How to Start a Podcast on a Budget [2025]

Podcasts have democratised the media landscape and given a voice and means of expression to millions worldwide. You don’t need an acoustically optimised studio or expensive equipment to share your story with the world. In this guide, we’ll take you through the entire process, from planning and recording to editing and promoting your podcast—all while keeping costs minimal. 

Assuming you’ve already decided on your podcast format, idea and setup, let’s dive into what needs to happen next in order to make your podcasting dream a reality. 

Step 1: Equipment

1. Microphone

While high-end microphones can be expensive, there are budget-friendly options that deliver great sound quality. If you want a USB microphone like the Samson Q2U or Audio-Technica ATR2100x, these cost £50-£100 and work well for beginners. I would not recommend a Blue Yeti microphone, they can create more problems and be tricky to get great results with. 

2. Headphones

A good pair of headphones will help you monitor audio quality while recording and editing. Affordable options like the Audio-Technica ATH-M20x, AKG K52 or Sony MDR-7506 cost around £50 and offer decent sound quality. I personally use AKG’s, but headphones really aren’t as crucial as you’d think when you’re starting out. Just make sure they’re wired headphones so they don’t die on you halfway through recording.

3. Audio Interface

Recording multiple speakers in the same environment rather than a monologue? Don’t overthink the audio interface side of things too much. If you’re using mics with XLR inputs then you’ll need something that has an individual XLR input for each speaker. So for example, if your podcast only ever has 2 speakers at any time, an audio interface like the Behringer U-Phoria UMC202HD will be a great option. Alternatively, each speaker providing their own laptop, and recording via USB microphone is a good option too. 

Step 2: Recording

1. Find a Quiet Space

If your room has soft furnishings and carpet, this is great. Things like thick curtains, sofas, beds, will absorb sound in the room. Bookshelves will act as diffusers, which propel sound, and they look great on camera too. What many people don’t realise is that the room is often one of the most important aspects of recording, and a well insulated room will reduce background noise and unwanted artefacts. My ideal room recommendation would be a carpeted loft room with a bed or sofa in it. 

2. Use a Pop Filter

A pop filter reduces plosive sounds (like ‘p’ and ‘b’ sounds) and can be purchased for under £10 on amazon. They’re a brilliant addition to your recording arsenal, and for a minor investment it’s a massive improvement of professionalism and audio quality. Plosive pop sounds can get really annoying for listeners, and taking care of this will elevate your sound. Plosive sounds are also impossible to get out in post production, so once they’re in, they’re in. 

Step 3: Editing Your Podcast

Editing polishes your podcast and removes mistakes or background noise. I’d recommend these free editing tools:

• Audacity – Simple and effective for cutting, trimming, and enhancing sound.

• GarageBand – Ideal for Mac users, with built-in tools for audio enhancement.

For many people, editing, fixing microphone problems and adding music can be a time consuming and arduous process, that actually costs money. The more time you spend editing, the less time you spend promoting and growing. In this sense, having a dedicated producer and audio engineer can actually save you money in the long run as your podcast grows. You’ll also have a guiding hand the help you get over the speed bumps that occur with any podcaster starting out.

Step 4: Hosting and Distribution

1. Choose a Podcast Hosting Platform

A podcast host stores your audio files and generates an RSS feed that distributes your podcast to major platforms. Budget-friendly hosting options include:

• Anchor (Free) – User-friendly and automatically distributes your podcast to Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more.

• Podbean (Free and Paid Plans) – Offers a free tier with limited storage.

• Buzzsprout (Free & Paid Plans) – Free plan allows two hours of uploads per month.

2. Submit Your Podcast to Directories

To reach a wider audience, submit your podcast to platforms like:

• Apple Podcasts

• Spotify

• Google Podcasts

• Stitcher

• Amazon Music

Step 5: Promotion

1. Social Media

Promote your podcast on platforms like Instagram, Tik Tok, and Facebook, but make sure to abide by community guidelines or you could see yourself removed for being too spammy. TikTok is great for short form content and gaining traction very quickly through consistency. Instagram is similar in this aspect too. 

2. Create a Website or Blog

A website helps establish credibility and allows for easy episode access. Use free website builders like Wix or WordPress. Having a mailing list is a great way of maintaining constant contact with your listeners that cuts through the noise of social media too.

3. Networking and Podcast Guests

Collaborate with other podcasters by guesting on their shows or featuring them on yours. There are a multitude of Facebook groups and subreddits where people are looking for podcast guests, and podcast guests are looking for podcasts. Often people will appear for free, in conjunction with a promotion of their services.

Final Thoughts

Starting a podcast on a budget is possible with the right strategy. With minimal investment in equipment and free software, you can create high-quality content that attracts and engages listeners. The most important thing is that you stay consistent and enjoy the process. The only thing that pays off in podcasting and content creation is consistency!