7 Best Shoutcast Hosting Providers 2026 (From $2.39/mo)
Starting an internet radio station is easier than ever. With Shoutcast, you send your music, talk show or live DJ set to a streaming server, and listeners tune in from websites, mobile apps and radio directories around the world, all without a broadcast licence for the airwaves.
The tricky part is choosing where to host it. Some hosts sell ready-made Shoutcast hosting with AutoDJ and listener limits, while others give you a VPS where you install Shoutcast yourself, and a few popular platforms do not allow streaming servers at all. So we checked each provider’s official pages for how it supports Shoutcast, its real price, listeners, bitrate, bandwidth and control panel.
Here are the 7 best Shoutcast hosting providers for 2026, from cheap Shoutcast radio hosting under $3 a month to VPS options for full control, plus how much bandwidth your station needs and how to launch it step by step.
Best Overall
$2.39/mo
3-year term, renews at the same price.
Shoutcast v1, v2 and Icecast on SonicPanel with AutoDJ, HTTPS streams and unmetered bandwidth. Code GOOGIEHOST: extra 7% off.
Unlimited Listeners
Rs 335.16/mo
Starter plan, 2 months free yearly.
Unlimited listeners up to 320 kbps with AzuraCast or Centova Cast, Auto-DJ and WebDJ.
Best VPS
$4.95/mo
24-month term, renews at $9.99/mo.
4GB RAM VPS with root access and official guides to install Shoutcast on Linux or Windows.
Quick answer: UltaHost is the best Shoutcast hosting for most stations, with Shoutcast and Icecast, AutoDJ and HTTPS streams from $2.39/month. AsuraHosting is best for unlimited listeners, while AccuWebHosting, Kamatera and Hosting.com are good VPS options if you want to install Shoutcast yourself.
What Is Shoutcast Hosting?
Shoutcast is streaming server software for internet radio, first released by Nullsoft in 1998 and still widely used by online stations. Shoutcast hosting gives you a server that receives your audio from broadcasting software or an AutoDJ and relays it to every listener, so your station stays live 24/7 without using your own internet connection.
There are two ways to host a Shoutcast station, and the hosts in this list cover both:
Note: Managed cloud platforms like Cloudways do not give root access, so they cannot run a Shoutcast server. Pick a dedicated radio host or a VPS instead.
7 Best Shoutcast Hosting Providers in 2026
We compared hosts on how they support Shoutcast, price, listeners, bitrate, bandwidth, control panel and AutoDJ. These are the 7 best options:
⏰ TL;DR1. UltaHost: Best Overall Shoutcast Hosting2. Bluehost: Best Budget VPS for a Self-Installed Shoutcast Server3. AccuWebHosting: Best VPS for Shoutcast With Install Guides4. Kamatera: Best Cloud Server for a Custom Radio Setup5. QloudHost: Best Offshore VPS for Internet Radio6. Hosting.com: Best Unmanaged VPS for Shoutcast7. AsuraHosting: Best Shoutcast Hosting With Unlimited Listeners
1. UltaHost: Best Overall Shoutcast Hosting
UltaHost
Pros
- Shoutcast v1, v2.5, v2.6 and Icecast on one plan
- AutoDJ and HTTPS stream URL included
- Same price at renewal
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- Lower plans stream at 64 kbps
- Data center locations not listed
Summary
UltaHost internet radio hosting supports Shoutcast v1, v2.5 and v2.6 plus Icecast on SonicPanel, with AutoDJ, an HTTPS stream URL, unmetered bandwidth and anti-DDoS, from $2.39/month on a 3-year term or $3.50 billed monthly, with the same price at renewal.
Price: USD 2.39 /month
Visit UltaHost
UltaHost is the best overall Shoutcast hosting because it gives you a ready-made radio server for a few dollars a month. Every plan supports Shoutcast v1, v2.5 and v2.6 as well as Icecast, so you can use almost any broadcasting software, and your server is ready in about 55 seconds.
You manage your station from SonicPanel, with AutoDJ, an advanced playlist manager, FTP uploads, stream monitoring and an HTTPS stream URL for secure playback on modern websites. Every plan also includes unmetered bandwidth, anti-DDoS protection, a custom station webpage and embeddable players that you can brand with your own logo, with MP3, AAC and HE-AAC formats supported.
Radio Starter for 50 listeners at 64 kbps with 1GB of AutoDJ storage costs $2.39/month on a 3-year term or $3.50 billed monthly, and Radio High for 1,000 listeners at 128 kbps costs $35.39/month on a 3-year term. Each term renews at the same price, and UltaHost offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Shoutcast setup: Dedicated Shoutcast and Icecast radio hosting with SonicPanel. Control panel: SonicPanel. Data centers: Global servers.
