Head-to-head comparison
Captivate vs Simplecast
Two of the hosting tools podcasters reach for. Here's how they differ on pricing, features, audience, and the trade-offs that actually matter day-to-day.
Podcast host pitched at growth-minded creators who want to monetize and manage many shows.
Best for: Growth-focused podcasters
Enterprise-flavored host with deep analytics and one-click distribution.
Best for: Mid-size networks
At a glance
The honest trade-offs
Captivate
Pros
- Unlimited shows per account at every tier
- Strong monetization tools without add-ons
- Growth Labs education is genuinely useful
Watch-outs
- Higher entry price than Buzzsprout
- Some features still in beta
- Interface has a real learning curve
Simplecast
Pros
- Unlimited storage on every plan
- Deep IAB-certified listener analytics
- Clean custom show websites included
Watch-outs
- Pricier than Buzzsprout or RSS.com
- No AI tools or in-browser recording
- Monetization requires a sales call
Which one should you pick?
Pick Captivate if
You’re building around growth-focused podcasters. Captivate is the host for indies who treat podcasting as a real business — unlimited shows per account, IAB analytics, and monetization tools without an upgrade dance. Entry price is higher than Buzzsprout and a couple of the promised features are still in beta.
Pick Simplecast if
You’re building around mid-size networks. Simplecast nails the boring stuff: clean dashboards, IAB-certified analytics, and feeds that just work. It's an odd fit for solo hobbyists though — you're paying $15+/mo for distribution polish you could get free elsewhere, with zero AI tooling and monetization gated behind opaque higher tiers.
Also worth comparing
Or see all Captivate alternatives.
Frequently asked
What does Captivate do better than Simplecast?
Captivate's standout is "Unlimited shows per account at every tier". Simplecast doesn't make that promise — it leans into "Unlimited storage on every plan" instead. If the first sentence describes your workflow, pick Captivate; if the second does, pick Simplecast.
What are the trade-offs?
Captivate: higher entry price than buzzsprout. Simplecast: pricier than buzzsprout or rss.com. Whether either matters depends entirely on what you actually need — neither is a deal-breaker by itself.
Can I use Captivate and Simplecast together?
Both are hosting tools so most teams pick one. Some workflows do combine them — for example, using Captivate for one show or episode type and Simplecast for another. Worth trying both free tiers before committing.