# Buzzsprout vs Captivate for podcast hosting platforms

Buzzsprout and Captivate are closely matched for core workflows. Both offer a trial; both support API access, iab-certified analytics, dynamic ad insertion, and podcast advertising marketplace. Buzzsprout has confirmed free plan, number of podcasts of 1, and monthly upload limit of 6. Monthly price is $15 for Buzzsprout and £17 for Captivate.

## Key decision points

- Buzzsprout has confirmed free plan; free plan is not yet confirmed for Captivate.
- Monthly price is $15 for Buzzsprout and £17 for Captivate.
- Buzzsprout has confirmed number of podcasts of 1; number of podcasts is not yet confirmed for Captivate.
- Buzzsprout has confirmed monthly upload limit of 6; monthly upload limit is not yet confirmed for Captivate.

## Choose Buzzsprout if…

- Choose Buzzsprout if confirmed free plan matters to you; this detail is not yet confirmed for Captivate.
- Choose Buzzsprout if the lower monthly price is the deciding factor.
- Choose Buzzsprout if confirmed number of podcasts of 1 matters to you; this detail is not yet confirmed for Captivate.
- Choose Buzzsprout if confirmed monthly upload limit of 6 matters to you; this detail is not yet confirmed for Captivate.

## Capacity

| Feature | Buzzsprout | Captivate |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Number of podcasts | 1 (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.buzzsprout.com/pricing)) | Not confirmed |
| Monthly upload limit | 6 (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.buzzsprout.com/pricing)) | Not confirmed |
| Download limits | 72 (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.buzzsprout.com/pricing)) | Not confirmed |
| Team members | 0 (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.buzzsprout.com/pricing)) | Not confirmed |

## Features

| Feature | Buzzsprout | Captivate |
| --- | --- | --- |
| IAB-certified analytics | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.buzzsprout.com/features)) | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.captivate.fm/)) |
| Advanced analytics | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.buzzsprout.com/features)) | Not confirmed |
| Dynamic ad insertion | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.buzzsprout.com/features)) | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.captivate.fm/pricing)) |
| Paid subscriptions | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.buzzsprout.com/features)) | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.captivate.fm/)) |
| Listener donations | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.buzzsprout.com/features)) | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.captivate.fm/)) |
| Private podcasts | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.buzzsprout.com/help/58)) | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.captivate.fm/)) |
| Video podcasts | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.buzzsprout.com/features)) | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://help.captivate.fm/en/)) |
| Automatic transcription | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.buzzsprout.com/features)) | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://help.captivate.fm/en/article/captivate-feature-releases-changelog-vq1h56/)) |
| Podcast website | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.buzzsprout.com/features)) | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.captivate.fm/pricing)) |
| Custom domain | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.buzzsprout.com/features)) | Not confirmed |
| Episode scheduling | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.buzzsprout.com/features)) | Not confirmed |
| Migration assistance | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.buzzsprout.com/features/distribution)) | Not confirmed |

## Integrations

| Feature | Buzzsprout | Captivate |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Podcast advertising marketplace | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.buzzsprout.com/features)) | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.captivate.fm/captivate-marketplace-for-podcasters)) |
| Distribution to Spotify | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.buzzsprout.com/features/distribution)) | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.captivate.fm/)) |
| Distribution to Apple Podcasts | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.buzzsprout.com/features/distribution)) | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.captivate.fm/)) |
| YouTube distribution | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.buzzsprout.com/features/distribution)) | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.captivate.fm/)) |
| WordPress integration | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.buzzsprout.com/help)) | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://help.captivate.fm/en/)) |

## Technical

| Feature | Buzzsprout | Captivate |
| --- | --- | --- |
| API | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.buzzsprout.com/features)) | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.captivate.fm/problems-with-current-host/lack-of-integration)) |

## Pricing

| Feature | Buzzsprout | Captivate |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Free plan | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.buzzsprout.com/pricing)) | Not confirmed |
| Free trial | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.buzzsprout.com/pricing)) | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.captivate.fm/pricing)) |
| Monthly price | $15 (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.buzzsprout.com/pricing)) | £17 (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.captivate.fm/pricing)) |

