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Podcasting · head to head

Chartable vs Simplecast

Chartable logo

Chartable

Podcasting

Podcast analytics and attribution platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Simplecast logo

Simplecast

Podcasting

Hosting for professional podcast networks

From
$15/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Chartable has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • 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; Simplecast basic plan at $15 per month includes only 20,000 monthly downloads and 2 team seats
  • They diverge on capability: Chartable covers Download analytics, Simplecast covers Unlimited hosting.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Chartable and Simplecast actually diverge.

Attributes where Chartable and Simplecast differ
AttributeChartableSimplecast
Starting priceFree$15/month
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
Free tierYesNo
Founded20172014

Identical on both: platforms (Web), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Podcasting).

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
  • Marketing tools
  • Podcast hosts

Only in Simplecast

  • Unlimited hosting
  • Analytics
  • Dynamic ad insertion
  • Distribution
  • Team collaboration
  • API access
  • CMS systems
  • Enterprise security

Both cover

  • All podcast platforms
  • Advertising networks
  • Web support

What people use each for

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

Chartable

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

Simplecast

  • Hosting podcasts with per-episode analytics and audience metricsnot Chartable
  • Distributing shows to Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other directoriesnot Chartable
  • Monetising podcasts through dynamic ad insertion at the Professional tiernot 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

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

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

Simplecast

$15/month
  • Basic$15/month
    • Annual option: $13.50/month when prepaid
    • 2 team seats
    • Unlimited storage
  • Essential$35/month
    • Annual option: $31.50/month when prepaid
    • 4 team seats
    • Everything in Basic plus additional web players
  • Professional$null/custom
    • Contact sales for custom pricing
    • Dynamic ad insertion
    • Campaign management
  • Enterprise$null/custom
    • Contact sales for custom features
    • Everything in Professional plus API integration
    • White-labeled RSS

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 Simplecast if

  • You need unlimited hosting.
  • You also want analytics.
Simplecast review

Questions people ask

Is Chartable or Simplecast better?
Neither clearly leads. Chartable 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, Chartable or Simplecast?
Chartable has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Chartable and $15/month for Simplecast.
Does Chartable or Simplecast run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use Chartable for free?
Yes. Chartable has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Simplecast starts at $15/month.
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 Simplecast is typically brought in for.
What can Chartable do that Simplecast cannot?
Chartable covers Download analytics, Chart rankings, SmartLinks tracking, Attribution. Simplecast covers Unlimited hosting, Analytics, Dynamic ad insertion, Distribution. Both handle All podcast platforms, Advertising networks, Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Chartable: How much does Megaphone (formerly Chartable) Professional plan cost?

The Professional plan is $99 per month and includes hosting, distribution, campaign management, analytics, monetization tools via Spotify Audience Network, and live chat support Monday through Friday 4am-9pm ET.

Source
Simplecast: How much does Simplecast cost?

Simplecast offers a 14-day free trial (no credit card required) followed by paid plans starting at $15/month for Basic ($13.50/month annual) and $35/month for Essential ($31.50/month annual). Professional and Enterprise plans require contacting sales for custom pricing.

Source
Chartable: What does the Enterprise plan cost?

Enterprise plan pricing is custom and requires contacting the company. It includes all Professional features plus API access, Metrics Export Service, and comprehensive monetization tools that scale with publisher growth.

Source
Simplecast: Can I change my Simplecast plan anytime?

Yes. Plan changes are allowed anytime with prorated adjustments. You can cancel anytime with no long-term contracts or penalties.

Source
Chartable: Are there any trial periods or free options?

No trial period or free tier is mentioned on the Megaphone pricing page. Customers interested in Enterprise plans should contact the company for quotes and additional information.

Source
Simplecast: What is included in the Basic plan?

The Basic plan ($15/month or $13.50/month annually) includes 2 team seats, unlimited storage, distribution to all platforms, basic analytics, custom domain website, and 20,000 downloads per month.

Source
Chartable: Does the Professional plan include unlimited users?

Yes, the Professional plan includes unlimited users with role-based permissions for managing team access and responsibilities.

Source
Simplecast: What makes the Essential plan different from Basic?

The Essential plan ($35/month or $31.50/month annually) adds 2 more team seats (4 total), comparative analytics, location analytics, unique listener reports, and increases the monthly download allowance to 50,000.

Source
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