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Podcasting · head to head

Podcast Addict vs Simplecast

Podcast Addict logo

Podcast Addict

Podcasting

The most popular podcast app on Android

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Simplecast logo

Simplecast

Podcasting

Hosting for professional podcast networks

From
$15/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Podcast Addict has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Podcast Addict android-only, no iOS app available; Simplecast basic plan at $15 per month includes only 20,000 monthly downloads and 2 team seats
  • They diverge on capability: Podcast Addict covers Podcast discovery, Simplecast covers Unlimited hosting.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Podcast Addict and Simplecast actually diverge.

Attributes where Podcast Addict and Simplecast differ
AttributePodcast AddictSimplecast
Starting priceFree$15/month
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsAndroidWeb
Founded20112014

Identical on both: 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 Podcast Addict

  • Podcast discovery
  • Playlist management
  • Variable playback speed
  • Sleep timer
  • OPML import/export
  • Android Auto
  • Chromecast
  • Wear OS

Only in Simplecast

  • Unlimited hosting
  • Analytics
  • Dynamic ad insertion
  • Distribution
  • Team collaboration
  • API access
  • All podcast platforms
  • Advertising networks

What people use each for

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

Podcast Addict

  • Podcast listeningnot Simplecast
  • Podcast discoverynot Simplecast
  • Offline playbacknot Simplecast

Simplecast

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

Where each one falls short

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

Podcast Addict

  • Android-only, no iOS app available
  • Free version displays ads from external networks that redirect away from the app
  • No cross-device synchronization or cloud backup of listening progress

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

Podcast Addict

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Unlimited podcasts
    • All features
    • Ad-supported
  • Premium$2.99/one-time
    • Ad-free experience
    • Support development
    • All features

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 Podcast Addict if

  • You need podcast discovery.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Android.
  • You also want playlist management.
Podcast Addict review

Choose Simplecast if

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

Questions people ask

Is Podcast Addict or Simplecast better?
Neither clearly leads. Podcast Addict 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, Podcast Addict or Simplecast?
Podcast Addict has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Podcast Addict and $15/month for Simplecast.
Does Podcast Addict or Simplecast run on more platforms?
Podcast Addict runs on Android. Simplecast runs on Web.
Can I use Podcast Addict for free?
Yes. Podcast Addict has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Simplecast starts at $15/month.
What is Podcast Addict best used for?
Podcast Addict is most often used for podcast listening, podcast discovery, offline playback. Of those, podcast listening and podcast discovery are not what Simplecast is typically brought in for.
What can Podcast Addict do that Simplecast cannot?
Podcast Addict covers Podcast discovery, Playlist management, Variable playback speed, Sleep timer. Simplecast covers Unlimited hosting, Analytics, Dynamic ad insertion, Distribution.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Podcast Addict: Is Podcast Addict available for iOS?

No. Podcast Addict is Android-exclusive and has no iOS version. Users with Apple devices must use alternatives like Apple Podcasts or PocketCasts.

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
Podcast Addict: Does Podcast Addict work offline?

Yes. You can download episodes and listen to them without an internet connection. The app defaults to WiFi-only downloading to conserve data.

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
Podcast Addict: Can I import my podcasts from another app?

Yes. Podcast Addict supports OPML file import, allowing you to easily transfer your podcast subscriptions from apps like iTunes or other podcast players.

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
Podcast Addict: Is Podcast Addict completely free?

The free version is ad-supported with ads from external networks. A Premium tier is available for $0.99 per month or $9.99 per year to remove ads.

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
Podcast Addict: What playback features does Podcast Addict offer?

Podcast Addict offers customizable playback speed (0.8X to 5.0X), volume boost, silence skipping, mono audio conversion, and individual podcast-level preferences.

Source
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