Podcast Hosting
CaptivatevsLibsyn
Compare Captivate and Libsyn side by side. See pricing, features, and which is right for your podcast.
Pricing Comparison
| Tier | Captivate | Libsyn |
|---|---|---|
| Free Tier | — | 30-day free trial on every plan (card required, no charge until it ends) |
| Starting Price | $19/mo | $8/mo |
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Captivate | Libsyn |
|---|---|---|
| Unlimited Storage | ||
| Unlimited Bandwidth | ||
| Dynamic Ad Insertion | ||
| Transcription | ||
| Video Support | Video episodes for Apple Podcasts (HLS) | |
| Analytics | ||
| Monetization | ||
| Custom Website | ||
| Team Members | ||
| API Access |
Captivate Pros & Cons
Pros
- Unlimited team members on all plans
- Advanced marketing and growth tools
- AMIE dynamic ad insertion with DAX network
Cons
- No free tier (30-day trial only)
- Transcription costs $1/hour extra
- No video podcast support
Libsyn Pros & Cons
Pros
- Longest track record in the industry (since 2004)
- Priced on upload hours, not downloads, so audience growth never raises the bill
- Video uploads included on every plan, up to 100GB a month
Cons
- No free forever plan, only a 30-day trial
- Upload allowance is small on the entry plans (3 hours a month on Basic)
- No overage rate published, so exceeding the quota means upgrading
The Verdict
Captivate is best for:
- →Podcasters focused on audience growth
- →Teams and networks needing collaboration
- →Marketers using podcasts for business
Libsyn is best for:
- →Professional podcasters needing reliability
- →Established shows with large audiences
- →Networks requiring proven infrastructure
Frequently asked questions
- Which is cheaper: Captivate or Libsyn?
- Libsyn is the cheaper way in: its Bare Essentials plan is $8/month, against $19/month for Captivate's Personal.
- Do Captivate and Libsyn have free versions?
- Neither one has a free plan. The closest to free on offer: Libsyn lists 30-day free trial on every plan (card required, no charge until it ends). Paid plans start at $19/month for Captivate and $8/month for Libsyn.
- What is the main difference between Captivate and Libsyn?
- Captivate covers Unlimited Storage and Transcription, which Libsyn does not. Nothing on the compared feature list goes the other way.