The Simplicity You Remember,
The Features You Need
Remember when podcast hosting was simple and fun? VNYL brings back Anchor's legendary beginner-friendly magic at $130/year while giving you ownership of your analytics and audience data. Start with 2 podcasts, upgrade anytime.
Why Former Anchor Users Love VNYL
Anchor's Simplicity
+ Modern Features
The ease you remember from Anchor's golden days, plus advanced analytics, custom branding, and data ownership.
Beginner-friendly, power-user ready
Own Your Analytics
Anchor gave you basic plays. Spotify gives you limited access. VNYL gives you complete download data you actually own.
Full CSV exports, forever
30-Day Money-Back Guarantee
Try VNYL risk-free. If you're not satisfied within 30 days, get a full refund. No questions asked.
Risk-free for 30 days
What Happened to Anchor?
On March 15, 2023, Spotify rebranded Anchor to "Spotify for Creators." The platform is still 100% free with unlimited hosting, but the focus shifted from independent podcast hosting to growing on Spotify's platform.
Many podcasters miss Anchor's original vision: remove all barriers to podcasting. No credit cards, no complicated settings, just record and publish. That simplicity launched thousands of first podcasts.
VNYL brings back that magic while adding what Anchor users always wanted: advanced analytics, data ownership, and platform independence. You get the beginner-friendliness with none of the limitations.
Still using Spotify for Creators? Check out our Spotify for Creators alternative page for a detailed comparison.
What Anchor Had vs What VNYL Offers
| Feature | VNYL | Anchor (Legacy) |
|---|---|---|
| Unlimited Downloads | ✅ | ✅ |
| Unlimited Storage | ✅ | ✅ |
| Beginner-Friendly | ✅ | ✅ |
| Annual Pricing | $130/year | Free (now Spotify) |
| Advanced Analytics | ✅ IAB-certified | ❌ Basic plays only |
| Download Data Ownership | ✅ Full CSV exports | ❌ Spotify dashboard only |
| Platform Independence | ✅ Distribute everywhere | ❌ Spotify-first |
| Custom Branding | ✅ Full control | ⚠️ Limited |
| Mobile App | 🚧 Roadmap | ✅ Excellent |
| Video Podcast Support | 🚧 Roadmap | ✅ (on Spotify) |
| Monetization | ✅ Keep 100% | ⚠️ Spotify revenue share |
| Team Collaboration | ✅ | ✅ |
| Podcast Website | ✅ | ✅ |
| Embeddable Player | ✅ | ✅ |
| RSS Feed | ✅ Full control | ✅ |
What Made Anchor Special:
- 100% free forever - no barriers to entry
- Legendary beginner-friendly mobile app
- Simple recording and publishing workflow
- Launched thousands of first podcasts
- Built the "anyone can podcast" movement
- Video podcast support included
VNYL honors Anchor's legacy while giving you the analytics ownership and platform independence serious podcasters need to grow.
Compare Hosting Costs
| Platform | Pricing Model | Matched Tier | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buzzsprout | storage | Free (90 days) | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Spreaker | unlimited | Free (ads) | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| RedCircle | unlimited | 1 podcast (Core) | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Anchor | unlimited | Free (Spotify) | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| VNYL(Us) | unlimited | Unlimited | $13.00 | $156.00 |
| Podbean | storage | 10GB/month (Unlimited Audio) | $14.00 | $168.00 |
| Libsyn | storage | 324 MB/month (Plus) | $15.00 | $180.00 |
| Castos | unlimited | Unlimited (Starter) | $19.00 | $228.00 |
| Simplecast | downloads | 50K downloads | $35.00 | $420.00 |
| Captivate | downloads | 150K downloads | $44.00 | $528.00 |
| Transistor | downloads | 50K downloads | $99.00 | $1188.00 |
Cost Projections at Standard Download Levels
Switching from Spotify for Creators Takes 15 Minutes
Your old Anchor account became Spotify for Creators. Here's how to move to VNYL:
1. Export Your RSS Feed (2 min)
In Spotify for Creators, go to Settings → Distribution → RSS and copy your RSS feed URL. Spotify lets you export anytime, no restrictions.
