Simplecast review

Simplecast has hosted podcasts since 2013 and joined SiriusXM in 2020. Basic costs $15 per month, or $13.50 per month if prepaid annually, and includes 2 team member seats, unlimited storage and uploads, distribution to every major app, basic analytics, a customizable show website with a custom domain, an embeddable player and 20K downloads a month. Essential at $35 adds 4 seats, extra web players, location and unique listener reports and 50K downloads. Monetization is where Simplecast differs: its Professional plan, sold through the sales team, adds dynamic ad insertion through the AdsWizz Podcast Marketplace with geo, device and contextual targeting, frequency capping and detailed revenue reporting. That is powerful for a show with real audience, but out of reach for new podcasters on the self-serve plans, which have no built-in ad marketplace. The 14-day trial needs no credit card. For beginners, cheaper hosts include ads earlier; Simplecast makes sense once a show is big enough to sell inventory.

Who it is for

shows planning to scale into professional ad sales

Price

Basic from $15 per month ($13.50 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 includes 20K downloads a month, 2 team seats and unlimited storage
• Customizable show website with a custom domain
• Essential adds location, unique listener and technology analytics
• Professional adds dynamic ad insertion powered by the AdsWizz Podcast Marketplace
• Manage multiple shows from one account

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Unlimited storage and uploads on all plans
• Strength: 14-day trial with no credit card required
• Strength: Simplecast states it never runs ads on your show without permission
• Weakness: No free plan
• Weakness: Basic analytics only on the entry plan
• Weakness: Dynamic ads and monetization require a sales-led Professional plan

Key facts

• Free trial: 14 days, no card
• Cheapest paid plan: Basic, $15 per month
• Downloads included: 20K a month on Basic
• Owner: SiriusXM, since 2020

Where it ranks

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