If you're into podcasting, I'm sure you've heard of Chartable. For many podcasters, it was more than just a tool; it was the tool!

Unfortunately, Chartable is closing its doors forever. Sad, right? But no panic, there are alternatives out there that can make you feel less lonely.

Before we explore those possibilities, let's take a quick look at what made Chartable so popular in the first place.

Why was Chartable so popular?

What was unique about Chartable? It made podcast analytics painless in one fell swoop.

Here are the aspects which people loved most:

1. Tracking Performance: Whether it be indie or running big shows, Chartable showed you, at a glimpse, the performance of your podcast. That includes ranking, downloads, and trends in one spot.

2. SmartLinks: A true game changer. One link to send listeners to wherever they wanted to listen to a podcast? Genius! And it gave you data on where your audience was coming from.

3. Ad Campaigns: Chartable didn't just stop at tracking your podcast; it helped you measure the impact of your ads. You could finally see if those dollars spent on promotions were worth it.

4. User-Friendly Interface: Analytics can be dry or confusing, but Chartable made it simple. It was designed for podcasters, not data geeks. For all podcasters, even true beginners. And we all loved that!

5. Reliable and Cost-Effective: Chartable provided reliable measurement tools in an affordable way for podcasters of all levels.

6. IAB Certified: Conforming to the standards, thanks to its certification from the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB), made Chartable's data reliable and consistent.

To podcasters, losing Chartable is a little like losing a good friend. It was the go-to for actionable insights.

And without it, many creators are left wondering: - How do I track my podcast now?

This shift also highlights something important: as a podcaster, you need reliable tools. Podcasting is competitive, and flying blind isn't an option.

What are the best alternatives to Chartable?

With Chartable closing its doors on December 12, 2024, podcasters are looking for other options to help them track, analyze, and grow their podcasts.

Here are some user-friendly alternatives to consider:

1. Buzzsprout

Buzzsprout is a user-friendly podcast hosting platform that makes publishing and promoting episodes easy for everyone.

• Pros:

• Ieasy-to-use interface suitable for beginners.

• Offers features like Magic Mastering for audio enhancement.

• Provides detailed analytics and distribution to major directories.

• IAB certified

• Cons:

• Free plan stores episodes for only 90 days.

• Additional costs for premium features like transcription services.

• Podcast category ranking not available

• No trackable prefix

Buzzsprout vs. Chartable: A Feature Comparison

Tracking Performance: Buzzsprout provides detailed podcast statistics, showing overall downloads over time, the kind of apps listeners use, and even location information about the listeners. They are comprehensive but might be less in-depth compared to the analytics provided by Chartable.

SmartLinks: unfortunately, SmartLinks are not a feature offered by Buzzsprout.

Ad Campaigns: Buzzsprout now features "Buzzsprout Ads," a self-service podcast ad-buying platform enabling podcasters to run ads on episodes and track their performance. This feature offers functionality comparable to Chartable's ad campaign tracking.

User-Friendly Interface: Buzzsprout is known for its intuitive, user-friendly interface, which makes it ideal for both young and experienced podcasters.

2. Simplecast

Simplecast is popular for its podcast hosting with advanced analytics and remarkable distribution tools.

• Pros:

• Provides detailed listener analytics and insights.

• Suppohttps://www.simplecast.com/rts multiple team members with varying access levels.

• Features a customizable website and embeddable players.

• IAB certified

• Cons:

• Higher pricing tiers compared to some competitors.

• Some advanced features may require technical knowledge.

• Podcast category ranking not available

• No trackable prefix

Simplecast vs. Chartable: A Feature Comparison

Tracking Performance: Simplecast offers detailed analytics, from listeners' locations to the devices on which they tune in and even granular download statistics. These features are how podcasters can keep tabs on the performance of their shows, much like with Chartable.

SmartLinks: Simplecast does not offer a direct equivalent to Chartable's SmartLinks, which are single links that direct listeners to their preferred podcast platforms while tracking their origins.

Ad Campaigns: Simplecast doesn't have built-in tools for tracking the performance of ad campaigns on external networks, like Chartable provided.

