Simplecast review

Simplecast is a solid host for new podcasters who expect to grow into professional advertising. The Basic plan costs $15 a month, or $13.50 a month prepaid annually, and includes unlimited storage and uploads, 20,000 downloads a month, 2 team member seats, distribution to the major listening apps, a customizable show website with a custom domain and an embeddable player. Every plan starts with a 14-day trial that needs no credit card. The analytics on Basic are basic; location, unique listener, web player and technology reports arrive on Essential at $35 a month, which also raises the allowance to 50,000 downloads and 4 seats. Monetization through dynamic ad insertion, targeting and campaign reports is part of the Professional plan, powered by the AdsWizz Podcast Marketplace, and priced through sales. Simplecast has operated since 2013 and joined SiriusXM in 2020. For a beginner on a budget, the lack of a free plan and thin entry-level analytics make it a later-stage choice.

Who it is for

podcasters who expect to need professional ad tech later

Price

Basic $15 a month, or $13.50 a month prepaid annually; 14-day free trial.

Basic $15 /MO $13.50 /mo if prepaid annually
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 12, 2026.

Key features

• Basic: 20,000 downloads a month, 2 team seats and unlimited storage and uploads
• Distribution to all major listening apps and a customizable show website with custom domain
• Essential at $35 a month adds location, unique listener, web player and technology analytics
• Manage multiple shows from one account
• Professional plan adds dynamic ad insertion through the AdsWizz Podcast Marketplace

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: 14-day free trial with no credit card required
• Strength: Unlimited storage and uploads on all plans
• Strength: Simplecast says it never runs ads on your show without permission
• Weakness: No free plan
• Weakness: Basic includes only basic analytics
• Weakness: Monetization tools need the custom-priced Professional plan

Key facts

• Free trial: 14 days, no credit card
• Cheapest plan: Basic, $15 a month or $13.50 prepaid annually
• Downloads included: 20,000 a month on Basic
• Team seats: 2 on Basic, 4 on Essential
• Owner: Part of SiriusXM since 2020

Where it ranks

Simplecast is No. 10 in our Best Podcast Hosting Platforms verdict.