Software · head to head
Libsyn vs Chartable
The short version
- Only Chartable has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Libsyn basic plan at $12 per month allows only 3 hours of audio upload per month; 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
- They diverge on capability: Libsyn covers Reliable hosting, Chartable covers Download analytics.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Libsyn and Chartable actually diverge.
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 Libsyn
- Reliable hosting
- Advanced analytics
- Monetization platform
- Distribution network
- Custom website
- Ad insertion
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
Only in Chartable
- Download analytics
- Chart rankings
- SmartLinks tracking
- Attribution
- SmartPromos
- Cross-promotion analytics
- All podcast platforms
- Marketing tools
Both cover
- Advertising networks
- Web support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Libsyn
- Hosting podcast audio and distributing it to Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTubenot Chartable
- Measuring audience with IAB certified download statisticsnot Chartable
- Monetising shows through advertising on enterprise plansnot Chartable
Chartable
- Podcast analyticsnot Libsyn
- Marketing attributionnot Libsyn
- Chart trackingnot Libsyn
- Growth measurementnot Libsyn
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Libsyn
- Basic plan at $12 per month allows only 3 hours of audio upload per month
- Advanced IAB verified stats require the $25 per month Advanced plan; Basic gets basic stats only
- Spotify video distribution requires the Advanced or Max plan
- Dynamic ad insertion sits on Professional and Enterprise plans that are quoted by sales with no published rate
- The top published tier, Max at $150 per month, still caps audio uploads at 55 hours per month
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
Pricing, plan by plan
Libsyn
$5/month- Classic 50$5/month
- 50 MB monthly storage
- Basic statistics
- Podcast page
- Classic 150$15/month
- 150 MB monthly storage
- Advanced statistics
- Custom website
- Advanced 400$20/month
- 400 MB monthly storage
- Premium analytics
- Multiple shows
- Advanced 800$40/month
- 800 MB monthly storage
- Full analytics suite
- Priority support
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
Which should you pick?
Choose Libsyn if
- You need reliable hosting.
- You work on Web, Ios, Android.
- You also want advanced analytics.
Choose Chartable if
- You need download analytics.
- You want to start without paying.
- You also want chart rankings.
Questions people ask
- Is Libsyn or Chartable better?
- Neither clearly leads. Libsyn starts at $5/month and Chartable at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Libsyn or Chartable?
- Chartable has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $5/month for Libsyn and Free for Chartable.
- Does Libsyn or Chartable run on more platforms?
- Libsyn runs on Web, Ios, Android. Chartable runs on Web.
- Can I use Chartable for free?
- Yes. Chartable has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Libsyn starts at $5/month.
- What is Libsyn best used for?
- Libsyn is most often used for hosting podcast audio and distributing it to apple podcasts, spotify and youtube, measuring audience with iab certified download statistics, monetising shows through advertising on enterprise plans. Of those, hosting podcast audio and distributing it to apple podcasts, spotify and youtube and measuring audience with iab certified download statistics are not what Chartable is typically brought in for.
- What can Libsyn do that Chartable cannot?
- Libsyn covers Reliable hosting, Advanced analytics, Monetization platform, Distribution network. Chartable covers Download analytics, Chart rankings, SmartLinks tracking, Attribution. Both handle Advertising networks, Web support.