Captivate.fm Review | Podcastbricks

Podcasting has exploded in popularity over the past decade, evolving from a niche medium into a mainstream platform for storytelling, education, and entertainment. With this growth comes an increasing number of tools and services designed to help podcasters create, distribute, and grow their shows. Among these, Captivate.fm stands out as a podcast hosting platform that brands itself as “the world’s only growth-oriented podcast host.” But what does that mean in practice? Is Captivate.fm the right choice for your podcasting journey? In this in-depth review, we’ll explore its features, pricing, usability, strengths, weaknesses, and how it compares to competitors, all while keeping the perspective of a modern podcaster in mind.

What is Captivate.fm?

Captivate.fm is a podcast hosting platform launched in January 2019 by Rebel Base Media, a company with deep roots in the podcasting world. Founded by Mark Asquith, a veteran podcaster with over 700 episodes under his belt, Captivate was designed with a clear mission: to empower independent podcasters by providing tools that prioritize growth, flexibility, and ease of use. Unlike many traditional hosting platforms that focus solely on storing and distributing audio files, Captivate aims to be a partner in a podcaster’s journey, offering features that streamline workflows, enhance marketing efforts, and provide actionable insights.

The platform allows users to host unlimited podcasts under a single account, distribute them to major directories, analyze listener data, and even monetize their shows—all from an intuitive dashboard. With a tagline like “growth-oriented,” Captivate promises more than just hosting; it’s about helping podcasters build their audience and influence. But does it deliver on that promise? Let’s dive into the details.

Key Features of Captivate.fm

Captivate.fm is packed with features tailored to both new and seasoned podcasters. Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect:

1. Unlimited Podcast Hosting

One of Captivate’s standout features is its unlimited podcast hosting policy. Regardless of the plan you choose, you can create and manage as many podcasts as you’d like under one account without additional fees. This is a game-changer for creators who want to experiment with multiple shows or build a podcast network. Unlike competitors like Simplecast, which charges per show, or Buzzsprout, which limits uploads on its free tier, Captivate’s model offers unmatched flexibility.

2. Advanced Analytics

Understanding your audience is critical to growing a podcast, and Captivate delivers with robust, IAB-compliant analytics. From your dashboard, you can track downloads over time, see listener locations (down to the country level, with plans for more granular data like states and cities), and analyze device and app usage. You also get performance comparisons between episodes and average download stats for quick insights. While it’s not yet as detailed as some competitors (e.g., Simplecast’s unique listener metrics), it provides enough data to guide growth strategies effectively.

3. Customizable Podcast Websites

Every Captivate account includes a free, mobile-friendly podcast website (e.g., showname.captivate.fm). These sites are sleek, customizable, and automatically populated with your episodes. You can tweak colors, pin featured episodes, and even connect your own domain at no extra cost. For WordPress users, the Captivate Sync plugin allows seamless integration, letting you publish episodes from either your site or the Captivate dashboard with changes syncing instantly. This feature is a boon for podcasters who want a professional online presence without the hassle of building a site from scratch.

4. Embeddable Podcast Players

Captivate’s embeddable players are both functional and stylish. You can customize them with your branding, add calls-to-action (CTAs), and include subscribe buttons, making it easy to share episodes on your website or social media. The player’s design adapts to any device, ensuring a consistent listener experience. You can also adjust the visibility of the Captivate logo, giving you control over how branded it appears.

5. Marketing and Growth Tools

True to its “growth-oriented” ethos, Captivate offers a suite of marketing tools:

Single Subscription Link: A one-stop page with buttons linking to major podcast apps, simplifying how listeners subscribe.
Calls-to-Action (CTAs): Add clickable links in your player or show notes to drive traffic to your website, Patreon, or other platforms.
Sponsor Kit: Automatically generates a PDF with your podcast’s stats, audience avatar, and contact info—perfect for pitching to sponsors.

These tools are designed to help podcasters promote their shows and convert listeners into engaged followers, setting Captivate apart from hosts that focus solely on distribution.

6. Guest and Episode Management

Captivate streamlines the production process with tools for planning and collaboration. You can manage episode ideas, schedule guests, and invite unlimited team members to your account. This is particularly useful for co-hosted shows or networks with multiple contributors, as it keeps everything organized in one place.

7. Distribution Made Easy

Submitting your podcast to directories like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and Stitcher is straightforward with Captivate. The platform guides you through the process, ensuring your RSS feed is properly configured. It also supports Podcasting 2.0 features like tags, positioning it as a forward-thinking host.

8. Monetization Options

While Captivate doesn’t offer built-in dynamic ad insertion (yet—it’s reportedly in development), it supports monetization through private podcasts for Patreon supporters or members-only content. The sponsor kit and CTAs also make it easier to secure and manage sponsorships manually.

9. Customer Support

Captivate prides itself on 24/7 support via live chat during the week, with dedicated weekend hours. The team, including co-founder Mark Asquith, is known for being responsive and knowledgeable. Beyond chat, Captivate offers a wealth of educational resources—webinars, a help center, a Facebook community, and courses on topics like SEO and sponsorships—making it a hub for podcasters looking to learn and grow.

