Captivate Audio
Captivate Audio operates Captivate.fm, an all-in-one podcast hosting, monetization, distribution, and analytics platform serving independent creators, agencies, and media networks, with subscriptions starting at $17/month and a proprietary advertising marketplace.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2013
- HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
Captivate Audio firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Captivate Audio
- Legal name
- Captivate Audio Ltd.
- Website
- https://captivate.fm
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2013
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Captivate Audio operates Captivate.fm, an all-in-one podcast hosting, monetization, distribution, and analytics platform serving independent creators, agencies, and media networks, with subscriptions starting at $17/month and a proprietary advertising marketplace.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Captivate Audio industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Podcast Hosting Platform
- NAICS
- Software Publishers (513210), Software Publishers (5132), Broadcasting and Content Providers (516)
- SIC
- Services-Prepackaged Software (7372), Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Podcast Hosting Platforms (RSS, Analytics, Distribution) (MPACADAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Podcast Analytics, Measurement & Attribution Platforms (MPAIADAL), Creator Tools & Monetization Platforms (Podcasts/Audio) (MPAIADAG), Audio Social Monetization (Tips, Subscriptions, Gifting) (MPACAEAJ), Podcast Hosting & Enterprise Solutions (Private/Branded Podcasts) (MPACADAF)
Keywords
Where Captivate Audio is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- London
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Captivate Audio business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Podcast Hosting Subscriptions: Three-tier subscription model (Personal $17/mo, Professional $44/mo, Business $90/mo) based on monthly download allocations (30K, 150K, 300K respectively). Annual billing with 30-day free trial. Download-based usage pricing.
- Captivate Marketplace Commission: Marketplace platform connecting podcasters with advertisers. Captivate handles matching, insertion, billing, and reporting. Podcaster lists ad space, advertisers purchase, platform takes commission.
- Programmatic Advertising (Spot Ads): Automatic ad backfill for unsold inventory using DAX partnership. Podcaster enables programmatic ads, earns revenue from impressions in their back catalog.
- Membership Subscriptions: Podcasters sell subscription memberships directly to listeners through the platform, offering exclusive content, early access, and bonus episodes.
- One-off Tips: Listener donations and tips as one-time payments supporting podcasters without ongoing commitment.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Personal plan with 30,000 monthly downloads |
| Subscription | Annual | Professional plan with 150,000 monthly downloads |
| Subscription | Annual | Business plan with 300,000 monthly downloads |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Custom enterprise plans |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Captivate Audio product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Captivate Audio is an all-in-one podcast hosting, distribution, analytics, and monetization platform that provides independent creators, agencies, networks, and enterprise teams with tools to publish, measure, and monetize audio content. It combines IAB-certified analytics, proprietary monetization engines (AMIE), an integrated advertising marketplace (Captivate Marketplace), production tools (Captivate Studio), podcast websites (Captivate Sites), and WordPress integration (Captivate Sync). All features are included across every pricing tier, distinguishing it from competitors that gate functionality behind higher plans.
Product overview
Captivate Audio operates as an all-in-one podcast hosting platform that offers a comprehensive suite of integrated tools for podcast creation, distribution, monetization, and analytics. The core Captivate Podcast Hosting Platform serves as the central hub, supplemented by specialized modules including the Captivate Creator Suite (workflow and monetization toolkit), Captivate Studio (remote recording and editing), Captivate Assistant (AI-powered automation), Captivate Marketplace (advertising marketplace), Captivate Growth Labs (education platform), AMIE (dynamic ad insertion), IAB Certified Analytics, private podcasting, and Captivate Podcasts 2.0 (RSS enhancements). All features are available across all plans with no feature restrictions. The platform differentiates through its all-inclusive approach, unlimited storage and podcasts, and unique tools like guest booking and dynamic show notes.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Captivate Creator Suite: A suite of tools including integrated guest booking, interview management, dynamic show notes builder, episode planning, and workflow tools - available free on all plans.
