Buzzsprout vs Captivate

Buzzsprout8.8Visit Captivate6.9Visit

Higher score Buzzsprout #2 in Podcast Hosting Platforms 8.8/10 Free plan · paid from $15/mo (annual) Free plan✓ 3 of 4 features Visit Buzzsprout

vs

Captivate #13 in Podcast Hosting Platforms 6.9/10 From $17/mo (annual) · 30-day trial ✓ 4 of 4 features Visit Captivate

• Buzzsprout fits best

  Established creators prioritizing analytics and reach

• Captivate fits best

  Professional shows needing unlimited hosting

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Side by side

Feature	Buzzsprout 8.8/10 Visit ↗	Captivate 6.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.8	6.9
Ranking	#2 in Podcast Hosting Platforms	#13 in Podcast Hosting Platforms
Best for	Established creators prioritizing analytics and reach	Professional shows needing unlimited hosting
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Paid
Starting price	$15/mo (best)	$17/mo
Free plan	✓ (best)	—
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Cloud, Mobile	Cloud, Browser extension
Platforms	Web, iOS, Android	Web
Support	Email, Community, Docs	Email, Live chat, Docs
Integrations	20 integrations	4 integrations
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Buzzsprout 3/4 · Captivate 4/4
RSS feed	✓	✓
Monetization tools	✓	✓
Private podcasts	—	✓ (best)
Video podcast support	✓	✓
Specs
Directory distribution	Major directories	Major directories
Monthly upload hours	6 hours/mo	Not published
Analytics level	Advanced	Advanced
Our review
Pros	IAB-certified advanced analytics and podcast directory distribution Audio and video publishing to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Monetization tools, transcripts, websites, and embeddable players	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	Free episodes expire after 90 days True private RSS feeds are not supported Video publishing starts at the $30-per-month plan	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	Buzzsprout is a podcast hosting platform for independent creators, organizations, and businesses. It generates and updates podcast RSS feeds, hosts episodes, distributes shows to major podcast directories, and provides podcast websites and… 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

• Buzzsprout — where it wins

  • IAB-certified advanced analytics and podcast directory distribution
  • Audio and video publishing to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube
  • Monetization tools, transcripts, websites, and embeddable players

  Where it doesn't

  • Free episodes expire after 90 days
  • True private RSS feeds are not supported
  • Video publishing starts at the $30-per-month plan

• 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

• Buzzsprout8.8/10 · Free plan · paid from $15/mo (annual)

  A mature podcast host for creators who value analytics, reach, and multiple publishing options.

  Visit BuzzsproutFull verdict →
• Captivate6.9/10 · From $17/mo (annual) · 30-day trial

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

  Visit CaptivateFull verdict →