Captivate vs Podbean Pricing (2026)

Which one is cheaper?

They both start at the same price — $17/mo. The difference is in what you get at each tier.

Can I use either one for free?

Podbean has a free plan. Captivate doesn't — though they do offer a free trial.

How do they charge?

Different approach here. Captivate uses usage-based pricing, while Podbean goes with flat-rate. That changes the math depending on your team size and usage.

Which one is a better deal?

Depends on what you need. Captivate: Captivate sits in the mid-market of podcast hosting — not the cheapest (Buzzsprout, Anchor/Spotify for Podcasters undercut them) but well below enterprise tools. They're clearly targeting serious independent creators and small media companies who want pro tooling without a bloated price tag. Podbean: They're mid-market — not as cheap as Buzzsprout's entry tiers, not as premium as Simplecast or Transistor on a per-feature basis. At $17 to start, they're clearly fishing for indie creators who've outgrown free tools but aren't ready to pay Spotify-level hosting fees.

Still deciding? See the best Captivate alternatives or the best Podbean alternatives, ranked with verified pricing.