Captivate vs Simplecast Comparison 2026
Captivate and Simplecast are close matches: neither has a free tier, both price by monthly downloads rather than storage, and both suit a show that expects real growth. Captivate starts at $17 a month paid yearly, or $19 billed monthly, for up to 30,000 downloads, with the full feature set on every band. Simplecast starts lower, at $15 a month, or $13.50 prepaid annually, but for only 20,000 downloads, with IAB-certified measurement and listener breakdowns by episode, device and market that Captivate's listing does not describe. The cheaper price buys a smaller allowance, so the real comparison is dollars per thousand downloads, not the sticker alone.
Podcast hosting priced by downloads
Podcast hosting with analytics worth reading
At a glance
- Simplecast starts cheaper, at $15.
- Neither has a free tier.
Side by side
Captivate | Simplecast | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price (they differ) | From $17 | From $15 |
| Pricing model | Free trial, then paid | Free trial, then paid |
| Free tier | No | No |
| Billing | Not stated | Monthly or annual |
| Free trial (they differ) | 30 days | 14 days |
| API |
Captivate
Podcast hosting priced by downloads
Captivate hosts shows on download bands rather than storage or episode counts, so a back catalogue costs nothing to keep and a viral episode is the thing that moves you up a tier. Every plan carries the full feature set, which is unusual here: analytics, a website, dynamic ad insertion and a listener signup tool are not held back for the dearest band. Unlimited podcasts sit on one account, so a second show does not mean a second bill.
Our note
The thing to check before signing up is your actual monthly download number rather than your subscriber count, because that is the only number the pricing responds to. If a single old episode still pulls traffic, the dynamic ad insertion is what makes this pay for itself.
Simplecast
Podcast hosting with analytics worth reading
Simplecast is hosting for shows that answer to somebody, whether that is a network, a sponsor or a client. Downloads are measured to the IAB standard, listener numbers are broken out by episode and market, and the embeddable player is one of the few that does not look borrowed. Distribution to the directories is handled once at setup. Plans are sold by monthly download allowance rather than by episode count, so a show that publishes often is not penalised for it.
Why people weigh these two
- Simplecast instead of Captivate
- Simplecast matches the hosting-with-analytics pitch at $15, a couple of dollars under Captivate, likewise with no free tier.
- Captivate instead of Simplecast
- Captivate also prices by downloads rather than episode count, starting at $17, the closest match in shape to Simplecast's own plan structure.
Which one should you pick
Take Captivate for the larger download allowance at the entry price, 30,000 a month against Simplecast's 20,000, and for unlimited podcasts sitting on one account if a second show is likely. Every band carries the full feature set: analytics, a website and dynamic ad insertion, none held back for a dearer tier. The 30-day trial is also twice as long as Simplecast's 14 days, more room to check the real download number before committing.
Take Simplecast when a sponsor or a network is the one reading the analytics, since downloads are measured to the IAB standard and broken down by episode, device and market. Basic is $15 a month, or $13.50 prepaid annually, cheaper than Captivate's entry band, though it covers 10,000 fewer downloads a month. The embeddable player is built specifically not to look borrowed, useful for a show with its own website to host it on.
Common questions
- Which one is cheaper?
- Simplecast at the sticker price: $15 a month, or $13.50 prepaid annually, against Captivate's $17 paid yearly or $19 monthly. Simplecast's entry tier covers 20,000 downloads a month, though, against 30,000 on Captivate's, so the gap per download is smaller than the headline prices suggest.
- Which one is built for reporting to a sponsor?
- Simplecast, with IAB-certified measurement and listener breakdowns by episode, device and market. Captivate's listing does not describe an equivalent sponsor-facing analytics feature, despite also sitting in the analytics category.
- Does either one have a free plan?
- No, neither does. Captivate offers a 30-day trial and Simplecast a 14-day one, both before the first paid band applies.
- Which one is better for running more than one show?
- Captivate: unlimited podcasts sit on one account, so a second show does not mean a second bill. Simplecast's listing does not describe an equivalent multi-show allowance.
Ratings are the average of reviews readers left. The facts are stated by each tool’s own listing and are not verified by CloutStack. How we make money.