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Podcast & Audio Publishing · head to head

Chartable vs Descript

Chartable logo

Chartable

Podcast & Audio Publishing

Podcast analytics and attribution platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Descript logo

Descript

Video & Audio Production

AI-powered video and podcast editing

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Chartable shut down on 12 December 2024. Spotify, which acquired Chartable in February 2022, announced the closure on 27 September 2024 and folded parts of it into Spotify for Podcasters; Descript the free plan watermarks exports and caps them at 720p
  • They diverge on capability: Chartable covers Download analytics, Descript covers Auto-transcription.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Chartable and Descript actually diverge.

Attributes where Chartable and Descript differ
AttributeChartableDescript
PlatformsWebWeb, Desktop, Mobile
CategoryPodcast & Audio PublishingVideo & Audio Production

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (freemium), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), founded (2017).

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 Chartable

  • Download analytics
  • Chart rankings
  • SmartLinks tracking
  • Attribution
  • SmartPromos
  • Cross-promotion analytics
  • All podcast platforms
  • Advertising networks

Only in Descript

  • Auto-transcription
  • Word-level editing
  • Filler word removal
  • Screen recording
  • YouTube
  • Podcast platforms
  • Cloud storage
  • Desktop support

Both cover

  • Web support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Chartable

  • Podcast analyticsnot Descript
  • Marketing attributionnot Descript
  • Chart trackingnot Descript
  • Growth measurementnot Descript

Descript

  • Editing video and podcasts by editing the transcript rather than a timelinenot Chartable
  • Transcribing recordings and producing clips for publishingnot Chartable

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Chartable

  • Shut down on 12 December 2024. Spotify, which acquired Chartable in February 2022, announced the closure on 27 September 2024 and folded parts of it into Spotify for Podcasters
  • The tracking prefixes no longer function, and shows still carrying one need it removed
  • chartable.com now redirects to Spotify's Megaphone site

Descript

  • The free plan watermarks exports and caps them at 720p
  • Media hours are metered monthly, at 60 minutes on free, 10 hours on Hobbyist and 30 on Creator
  • 4K export requires the Creator plan at $24 a month
  • AI features run on a separate monthly credit allowance, from 400 to 1,500 by plan
  • The Business plan at $50 a month includes fewer media hours per dollar than Creator, at 40 hours against 30
  • Priority support carries an SLA only from the Business plan

Pricing, plan by plan

Chartable

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Chart tracking
    • Basic analytics
    • 1 podcast
  • Indie$20/month
    • Advanced analytics
    • SmartLinks
    • Attribution
  • Team$100/month
    • Multiple podcasts
    • SmartPromos
    • Team access
  • Enterprise$undefined/month
    • Unlimited podcasts
    • Custom integrations
    • API access

Descript

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 1 hour transcription
    • 1 watermark-free export
  • Hobbyist$12/month
    • 10 hours transcription
    • Unlimited exports
  • Creator$24/month
    • 30 hours transcription
    • 4K export

Which should you pick?

Choose Chartable if

  • You need download analytics.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want chart rankings.
Chartable review

Choose Descript if

  • You need auto-transcription.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Desktop, Mobile.
  • You also want word-level editing.
Descript review

Questions people ask

Is Chartable or Descript better?
Neither clearly leads. Chartable starts at Free and Descript at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Chartable or Descript?
Chartable starts at Free and Descript at Free.
Does Chartable or Descript run on more platforms?
Chartable runs on Web. Descript runs on Web, Desktop, Mobile.
Can I use Chartable for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Chartable best used for?
Chartable is most often used for podcast analytics, marketing attribution, chart tracking, growth measurement. Of those, podcast analytics and marketing attribution are not what Descript is typically brought in for.
What can Chartable do that Descript cannot?
Chartable covers Download analytics, Chart rankings, SmartLinks tracking, Attribution. Descript covers Auto-transcription, Word-level editing, Filler word removal, Screen recording. Both handle Web support.
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