Ease of Use: Simplecast has an intuitive interface; user-friendly, and easy to work with for podcasters of any level, which is pretty cool and aligns with the simplicity reputation Chartable had.

3. Libsyn

Libsyn is one of the oldest podcast hosting platforms, offering reliable services with a focus on distribution.

• Pros:

• Extensive distribution network to multiple platforms.

• Offers monetization options through advertising programs.

• Provides a customizable podcast page.

• IAB certified

• Cons:

• User interface may feel outdated.

• Storage limits based on pricing tiers.

• Podcast category ranking not available

• No trackable prefix

Libsyn vs. Chartable: A Feature Comparison

Tracking Performance: Libsyn comes with basic and advanced statistics packages that will help podcasters track download numbers, listener location, and user agents. By this, podcasters can track performance in the same way with Chartable's tracking of a show.

SmartLinks: Libsyn does not provide an equivalent to SmartLinks, whereby Chartable creates one link for podcasters to refer listeners to multiple platforms while it tracks where they came from.

Ad Campaigns: Libsyn provides advertising tools, including dynamic ad insertion and campaign management, so podcasters can make money with their content and track the performance of their ads. These features are similar to Chartable's ad tracking campaigns.

User-Friendly Interface: Libsyn's platform is designed to be suitable for both beginners and experienced podcasters. The dashboard is intuitive and allows to manage efficently  the podcast episodes, analytics, and monetization options.Its simplicity of use makes Libsyn a good alternative to Cgartable Chartable.

4. Podbean

Podbean combines podcast hosting with monetization and promotional features.

• Pros:

• Unlimited storage and bandwidth on paid plans.

• Built-in monetization through ads and premium content.

• Offers a free basic plan.

• Cons:

• Analytics may be less detailed compared to competitors.

• User interface can be complex for beginners.

• Podcast category ranking not available

• No trackable prefix

• Not IAB certified

Podbean vs. Chartable: A Feature Comparison

Tracking Performance: Podbean offers detailed analytics, such as download data, listener demographics, location information, and listening habits over time. These tools enable podcasters to monitor the performance of their podcast, much like Chartable offers.

SmartLinks: Podbean does not currently have a feature similar to SmartLinks from Chartable, which are single links that take listeners to whatever podcast platform they prefer and help track where those listeners originated.

Ad Campaigns: Podbean provides all tools, such as dynamic ad insertion and the ability to manage ad campaigns to earn money with your podcasts, and also track their performance. These features are equated with tracking ad campaigns from Chartable.

User-Friendly Interface: Podbean boasts of an intuitive and friendly user interface, making podcasters of all levels enjoy it. This is combined with the reputation of Chartable for simplicity.

5. Castos

Castos provides podcast hosting with a focus on integration with WordPress through its Seriously Simple Podcasting plugin.

• Pros:

• Seamless integration with WordPress for easy publishing.

• Offers private podcasting options.

• Unlimited storage and bandwidth.

• Cons:

• Higher starting price point.

• Limited standalone features without WordPress.

• Podcast category ranking not available

• No trackable prefix

• Not IAB certified

Castos vs. Chartable: A Feature Comparison

Tracking Performance: Castos offers detailed analytics, from download statistics and listener demographics to geographic data, all to help podcasters understand the performance of their show; similarly, this is available from Chartable.

SmartLinks: Castos does not offer a similar product to Chartable's SmartLinks-a single link that points listeners to different platforms while still tracking their origin.

Ad Campaigns: Castos doesn't have built-in functionality for tracking the performance of external ad campaigns, which was something that Chartable had provided.

User-Friendly Interface: Castos has an intuitive and user-friendly interface, making it approachable by podcasters of any experience level, much like the reputation of Chartable for simplicity.

6. Transistor

Transistor offers professional podcast hosting with a focus on analytics and team collaboration.

• Pros:

• Allows hosting multiple podcasts under one account.

• Provides detailed analytics and listener insights.

• Supports private podcasting for internal audiences.

• Cons:

• Pricing may be higher for those with large audiences.

• Limited monetization options.

