CoHost vs Simplecast
A side-by-side look at CoHost and Simplecast for podcasters: pricing, features, and where each one wins.
Simplecast
Podcast hosting and monetization built for networks and serious independents
$15/mo
Visit SimplecastAt a glance
| CoHost | Simplecast | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $89/mo | $15/mo |
| Free plan | No | No |
| Free trial | No | Yes |
| Best for | Brand and corporate podcast teams that need to show ROI and prove audience quality to stakeholders | Mid-size podcast networks and serious independents who need certified analytics and monetization in one platform |
Key features
CoHost
- B2B company identification of anonymous listeners
- Audience demographics by seniority, department, industry, and income
- Salesforce CRM integration with auto-sync
- Consumption data across Apple Podcasts and Spotify
- Tracking link attribution for campaigns
- IAB Tech Lab certified analytics
- AI-powered episode transcriptions
- PodPromote managed audience growth service (Enterprise)
Simplecast
- One-click distribution to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major directories
- IAB-certified audience analytics (unique listeners, location, technology data)
- Built-in podcast website with custom domain support
- Multi-show management with team permissions
- Embeddable web players (oEmbed-ready)
- Dynamic ad insertion and AdsWizz Marketplace access (Professional and Enterprise)
Pros and cons
CoHost
Pros
- Company-level listener identification is unique in the podcast analytics space
- Salesforce integration makes it viable as a genuine marketing attribution tool
- IAB certified analytics hold up to scrutiny from serious buyers
Cons
- Pricing starts at $89/mo - too expensive for independent or hobbyist podcasters
- No free tier and no free trial mentioned
- Annual billing required for base pricing; month-to-month likely costs more
Simplecast
Pros
- IAB-certified analytics carry credibility for ad sales and sponsorship negotiations
- 14-day free trial with no credit card required
- Clean interface for managing multiple shows with team-based permissions
Cons
- Dynamic ad insertion only available on custom-priced Professional and Enterprise plans
- 20K-50K monthly download caps on base plans may constrain fast-growing shows
- Customer support rated as inconsistent at the Basic tier level
The verdict
Choose CoHost if
Brand and corporate podcast teams that need to show ROI and prove audience quality to stakeholders.
CoHost is solving a real problem: most podcast analytics tell you how many people listened, not who they were. For a B2B company running a podcast as a demand-gen channel, that company-level identification capability is genuinely valuable - and the…
Choose Simplecast if
Mid-size podcast networks and serious independents who need certified analytics and monetization in one platform.
Simplecast has held up well as the space has gotten more crowded - it does the fundamentals cleanly, and the IAB-certified analytics are table stakes for any show running direct sponsorships. The inclusion of AdsWizz Marketplace access on the Professional…