Captivate.fm Review: Is It the Best Podcast Host for Growing Your Show?
Captivate is a UK-built podcast hosting platform designed for growth, with unlimited podcasts and storage on every plan, built-in analytics, monetization tools and a free trial. Here's how it works, what it costs and who should choose it.
What is Captivate?
Captivate is a podcast hosting and growth platform run by Captivate Audio Ltd in Loughborough, UK, founded in 2018 by podcasting entrepreneur Mark Asquith. Rather than charging by upload hours like many hosts, it gives every plan unlimited podcasts, unlimited uploads and storage, and unlimited team members.
Plans are priced by monthly downloads instead. On annual billing, the Personal plan starts at around $17/month for up to 30,000 downloads, with Professional and Business tiers for bigger audiences. A 7-day free trial lets you test it first.
How to launch a podcast on Captivate
From sign-up to listed on Apple and Spotify in a handful of steps.
Start the free trial
Sign up and choose the plan that matches your expected monthly downloads. Most new shows start on Personal.
Create your show
Add your podcast name, artwork, description and category. You can host multiple shows under one account.
Upload your first episode
Upload audio, add show notes and schedule or publish. Storage is unlimited, so you don't need to compress or delete old episodes.
Distribute to directories
Use Captivate's distribution tools to submit your feed to Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other major apps.
Grow and monetize
Use analytics to see where listeners come from, and built-in tools like calls to action and monetization features to grow and earn.
What you get, what you give up
- Unlimited podcasts and storage on every plan
- Unlimited team members
- Strong analytics and audience insights
- Built-in growth and monetization tools
- Responsive, knowledgeable support
- Pricing rises with download tiers
- No permanent free plan
- Costs more than the most basic hosts
- Advanced features have a learning curve
- Very small hobby shows may not need the extras
When to buy — and what to double-check
✔ Captivate is a great fit if you
- Want to grow a podcast, not just store files
- Run more than one show
- Work with co-hosts or a team
- Want analytics and monetization in one place
✘ Consider elsewhere if you
- Need a completely free host
- Publish only occasionally for fun
- Want the absolute cheapest option
- Prefer an all-in-one recording and editing app
Captivate vs other podcast hosts
| Host | Pricing model | Free option | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Captivate | By monthly downloads, unlimited uploads | 7-day trial | Growing shows and teams |
| Buzzsprout | By upload hours | Limited free plan | Beginners |
| Transistor | By downloads, multiple shows | Trial | Businesses with several shows |
| Spotify for Creators | Free | Yes | Hobby podcasters on a budget |
Comparison reflects general positioning and publicly listed information, which can change. Check each retailer before buying.
Quick answers
How much does Captivate cost?
Plans start at around $17/month on annual billing for the Personal tier, with higher tiers for more monthly downloads. Check the pricing page for current rates.
Does Captivate have a free trial?
Yes, a 7-day free trial, and you can cancel anytime.
Can I host more than one podcast?
Yes. Every plan includes unlimited podcasts and unlimited storage.
Can I move my podcast to Captivate?
Yes, you can migrate an existing show from another host, keeping your episodes and subscribers.
Who owns Captivate?
Captivate is run by Captivate Audio Ltd, based in Loughborough, UK, and was founded in 2018.
8.5/10 — Built for podcasters who want to grow
Captivate stands out by not limiting uploads or shows, then layering on genuinely useful growth, analytics and monetization tools. For serious podcasters and teams, it's one of the best-value hosts available.
Start with the 7-day free trial and see whether the growth tools fit your workflow.
Try Captivate free →