## Commercial

| Feature | Buzzsprout | Captivate |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Affiliate programme | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.buzzsprout.com/help/58)) | Yes (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.captivate.fm/)) |
| Affiliate commission | $20 for every paid account you refer (verified 5 September 2026; [source](https://www.buzzsprout.com/help/58)) | Not confirmed |

## Evidence

- **Buzzsprout — Number of podcasts:** 1. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.buzzsprout.com/pricing. Evidence: “The standard Audio Podcast plan includes a single podcast with unlimited episodes.”
- **Buzzsprout — Monthly upload limit:** 6. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.buzzsprout.com/pricing. Evidence: “Audio Upload up to 72 hrs / yr”
- **Buzzsprout — Download limits:** 72. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.buzzsprout.com/pricing. Evidence: “Audio Upload up to 72 hrs / yr”
- **Buzzsprout — IAB-certified analytics:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.buzzsprout.com/features. Evidence: “IAB 2.2 Certified Certified to the IAB Tech Lab’s highest standard.”
- **Captivate — IAB-certified analytics:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.captivate.fm/. Evidence: “The most comprehensive podcast analytics, ever, included on every plan. All IAB-certified .”
- **Buzzsprout — Advanced analytics:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.buzzsprout.com/features. Evidence: “Advanced analytics are included on every plan.”
- **Buzzsprout — Dynamic ad insertion:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.buzzsprout.com/features. Evidence: “Our Dynamic Content tool lets you add and remove pre-roll and post-roll segments to and from your audio podcast episodes.”
- **Captivate — Dynamic ad insertion:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.captivate.fm/pricing. Evidence: “All Captivate pricing plans include... Dynamic content insertion with AMIE”
- **Buzzsprout — Podcast advertising marketplace:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.buzzsprout.com/features. Evidence: “Make money by running ads for products and other podcasts within your episodes.”
- **Captivate — Podcast advertising marketplace:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.captivate.fm/captivate-marketplace-for-podcasters. Evidence: “Captivate Marketplace is a podcast advertising marketplace that connects podcasters with brands looking to reach engaged podcast audiences.”
- **Buzzsprout — Paid subscriptions:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.buzzsprout.com/features. Evidence: “Publish premium content Offer premium content exclusively for your super fans with Buzzsprout Subscriptions.”
- **Captivate — Paid subscriptions:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.captivate.fm/. Evidence: “Paid membership subscriptions and one-off tips are a tried and tested way of generating both singular and recurring revenue from your growing fanbase. Set up recurring subscriptions directly within Captivate and monetize your show today. Available on all plans!”
- **Buzzsprout — Listener donations:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.buzzsprout.com/features. Evidence: “Accept monthly donations, connect more deeply with your audience, and cash out easily through PayPal.”
- **Captivate — Listener donations:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.captivate.fm/. Evidence: “Paid membership subscriptions and one-off tips are a tried and tested way of generating both singular and recurring revenue from your growing fanbase.”
- **Buzzsprout — Private podcasts:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.buzzsprout.com/help/58. Evidence: “Can I have a private podcast?”
- **Captivate — Private podcasts:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.captivate.fm/. Evidence: “Private podcasting Create private, internal and secure podcasts using Captivate's fully-integrated private podcasting features. Available on every plan.”
- **Buzzsprout — Video podcasts:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.buzzsprout.com/features. Evidence: “Publish your video podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube”
- **Captivate — Video podcasts:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://help.captivate.fm/en/. Evidence: “Apple HLS Video Podcasts With Apple HLS, you can easily add video podcasts directly from Captivate straight to Apple Podcasts.”
- **Buzzsprout — Automatic transcription:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.buzzsprout.com/features. Evidence: “Automatically transcribe your episodes inside Buzzsprout”
- **Captivate — Automatic transcription:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://help.captivate.fm/en/article/captivate-feature-releases-changelog-vq1h56/. Evidence: “Automatic transcription: simply upload your audio file and we’ll do the rest, creating an accurate and fully editable transcription of your audio”
- **Buzzsprout — Podcast website:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.buzzsprout.com/features. Evidence: “Buzzsprout will help you create a beautiful website you can make your own.”
