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Podcasting · head to head

Captivate vs Podcorn

Captivate logo

Captivate

Podcasting

Smart podcast hosting with AI insights

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Podcorn logo

Podcorn

Podcasting

Marketplace connecting podcasters with sponsors

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Captivate tiers are download ceilings and nothing else: 30,000 a month on Personal, 150,000 on Professional and 300,000 on Business; Podcorn 10% service fee charged on successful podcast sponsorship campaigns
  • They diverge on capability: Captivate covers Unlimited hosting, Podcorn covers Sponsor marketplace.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Captivate and Podcorn actually diverge.

Attributes where Captivate and Podcorn differ
AttributeCaptivatePodcorn
Pricing modelsubscriptiontransaction
Founded20162019

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 Captivate

  • Unlimited hosting
  • AI analytics
  • Smart recommendations
  • Distribution
  • Monetization
  • Audience insights
  • All podcast platforms
  • Social media

Only in Podcorn

  • Sponsor marketplace
  • Direct brand deals
  • Rate setting
  • Campaign management
  • Payment processing
  • Performance tracking
  • Podcast hosts
  • Payment processors

Both cover

  • Content protection
  • Web support

What people use each for

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

Captivate

  • Podcast hosting with unlimited shows on any tiernot Podcorn
  • Distribution to the major podcast directoriesnot Podcorn
  • Audience analytics by episode and platformnot Podcorn
  • Running several podcasts under one subscriptionnot Podcorn

Podcorn

  • Podcast monetizationnot Captivate
  • Sponsorship dealsnot Captivate
  • Native advertisingnot Captivate
  • Brand partnershipsnot Captivate

Where each one falls short

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

Captivate

  • Tiers are download ceilings and nothing else: 30,000 a month on Personal, 150,000 on Professional and 300,000 on Business
  • A show that exceeds its allowance for two consecutive months is expected to move up a tier
  • Above 300,000 downloads a month the plan is quote-only
  • Prices are quoted in euros at the yearly rate

Podcorn

  • 10% service fee charged on successful podcast sponsorship campaigns
  • Only charges on completed transactions, not upfront

Pricing, plan by plan

Captivate

Free
  • Personal$17/month
    • up to 30,000 downloads/month
  • Professional$44/month
    • up to 150,000 downloads/month
  • Business$90/month
    • up to 300,000 downloads/month

Podcorn

Free
  • Free for PodcastersFree
    • Create profile
    • Browse opportunities
    • Set your rates

Which should you pick?

Choose Captivate if

  • You need unlimited hosting.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want ai analytics.
Captivate review

Choose Podcorn if

  • You need sponsor marketplace.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want direct brand deals.
Podcorn review

Questions people ask

Is Captivate or Podcorn better?
Neither clearly leads. Captivate starts at Free and Podcorn at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Captivate or Podcorn?
Captivate starts at Free and Podcorn at Free.
Does Captivate or Podcorn run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use Captivate for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Captivate best used for?
Captivate is most often used for podcast hosting with unlimited shows on any tier, distribution to the major podcast directories, audience analytics by episode and platform, running several podcasts under one subscription. Of those, podcast hosting with unlimited shows on any tier and distribution to the major podcast directories are not what Podcorn is typically brought in for.
What can Captivate do that Podcorn cannot?
Captivate covers Unlimited hosting, AI analytics, Smart recommendations, Distribution. Podcorn covers Sponsor marketplace, Direct brand deals, Rate setting, Campaign management. Both handle Content protection, Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Captivate: How much does Captivate cost?

Captivate pricing starts at EUR 17/month for the Personal plan (annual billing). Professional is EUR 44/month and Business is EUR 90/month, with higher monthly rates on monthly billing plans.

Source
Podcorn: How much does Podcorn cost?

Podcorn is free to join with 0% signup fees for both podcasters and brands. The platform operates on a 10% service fee model charged only on successful campaigns when payment is received.

Source
Captivate: Is there a free trial for Captivate?

Yes, all Captivate plans include a 30-day free trial with access to all features; no credit card required to start.

Source
Podcorn: How does Podcorn's pricing model work?

Podcorn charges a 10% service fee for podcasters when they receive payment for sponsorships and a 10% fee for brands when their content is approved. There are no upfront costs, and fees are only charged for successful campaigns.

Source
Captivate: What happens if I exceed my Captivate download limit?

Captivate will notify you after a second consecutive month over your limit; no overage fees apply if you temporarily exceed the monthly allowance.

Source
Podcorn: Are there any commitments or contracts required on Podcorn?

No, podcasters on Podcorn have no exclusivities or long-term commitments required. Brands can control costs by setting their own sponsorship budgets.

Source
Captivate: Are podcasts and storage unlimited on all Captivate plans?

Yes, unlimited podcasts and storage are included across the Personal, Professional, and Business tiers; limits are only on monthly downloads.

Source
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