2. Import to VNYL (under 5 min)
Paste your RSS URL into VNYL's import tool. We automatically pull all episodes, artwork, and metadata. Most imports complete in under 5 minutes, even for podcasts with 100+ episodes.
3. Update Distribution (5 min)
Submit your new VNYL RSS feed to Apple Podcasts, Spotify (yes, you can still publish there!), and other directories. Most platforms update within 24 hours.
4. Redirect Old Feed (3 min)
Set up a 301 redirect from your old Spotify for Creators feed to your new VNYL feed. This preserves subscribers who haven't updated yet. Spotify makes this easy in their settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Anchor?
Anchor was rebranded to "Spotify for Creators" on March 15, 2023. The platform is still 100% free and offers unlimited hosting, but it's now more tightly integrated with Spotify's ecosystem. If you're looking for that classic Anchor simplicity with more analytics ownership and platform independence, VNYL is built for you.
Is Anchor coming back?
No, Anchor as a standalone brand is not returning. Spotify fully rebranded it to "Spotify for Creators" in 2023. However, the core features (free hosting, mobile app, easy publishing) still exist under the new name.
Why do people miss Anchor?
Anchor was beloved for its legendary simplicity. It removed all barriers to podcasting - no credit card, no complicated settings, just record and publish from your phone. Many podcasters feel the Spotify rebrand shifted focus toward Spotify's platform rather than independent podcast hosting.
What's the difference between Anchor and Spotify for Creators?
They're the same platform, just rebranded. The main differences are cosmetic (name, branding) and strategic (more Spotify-first features). The free hosting, unlimited storage, and mobile app remain, but the focus shifted from "host anywhere" to "grow on Spotify."
Can I still use my old Anchor account?
Yes! Your Anchor account automatically became a Spotify for Creators account. All your episodes, RSS feed, and subscribers transferred over. If you want to keep using it for free hosting while adding advanced analytics, consider dual-hosting on VNYL.
Is VNYL trying to replace Anchor?
We're not trying to replace anything - we're bringing back what made Anchor special (simplicity, beginner-friendliness) while adding what serious podcasters need (advanced analytics, data ownership, platform independence). Think of VNYL as the spiritual successor to classic Anchor.
Why pay for hosting when Anchor/Spotify is free?
Spotify for Creators is incredible for getting started, but as your podcast grows, you need real analytics to make informed decisions. VNYL gives you full download data ownership, geographic insights, listener demographics, and IAB-certified stats for $130/year. If analytics matter to your growth, the investment pays for itself.
Can I migrate from Spotify for Creators to VNYL?
Absolutely. Export your RSS feed from Spotify for Creators (Settings → Distribution → RSS), import it to VNYL (takes under 5 minutes), and update your podcast directories with the new feed. You can even keep publishing to Spotify while owning your analytics on VNYL.
Why Anchor's Simplicity Mattered (And Still Does)
In 2015, starting a podcast required technical knowledge. You needed to understand RSS feeds, find a hosting provider, figure out FTP uploads, and manually submit to directories. Anchor changed everything by asking: what if podcasting was as easy as recording a voice memo?
The Anchor Revolution
Anchor launched with a radical promise: 100% free, unlimited hosting, no credit card required. Their mobile app let you record, edit, and publish in minutes. This wasn't just convenient - it was revolutionary. Thousands of people started podcasts who never would have otherwise.
The platform removed every barrier. No server configuration, no storage limits, no download caps. Just open the app, hit record, and your podcast was live. For many creators, Anchor was synonymous with podcasting itself.
What Changed After the Spotify Rebrand
When Spotify rebranded Anchor to "Spotify for Creators" in March 2023, the core features remained: free hosting, mobile app, unlimited storage. But the focus shifted. Anchor's vision was platform independence - host anywhere, distribute everywhere. Spotify's vision is growth within Spotify's ecosystem.
