Podcast Hosting
CastosvsLibsyn
Compare Castos and Libsyn side by side. See pricing, features, and which is right for your podcast.
Pricing Comparison
| Tier | Castos | Libsyn |
|---|---|---|
| Free Tier | 14-day free trial, no credit card required | 30-day free trial on every plan (card required, no charge until it ends) |
| Starting Price | $19/mo | $8/mo |
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Castos | Libsyn |
|---|---|---|
| Unlimited Storage | ||
| Unlimited Bandwidth | ||
| Dynamic Ad Insertion | ||
| Transcription | ||
| Video Support | ||
| Analytics | ||
| Monetization | ||
| Custom Website | ||
| Team Members | ||
| API Access |
Castos Pros & Cons
Pros
- Best-in-class WordPress integration via Seriously Simple Podcasting
- Unlimited podcasts, episodes, and downloads on every plan
- Transcription credits included, from 10/month on Essentials
Cons
- No free plan, only a 14-day trial
- Entry price of $19/month is above most hosts' starter tiers
- Private subscribers capped per plan (100/250/500), then $50/month per extra 500
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
Castos is best for:
- →WordPress site owners
- →Course creators using private podcasts
- →Podcasters wanting transcription included
Libsyn is best for:
- →Professional podcasters needing reliability
- →Established shows with large audiences
- →Networks requiring proven infrastructure
Frequently asked questions
- Which is cheaper: Castos or Libsyn?
- Libsyn is the cheaper way in: its Bare Essentials plan is $8/month, against $19/month for Castos's Essentials.
- Do Castos and Libsyn have free versions?
- Neither one has a free plan. The closest to free on offer: Castos lists 14-day free trial, no credit card required and Libsyn lists 30-day free trial on every plan (card required, no charge until it ends). Paid plans start at $19/month for Castos and $8/month for Libsyn.
- What is the main difference between Castos and Libsyn?
- Castos covers Unlimited Storage and Transcription, which Libsyn does not. Nothing on the compared feature list goes the other way.