• Podcast category ranking not availableNo trackable prefix

• Not IAB certified

Transistor vs. Chartable: A Feature Comparison

Performance Tracking: Transistor provides detailed podcast analytics, such as average downloads per episode for periods like 7, 30, 60, and 90 days, subscribers, locations of listeners, and the platforms on which they are listening. These features make Transistor equally good at monitoring the performance of one's show.

SmartLinks: Transistor doesn't have the equivalent functionality to Chartable's SmartLinks, one link that sends listeners to their preferred podcast platforms and also tracks their origin.

Ad Campaigns: Transistor does not have integrated functionality for tracking external ad campaigns, something that Chartable had.

User-Friendly Interface: Transistor has a really intuitive and user-friendly interface, making it accessible to podcasters of all experience levels, much like the reputation Chartable holds for simplicity.

7. Omny Studio

Omny Studio is an enterprise-level podcast hosting platform offering advanced features for large publishers.

• Pros:

• Advanced analytics and reporting tools.

• Dynamic ad insertion capabilities.

• Supports large-scale podcast networks.

• Trackable prefix

• Cons:

• Pricing tailored for enterprises, may be costly for small creators.

• Complex interface requiring a learning curve.

• Podcast category ranking not available

Omny Studio vs. Chartable: A Feature Comparison

Tracking Performance: Omny Studio offers detailed analytics, such as download statistics, listener demographics, geographic data, and second-by-second tracking of audience consumption. By offering these features, podcasters can track the performance of their shows, much like they could using Chartable.

SmartLinks: Omny Studio doesn't have a feature that works just like Chartable's SmartLinks-just one link that points listeners where they want to go, while tracking where they came from.

Ad Campaigns: Omny Studio offers dynamic ad insertion and campaign management, among other monetization capabilities, so podcasters can make money and manage campaigns. This is similar in functionality to the ad campaign tracking of Chartable.

Easy to Use: the interface of Omny Studio is made for beginners, which makes it a great tool for podcasters of any experience level. That is what makes it particularly interesting for those looking for Chartable replacement and aiming at a tool that's efficient but easy to use.

8. Megaphone

Megaphone, owned by Spotify, provides podcast hosting with a focus on monetization and advertising.

• Pros:

• Access to Spotify's advertising network.

• Advanced monetization and ad insertion features.

• Analytics and audience insights

• Trackable prefix.

• Cons:

• Not accessible to all podcasters; requires application.

• Pricing and features tailored for larger podcasts.

• Podcast category ranking not available

• Partial analytics (no region & city)

Megaphone vs. Chartable: A Feature Comparison

Tracking Performance: Megaphone provides detailed analytics, such as download statistics, listener demographics, geographic data, and audience engagement metrics. These features make it easy for podcasters to track the performance of their shows, just like Chartable does.

SmartLinks: Megaphone does not have a feature that matches SmartLinks from Chartable, which are single links that take listeners to their favorite podcast platforms while tracking their origins.

Ad Campaigns: Megaphone brings state-of-the-art monetization capabilities, including dynamic ad insertion and campaign management, giving podcasters an easy way to make money and run ad campaigns. This competes with the ad campaign tracking from Chartable.

User-Friendly Interface: Megaphone has a very intuitive, user-friendly interface that makes using the program easy for podcasters with little or extensive experience; in step with Chartable, simplicity shines.

9. CoHost

CoHost is a podcast analytics and insights tool designed for brands and agencies.

It provides essential data to understand your audience and measure the reach, growth, and impact of your podcast.

Pros:

• Provides detailed audience demographics, including age, gender, and interests.

• Provides B2B analytics to find out the companies where your listeners work.

• Features tracking links that can be used to determine how well a marketing campaign is working.

• Trackable Prefix

Cons:

• Does not allow video podcasts

• There is no mobile application for the platform.

• Podcast category ranking not available

• Analytics dont allow to track region & city

• No monetization features

CoHost vs. Chartable: A Feature Comparison

Tracking Performance: CoHost has in-depth analytics, which range from download statistics to listener demographics and audience engagement metrics, thus helping podcasters effectively track the performance of their shows, similar to what Chartable has to offer.