Promo: Use code GOOGIEHOST for an extra 7% off.
Read more: Our full UltaHost review covers its plans, features and support in detail.
Key Specification
- Shoutcast & Icecast: Shoutcast v1, v2.5, v2.6 and Icecast.
- SonicPanel: With AutoDJ and a playlist manager.
- HTTPS Stream URL: For secure playback on any site.
- Unmetered Bandwidth: Plus anti-DDoS protection.
- Same-Price Renewal: And a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Pricing
UltaHost radio hosting prices are per month on a 3-year term and renew at the same price. Monthly billing starts at $3.50.
2. Bluehost: Best Budget VPS for a Self-Installed Shoutcast Server
Bluehost
Pros
- Full root SSH access
- Unmetered bandwidth on every VPS plan
- DDR5 RAM and NVMe storage
- Choice of 5 data centers
Cons
- Bluehost does not install or support Shoutcast
- No streaming panel or AutoDJ included
Summary
Bluehost Self-Managed VPS gives you full root SSH access, DDR5 RAM, NVMe storage and unmetered bandwidth from $4.69/month on a 24-month term, so you can install Shoutcast yourself, but Bluehost does not install or support Shoutcast.
Price: USD 4.69 /month
Visit Bluehost
Bluehost is a budget option if you are comfortable running Shoutcast yourself on a VPS. Its Self-Managed VPS gives you full root SSH access, DDR5 RAM, NVMe storage and unmetered bandwidth, so you can install the Shoutcast server software, configure your mount points and stream to as many listeners as your bandwidth allows.
Keep in mind that Bluehost lists Shoutcast as software it does not install or support, so setup, updates and troubleshooting are entirely up to you. You choose AlmaLinux, Debian, Rocky Linux, Ubuntu or another Linux system and a data center in Virginia, Arizona, London, Toronto or Amsterdam, and cPanel is an optional paid add-on.
NVMe 2 with 1 vCPU, 2GB RAM and 50GB NVMe costs $4.69/month on a 24-month term and renews at $5.69/month, and NVMe 4 with 2 vCPU and 4GB RAM costs $9.49/month. Bluehost’s own pages show slightly different intro prices in places, so confirm the final price at checkout.
Shoutcast setup: Self-managed VPS with full root access, where you install Shoutcast yourself. Control panel: None by default, cPanel optional. Data centers: Virginia, Arizona, London, Toronto and Amsterdam.
Read more: Our full Bluehost review covers its plans, features and support in detail.
Key Specification
- Full Root Access: Install Shoutcast and any tools you need.
- Unmetered Bandwidth: On every self-managed VPS.
- DDR5 & NVMe: Fast hardware for streaming.
- 5 Data Centers: USA, Canada, UK and the Netherlands.
- Self-Managed: Shoutcast is not supported by Bluehost.
Pricing
Bluehost Self-Managed VPS prices are per month on a 24-month term. Renewal prices are higher.
3. AccuWebHosting: Best VPS for Shoutcast With Install Guides
AccuWebHosting
Pros
- 4GB RAM on the $4.95 plan
- Official Shoutcast install guides
- Linux and Windows VPS options
- Choice of data center location
Cons
- Renews at $9.99/mo or more
- Bandwidth is capped per plan
Summary
AccuWebHosting Linux VPS plans start at $4.95/month on a 24-month term with 4GB RAM, 1 vCPU, 50GB storage and 250GB bandwidth, and its knowledge base has official guides to install a Shoutcast server on Linux and Windows VPS.
Price: USD 4.95 /month
Visit AccuWebHosting
AccuWebHosting is the best VPS for Shoutcast if you want guidance. Its knowledge base includes official step-by-step guides to install and configure a Shoutcast radio server on both Linux and Windows VPS, and every VPS comes with full root access.
Even the entry VPS Edge plan includes 4GB RAM, 1 vCPU, 50GB of storage and 250GB of monthly bandwidth, which is enough for a small station. You pick your data center, such as New York, when you order, and you can scale up to plans with 16GB or 32GB RAM and more bandwidth as your audience grows.
VPS Edge costs $4.95/month on a 24-month term and renews at $9.99/month, and VPS Peak with 8GB RAM and 450GB bandwidth costs $6.95/month, renewing at $19.99/month.
Shoutcast setup: Linux or Windows VPS with full root access, with official Shoutcast install guides. Control panel: Your choice, installed by you. Data centers: New York and other global data centers.
