podcasts