Software · head to head
Buzzsprout vs Simplecast
The short version
- Only Buzzsprout has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Buzzsprout upload hours do not carry over monthly; unused allocation lost; Simplecast basic plan at $15 per month includes only 20,000 monthly downloads and 2 team seats
- They diverge on capability: Buzzsprout covers Audio optimization, Simplecast covers Unlimited hosting.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Buzzsprout and Simplecast actually diverge.
| Attribute | Buzzsprout | Simplecast |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | $15/month |
| Pricing model | freemium | subscription |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Web, Mobile | Web |
| Founded | 2009 | 2014 |
Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in Buzzsprout
- Audio optimization
- Automatic distribution
- Episode transcription
- Custom podcast website
- Analytics dashboard
- Magic Mastering
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
Only in Simplecast
- Unlimited hosting
- Analytics
- Dynamic ad insertion
- Distribution
- Team collaboration
- API access
- All podcast platforms
- Advertising networks
Both cover
- Web support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Buzzsprout
- Podcast hostingnot Simplecast
- Audio and video podcast distributionnot Simplecast
- Transcription and show notes generationnot Simplecast
- Podcast analytics and monetisationnot Simplecast
Simplecast
- Hosting podcasts with per-episode analytics and audience metricsnot Buzzsprout
- Distributing shows to Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other directoriesnot Buzzsprout
- Monetising podcasts through dynamic ad insertion at the Professional tiernot Buzzsprout
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Buzzsprout
- Upload hours do not carry over monthly; unused allocation lost
- Overage charges apply at plan rate for additional uploads
Simplecast
- Basic plan at $15 per month includes only 20,000 monthly downloads and 2 team seats
- Essential plan at $35 per month includes 50,000 monthly downloads and 4 team seats
- Dynamic ad insertion and campaign management are only on the Professional plan, which is quoted by sales with no published rate
- API access for publishing and campaign management is Enterprise only
- Annual prepayment is required to get the 10 percent discount
Pricing, plan by plan
Buzzsprout
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Buzzsprout review.
Simplecast
$15/month- Creator$15/month
- Unlimited hosting
- Analytics
- Distribution
- Studio$49/month
- All Creator features
- Dynamic ad insertion
- Team access
- Enterprise$undefined/month
- Custom features
- API access
- Dedicated manager
Which should you pick?
Choose Buzzsprout if
- You need audio optimization.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Mobile.
- You also want automatic distribution.
Questions people ask
- Is Buzzsprout or Simplecast better?
- Neither clearly leads. Buzzsprout starts at Free and Simplecast at $15/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Buzzsprout or Simplecast?
- Buzzsprout has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Buzzsprout and $15/month for Simplecast.
- Does Buzzsprout or Simplecast run on more platforms?
- Buzzsprout runs on Web, Mobile. Simplecast runs on Web.
- Can I use Buzzsprout for free?
- Yes. Buzzsprout has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Simplecast starts at $15/month.
- What is Buzzsprout best used for?
- Buzzsprout is most often used for podcast hosting, audio and video podcast distribution, transcription and show notes generation, podcast analytics and monetisation. Of those, podcast hosting and audio and video podcast distribution are not what Simplecast is typically brought in for.
- What can Buzzsprout do that Simplecast cannot?
- Buzzsprout covers Audio optimization, Automatic distribution, Episode transcription, Custom podcast website. Simplecast covers Unlimited hosting, Analytics, Dynamic ad insertion, Distribution. Both handle Web support.