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Software · head to head

Simplecast vs Transistor.fm

Simplecast logo

Simplecast

Software

Hosting for professional podcast networks

From
$15/month
Rated
-
Transistor.fm logo

Transistor.fm

Software

The podcast host built for professional broadcasters

From
On request
Rated
-

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Simplecast basic plan at $15 per month includes only 20,000 monthly downloads and 2 team seats; Transistor.fm monthly download caps vary by tier
  • They diverge on capability: Simplecast covers Unlimited hosting, Transistor.fm covers Unlimited episodes.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Simplecast and Transistor.fm actually diverge.

Attributes where Simplecast and Transistor.fm differ
AttributeSimplecastTransistor.fm
Starting price$15/monthOn request
PlatformsWebWeb, Mobile
Founded20142016

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), 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 Simplecast

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

Only in Transistor.fm

  • Unlimited episodes
  • Automatic transcription
  • Advanced analytics
  • Custom player
  • Email newsletters
  • White-label options
  • Apple Podcasts
  • Spotify

Both cover

  • 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 Transistor.fm
  • Distributing shows to Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other directoriesnot Transistor.fm
  • Monetising podcasts through dynamic ad insertion at the Professional tiernot Transistor.fm

Transistor.fm

  • Podcast hosting and distributionnot Simplecast
  • Video podcast publishingnot Simplecast
  • AI transcriptionnot Simplecast
  • Dynamic ad insertionnot Simplecast
  • Private podcast networksnot 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

Transistor.fm

  • Monthly download caps vary by tier
  • Private subscriber limits increase with higher-tier plans
  • Enterprise plan required for 250K+ downloads monthly

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

Transistor.fm

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Transistor.fm review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Simplecast if

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

Choose Transistor.fm if

  • You need unlimited episodes.
  • You work on Web, Mobile.
  • You also want automatic transcription.

Questions people ask

Is Simplecast or Transistor.fm better?
Neither clearly leads. Simplecast starts at $15/month and Transistor.fm at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Simplecast or Transistor.fm?
Simplecast starts at $15/month and Transistor.fm at On request.
Does Simplecast or Transistor.fm run on more platforms?
Simplecast runs on Web. Transistor.fm runs on Web, Mobile.
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 Transistor.fm is typically brought in for.
What can Simplecast do that Transistor.fm cannot?
Simplecast covers Unlimited hosting, Analytics, Dynamic ad insertion, Distribution. Transistor.fm covers Unlimited episodes, Automatic transcription, Advanced analytics, Custom player. Both handle Web support.

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