Pricing Plans

Captivate’s pricing is straightforward and competitive, with three tiers as of March 2025 (prices are monthly, with discounts for annual billing):

Personal Plan: $19/month (or $17/month annually) – 30,000 downloads/month
Professional Plan: $49/month (or $44/month annually) – 150,000 downloads/month
Business Plan: $99/month (or $90/month annually) – 300,000 downloads/month

All plans include unlimited podcasts, uploads, and access to every feature—no tiered feature gating here. The only limit is the number of downloads, with a fair usage policy to prevent abuse. Captivate also offers a 7-day free trial across all plans, giving you full access to test the platform before committing.

Compared to competitors:

Buzzsprout: Starts at $12/month but caps free uploads at 2 hours/month and charges per show.
Simplecast: Begins at $15/month for 20,000 downloads but limits you to one show per plan.
Anchor: Free with unlimited hosting, but lacks advanced tools and analytics.

Captivate’s pricing strikes a balance between affordability and value, especially for podcasters managing multiple shows.

Usability and Interface

Captivate’s dashboard is modern and intuitive, designed with podcasters in mind. Setting up a new show involves an 8-step process with helpful prompts to ensure compliance with major directories. Uploading episodes is flexible—you can add audio first and then metadata, or batch-upload files to a library for later use. Features like default publish times and auto-incrementing episode numbers save time, while the omni-search lets you quickly find anything across your workflow.

That said, the sheer number of tools can feel overwhelming for beginners. The interface is feature-rich, which is great for power users but might intimidate someone just starting out. Captivate mitigates this with extensive onboarding resources, but it’s worth noting if you prefer a simpler setup.

Strengths of Captivate.fm

Growth Focus: The marketing tools, analytics, and sponsor kit genuinely support audience and revenue growth.
Unlimited Podcasts: Ideal for creators with multiple projects or ambitions to scale.
Customization: From players to websites, Captivate offers flexibility to match your brand.
Support and Education: The team’s dedication to helping podcasters succeed is unmatched.
No File Alterations: Unlike some hosts, Captivate preserves your audio files’ original quality and metadata, a plus for high-production shows.

Weaknesses of Captivate.fm

No Built-In Creation Tools: Captivate focuses on hosting and management, not recording or editing, so you’ll need separate software for production.
No Video Hosting: As of now, it doesn’t support video podcasts, though you can link to videos via CTAs.
Learning Curve: The feature-packed dashboard might overwhelm novices.
Monetization Limits: Without dynamic ad insertion, monetization relies on external platforms or manual sponsorships.

How Captivate Compares to Competitors

Captivate vs. Buzzsprout

Buzzsprout is a reliable, beginner-friendly host with a free tier and affordable paid plans. However, its upload limits and per-show pricing make it less flexible than Captivate for multi-show creators. Captivate’s marketing tools and unlimited hosting give it an edge for growth-focused podcasters.

Captivate vs. Simplecast

Simplecast offers advanced analytics (e.g., unique listeners) and a clean interface, but its single-show plans and higher per-download cost make it less appealing for networks. Captivate’s unlimited hosting and broader feature set make it a stronger all-in-one solution.

Captivate vs. Anchor

Anchor’s free, unlimited hosting is hard to beat for budget-conscious beginners, but its basic analytics and lack of premium tools pale in comparison to Captivate’s offerings. If growth and professionalism are your goals, Captivate is the better pick.

Who Should Use Captivate.fm?

Captivate is ideal for:

Independent Podcasters with Growth Ambitions: Its tools are perfect for those serious about building an audience and brand.
Multi-Show Creators: Unlimited hosting makes it a no-brainer for networks or experimental podcasters.
Teams and Collaborators: Guest management and unlimited team invites streamline group projects.

It’s less suited for:

Absolute Beginners: The feature density might overwhelm those new to podcasting.
Video Podcasters: Lack of video support could be a dealbreaker.
Budget-Conscious Creators: Anchor’s free model might appeal more if cost is a primary concern.

Final Verdict

Captivate.fm lives up to its “growth-oriented” promise with a robust suite of tools that go beyond basic hosting. Its unlimited podcast hosting, customizable websites, and marketing features make it a standout choice for independent creators who want to scale their influence. While it lacks creation tools and video support, its focus on management, analytics, and promotion fills a unique niche in the podcasting ecosystem.

In 2025, Captivate continues to evolve, with promises of features like dynamic ad insertion on the horizon. For podcasters willing to invest in a paid platform that prioritizes flexibility and growth, Captivate.fm is a compelling option. The 7-day free trial is a low-risk way to test it out, and with pricing starting at $19/month, it’s competitively priced for what it offers.

In a crowded market, Captivate.fm doesn’t just host your podcast—it helps you nurture it into something bigger. If that aligns with your goals, it’s well worth a try.