Seriously Simple Podcasting review
A capable free WordPress podcast plugin with optional Castos hosting tiers.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Seriously Simple Podcasting is an open-source WordPress plugin for creating, publishing, and managing podcast shows from a WordPress dashboard. It suits creators and organizations that already run WordPress and want podcast features inside that environment. The free core can generate and manage RSS feeds, support multiple podcasts with unique feeds, publish audio or video episodes, and add configurable players, playlists, and episode-list blocks. It can work with any podcast hosting provider, while Castos offers optional hosting and related services.
Pricing is split between the free plugin and optional Castos hosting plans. Essentials costs $19 per month or $190 per year and adds unlimited podcasts, downloads, and episodes, automatic distribution, 10 transcripts per month, up to 100 private subscribers, and in-depth listener analytics. Growth costs $49 per month or $490 per year, adding advanced analytics with customizable reports, video republishing to YouTube, the Castos mobile app for private podcasting, and up to 250 private subscribers. Pro costs $99 per month or $990 per year, with video file hosting, 100 transcripts per month, up to 500 private subscribers, and priority technical support. Castos Premium costs $499 per month or $4,990 per year and includes custom contracts and invoices, single sign-on, increased limits, unlimited transcripts, and a dedicated account manager.
Its main strength is breadth within WordPress: RSS management, migration and RSS redirection, directory distribution through Castos, private podcast integrations, and support for several podcast formats are available from one plugin. Integrations include Castos, Paid Memberships Pro, LifterLMS, and Stripe. However, the website layer remains tied to WordPress, and listener statistics come through a separate add-on. Choose it if WordPress is central to your site and you want a free podcast foundation with an upgrade path. Consider another option if you need website hosting, custom domains, or paid subscriber management without relying on WordPress, Castos, or third-party integrations.
Seriously Simple Podcasting pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Free open-source core supports multiple podcasts and RSS feeds
- Customizable players, playlists, publishing, migration, and distribution tools
- Optional plans add analytics, private podcasting, transcripts, and support
- Where it doesn't
- Website hosting and custom domains depend on WordPress or Castos
- Listener statistics require the Seriously Simple Stats add-on
- Paid subscriber management depends on WordPress or third-party integrations
Seriously Simple Podcasting fact sheet, pricing and score →
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
Last updated · How we research and update