Podcasting on a Budget: How I Slashed My Podcasting Costs by 65%

Podcasting doesn’t have to break the bank. In fact, it can be a relatively affordable hobby if you’re mindful about your spending. In this post, I’ll walk you through how I reduced the running costs of my podcast, The Lazy Girl’s Guide to Podcasting, by a whopping 65%. Let’s dive into the details and the strategies I used to save money while maintaining the quality of my show.

You Don’t Need an Expensive Setup to Succeed

Before diving into the nitty-gritty of cutting costs, let’s address one of the biggest myths in podcasting: the idea that you need an expensive setup to achieve amazing results.

The truth is, you don’t.

Success in podcasting is highly personal and depends on your goals, content, and connection with your audience—not the price tag of your equipment or software.

Many of the most successful podcasters started with minimal equipment and free tools, proving that “podcasting on a budget” can still lead to exceptional results. A great podcast isn’t defined by high-end gear but by engaging storytelling, consistency, and understanding your audience’s needs.

For example, I use free tools such as Photo Booth on my Mac for recording and iMovie for editing. These tools are simple yet effective, and they haven’t held me back from creating episodes that I’m proud of. Podcasting on a budget is not about cutting corners; it’s about making smart, intentional choices that align with your vision.

Here are three reasons why podcasting on a budget can be just as impactful:

1. Listeners tune in for your insights, humour, or expertise—not because of the microphone you use.
2. Budget-friendly podcasting forces you to think outside the box and focus on what truly matters.
3. Most listeners can’t tell the difference between a $50 microphone and a $500 one, as long as the sound quality is clear.

By adopting a “podcasting on a budget” mindset, you can focus your energy on crafting compelling episodes without feeling the pressure to overspend.

Understanding My Starting Costs

Before I could start podcasting on a budget, I needed to understand where my spending was at. At the peak of my podcast spending, I was shelling out $1,303.99 per year (equivalent to £1,000 or about $108 per month).

Here’s a quick breakdown of what I was spending money on:

• Summarize (AI tool for show notes): $15/month
• Riverside (recording software): $19/month
• WordPress hosting (via Hostinger): $166/year
• Domain name: $16/year
• Elementor Pro (WordPress plugin): $59/year
• WP Rocket (caching plugin): $59/year
• ConvertKit (email marketing): $108/year

While I loved podcasting and saw these expenses as part of my passion, I realised I could cut back significantly without sacrificing the quality of my show.

Why I Decided to Cut Costs and Podcast on a Budget

Podcasting is often perceived as an expensive endeavour, but it doesn’t have to be. Many podcasters, myself included, fall into the trap of thinking that spending more money will automatically result in a better show. This mindset is fuelled by advertisements and recommendations from industry experts touting the “best” tools and services.

However, as I analysed my expenses, I noticed that some tools and subscriptions weren’t directly contributing to my podcast’s success. This prompted me to ask a crucial question: Am I spending money on what my audience truly values?

For me, the answer was often “no.” My audience didn’t care about the flashy tools I was using; they cared about engaging content and good sound quality. This realization motivated me to audit my expenses and cut back on unnecessary spending.

The Cuts and Savings

1. Summarize

I decided to stop using Summarize due to inconsistent performance and switched to a more cost-effective solution. It’s a shame because I think that Summaraize is an amazing platform, but it wasn’t 100% the programme for me long term.

Instead, I’ve turned to Captivate Spark, a transcription tool offered by my podcast hosting platform. At just £5/month or £5 per 5 hours of transcription, it not only generates transcriptions but also allows me to repurpose them into detailed show notes. This switch saved me approximately $120/year while streamlining my workflow because Captivate Spark is within Captivate.FM, my podcast hosting platform.

Try Captivate.FM free for 30 days >>

2. Riverside

Riverside is a popular choice for recording high-quality remote interviews, but it came at a cost of $19/month. While it’s an excellent tool, I realised that I could get just as amazing results using free tools.

I also decided to maximise the tools I already had. For example, I use Photo Booth on my Mac to record video segments and iMovie for editing. Both are free and meet my needs perfectly. Eliminating Riverside saved me $228/year.

