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The details that decide it.

Compare up to three tools with the same primary category and main job. Choose between hosts, editors, or clipping tools. To put different types of tools together, use My stack.

Only differences

Prices are the catalog’s published starting points. Plan limits and annual billing can change the amount you pay.

Your shortlist	HostingBuzzsprout	HostingTransistor	HostingCaptivate
General starting cost	Free, then $180/yr	From $190/yr	From $204/yr
Billing and eligibility	View recorded plans (7) Free — $0.00/monthSource · 2026-09-05 Audio — $19.00/monthSource · 2026-09-05 Audio — $180.00/year paid upfrontSource · 2026-09-05 Audio (5 shows) — $39.00/monthSource · 2026-09-05 Audio (5 shows) — $360.00/year paid upfrontSource · 2026-09-05 Audio (10 shows) — $79.00/monthSource · 2026-09-05 Audio (10 shows) — $780.00/year paid upfrontSource · 2026-09-05	View recorded plans (6) Starter — $19.00/monthSource · 2026-09-05 Starter — $190.00/year paid upfrontSource · 2026-09-05 Professional — $49.00/monthSource · 2026-09-05 Professional — $490.00/year paid upfrontSource · 2026-09-05 Business — $99.00/monthSource · 2026-09-05 Business — $990.00/year paid upfrontSource · 2026-09-05	View recorded plans (6) Personal — $19.00/monthSource · 2026-09-05 Personal — $204.00/year paid upfrontSource · 2026-09-05 Professional — $49.00/monthSource · 2026-09-05 Professional — $528.00/year paid upfrontSource · 2026-09-05 Business — $99.00/monthSource · 2026-09-05 Business — $1,080.00/year paid upfrontSource · 2026-09-05
Shows on entry plan	1Source · 2026-09-05	Not specified in this comparisonSource · 2026-09-05	Not specified in this comparisonSource · 2026-09-05
Upload allowance	120 minutes/monthSource · 2026-09-05	Not specified in this comparisonSource · 2026-09-05	Not specified in this comparisonSource · 2026-09-05
Download allowance	Not specified in this comparisonSource · 2026-09-05	20,000/monthSource · 2026-09-05	30,000/monthSource · 2026-09-05
Pricing model	Audio plans: monthly upload allowance or an annual poolSource · 2026-09-05	Priced by monthly downloadsSource · 2026-09-05	Priced by monthly downloadsSource · 2026-09-05
The verdict	A straightforward publishing workflow for a first show.	Built for people running more than one show on one bill.	Unlimited audio shows on a download-based plan, with separate costs for some video services.
Free tier	Available. Check the plan limits below.	No free tier listed. A trial may be available.	No free tier listed. A trial may be available.
Best for	One-show hosts who want a simple publish screen and a person who writes back.	Networks and multiple shows on one bill.	Hosts and small networks who want one home for many shows, strong help, and a way to drop a promo or ad into old episodes without re-editing them.
Not the best fit	Networks needing unlimited feeds or more than ten shows on one shared plan.	A first-episode hobbyist.	Anyone who needs a lasting free plan. Also shows that already get huge download counts unless they are ready for a custom quote.
The gotcha	Monthly upload allowances do not roll over. Annual plans use an annual pool, and extra shows require the appropriate plan.	You pay for monthly downloads, not for how many hours you upload.	No forever-free plan. You pay by how many downloads you get.
Public plans	Read public plan notes Free2 hrs/mo, episodes hosted 90 days Audio$15/mo yearly (72 hrs/yr, one show) Audio + Video$25/mo yearly Multi-Podcast$30/mo billed annually ($360/year) for 5 audio shows and 180 hours/year; 10 shows cost $65/mo billed annually ($780/year) with 420 hours/year Archive$5/mo	Read public plan notes Starter$19/mo (20K downloads, 50 private subscribers) Professional$49/mo (100K downloads, 500 private) Business$99/mo (250K downloads, 3K private) Enterprisefrom $199+/mo	Read public plan notes Personal$19 a month, or $204 a year. Up to 30,000 downloads a month. Unlimited shows and uploads. Professional$49 a month, or $528 a year. Up to 150,000 downloads a month. Business$99 a month, or $1,080 a year. Up to 300,000 downloads a month.
Pricing notes	Monthly audio plans are $19, $39 and $79 for 6, 15 and 35 hours. Annual audio plans cost $180, $360 and $780. Optional Magic Mastering and Cohost AI each cost $60, $120 or $240/year on the corresponding annual tier. Video plans are separate.	14-day trial. Annual billing is $190 / $490 / $990 upfront. Unlimited shows on every plan, with downloads shared across the account. Video is in beta on Professional and above; the current beta FAQ says Spotify video integration is not yet available.	Official audio plans FAQ: Personal $19/month or $204/year; Professional $49/month or $528/year; Business $99/month or $1,080/year. Downloads are shared across unlimited shows. Apple HLS video is a separate add-on at $12/month per show including 1,000 video downloads; additional delivery charges may apply. Check current trial and add-on terms.
Category	Hosting	Hosting	Hosting
Tool type	Podcast hosting	Podcast hosting	Podcast hosting
Also listed in	Monetization	No secondary categories	Monetization
Revenue methods	Ads and sponsorships, Memberships and private feeds	Not classified for monetization	Ads and sponsorships, Memberships and private feeds, Listener support
Monetization requirements	Earning through Buzzsprout Ads depends on eligibility in a Buzzsprout hosting account. Buying ads is a separate workflow.	Check the review for monetization options	Check marketplace and membership requirements. Announced or beta production tools are not treated as generally available categories.
Price checked	2026-09-06	2026-09-05	2026-09-05
Next step	Visit Buzzsprout	Visit Transistor	Visit Captivate