Captivate vs Transistor Comparison 2026
Both cover audio & podcasting and analytics. Here is what separates them on price, billing, what you can take with you, and coverage.
At a glance
- Captivate starts cheaper, at $17.
- Neither has a free tier.
Side by side
Captivate | Transistor | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price (they differ) | From $17 | From $19 |
| 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 | Not stated | Yes |
| Data export | Not stated | Not stated |
| Their cut | Not stated | None |
| Runs on | Web |
Shaded rows are where the two answers disagree and both listings have answered. A row where one side has not stated a fact is left plain, because silence is not a difference.
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.
Transistor
Podcast hosting with unlimited shows
Transistor hosts as many podcasts as you like on one subscription, which matters if you run several or produce for clients. Private feeds make paid subscriber shows straightforward. Analytics are honest rather than flattering.
Our note
The obvious choice for a network or an agency, and overkill for one show with a small audience. The private feed support is better than most platforms treat it, which matters if members are what pays for the podcast.
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.