Read more: Our full AccuWebHosting review covers its plans, features and support in detail.
Key Specification
- Shoutcast Install Guides: For Linux and Windows VPS.
- 4GB RAM From $4.95: Plus 1 vCPU and 50GB storage.
- Full Root Access: On every VPS.
- Choice of Location: Pick your data center at checkout.
- Scales to 32GB RAM: With up to 1,000GB bandwidth.
Pricing
AccuWebHosting Linux VPS prices are per month on a 24-month term in New York. Renewal prices are higher.
4. Kamatera: Best Cloud Server for a Custom Radio Setup
Kamatera
Pros
- 5TB of traffic included
- Monthly or per-minute billing, no contract
- 25 data centers worldwide
- 30-day free trial worth up to $100
Cons
- Unmanaged, so you set up Shoutcast yourself
- Windows Server costs extra
Summary
Kamatera cloud servers start at $4/month with no contract, include 5TB of traffic and full root access, run Linux or Windows Server in 25 data centers, bill monthly or by the minute and come with a 30-day free trial worth up to $100.
Price: USD 4 /month
Visit Kamatera
Kamatera is the best cloud server for a custom radio setup. You choose the CPU, RAM and NVMe storage, install Shoutcast or Icecast with any panel you like, and place your server in one of 25 data centers close to your listeners.
Every server includes 5TB of traffic, which is plenty for a busy station, plus full root access and a choice of Linux or Windows Server. Billing is monthly or by the minute with no contract, so you can scale up for a live event and back down afterwards.
A server with 1 vCPU, 1GB RAM and 20GB NVMe costs $4/month, which is enough for a small Shoutcast station. You can test everything free for 30 days with services worth up to $100.
Shoutcast setup: Cloud server with full root access, where you install Shoutcast yourself. Control panel: Your choice, installed by you. Data centers: 25 data centers, including New York, Dallas, Toronto, London, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Singapore, Tokyo and Sydney.
Promo: Start a 30-day free trial worth up to $100.
Read more: Our full Kamatera review covers its plans, features and support in detail.
Key Specification
- 5TB Traffic: Included with every server.
- Full Root Access: Install Shoutcast or Icecast your way.
- 25 Data Centers: Stream close to your audience.
- Per-Minute Billing: Scale up for live events.
- 30-Day Free Trial: Worth up to $100.
Pricing
Kamatera prices are per month with no contract. You can also pay by the minute.
5. QloudHost: Best Offshore VPS for Internet Radio
QloudHost
Pros
- Same price at renewal
- 1Gbps port and a dedicated IPv4
- Amsterdam location close to European listeners
- Crypto payments accepted
Cons
- Higher starting price
- You still need music licenses to stream
Summary
QloudHost offshore VPS runs in Amsterdam with 2 CPU cores, 4GB RAM, 50GB NVMe, 1TB bandwidth, a dedicated IPv4 and a 1Gbps port from $17.99/month, with full root access for a self-installed Shoutcast server and the same price at renewal.
Price: USD 17.99 /month
Visit QloudHost
QloudHost is the best offshore VPS for internet radio aimed at European listeners. Its servers run in Amsterdam with a 1Gbps network port and a dedicated IPv4, and full root access lets you install Shoutcast, Icecast or a panel like AzuraCast yourself.
The VPS Entry plan includes 2 CPU cores, 4GB RAM, 50GB NVMe and 1TB of bandwidth, and larger plans go up to 8 cores, 16GB RAM and 2.5TB of bandwidth. QloudHost is known for offshore hosting under Dutch law, but streaming copyrighted music still needs the right licenses, so check the rules for your country.
VPS Entry costs $17.99/month on a 2-year term and VPS Value with 4 cores and 8GB RAM costs $43.99/month, and every plan renews at the same cost.
Shoutcast setup: Offshore KVM VPS in Amsterdam with full root access, where you install Shoutcast yourself. Control panel: Your choice, installed by you. Data centers: Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Read more: Our full QloudHost review covers its plans, features and support in detail.
Key Specification
- Amsterdam Location: Low latency across Europe.
- 1Gbps Port: With a dedicated IPv4.
- Full Root Access: Install Shoutcast or Icecast.
- Same-Cost Renewal: No price jump.
- Up to 2.5TB Bandwidth: On larger plans.
Pricing
QloudHost VPS prices are per month on a 2-year term and renew at the same cost.