SmartLinks: CoHost has "CoHost Tracking Links," which works similarly to Chartable's SmartLinks. The links will direct listeners to different platforms and will also provide data on where the audience is coming from. This will help podcasters track how effective their marketing campaigns are.

Track Ads Campaigns: Like the tracking of ad campaigns facilitated by Chartable, CoHost supports podcasters through facilities for tracking the success and response that is achieved from advertising for promotional campaigns. Use its analytics to see whether promotion A works better for users.

Ease to Access: CoHost has designed and organized things very well, so anyone gets their hands on ease right after accessing CoHost-no difference from the simplicity Charter represents.

10. Podtrac

Podtrac has been in the business of podcast analytics since 2005, providing the right metrics to understand audiences and create better content.

Pros:

• Provides standard metrics: unique monthly audience and episode downloads.

• Provides demographic data to understand listener profiles.

• Free basic measurement services.

Cons:

• Reports are not very customizable.

• Lacks advanced marketing insights found in other tools.

• Podcast category ranking not available

Podtrac vs. Chartable: Feature Comparison

Tracking Performance: While Podtrac provides analytics on the size and composition of one's audience for tracking performance, its scope and detail in analytics might be somewhat more limited compared to Chartable.

SmartLinks: While Podtrac does not provide a feature corresponding to SmartLinks, these links from Chartable are singular links that redirect listeners to their preferred platforms but still monitor their point of origin.

Ad Campaigns: Podtrac includes some advertising capabilities, such as ad sales representation and campaign management, which allow podcasters to monetize their content. However, it lacks the in-depth ad attribution and tracking that Chartable did.

Ease of Use: The interface is functional but may not be quite as intuitive or user-friendly as the Chartable platform, which was known for being simplicity itself.

11. Rephonic

Rephonic has a database of podcasts that grants access to view charts across multiple platforms and countries.

Pros:

• Provide access to podcast rankings worldwide.

• Allows podcasters to claim their show for detailed metrics.

• Reviews across several platforms are included.

• Podcast category ranking available

Cons:

• Some features may require a paid subscription.

• Does not offer deep analytics like other platforms.

Rephonic vs. Chartable: A Feature Comparison

Tracking Performance: While Rephonic grants access to listener demographics, audience sizes, and contact information for more than three million podcasts, it does not make real-time download statistics or detailed performance analytics available as does the tracking capability of Chartable.

SmartLinks: Rephonic does not have a feature like SmartLinks in Chartable, that is, single links which route listeners to their preferred podcast platforms and track their origin.

Tracking Ad Campaigns: Rephonic doesn't have integrated ad campaign tracking from external ad campaigns like Chartable did.

User-Friendly Interface: Rephonic is configured with a user-friendly interface, making it easier to search for podcasts and reach out for outreach. Still, its main thrust is in podcast research rather than analytics, which may not be the same as the user experience in Chartable.

12. Ausha

Ausha is a platform that offers podcast hosting, accompanied by advanced analytics and promotion features.

Pros:

• Delivers IAB-certified data on audiences for credibility.

• Offers Smartlinks for promotion across platforms.

• AI-powered SEO optimization boosts discoverability.

• Podcast category ranking available

Cons:

• Might be complex to master for beginners.

• Not all advanced features can be present in every higher tier plan.

• No trackable prefix

• IAB certified

Ausha vs. Chartable: A Feature Comparison

Tracking Performance: Ausha gives in-depth analytics on downloads, listener demographics, and episode performance to give podcasters an idea of the behavior of their listeners. This analytics feature is equivalent to performance tracking by Chartable.

SmartLinks: Just like the SmartLinks feature on Chartable, Ausha enables podcasters to give a single link to their listeners, which then routes them to different platforms. It also keeps track of the link's performance and gives information on the engagement created by the listeners.

Ad Campaigns: Ausha has marketing tools like social media management and newsletter integrations, but the tracking of ad campaigns is not as advanced as what Chartable offers.

