Supporting Cast vs Transistor
Supporting Cast
supportingcast.fm
Transistor
transistor.fmSide by side
| Figure | Supporting Cast | Transistor |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $99/mo | $19/mo |
| Free plan | — | — |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| Android | Yes | — |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 5 | 7 |
| Spec score · Podcast hosting platforms | 8.7 (#11) | 8.9 (#9) |
| Spec score · Private Podcast Platforms | 8.4 (#5) | 8.2 (#9) |
| Spec score · Podcast Monetization Platforms | 8.4 (#14) | 8.1 (#20) |
| Analytics level | advanced | advanced |
| API | The REST API uses HTTPS, JSON and OAuth bearer tokens at api.supportingcast.fm. | The public API follows JSON:API and exposes podcasts, episodes, private subscribers, analytics and webhooks. |
| Directory distribution | selected directories | major directories |
| Integrations | Official pages show integrations or connections with Stripe, Mailchimp, Spotify, WordPress, Zapier and WooCommerce. | Official integrations include Mailchimp, Drip, HubSpot, Kit, MailerLite, ActiveCampaign, Klaviyo, Zapier, Make, Descript, Riverside, Bluesky and YouTube. |
| Monetization tools | Yes | Yes |
| Private podcasts | Yes | Private podcasts provide members-only feeds for teams, communities and paying subscribers. |
| RSS feed | Yes | Yes |
| Security controls | Security documentation lists logged changes, staff MFA, optional administrator MFA, magic links or SAML/SCIM, role-based access and a WAF. | Transistor states that passwords are BCrypt-hashed, traffic uses TLS, databases run in AWS RDS and payment cards are tokenized through Stripe. |
| Video podcast support | Yes | Yes |
| What it does | Supporting Cast is a SaaS platform for monetizing premium audio through subscriptions, memberships and audiobooks. | Transistor is a cloud podcast-hosting and analytics service that publishes audio and video through RSS and major listening platforms. |
Plans
Supporting Cast
- Internal Podcast Starter$99 a month
- Starter Plan$99 a month
- Enterprise PlanPriced on request
- Internal Podcast EnterprisePriced on request
- Podcast subscriptionsPriced on request
Transistor
- Starter$19 a month
- Professional$49 a month
- Business$99 a month
- Starter$19 a month
- Professional$49 a month
- Business$99 a month
- EnterprisePriced on request
In their own words
Supporting Cast
Supporting Cast provides a platform for selling and delivering podcast subscriptions, audiobooks, newsletters, and other members-only benefits. Subscribers can listen to premium material in existing apps such as Apple Podcasts and Spotify without installing another app or copying a private RSS feed. Creators can offer single-show or multi-show bundles, monthly or annual billing, multiple tiers, pay-what-you-want pricing, and one-time payments. Exclusive video can be delivered through Spotify, a Supporting Cast subscription site, an embedded player, or private RSS; creators can also publish free or paid newsletters and blogs. The product supports private and video podcasts, RSS feeds, selected directory distribution, and advanced analytics. Integrations listed include Stripe, Mailchimp, Spotify, WordPress, Zapier, and WooCommerce. Reporting covers subscription growth, revenue, engagement, and individual downloads, with CSV export and data-pipeline queries. Pricing for podcast subscriptions is on request. Internal Podcast Starter costs $99 a month for up to 500 listeners; Enterprise pricing is by contact. Platforms include Android, iOS, web, and API.
Transistor
Transistor has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.