Buzzsprout vs Simplecast
Buzzsprout and Simplecast are both podcast & audio tools. Buzzsprout is aimed at creators, while Simplecast is aimed at creators and small businesses. Simplecast costs less, from $15/mo versus $18/mo for Buzzsprout. Only Buzzsprout has a free plan.
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| Pricing | Freemium · $18 | Paid · $15 |
| Starting price | $18/mo | $15/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | No |
| Free trial | — | 14 days |
| Built for | Creators | Creators, Small businesses, Enterprise |
| Platforms | web | web |
| Country | US · 2009 | US · 2013 |
| Rating | — | — |
Choose Buzzsprout if
Beginners and small podcasters.
- Very beginner-friendly
- Helpful tutorials and support
- Good add-ons
Look elsewhere if: Companies running many shows (Transistor).
Choose Simplecast if
Growing podcasts and networks that want IAB-certified analytics and a path to ad revenue through SiriusXM's AdsWizz.
- Certified analytics that advertisers and networks trust
- Direct path to programmatic ad revenue through AdsWizz
- Unlimited storage, no per-hour upload limits
Look elsewhere if: Hobby podcasters or beginners on a tight budget (Buzzsprout, Transistor, Captivate).
Buzzsprout vs Simplecast pricing
Buzzsprout
- Free$02 hrs uploads/mo, episodes hosted 90 days
- Audio$18/mo6 hrs/mo; $15/mo billed annually (72 hrs/yr)
- Audio + Video$30/moVideo to Apple, Spotify, YouTube; $25/mo billed annually
- Multi-Podcast$36/mo15 hrs/mo shared, up to 5-10 shows; $30/mo annually
- Archive$5/moKeeps podcast live, no new uploads
Simplecast
- Basic$15/mo$13.50/mo prepaid annually; 20K downloads/mo, 2 seats
- Essential$35/mo$31.50/mo prepaid annually; 50K downloads/mo, 4 seats
- ProfessionalCustomDynamic ad insertion, AdsWizz marketplace, ad-free feeds
- EnterpriseCustomAPI, white-label RSS, high bitrate audio, success manager
Buzzsprout · Key features
- Easy upload and directory distribution
- Magic Mastering audio enhancement
- Transcripts and chapter markers
- Cohost AI show notes and titles
- Dynamic content and ads
- Podcast website
Cons
- Free plan deletes episodes after 90 days
- Upload-hour pricing
- Add-ons cost extra
Simplecast · Key features
- Unlimited audio storage and uploads on every plan
- Multiple shows under one account with per-show team permissions
- IAB Tech Lab certified download and listener analytics
- Location, app, browser and unique listener reports on Essential
- Automatic show website with themes and custom domain
- Embeddable episode and show players with drop-off analytics
Cons
- Download caps make costs rise quickly as a show grows
- Dynamic ad insertion requires a sales-led plan
- Only two team seats on the Basic plan
Buzzsprout vs Simplecast: FAQ
Which is cheaper, Buzzsprout or Simplecast?
Simplecast starts at $15/mo and Buzzsprout at $18/mo. Both prices are checked on the vendors' own pricing pages.
Do Buzzsprout and Simplecast have a free plan?
Buzzsprout has a free plan. Simplecast has no free plan, a 14-day free trial.
Which is better for small businesses, Buzzsprout or Simplecast?
Simplecast lists small businesses as a core audience, while Buzzsprout is aimed more at creators.