- **Captivate — Podcast website:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.captivate.fm/pricing. Evidence: “All Captivate pricing plans include... Podcast Website with Captivate Sites”
- **Buzzsprout — Custom domain:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.buzzsprout.com/features. Evidence: “Your Own Domain Put your website on your own custom URL.”
- **Buzzsprout — Distribution to Spotify:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.buzzsprout.com/features/distribution. Evidence: “Submit your podcast to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and other podcast directories.”
- **Captivate — Distribution to Spotify:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.captivate.fm/. Evidence: “distribute automatically to every podcasting app . Reach audiences all over the world with easy, single-click submissions to leading directories including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube and Amazon”
- **Buzzsprout — Distribution to Apple Podcasts:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.buzzsprout.com/features/distribution. Evidence: “Submit your podcast to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and other podcast directories.”
- **Captivate — Distribution to Apple Podcasts:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.captivate.fm/. Evidence: “distribute automatically to every podcasting app . Reach audiences all over the world with easy, single-click submissions to leading directories including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube and Amazon”
- **Buzzsprout — YouTube distribution:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.buzzsprout.com/features/distribution. Evidence: “Submit your podcast to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and other podcast directories.”
- **Captivate — YouTube distribution:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.captivate.fm/. Evidence: “distribute automatically to every podcasting app . Reach audiences all over the world with easy, single-click submissions to leading directories including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube and Amazon”
- **Buzzsprout — Team members:** 0. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.buzzsprout.com/pricing. Evidence: “Unlimited Team Members”
- **Buzzsprout — WordPress integration:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.buzzsprout.com/help. Evidence: “WordPress Getting started with the Buzzsprout podcast plugin for WordPress”
- **Captivate — WordPress integration:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://help.captivate.fm/en/. Evidence: “Working with Captivate Sync™ Captivate Sync™ is Captivate's WordPress plugin, helping you to sync your podcast between your Captivate podcast hosting and your WordPress website.”
- **Buzzsprout — Episode scheduling:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.buzzsprout.com/features. Evidence: “Publish your episode immediately, or schedule the day and time you'd like your episode to go live.”
- **Buzzsprout — Migration assistance:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.buzzsprout.com/features/distribution. Evidence: “Buzzsprout imports your existing episodes, and a redirect from your old RSS feed points your current listings and subscribers to the new Buzzsprout feed.”
- **Buzzsprout — API:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.buzzsprout.com/features. Evidence: “And tech-savvy podcasters can connect directly to the Buzzsprout API.”
- **Captivate — API:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.captivate.fm/problems-with-current-host/lack-of-integration. Evidence: “we've got a direct API route to save you time and money”
- **Buzzsprout — Free plan:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.buzzsprout.com/pricing. Evidence: “The free plan includes 2 hours of free podcast uploads each month, and we host your episodes for 90 days.”
- **Buzzsprout — Free trial:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.buzzsprout.com/pricing. Evidence: “Start a Podcast for Free No credit card required. Try before you buy.”
- **Captivate — Free trial:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.captivate.fm/pricing. Evidence: “All plans include a no-obligation, 30-day free trial”
- **Buzzsprout — Monthly price:** $15. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.buzzsprout.com/pricing. Evidence: “$15 / month When billed annually”
- **Captivate — Monthly price:** £17. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.captivate.fm/pricing. Evidence: “Personal £17 GBP / month, paid yearly”
- **Buzzsprout — Affiliate programme:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.buzzsprout.com/help/58. Evidence: “Yes, with Buzzsprout's affiliate program, you can earn $20 for every paid account you refer to Buzzsprout.”
- **Captivate — Affiliate programme:** Yes. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.captivate.fm/. Evidence: “Affiliate Programme Make money with Captivate”
- **Buzzsprout — Affiliate commission:** $20 for every paid account you refer. Last verified 5 September 2026. Source: https://www.buzzsprout.com/help/58. Evidence: “you can earn $20 for every paid account you refer to Buzzsprout”