Anchor vs Captivate: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Anchor and Captivate side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below, Anchor leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Anchor
Free podcast hosting by Spotify
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (Captivate requires payment)
Captivate
Professional podcast hosting to create, grow, and monetize your podcasts with advanced tools and analytics.
Best for you if:
- • You want offers unlimited podcasts and storage on all plans
| At a Glance | Anchor | Captivate |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free 100% free | From $17/mo flat, billed yearly Personal plan |
Category | Podcast Hosting Video & Media | Podcast Hosting Marketing |
Rating | n/a | 4.5/5 G2 4.5 13 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | No |
Choose Anchor or Captivate?
Choose Anchor if
- You want a fully free tool (Captivate requires payment)
- You want completely free
- You want easy to use
Choose Captivate if
- You want offers unlimited podcasts and storage on all plans
- You want provides unique tools like the Analytics Importer and AI Assistant
In-Depth Analysis
Anchor
Free podcast hosting by Spotify
Anchor's pricing is exceptionally generous, offering a fully-featured podcast hosting solution for $0.
Strengths
- Pro: Completely free
- Pro: Easy to use
- Pro: Spotify integration
- Pro: Built-in monetization
Weaknesses
- Con: Limited analytics
- Con: Spotify ownership concerns
- Con: Basic editing tools
Key features
Captivate
Professional podcast hosting to create, grow, and monetize your podcasts with advanced tools and analytics.
Captivate starts at $17/month billed yearly ($19 monthly) for Personal, with Professional at $44 and Business at $90 per month billed yearly.
Strengths
- Pro: Offers unlimited podcasts and storage on all plans.
- Pro: Provides unique tools like the Analytics Importer and AI Assistant.
- Pro: Includes a comprehensive podcasting academy (Growth Labs) for skill development.
- Pro: Strong focus on monetization and growth features.
- Pro: 30-day free trial with full feature access.
Weaknesses
- Con: No free plan available.
- Con: Some advanced features like remote recording and editing are still in beta and have future release dates.
Key features
Plans and prices: Anchor vs Captivate
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Anchor |
| anchor.fm/pricing read Sep 30, 2026 |
| Captivate |
| captivate.fm/pricing read Oct 31, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Anchor pricing and Captivate pricing.
Key Takeaways
Anchor
- Has a free plan
Captivate
- Choose if you want professional podcast hosting to create, grow, and monetize your podcasts with advanced tools and analytics
What the data shows
On the data below, Anchor leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- Only Captivate has a published user rating (4.5/5 from 13 reviews); Anchor has none we can show.
- Captivate starts at $17/mo flat, billed yearly; Anchor has no public paid plan price on file.
- Only Anchor has a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Anchor and Captivate compare in 2026?
On the data below, Anchor leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. Only Captivate has a published user rating (4.5/5 from 13 reviews); Anchor has none we can show. Captivate starts at $17/mo flat, billed yearly; Anchor has no public paid plan price on file. Only Anchor has a free plan.
What are Anchor and Captivate used for?
Anchor: Free podcast hosting by Spotify. Captivate: Professional podcast hosting to create, grow, and monetize your podcasts with advanced tools and analytics.
What does Anchor cost vs Captivate?
Anchor is free. Captivate's cheapest paid plan is Personal at $17/mo flat, billed yearly. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 31, 2026.
What's the main difference between Anchor and Captivate?
Anchor's main strength: completely free. Captivate's main strength: offers unlimited podcasts and storage on all plans.