6. Hosting.com: Best Unmanaged VPS for Shoutcast
Hosting.com
Pros
- Full root access to install anything
- AMD EPYC and NVMe storage
- 10 data center locations
- Low price on a 3-year term
Cons
- VPS plans are excluded from the money-back guarantee
- Renews at the regular price
Summary
Hosting.com unmanaged Linux VPS runs on AMD EPYC with NVMe storage and full root access in 10 locations, from about $3.49/month on a 3-year term or $6.49 for the first month, so you can install Shoutcast and stream on your own server.
Price: USD 3.49 /month
Visit Hosting.com
Hosting.com, formerly A2 Hosting, is a good unmanaged VPS for Shoutcast. Its self-managed Linux VPS gives you full root access, so you can install the Shoutcast server, an AutoDJ tool like Liquidsoap or a full panel such as AzuraCast.
Plans run on AMD EPYC CPUs with NVMe storage, Ubuntu 22.04, Debian 12 or AlmaLinux 9, a 99.9% uptime SLA and optional cPanel, and you can deploy in 10 locations including London, New York, Singapore, Sydney, Dubai and Mumbai.
The 2GB plan with 1 core and 40GB NVMe costs $125.64 for 3 years, about $3.49/month, or $6.49 for the first month and then $8.99/month. Discounts apply to the first term only, and VPS plans are not covered by Hosting.com’s money-back guarantee.
Shoutcast setup: Unmanaged Linux VPS with full root access, where you install Shoutcast yourself. Control panel: None by default, cPanel optional. Data centers: London, New York, US West, Canada, Singapore, Sydney, Mexico, Europe, Dubai and Mumbai.
Read more: Our full Hosting.com review covers its plans, features and support in detail.
Key Specification
- Full Root Access: Install Shoutcast and AutoDJ tools.
- AMD EPYC & NVMe: Fast, modern hardware.
- 10 Locations: Including Dubai and Mumbai.
- Linux Choices: Ubuntu, Debian or AlmaLinux.
- 99.9% SLA: With optional cPanel.
Pricing
Hosting.com unmanaged VPS prices are per month. The 3-year price is shown for the 2GB plan, and other plans show the regular monthly price.
7. AsuraHosting: Best Shoutcast Hosting With Unlimited Listeners
AsuraHosting
Pros
- Unlimited listeners and bandwidth from the Unlimited plan
- Choose AzuraCast or Centova Cast
- Up to 320 kbps streaming
- Podcast and recording storage included
Cons
- Starter plan has 20GB bandwidth
- Prices shown in local currency
Summary
AsuraHosting sells dedicated Shoutcast hosting with a choice of AzuraCast or Centova Cast, NVMe AutoDJ storage, 10Gbit upload speeds, SSL stream URLs, Auto-DJ, WebDJ and podcast storage, with unlimited listeners from its Unlimited plan and up to 320 kbps streaming.
Price: INR 335.16 /month
Visit AsuraHosting
AsuraHosting is the best Shoutcast hosting if you expect a big audience. Its Unlimited plans remove listener and bandwidth limits, and you can stream at up to 192 kbps on Unlimited or 320 kbps on Unlimited Plus for near-CD quality.
You choose AzuraCast or Centova Cast as your control panel, and every plan includes Auto-DJ, a built-in WebDJ for live shows from your browser, an SSL HTTPS stream URL, NVMe storage for AutoDJ music, podcasts and recordings, 10Gbit upload speeds, a 99.9% uptime target and ad-support options to earn revenue from your station.
Starter with 120 listeners at 128 kbps, 12GB of AutoDJ storage and 20GB of bandwidth costs Rs 335.16/month, Unlimited with unlimited listeners at 192 kbps costs Rs 587.16/month, and Unlimited Plus at 320 kbps costs Rs 1,175.16/month, as shown on AsuraHosting’s page. Paying yearly saves 17%, which equals 2 free months.
Shoutcast setup: Dedicated Shoutcast hosting with AzuraCast or Centova Cast. Control panel: AzuraCast or Centova Cast. Data centers: Not listed on the plan page.
Read more: Our full AsuraHosting review covers its plans, features and support in detail.
Key Specification
- Unlimited Listeners: On the Unlimited and Unlimited Plus plans.
- AzuraCast or Centova Cast: Pick your panel.
- Up to 320 kbps: High-quality streaming.
- Auto-DJ & WebDJ: Automated and live broadcasting.
- 2 Months Free Yearly: 17% off annual billing.
Pricing
AsuraHosting Shoutcast prices are per month as shown on its page in Indian rupees. Yearly billing saves 17%.
Shoutcast Hosting Comparison: Price, Listeners & Bitrate
Here is how each Shoutcast host compares on starting price, hosting type, listeners, bitrate and panel:
Note: On a VPS, listener numbers depend on your bandwidth and server size rather than a fixed plan limit. AsuraHosting shows prices in Indian rupees on its page and lets you change currency at checkout.
