Captivate.fm was formed in 2018 by Mark Asquith and the team behind Podcast Websites. It quickly grew, backed by a strong brand and a focus on podcast marketing.
The content management system is easy to use – with its UI getting a big facelift in the spring of 2021 – and it boasts IAB certified metrics. Each podcast includes a reasonably-customisable website, and for those using WordPress, a plugin that makes integrating podcast content into an existing website easier.
Where Captivate differentiates itself in its messaging and, to some extend its toolset, is around podcast growth. Trackable subscription links make it easier to share your podcast and push listeners to follow your show in their favourite apps, and the CMS can generate press kits you can use to pitch your podcast to newsletters and other media outlets.
If monetisation is on the horizon, you can generate a “one-click sponsor kit”, and rely on those IAB certified metrics to give your advertisers confidence your numbers are legit.
Castos was formed in 2017 around the Seriously Simple Podcasting plugin, a popular way of self-hosting podcasts. Castos added analytics, hosting, and an embeddable media player, and now provides automated transcription, a simple website, and allows content to be republished to YouTube.
On top of this, the company also provides podcast editing services.
Captivate allows for a custom website on this plan. You can also hook up a custom domain to your website. They also offer IAB-certified stats, whereas Castos doesn't. You can create a podcast network on Captivate. However, Castos's plan is cheaper. They're also more generous with bandwidth.
| Captivate | Castos | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $19.00 per month | $15.83 per month |
| Number of podcasts | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Episodes | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Downloads | 12,000 per month | Unlimited |
| Storage | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Podcast website included | ||
| Use your own domain | ||
| IAB certified metrics | ||
| Republish to YouTube | ||
| Podcast network support |
Captivate allows for a custom website on this plan. You can also hook up a custom domain to your website. They also offer IAB-certified stats, whereas Castos doesn't. You can create a podcast network on Captivate. However, Castos's plan is cheaper. They're also more generous with bandwidth. They will also autopost your episodes to YouTube.
| Captivate | Castos | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $49.00 per month | $40.83 per month |
| Number of podcasts | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Episodes | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Downloads | 60,000 per month | Unlimited |
| Storage | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Podcast website included | ||
| Use your own domain | ||
| IAB certified metrics | ||
| Republish to YouTube | ||
| Podcast network support |
Captivate allows for a custom website on this plan. You can also hook up a custom domain to your website. They also offer IAB-certified stats, whereas Castos doesn't. You can create a podcast network on Captivate. However, Castos's plan is cheaper. They're also more generous with bandwidth. They will also autopost your episodes to YouTube.
| Captivate | Castos | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $99.00 per month | $82.50 per month |
| Number of podcasts | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Episodes | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Downloads | 150,000 per month | Unlimited |
| Storage | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Podcast website included | ||
| Use your own domain | ||
| IAB certified metrics | ||
| Republish to YouTube | ||
| Podcast network support |
You might find Castos easier to use. Castos attempt to protect against feeds being imported into other providers without your consent. Castos allows you to designate portions of your episodes that can used to create audiograms in apps like Headliner. Castos works with apps that support Bitcoin donations.
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