RedCircle

What RedCircle does

RedCircle is a podcast hosting, distribution, and monetization platform built for independent creators and the brand advertisers who want to reach them. The core offering combines unlimited podcast hosting with one-click publishing to Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, YouTube, and other major directories, alongside the RedCircle Ad Platform (RAP), which merges automated host-read advertising with programmatic demand through dynamic ad insertion. Creators can additionally monetize through listener subscriptions, donations, and a Cross Promotion Marketplace that uses algorithmic matching to grow audience reach. OpenRAP, launched in March 2024, extends the ad platform to podcasters on external hosting providers via the VAST protocol, allowing RedCircle to monetize third-party inventory without forcing host migration.

The business model is a hybrid of SaaS subscription and ad marketplace. Hosting plans are tiered from a free Core tier up to a $99.99/month Enterprise plan, with paid tiers gating features such as video generation, transcript volume, team seats, and analytics depth. On the demand side, brand advertisers (including Sony, Peloton, Casper, Audible, Squarespace, and Athletic Greens) buy host-read and programmatic placements, with creator-side CPMs disclosed at $25 for pre/post-roll and $35 for mid-roll, and RedCircle captures a take rate on transaction volume. Mic Check, an AI-powered ad quality review tool launched in November 2025, analyzes host-read audio against approved scripts using a dataset of nearly 1 billion host-read impressions.

RedCircle is a venture-backed private company headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area with a Delaware-incorporated entity, founded in 2018 and having raised approximately $9.5 million across three funding rounds, the most recent a $6 million Series A in September 2021. The company has fewer than 10 employees, suggesting a lean operating model relative to its product surface and advertiser roster, and in January 2026 expanded internationally through a partnership with European digital audio specialist Audion.

Name

RedCircle

Legal name

RedCircle Technologies, Inc.

Website

https://redcircle.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

RedCircle provides a podcast hosting, distribution, and monetization platform for independent creators, combining subscription SaaS tools with an ad marketplace that connects creators to brand advertisers and extends demand to external hosts via OpenRAP.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Podcast Hosting & Monetization Platform

NAICS

Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (51621), Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (516210)

SIC

Services-Advertising (7310)

akta.pro primary industry

Podcast Hosting Platforms (RSS, Analytics, Distribution) (MPACADAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Podcast Ad Sales Networks & Monetization Platforms (MPACADAD), Podcast Hosting & Enterprise Solutions (Private/Branded Podcasts) (MPACADAF)

Keywords

• Podcast hosting
• Podcast monetization
• Dynamic ad insertion
• Programmatic podcast advertising
• Creator economy tools

Headquarters

HQ city

San Francisco

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Operations

Revenue model

1. Podcast Hosting Subscriptions: Tiered subscription plans for podcast hosting services ranging from free Core plan to $99.99/month Enterprise tier. Revenue generated through monthly/annual subscription fees with different feature levels.
2. Host-Read Advertising: Creators earn revenue through host-read ad placements sourced from brands. CPM rates of $25 for pre-roll, $35 for mid-roll, and $25 for post-roll. RedCircle connects vetted creators with advertisers for authentic ad reads.
3. Programmatic Advertising: Automated programmatic ad insertion using dynamic technology. Advertisers can run targeted campaigns across the network with conversion and attribution tracking.
4. Subscriptions & Exclusive Content: Podcasters can offer exclusive content behind subscription paywalls for recurring revenue. Listeners pay monthly fees set by creators for ad-free or exclusive content access.
5. Donations: One-time or recurring donation options for listeners to support podcasters directly through the platform.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

RedCircle is a podcast hosting, distribution, and monetization platform built for independent creators, offering automated advertising, dynamic ad insertion, listener subscriptions, donations, and a cross-promotion marketplace. The company also operates the RedCircle Ad Platform (RAP), a programmatic ad-buying interface that lets brands and agencies purchase podcast advertising across the RedCircle creator network. The platform extends its ad-insertion technology externally via OpenRAP, allowing third-party podcast hosts to access RedCircle's monetization stack through VAST 4 integration.