3. ConvertKit

Email marketing can be essential for engaging with your audience, but I wasn’t utilising ConvertKit’s premium features enough to warrant its $108/year cost. After analysing my needs, I switched to ConvertKit’s free tier. It still allows me to send emails and manage my subscriber list, but without the additional bells and whistles. This change saved me $108/year and didn’t impact my ability to communicate with my audience.

4. Elementor Pro

While Elementor Pro is fantastic for customizing WordPress sites, I found it wasn’t driving traffic or podcast downloads. The free version of Elementor, combined with Hostinger’s built-in website builder, provided enough functionality for my needs. Removing this expense saved me $59/year without compromising the design or usability of my site.

What I Kept

1. WordPress Hosting with Hostinger

I’m sticking with Hostinger because it offers excellent performance, great customer support, and features like free email addresses. At $166/year, it’s my biggest expense but one I find worth it. A reliable website is essential for hosting my podcast episodes, blog posts, and contact forms.

Try Hostinger WordPress Hosting from $2.99 per month >>

2. WP Rocket

This caching plugin streamlines my website by improving load times and optimising images. At $59/year, it’s a tool I value for maintaining a fast and professional site. A slow-loading website can be a killer for your website’s traffic, so I see this expense as an investment in user experience.

3. Captivate

Captivate remains my podcast hosting platform of choice. For $19/month, it provides reliable hosting and features like analytics, monetization tools, and transcription services. Its ease of use and excellent support make it a non-negotiable expense for me. Additionally, Captivate’s integration with Apple Podcasts and Spotify helps me reach a wider audience.

Try Captivate.FM for free for 30 days >>

Additional Strategies for Saving Money

Beyond cutting specific tools and subscriptions, I’ve implemented several general strategies to keep costs low:

1. DIY Where Possible

Instead of hiring a professional editor or graphic designer, I’ve learned to handle these tasks myself. Tools like Quicktime Player, iMovie, and Photo Booth (free audio and video recording and editing software) and Canva make it easy to create polished episodes and graphics without additional costs.

2. Leverage Free Resources

The internet is full of free resources for podcasters, from royalty-free music libraries to free SEO tools. By taking advantage of these, I’ve been able to maintain quality without spending extra money.

3. Batch Content Creation

Batch recording and editing episodes help me save time and reduce the need for expensive tools. For example, recording multiple episodes in one sitting minimizes setup time and ensures consistency in audio quality.

4. Monitor Subscription Renewals

It’s easy to forget about auto-renewing subscriptions. I’ve made it a habit to review my expenses monthly and cancel any tools or services I’m not actively using. This simple practice has saved me hundreds of dollars.

The Results

By analysing and optimising my spending, I brought my total podcasting costs down to $453.35 per year—a 65% reduction!

Not only have I saved money, but I’ve also streamlined my workflow and focused on what truly matters: creating great content for my listeners.

Lessons Learned

1. Don’t Fall for Shiny Object Syndrome

It’s tempting to believe that the latest tool or service will catapult your podcast to success. However, many of these “must-have” tools offer features you might never use. Focus on understanding your audience and delivering content they care about.

2. Invest in What Adds Value

Spending money isn’t inherently bad—it’s about investing in what brings value to your podcast. For me, that means reliable hosting, a fast website, and tools that enhance my production process.

3. Quality Over Quantity

You don’t need a dozen tools to run a successful podcast. Sometimes, less is more. By simplifying your setup, you can focus on creating high-quality episodes without getting bogged down by unnecessary features.

Key Takeaways for Podcasting on a Budget

1. Audit Your Expenses: Take a close look at what you’re paying for and whether it’s adding value to your podcast.
2. Focus on Essentials: Keep the tools that enhance your podcast and cut the ones that don’t.
3. Explore Free or Affordable Alternatives: Many high-cost tools have free or budget-friendly counterparts.
4. Think Long-Term: Reducing costs doesn’t mean sacrificing quality. With careful planning, you can save money and improve your podcast’s efficiency.
5. Engage with Your Audience: Ultimately, your listeners care about your content, not the tools you use. Focus on building a connection with them.

Final Thoughts About Podcasting on a Budget

If you’ve been wondering how to lower your podcasting expenses, I hope my experience inspires you to take a closer look at your own costs. Remember, podcasting doesn’t have to be expensive to be successful. By making thoughtful choices and prioritising what truly matters, you can create a great show without breaking the bank.