User-Friendly Interface: Ausha is designed to be intuitive and user-friendly, appealing to podcasters at any level, from total beginners to experienced veterans, just like the reputation of Chartable.

13. Magellan AI

Magellan AI specializes in podcast advertising analytics to help podcasters understand the effectiveness of their ad campaigns.

Pros:

• Detailed ad attribution reports.

• Provides insights into podcast advertising trends.

• Allows measuring the efficiency of podcast-to-podcast promotions.

Cons:

• Focused on advertising metrics mainly.

• Better for large podcasts that can afford to advertise.

Magellan AI vs. Chartable: A Feature Comparison

Tracking Performance: Magellan AI specializes in podcast advertising analytics, offering insights into advertising spend, ad occurrences, and competitive intelligence. However, it does not provide comprehensive download statistics or listener demographics akin to Chartable's performance tracking features.

SmartLinks: Magellan AI does not offer a feature comparable to Chartable's SmartLinks, which are single links directing listeners to their preferred podcast platforms while tracking their origins.

Ad Campaigns: Magellan AI excels in ad campaign analytics, providing tools for podcast-to-podcast attribution and pixel-based tracking to measure the effectiveness of advertising efforts. These capabilities align closely with Chartable's ad campaign tracking features.

User-Friendly Interface: Magellan AI is designed with an intuitive interface tailored for advertisers and agencies, facilitating ease of use in accessing advertising data and analytics. However, its focus is more on advertising insights than general podcast analytics, which may differ from Chartable's user experience.

14. Podder

Podder is an all-in-one podcast hosting and analytics platform designed to help podcasters grow their audience and track their show's performance.

Pros:

• Detailed analytics are provided, including demographics and engagement metrics for the audience.

• Allows to measure the effectiveness of promotional efforts.

• Suitable for beginners and experienced podcasters alike.

Cons:

• Limited customization options for podcast websites.

• Higher-tier subscriptions are needed to enable advanced features, such as ad campaign integrations. A few third-party integrations are supported compared to other platforms like Simplecast or Buzzsprout.

• Not IAB certified

• No podcast hosting

Podder vs. Chartable: A Feature Comparison

Tracking Performance: Podder gives detailed analytics on downloads, listener demographics, and engagement. These tools help podcasters keep track of how well or poorly their show is performing, much like Chartable.

SmartLinks: Similarly, Podder allows podcasters to create single links, which could be used to direct listeners to various platforms, all while keeping track of their origin, courtesy of Chartable's SmartLinks.

Ad Campaigns: It allows tracking ad campaigns for insights into ad attribution and effectiveness.

Ease of Use: Podder is designed with an intuitive and user-friendly interface, making it accessible for podcasters of all experience levels. This is in line with the simplicity and usability that Chartable was known for.

What to look for when replacing Chartable

Even though we will miss it, Chartable wasn’t perfect. There were also some drawbacks:

• Fragmented Tracking with SmartLinks: Every SmartLink had to be made for a certain promotional channel. If anyone shared the link on some other platform than intended, it would still track originating from that, probably distorting the data.

• Limited Demographic Data: Advanced insights about the audience demographics were only available for U.S. listeners, leaving podcasters out of this region with less valuable information.

• Lacking in depth for analytics around podcasts and granular audience data, which is where some competitors differentiate.

• Reporting Capability: The type of data on offer was pretty limited and, therefore, hard to develop reports for any unique uses.

• No Hosting Capability: Chartable is not an end-to-end solution like its competitors, which means podcasters will have to host their shows on another platform.

Closing Thoughts

Chartable earned its place in podcasting history and in the heart of many podcasters, and it's a shame it's gone.

The world is moving fast, and waiting around is not going to help. Moreover, every ending is an opportunity for a fresh start.

If you were using Chartable, now is the time to explore alternatives. Ready to take the next step?

Still unsure how to choose the best equipment for your podcast studio? If so, read our guides:

How to choose the best podcast headphones (2024)

How to Choose the Best Microphone for your Podcast

How-To Guide: How to Choose the Best Audio Interface for your Podcast

How to Choose a Podcast Mixer: Complete Guide

Author's note

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