- Captivate Assistant
- Captivate Growth Labs
- AMIE (Audio Monetization & Insertion Engine)
- Captivate Marketplace
- Captivate Sites
Products and services
- Captivate Podcast Hosting Platform All-in-one podcast hosting, distribution, analytics, and monetization platform with tiered subscriptions. Provides unlimited shows, IAB-certified analytics, dynamic ad insertion, audience insights, distribution to major directories, and inclusion of all features on every pricing tier. Designed for independent creators, agencies, networks, and enterprise users.
- Captivate Marketplace Marketplace platform that enables podcasters to monetize inventory by listing ad slots and connecting with advertisers directly or programmatically. Provides advertisers with access to Captivate's podcast inventory for targeted campaigns.
- Captivate Growth Labs Educational resource and training program from Captivate designed to help podcasters build, grow, and monetize their shows through curated courses and content.
Quantifiable outcome
- Save hours per week with automated show notes generation, episode planning, and research link tools
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Captivate Audio
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments7 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Captivate Audio technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration8 records
AI capability6 records
Feature6 records
Captivate Audio partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and strategic.
- DAX (Global)coreDAX (Digital Audio Exchange) is Global's pioneering digital advertising exchange. Partnership enables Captivate Marketplace to leverage DAX's bank of advertisers, connecting podcasters with major brands for programmatic and direct advertising campaigns. DAX's advanced targeting and measurement capabilities enhance ad campaign effectiveness for Captivate podcasters.
- Apple PodcastscoreApple Podcasts is a primary distribution channel for podcasters. Captivate provides one-click submission and ongoing distribution to Apple Podcasts, reaching hundreds of millions of potential listeners through the platform.
- SpotifycoreSpotify serves as a major podcast distribution destination. Captivate enables seamless submission and ongoing episode distribution to Spotify's podcast platform.
- YouTubecoreYouTube serves as both a video podcast platform and audio distribution channel. Captivate supports video podcast hosting and distribution to YouTube for creators expanding beyond audio.
- Amazon MusicmajorAmazon Music provides podcast distribution reaching Alexa-enabled devices and Amazon Music app users. Captivate enables one-click submission to Amazon Music as part of its comprehensive distribution network.
- DescriptstrategicDescript provides audio transcription and editing services integrated with Captivate. Partnership enables streamlined workflow for podcasters using Descript for transcription and show notes generation.
- ZapierstrategicZapier integration allows Captivate to connect with thousands of third-party apps and automate workflows. Podcasters can create custom integrations and automate tasks across their podcasting ecosystem.
- SquadCaststrategicSquadCast provides remote podcast recording with high-quality audio. Captivate's guest booking system integrates directly with SquadCast, allowing automatic calendar invites and recording session setup.
- RiversidestrategicRiverside is a remote recording platform referenced in Captivate's booking system integration options for high-quality remote podcast interviews.
- Podcast IndexstrategicPodcast Index is an open directory and API for podcasts supporting Podcasting 2.0 initiatives. Captivate participates in the Podcast Index and supports Podping for faster directory updates.
- Podcast Standards ProjectstrategicGrassroots industry coalition dedicated to creating standards and practices that improve the open podcasting ecosystem. Captivate is certified by the Podcast Standards Project.
- Pocket Casts, Goodpods, Overcast, TuneIn, Podcast Addict, Castro, Gaana, DeezermajorCaptivate distributes to multiple podcast listening apps and directories ensuring comprehensive reach for podcasters. One-click submission and automatic updates to these platforms.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Captivate Audio competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Descript: AI-powered audio/video editing and transcription platform widely used by podcasters. Adjacent rather than directly competitive with Captivate (and integrated with it), but expanding into recording and publishing features that overlap with Captivate Studio's roadmap.
Direct peers
- Megaphone (Spotify): Spotify-owned enterprise podcast hosting platform with industry-leading dynamic ad insertion. Most comparable to Captivate for mid-market and enterprise podcasters; competes head-to-head for media-network deals that Captivate is pursuing with Global.
