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Simplecast is listed from $13.5, but the published pricing details don’t specify a billing interval or download cap. Before switching, check the cap on your plan and whether its analytics give you the episode-by-day view you need: one Reddit poster said getting that data meant downloading a CSV and working it out separately. Podbean and Buzzsprout are the closest podcast-hosting alternatives here. The other picks make sense only if you’re also changing your publishing or repurposing workflow.
01Why people leave Simplecast
Episode trends take extra work
One Reddit poster said Simplecast didn’t make it easy to view downloads by episode and day, week or month; getting the data meant exporting a CSV.
Your download cap may matter
The published Simplecast listing flags the download cap as something to check, but doesn’t publish a cap number.
Price and feature claims need context
A Reddit discussion included conflicting price comparisons, and one commenter later disclosed working for Simplecast.
02The alternatives, ranked by fit
- Budget podcast hosting
PodbeanPodbeanPodbean is the closest fit if you’re leaving Simplecast but still need a podcast host. It starts at $12 and has a free plan; its listed strengths include built-in AI tools, analytics, monetization and hosting multiple shows. Compare the upload caps and workflow against your needs before moving: the published details don’t give the cap numbers.
Trade-off: Upload caps need checking; the published details don’t list their numbers.
7.2/10from
$12/mofree plan - Simple podcast publishing
BuzzsproutBuzzsproutBuzzsprout is a direct podcast-hosting alternative for creators who want straightforward publishing and built-in analytics. It starts at $5 and has a free plan, making it worth comparing if Simplecast’s price or analytics aren’t working for you. Its limits and add-on prices are flagged as concerns, so check those costs before moving a show.
Trade-off: Limits and add-on prices complicate the value comparison.
7.7/10from
$5/mofree plan - Newsletter and subscriptions
SubstackSubstackSubstack makes sense if leaving Simplecast is part of a shift toward writing and paid audience subscriptions, rather than a like-for-like hosting swap. It has a free plan and supports newsletter publishing and charging subscribers. The pricing page flags a 10% fee and platform dependence, so weigh those costs and tradeoffs before moving your audience.
Trade-off: Not presented here as a podcast host; the listing flags a 10% fee and platform dependence.
7.4/10from
Freefree plan - Content repurposing
DesignrrDesignrrDesignrr suits creators who want to repurpose existing marketing content or make ebook exports, not those seeking a direct Simplecast replacement. It starts at $29, and its listed features include a built-in transcription tool. Consider it if the goal is to reuse material in other formats; the published details don’t establish a podcast-hosting function.
Trade-off: It isn’t listed as a podcast host, and usability and cancellation friction are concerns.
5.3/10from
$29/mo - Google Docs to WordPress
WordableWordableWordable is a workflow alternative only if your move away from Simplecast also involves publishing show-related writing on WordPress. It’s aimed at small teams drafting in Google Docs and sites publishing five exports monthly. The free plan is listed, but paid rates aren’t published, so there’s no reliable paid-price comparison here.
Trade-off: Not a podcast host; paid rates aren’t published.
5.6/10from
Freefree plan - Interactive PDF publishing
PubluuPubluuPubluu is a substantial change of direction, not a hosting substitute: it’s for publishing flipbooks and embedding interactive PDFs. It starts at $7 and suits individuals or marketers who want branded publications. Consider it only if you’re moving content into that format; check the storage caps before committing, since their numbers aren’t published here.
Trade-off: It isn’t a podcast host; check storage caps before switching.
7.0/10from
$7/mo
03Side by side
| Tool | Score | From | Free plan | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Simplecast Simplecast (current) | 7.2 | $13.50/mo | No | Creators launching a podcast |
| Podbean Podbean | 7.2 | $12/mo | Yes | Audio podcasters on a tight budget |
| Buzzsprout Buzzsprout | 7.7 | $5/mo | Yes | New podcasters starting one show |
| Substack Substack | 7.4 | Free | Yes | Writers starting a newsletter |
| Designrr Designrr | 5.3 | $29/mo | No | Repurposing existing marketing content |
| Wordable Wordable | 5.6 | Free | Yes | Small WordPress publishing teams |
| Publuu Publuu | 7.0 | $7/mo | No | Individuals publishing simple flipbooks |
Questions people ask
Which Simplecast alternative is closest for podcast hosting?
Podbean and Buzzsprout are the closest matches in this list because both are described as podcast hosts. Podbean starts at $12 with a free plan; Buzzsprout starts at $5 with a free plan. Check their upload or plan limits before moving, since the published details don’t give cap numbers.
Does Simplecast show downloads by episode and date?
A Reddit poster said Simplecast didn’t easily show which episodes were downloaded on specific days, weeks or months. The poster said the data was available to download as a CSV, but required their own data manipulation. The published material doesn’t confirm whether Simplecast has since changed that view.
What does Simplecast cost, and what should I check before switching?
The pricing page puts Simplecast at “from $13.5,” but doesn’t specify a billing interval or a download-cap number. Check the cap on your current plan, then compare it with the alternative’s limits and any add-on costs. Buzzsprout’s listing specifically flags limits and unlisted add-on prices; Podbean’s flags upload caps.