Acast vs Captivate

Acast9.2Visit Captivate8.3Visit

Higher score Acast #3 in Podcast Hosting Platforms 9.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit Acast

vs

Captivate #12 in Podcast Hosting Platforms 8.3/10 30-day trial Free trial✓ 4 of 4 features Visit Captivate

• Acast fits best

  Publishers focused on advertising and subscriptions

• Captivate fits best

  Professional shows needing unlimited hosting

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Side by side

Feature	Acast 9.2/10 Visit ↗	Captivate 8.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.2	8.3
Ranking	#3 in Podcast Hosting Platforms	#12 in Podcast Hosting Platforms
Best for	Publishers focused on advertising and subscriptions	Professional shows needing unlimited hosting
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Paid
Starting price	—	$17/mo
Free plan	✓ (best)	—
Free trial	—	30 days
Deployment	Cloud, Browser extension	Cloud, Browser extension
Platforms	Web	Web
Support	Email, Live chat	Email, Live chat, Docs
Compliance	GDPR	GDPR
Integrations	12 integrations	4 integrations
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Acast 4/4 · Captivate 4/4
RSS feed	✓	✓
Monetization tools	✓	✓
Private podcasts	✓	✓
Video podcast support	✓	✓
Specs
Directory distribution	Major directories	Major directories
Monthly upload hours	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Analytics level	Advanced	Advanced
Our review
Pros	IAB-verified analytics with advanced audience insights Dynamic advertising, subscriptions, and private RSS feeds Video publishing, APIs, scheduling, and broad directory distribution	Unlimited uploads and storage across all listed plans IAB-certified advanced analytics and private podcast feeds Built-in memberships, tips, dynamic content and advertising tools
Cons	Starter is limited to 1 show and up to 5 episodes Video publishing requires the Video plan Team management and the publishing API start with Pro	No free plan; the entry price is $17 per month with annual billing Download limits increase by plan, from 30,000 to 300,000 per month Web-only platform; video podcasting is a paid add-on with conditions
Our verdict	Acast is a web-based podcast hosting and monetization platform for independent creators, publishers, and podcast networks. It generates and manages RSS feeds, distributes shows to podcast apps and major directories, and includes podcast… Read the review →	Captivate is a podcast hosting platform for independent creators, businesses, agencies and podcast networks. It combines RSS feed generation, publishing, distribution to major podcast directories, podcast websites and an embeddable player.… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Acast — where it wins

  • IAB-verified analytics with advanced audience insights
  • Dynamic advertising, subscriptions, and private RSS feeds
  • Video publishing, APIs, scheduling, and broad directory distribution

  Where it doesn't

  • Starter is limited to 1 show and up to 5 episodes
  • Video publishing requires the Video plan
  • Team management and the publishing API start with Pro

• Captivate — where it wins

  • Unlimited uploads and storage across all listed plans
  • IAB-certified advanced analytics and private podcast feeds
  • Built-in memberships, tips, dynamic content and advertising tools

  Where it doesn't

  • No free plan; the entry price is $17 per month with annual billing
  • Download limits increase by plan, from 30,000 to 300,000 per month
  • Web-only platform; video podcasting is a paid add-on with conditions

• Acast9.2/10 · Free plan

  Acast suits publishers that need podcast distribution, audience insight, and revenue tools.

  Visit AcastFull verdict →
• Captivate8.3/10 · 30-day trial

  A strong fit for professional shows that need unlimited hosting and advanced podcast tools.

  Visit CaptivateFull verdict →