Shoutcast vs Icecast Hosting
Shoutcast and Icecast are the two most popular streaming servers for internet radio, and many hosts support both. Here is how they differ:
How Much Bandwidth Does an Internet Radio Station Need?
Bandwidth is the most important number for a Shoutcast station. Each listener uses roughly your bitrate for every second they listen, so you can estimate it simply:
Tip: At 128 kbps, 20GB of monthly bandwidth covers about 350 listener-hours. If you expect a steady audience, choose unmetered or unlimited bandwidth, like UltaHost’s radio plans or AsuraHosting’s Unlimited plans.
How to Start an Internet Radio Station With Shoutcast
Here is how to launch a Shoutcast station step by step:
Planning a talk show too? Compare the best podcast hosting or start with the best free podcast hosting.
Best Shoutcast Hosting for Every Station
Find your situation below and start with the host next to it:
How to Choose the Best Shoutcast Hosting in 2026
Use these points to pick the right Shoutcast hosting for your station:
- Dedicated or VPS: Dedicated radio hosting is easiest, while a VPS gives full control if you can manage a server.
- Listeners and Bitrate: Match the plan to your expected audience and audio quality.
- Bandwidth: Unmetered or unlimited bandwidth avoids surprises when your audience grows.
- AutoDJ: An AutoDJ keeps your station playing 24/7 when you are not live.
- Control Panel: SonicPanel, AzuraCast and Centova Cast make playlists, live shows and stats easy.
- HTTPS Stream: An SSL stream URL lets your player work on secure websites.
- Shoutcast and Icecast Support: Hosts that support both give you more broadcasting software choices.
- Renewal Price: UltaHost and QloudHost keep the same price at renewal, while others charge more after the first term.
FAQ – Best Shoutcast Hosting 2026
What is the best Shoutcast hosting?
UltaHost is the best Shoutcast hosting for most stations, with Shoutcast v1, v2.5, v2.6 and Icecast, SonicPanel with AutoDJ, an HTTPS stream URL and unmetered bandwidth from $2.39/month on a 3-year term.
What is the cheapest Shoutcast hosting?
UltaHost Radio Starter costs $2.39/month on a 3-year term or $3.50 billed monthly for 50 listeners. On a VPS, Hosting.com starts at about $3.49/month on a 3-year term and Kamatera at $4/month, but you install Shoutcast yourself.
Do I need a VPS to run Shoutcast?
No. Dedicated Shoutcast hosting from UltaHost or AsuraHosting gives you a ready-made server with a panel and AutoDJ. A VPS is only needed if you want full control or a custom setup.
Can I run Shoutcast on Cloudways?
No. Cloudways does not give root access, so you cannot install a Shoutcast server there. Use a dedicated radio host or a VPS with root access instead.
What is the difference between Shoutcast and Icecast?
Shoutcast is proprietary software focused on MP3 and AAC with its own radio directory, while Icecast is free and open source and supports more formats like Ogg and Opus. UltaHost and AsuraHosting support both.
How much bandwidth does a Shoutcast station need?
Each listener at 128 kbps uses about 58MB per hour, so 100 listeners at once need about 12.8 Mbps. Choose unmetered or unlimited bandwidth if you expect a large audience.
What is AutoDJ in Shoutcast hosting?
AutoDJ plays your uploaded music and playlists automatically, so your station stays live 24/7 even when no one is broadcasting.
Do I need a license to stream music on Shoutcast?
Usually yes. Streaming copyrighted music often requires licenses from music rights organizations in your country, even on offshore hosting, so check the rules before you go public.
Conclusion – Best Shoutcast Hosting 2026
The best Shoutcast hosting depends on how hands-on you want to be. Dedicated radio hosting gives you a ready-made station with AutoDJ, while a VPS lets you build exactly the setup you want.
For most stations, UltaHost is the best choice, with Shoutcast and Icecast, SonicPanel, AutoDJ and HTTPS streams from $2.39/month. AsuraHosting is ideal when you need unlimited listeners and higher bitrates, with a choice of AzuraCast or Centova Cast.
If you prefer a VPS, AccuWebHosting has official Shoutcast install guides, Kamatera offers 5TB of traffic and 25 locations, Hosting.com is the cheapest on a long term, QloudHost suits European audiences from Amsterdam and Bluehost offers a budget VPS you manage yourself.
Ready to go on air? Start your UltaHost radio station and use code GOOGIEHOST for an extra 7% off.
In Short, These are the Best Shoutcast Hosting Providers in 2026
