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Podcast & Audio Publishing · head to head

Simplecast vs Chartable

Simplecast logo

Simplecast

Podcast & Audio Publishing

Hosting for professional podcast networks

From
$15/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Chartable logo

Chartable

Podcast & Audio Publishing

Podcast analytics and attribution platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Chartable has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Simplecast basic plan at $15 per month includes only 20,000 monthly downloads and 2 team seats; 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: Simplecast covers Unlimited hosting, Chartable covers Download analytics.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Simplecast and Chartable actually diverge.

Attributes where Simplecast and Chartable differ
AttributeSimplecastChartable
Starting price$15/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfreemium
Free tierNoYes
Founded20142017

Identical on both: platforms (Web), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Podcast & Audio Publishing).

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 Simplecast

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

Only in Chartable

  • Download analytics
  • Chart rankings
  • SmartLinks tracking
  • Attribution
  • SmartPromos
  • Cross-promotion analytics
  • Marketing tools
  • Podcast hosts

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.

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

Chartable

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

Where each one falls short

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

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

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

Simplecast

$15/month
  • Creator$15/month
    • Unlimited hosting
    • Analytics
    • Distribution
  • Studio$49/month
    • All Creator features
    • Dynamic ad insertion
    • Team access
  • Enterprise$undefined/month
    • Custom features
    • API access
    • Dedicated manager

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 Simplecast if

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

Choose Chartable if

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

Questions people ask

Is Simplecast or Chartable better?
Neither clearly leads. Simplecast starts at $15/month and Chartable at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Simplecast or Chartable?
Chartable has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $15/month for Simplecast and Free for Chartable.
Does Simplecast or Chartable 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 Simplecast best used for?
Simplecast is most often used for hosting podcasts with per-episode analytics and audience metrics, distributing shows to apple podcasts, spotify and other directories, monetising podcasts through dynamic ad insertion at the professional tier. Of those, hosting podcasts with per-episode analytics and audience metrics and distributing shows to apple podcasts, spotify and other directories are not what Chartable is typically brought in for.
What can Simplecast do that Chartable cannot?
Simplecast covers Unlimited hosting, Analytics, Dynamic ad insertion, Distribution. Chartable covers Download analytics, Chart rankings, SmartLinks tracking, Attribution. Both handle All podcast platforms, Advertising networks, Web support.
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Related pages

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