This isn't necessarily bad. Spotify's 500M+ users offer incredible discovery potential. But many podcasters feel the trade-off: limited analytics, Spotify-first distribution, and less control over their audience data.
Why Data Ownership Matters for Growth
Spotify for Creators shows you plays, streams, and followers. But serious podcast growth requires deeper insights:
- Geographic data: Where are your listeners? Should you schedule episodes for their timezone?
- Device stats: Are people listening on phones (commuting) or computers (working)? This affects content length.
- Episode drop-off: When do listeners stop listening? This guides editing decisions.
- Listener retention: Which episodes bring people back? Double down on that content.
Without this data, you're guessing. With VNYL's analytics, you're making informed decisions. That's worth $130/year when your podcast becomes a business or personal brand.
The Nostalgia Factor: Why People Miss Anchor
Search "Anchor alternative" on Reddit and you'll find threads like: "I miss Anchor," "RIP Anchor," "Spotify killed Anchor." Why the nostalgia for a platform that technically still exists?
Anchor Felt Like It Was Built For You
Anchor wasn't a corporate platform that happened to offer podcasting. It was built by podcasters, for podcasters. The team understood creator struggles because they were creators. Every feature solved a real problem, not a business metric.
When Spotify acquired Anchor, the focus inevitably shifted toward Spotify's business goals: grow Spotify listenership, increase engagement on Spotify, monetize through Spotify Partner Program. These aren't bad goals, but they're not your goals as an independent creator.
VNYL's Mission: Independent Creator First
VNYL was built to honor Anchor's original vision: remove barriers, empower creators, keep it simple. We add the analytics and data ownership that serious podcasters need without sacrificing beginner-friendliness.
You're not a metric to us. You're a creator who deserves tools that respect your time, your audience, and your data. That's why VNYL exists.
Platform Independence vs Platform Lock-In
Here's a scenario: You build a podcast on Spotify for Creators. It grows to 10,000 listeners. Then Spotify changes their Partner Program terms, or their analytics access, or their distribution policies. What do you do?
The Risk of Single-Platform Dependence
When your hosting platform is owned by a distribution platform (Spotify), your incentives misalign. Spotify wants you to grow on Spotify. You want to grow everywhere - Apple Podcasts, YouTube, your website, newsletter, anywhere your audience lives.
Platform independence means you control your RSS feed, own your analytics, and can move hosts anytime. VNYL provides this while keeping the simplicity Anchor users loved.
You Can Still Publish to Spotify
Important: Using VNYL doesn't mean leaving Spotify. You submit your VNYL RSS feed to Spotify for Podcasters just like any other directory. You get Spotify's 500M+ user discovery while owning your complete analytics on VNYL.
Making the Switch: What to Consider
Stick with Spotify for Creators if:
- You exclusively want Spotify audience growth
- You rely on Spotify Partner Program monetization
- You need video podcast support today (VNYL: Roadmap)
- You prefer recording entirely on mobile
- Free is non-negotiable (Spotify wins on price)
Switch to VNYL if:
- You need complete download data to make growth decisions
- You want platform independence (host once, distribute everywhere)
- You're building a business or personal brand around your podcast
- You want advanced analytics for $130/year (cheaper than most paid hosts)
- You miss Anchor's simplicity but need modern features
Ready to Reclaim Anchor's Simplicity?
Get unlimited podcast hosting at $13/month or $130/year, or lock in founder pricing at $9/month or $90/year. The beginner-friendliness you remember, the analytics you need.
Anchor was a trademark of Anchor FM, Inc. (now Spotify). This page is for comparison purposes only. VNYL is an independent podcast hosting platform.
Comparison by VNYL . Unlimited podcast hosting, $130/year.
Historical data verified November 3, 2025. Anchor rebranded to Spotify for Creators on March 15, 2023.