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Podcasting · head to head

Simplecast vs Spreaker

Simplecast logo

Simplecast

Podcasting

Hosting for professional podcast networks

From
$15/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Spreaker logo

Spreaker

Podcasting

Podcast hosting with social network features

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Spreaker 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; Spreaker free plan allows only one podcast and retains statistics for 6 months
  • They diverge on capability: Simplecast covers Unlimited hosting, Spreaker covers Podcast hosting.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Simplecast and Spreaker actually diverge.

Attributes where Simplecast and Spreaker differ
AttributeSimplecastSpreaker
Starting price$15/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWebWeb, Ios, Android
Founded20142011

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 Simplecast

  • Unlimited hosting
  • Dynamic ad insertion
  • Team collaboration
  • API access
  • Advertising networks
  • CMS systems
  • Enterprise security
  • SOC 2 compliant

Only in Spreaker

  • Podcast hosting
  • Live streaming
  • Social network
  • Audio editing
  • Social media
  • Payment processors
  • Content protection
  • Privacy controls

Both cover

  • Analytics
  • Distribution
  • All podcast platforms
  • 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 Spreaker
  • Distributing shows to Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other directoriesnot Spreaker
  • Monetising podcasts through dynamic ad insertion at the Professional tiernot Spreaker

Spreaker

  • Hosting and distributing podcasts to Spotify, Apple Podcasts and iHeartRadionot Simplecast
  • Monetising a show through programmatic ads, listener subscriptions or a supporters clubnot Simplecast
  • Running a multi-show podcast network with collaboratorsnot 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

Spreaker

  • Free plan allows only one podcast and retains statistics for 6 months
  • Spreaker takes a 20 percent fee on Supporters Club listener payments on the free plan, dropping to 0 percent only on the $20 per month Broadcaster plan
  • Subscription monetisation and Apple Podcasts subscriptions require the $20 per month Broadcaster plan
  • Player colour customisation and collaborators require the $50 per month Anchorman plan
  • Selling and managing your own ad campaigns requires the $250 per month Publisher plan
  • Statistics retention is capped at 12 months below the Publisher plan, which extends it to 24 months

Pricing, plan by plan

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

Spreaker

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 2 hours storage
    • Basic hosting
    • Social network access
  • Plus$5/month
    • 50 hours storage
    • Full distribution
    • Live streaming

Which should you pick?

Choose Simplecast if

  • You need unlimited hosting.
  • You also want dynamic ad insertion.
Simplecast review

Choose Spreaker if

  • You need podcast hosting.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want live streaming.
Spreaker review

Questions people ask

Is Simplecast or Spreaker better?
Neither clearly leads. Simplecast starts at $15/month and Spreaker at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Simplecast or Spreaker?
Spreaker has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $15/month for Simplecast and Free for Spreaker.
Does Simplecast or Spreaker run on more platforms?
Simplecast runs on Web. Spreaker runs on Web, Ios, Android.
Can I use Spreaker for free?
Yes. Spreaker 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 Spreaker is typically brought in for.
What can Simplecast do that Spreaker cannot?
Simplecast covers Unlimited hosting, Dynamic ad insertion, Team collaboration, API access. Spreaker covers Podcast hosting, Live streaming, Social network, Audio editing. Both handle Analytics, Distribution, All podcast platforms, Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

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
Spreaker: Does Spreaker offer free podcast hosting?

Yes, Spreaker offers free podcast hosting. The homepage explicitly states 'Your Podcasts Free' and includes a call-to-action to 'Start Free Today' for Spreaker Create for Web.

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
Spreaker: What premium features does Spreaker offer beyond the free tier?

Spreaker provides additional features beyond free hosting, including monetization features through the Prime Network. However, specific premium plan names, prices, and feature details are not disclosed on the main homepage and require visiting additional pages or contacting Spreaker.

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
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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