Buzzsprout vs Simplecast
Side-by-side comparison of Buzzsprout and Simplecast.
Podcast hosting built for independent creators
Clean podcast hosting built for serious creators
What they are
Buzzsprout
Buzzsprout hosts podcast audio files and distributes episodes to Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and a dozen other directories from a single dashboard. It's used by solo podcasters and small teams who want reliable hosting without managing RSS feeds manually. The free plan stores only 90 days of episodes, which pushes serious creators toward a paid tier quickly. At $15 per month the entry paid plan covers most hobbyist needs.
Simplecast
Simplecast is a podcast hosting platform that handles distribution, analytics, and embeddable players for independent podcasters and media teams. It targets creators who want reliable RSS management and clear listener data without a cluttered interface. The analytics dashboard is genuinely useful for understanding audience retention, though the lack of a free tier means you pay from day one even when your show is just starting out.
if you need transcription and analytics. It has a usable free tier to start with.
- +Clean, straightforward upload and publishing workflow
- +One-click distribution to major podcast directories
- +Built-in episode transcription on paid plans
if you need analytics and podcast hosting. Starts at 15/mo.
- +Clean, minimal dashboard that is easy to navigate
- +Detailed listener analytics including retention and consumption rates
- +Unlimited uploads on paid plans
Which to choose
Buzzsprout and Simplecast both cover analytics, so this is a real either-or for some teams. The right pick depends on which one's wider feature set and pricing fit how you work.
Read the full reviews for Buzzsprout and Simplecast.
Pricing checked 3 Jun 2026.