Product overview

RedCircle is a podcast platform for independent creators offering a unified suite of hosting, monetization, and audience growth tools. The core platform combines podcast hosting and distribution (publishing to Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, YouTube, and more) with the RedCircle Ad Platform (RAP), which handles automated host-read and programmatic advertising. Additional modules include Cross Promotion Marketplace for creator partnerships, Dynamic Insertion for real-time ad serving, Subscriptions & Donations for direct fan monetization, and Network Capabilities for multi-show management. OpenRAP extends RAP's monetization to podcasters on external hosting via VAST integration. Mic Check is an AI-powered ad quality review tool built into RAP that automatically analyzes host-read audio for compliance, engagement, and uniqueness.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• OpenRAP: The first automated host-read ad platform available across podcast hosting platforms. Allows podcast publishers to connect to RedCircle's advertising demand without switching podcast hosts, using VAST technology.
• RedCircle Ad Platform (RAP)
• Mic Check

Products and services

• RedCircle Podcast Hosting & Distribution Core podcast hosting service that distributes episodes to major directories (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, etc.) and provides the foundation for monetization features. Targeted at independent podcast creators.
• RedCircle Ad Platform (RAP) Programmatic ad-buying interface for brands, agencies, and media buyers to purchase podcast advertising across the RedCircle creator network with minimal friction. Includes Mic Check AI ad-quality verification.
• Cross Promotion Marketplace Marketplace feature that enables creators to promote their shows across other podcasts in the RedCircle network, helping independent creators grow their audience through targeted cross-promotion.
• OpenRAP External ad-insertion offering that allows third-party podcast hosts to access RedCircle's monetization stack through VAST 4 integration, enabling dynamic ad insertion on shows hosted outside RedCircle.
• Listener Subscriptions & Donations Monetization features that allow creators to collect recurring subscription payments and one-time donations directly from listeners, with revenue share to creators.
• RedCircle Podcast Network Network offering for podcast networks to host, monetize, and manage multiple shows under a unified structure with shared monetization and audience-growth capabilities.

Quantifiable outcome

• CPM rates of $25-$35 for host-read ad placements
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

AI capability8 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• AudioncoreTechnology or IntegrationStrategic partnership announced January 2026 with Audion, a leading digital audio specialist in Europe. The integration expands programmatic podcast demand across key European markets, allowing European brands to access RedCircle's podcast inventory and European podcasters to access US demand. Enables multi-country campaign management through single workflow.
• StripecoreTechnology or IntegrationPayment processor integrated for creator payouts and advertiser billing. Enables flexible payout schedules including instant payouts for creators and secure payment processing.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Acast: Acast is a global podcast hosting, monetization, and ad marketplace platform serving independent creators and brands. It directly competes with RedCircle across hosting, dynamic ad insertion, and programmatic host-read advertising.
• Buzzsprout: Buzzsprout is a leading self-serve podcast hosting platform targeting independent creators. It competes head-on with RedCircle's hosting tier and basic distribution, though it has a more limited monetization/ad stack.
• Podbean: Podbean offers podcast hosting, distribution, monetization (ads, subscriptions, donations), and live audio features. It is closely comparable to RedCircle's bundled creator offering and overlapping target audience.
• Transistor: Transistor is a podcast hosting platform focused on independent creators and small businesses, with private podcasting and analytics features. It competes with RedCircle's hosting and subscription/donation monetization tiers.
• Spreaker (iHeart): Spreaker, now part of iHeartMedia, provides podcast hosting, programmatic monetization via dynamic ad insertion, and distribution. It directly overlaps with RedCircle's RAP and hosting offering at larger scale.

Broad incumbents

• Megaphone (Spotify): Megaphone, now owned by Spotify, is an enterprise-focused podcast hosting and ad-targeting platform. It overlaps with RedCircle's hosting-plus-monetization stack but operates at larger publisher scale and benefits from Spotify distribution.
• Libsyn: Libsyn is a long-established podcast hosting and monetization platform. It overlaps with RedCircle's hosting and ad-insertion capabilities and addresses a similar independent creator base, with broader historical market presence.
• Spotify for Podcasters (formerly Anchor): Spotify's free hosting and monetization tool for podcasters offers built-in distribution, subscriptions, and ad programs. It is a broad incumbent competitor that can subsidize creator acquisition and bundle monetization RedCircle cannot match.
• SoundCloud: SoundCloud is an audio hosting and streaming platform that supports podcast distribution and creator monetization. It competes in adjacent audio hosting space and benefits from an established listener-side audience.

Emerging players

• Patreon: Patreon is a creator monetization platform supporting subscriptions, memberships, and community tools. It overlaps with RedCircle's subscription and donation features but addresses a broader creator economy beyond audio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/getredcircle
• Facebookfacebook.com/GetRedCircle
• Instagraminstagram.com/getredcircle

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors6 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about RedCircle