Disclosure: The Zoom Podtrak on P8 was on loan from Zoom. I was not compensated for this review.
http://www.schoolofpodcasting.com/p8
http://www.schoolofofpodcasting.com/rodecaster
I've enjoyed using the Rodecaster this year, but there are "little things" that you don't realize bug you (like being able to delete a file, or rename it) until someone makes it easy for you. Yes, the Rodecaster has more options with their effects, but neither of these machines will make you sound bad. If you want to nerd out over which frequency to boost in the lower range of your EQ, then the Rodecaster is for you. If you just want to tweak a few knobs until it sounds good in your headphones, then the Zoom is for you.
The Zoom has the "ON AIR" function which gives you the ability to push a button, and while still be hear in the headphones, whatever you say is not recorded. I could see a producer letting you know to get closer to the microphone. The podcasters hear it, but its not recorded. This is not on the Rodecaster.
The Rodecaster has mic modeling which enables you to plugin in a mic, press a button, and have the system set to make you sound great (most of the presets are for Rode microphones).
Rode has a noise gate function, and I wish I could hear an example of Zoom's feature to Turn down tracks where the channel has no audio. That sounds like a noise gate, and yet it doesn't. With the ability to record many people at the same time, so way to reduce bleed between channels is needed.
The Zoom Podtrak P8 enables you to do some basic editing. You can even mix in background music. For me, I will be doing all the editing in Audacity or Hindenburg Journalist Pro.
In the end you're not going to sound bad with either of these units. My favorite unit for most podcasters is the Zoom P4 (which has less "live streaming" functions but is great for me where I record solor, or remote interviews). see https://supportthisshow.com/zoomp4
