Transistor
Replaceable in one session with an AI coding agent.
Podcast hosting: it stores the audio, generates the RSS feed the apps read, and reports downloads per episode.
Build podcast hosting. STACK - Object storage with a CDN, a static site, one endpoint for downloads THE FEED - RSS 2.0 with the iTunes namespace, generated from episode metadata files - The GUID per episode must never change. Changing it makes every app re-download the episode - Validate the feed against a podcast validator before publishing DOWNLOADS - Serve audio through /d/:episode which logs and then redirects to the CDN - Count a download once per hashed identity per day, and only past 60 seconds of range requests - Say on your stats page which rule you used; download counting is not standardised MIGRATING - Keep the old feed alive with a 301 to the new one for months, not weeks - Apps refresh on their own schedule and some are slow Include the feed generator, the download counting and the migration plan.
What you lose
- A feed URL already registered in every podcast app, which is what a move actually risks
- Download analytics measured to the standard advertisers accept
- Bandwidth for large audio files without you sizing anything
If you would rather not build
- A static RSS feed plus object storage
- Any host with a stable feed URL
The escape hatch
open source · no votes, no paid placement
Castopod
$0Self-hosted podcast hosting with a feed, analytics and a web player.
ad-aures/castopodfree · open source
Astro
$0Generates the site and a valid RSS feed from episode metadata.
withastro/astrofree · open source
Why this verdict
our own opinion · changed only by a person
84/100
Verdict yes at 84. The feed is XML; the discipline is stable GUIDs and an honest download rule. The 301 during migration is what protects the audience.
History
tracked since 10 Aug 2026 · nothing is ever overwritten
Nothing recorded yet. This chart fills in once the page has visitors, votes or prompt copies — it will not draw a flat line to look busy.
Questions about Transistor
answered from the record above
Is Transistor free?
No — the plan we track is $19 a month. Starter at $19/month billed monthly, cheaper annually, with unlimited shows.
Can you replace Transistor by building your own?
YES. Replaceable in one session with an AI coding agent. Replacement score 84 out of 100, build time one session. Read what you lose before you decide.
How much does Transistor cost?
$19 a month on Starter — $228 a year. Recorded 10 Aug 2026.
What do you lose by replacing Transistor?
A feed URL already registered in every podcast app, which is what a move actually risks; Download analytics measured to the standard advertisers accept; Bandwidth for large audio files without you sizing anything. If any of those carry weight for you, keep paying.
Is there an open-source alternative to Transistor?
Yes: Castopod, Astro. The prompt on this page is for when you want it your way instead.
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