- Libsyn: One of the oldest and largest podcast hosting providers, serving both independent and enterprise podcasters. Competes with Captivate in the mid-market and offers established enterprise tools (advanced stats, monetization) similar to Captivate's premium tiers.
- Transistor.fm: Indie-focused podcast hosting platform with a similar subscription-based pricing model and analytics emphasis. Closest SMB/long-tail peer to Captivate, also targeting independent creators, podcasters, and small businesses migrating from older hosts.
- Acast: A leading open podcast hosting and marketplace platform offering hosting, monetization, and dynamic ad insertion to creators globally. Direct competitor to Captivate's hosting-plus-marketplace model, particularly for shows seeking brand sponsorship beyond pure subscription tiers.
- Buzzsprout: One of the largest independent podcast hosting platforms, focused on simplicity and education for new and intermediate creators. Directly competes with Captivate's indie/creator segment and on user experience and onboarding.
- Castos: Podcast hosting platform with strong WordPress integration (Seriously Simple Podcasting plugin) and built-in YouTube republishing. Closely comparable to Captivate on the indie/WordPress creator workflow and on offering a single-subscription creator suite.
- Podbean: Podcast hosting platform combining unlimited hosting, monetization, and a built-in podcast app. Comparable to Captivate on the all-in-one thesis, particularly for creators who want hosting plus monetization in a single subscription.
- Spreaker (iHeart): iHeart-owned podcast hosting and monetization platform with programmatic ad capabilities. Competes with Captivate in the SMB and mid-market segments and offers a similar hosting-plus-ad-marketplace value proposition, but with the backing of a major US audio group.
Broad incumbents
- Spotify for Podcasters: Spotify's native podcast hosting and analytics tool for creators publishing to Spotify. While not a full-featured host on par with Captivate, it offers free hosting and distribution to Spotify's ecosystem - a structural competitive threat to any independent host.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Captivate Audio social profiles
Digital presenceCaptivate Audio compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Captivate Audio financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Captivate Audio leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Captivate Audio funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Captivate Audio M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Captivate Audio
What does Captivate Audio do?
Captivate Audio is an all-in-one podcast hosting, distribution, analytics, and monetization platform that provides independent creators, agencies, networks, and enterprise teams with tools to publish, measure, and monetize audio content. It combines IAB-certified analytics, proprietary monetization engines (AMIE), an integrated advertising marketplace (Captivate Marketplace), production tools (Captivate Studio), podcast websites (Captivate Sites), and WordPress integration (Captivate Sync). All features are included across every pricing tier, distinguishing it from competitors that gate functionality behind higher plans.
Is Captivate Audio a public or private company?
Captivate Audio is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Captivate Audio founded?
Captivate Audio was founded in 2013. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Captivate Audio based?
Captivate Audio is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Captivate Audio make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Podcast Hosting Subscriptions are the primary driver. The others are captivate Marketplace Commission, programmatic Advertising (Spot Ads), membership Subscriptions and one-off Tips.
Who are Captivate Audio's main competitors?
Descript is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are Megaphone (Spotify), Libsyn, Transistor.fm, Acast, Buzzsprout, Castos, Podbean and Spreaker (iHeart). Spotify for Podcasters is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Captivate Audio have an API?
Yes. Captivate provides API access for publishers, offering detailed event syncing and analytics access, connect to your own paywall with deep API access, full content publishing, and customisable subscription options. This is referenced under the 'Captivate for Publishers' section as 'Full API Access for your own platform'.
What industry is Captivate Audio in?
Captivate Audio's product category is Podcast Hosting Platform. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPACADAA, Podcast Hosting Platforms (RSS, Analytics, Distribution), with a secondary code of MPAIADAL, Podcast Analytics, Measurement & Attribution Platforms. Its NAICS code is 513210 and its SIC code is 7372.