Anchor

Leading free podcast hosting and creation platform before integration into Spotify

Anchor was a podcast creation and hosting platform founded in 2015 that democratized podcasting by making it completely free and accessible to creators of all levels. The platform provided an all-in-one solution that included unlimited hosting, distribution to major podcast platforms (Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, etc.), recording and editing tools, monetization features, and analytics. Anchor distinguished itself by removing traditional barriers to entry in podcasting, such as hosting fees and technical complexity, allowing anyone with a smartphone to create and publish a podcast within minutes. In February 2019, Spotify acquired Anchor for an undisclosed amount as part of its strategic push into the podcasting space. Following the acquisition, Anchor continued to operate as a distinct platform under Spotify's ownership, maintaining its free model and expanding its features to integrate more deeply with Spotify's ecosystem. The acquisition was part of Spotify's broader strategy to become a leading audio platform beyond music, investing heavily in podcast technology and content. Anchor played a crucial role in Spotify's podcast growth strategy by lowering barriers to podcast creation and bringing millions of new creators onto the platform. In 2024, Spotify announced it would be sunsetting the Anchor brand and transitioning its functionality into 'Spotify for Podcasters,' effectively absorbing Anchor's features directly into the Spotify platform. While Anchor as a distinct brand ceased to exist, its core technology and philosophy of accessible podcast creation lived on within Spotify's integrated podcasting tools.