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Apple Podcasts Connect vs ESPN+

Apple Podcasts Connect logo

Apple Podcasts Connect

Software

Manage and distribute your podcast on Apple Podcasts

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
ESPN+ logo

ESPN+

Software

Stream live sports, original shows, and exclusive content

From
$10.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Apple Podcasts Connect has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Apple Podcasts Connect requires an Apple account, and a show has to be claimed before it can be managed; ESPN+ the App Store listing states the ESPN app offers two paid tiers, ESPN Select which includes ESPN+ only, and ESPN Unlimited which includes all ESPN networks and services including ESPN+, without stating the price of either in the visible description.
  • They diverge on capability: Apple Podcasts Connect covers Podcast submission, ESPN+ covers Live sports.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Apple Podcasts Connect and ESPN+ actually diverge.

Attributes where Apple Podcasts Connect and ESPN+ differ
AttributeApple Podcasts ConnectESPN+
Starting priceFree$10.99/month
Pricing modelfreesubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Ios, MacosWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Roku, Fire-tv
Founded19762018

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Apple Podcasts Connect

  • Podcast submission
  • Episode management
  • Analytics
  • Subscription monetization
  • Show optimization
  • Multi-show management
  • RSS feeds
  • Hosting platforms

Only in ESPN+

  • Live sports
  • Original shows
  • Exclusive content
  • Replays
  • Analysis
  • Smart TVs
  • Streaming devices
  • Account security

Both cover

  • Web support
  • Ios support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Apple Podcasts Connect

  • Submitting a new podcast to Apple Podcastsnot ESPN+
  • Claiming an existing show so it is registered to your accountnot ESPN+
  • Reviewing Apple Podcasts listener trends and analyticsnot ESPN+
  • Managing show artwork and metadatanot ESPN+

ESPN+

  • Sports streamingnot Apple Podcasts Connect
  • Live event watchingnot Apple Podcasts Connect

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Apple Podcasts Connect

  • Requires an Apple account, and a show has to be claimed before it can be managed
  • Only reports listening that happens inside Apple Podcasts, so it is not a whole-audience view
  • Does not host audio; the show still needs a hosting provider elsewhere

ESPN+

  • The App Store listing states the ESPN app offers two paid tiers, ESPN Select which includes ESPN+ only, and ESPN Unlimited which includes all ESPN networks and services including ESPN+, without stating the price of either in the visible description.

Pricing, plan by plan

Apple Podcasts Connect

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Podcast submission
    • Analytics dashboard
    • Episode management
  • Subscriptions Program$19.99/year
    • Premium subscriptions
    • Paid content
    • Subscriber management

ESPN+

$10.99/month
  • ESPN+$10.99/month
    • Live sports
    • Exclusive content
    • Original shows
  • Bundle$13.99/month
    • ESPN+
    • Disney+
    • Hulu

Which should you pick?

Choose Apple Podcasts Connect if

  • You need podcast submission.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Macos.
  • You also want episode management.
Apple Podcasts Connect review

Choose ESPN+ if

  • You need live sports.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Roku, Fire-tv.
  • You also want original shows.
ESPN+ review

Questions people ask

Is Apple Podcasts Connect or ESPN+ better?
Neither clearly leads. Apple Podcasts Connect starts at Free and ESPN+ at $10.99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Apple Podcasts Connect or ESPN+?
Apple Podcasts Connect has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Apple Podcasts Connect and $10.99/month for ESPN+.
Does Apple Podcasts Connect or ESPN+ run on more platforms?
Apple Podcasts Connect runs on Web, Ios, Macos. ESPN+ runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Roku, Fire-tv.
Can I use Apple Podcasts Connect for free?
Yes. Apple Podcasts Connect has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. ESPN+ starts at $10.99/month.
What is Apple Podcasts Connect best used for?
Apple Podcasts Connect is most often used for submitting a new podcast to apple podcasts, claiming an existing show so it is registered to your account, reviewing apple podcasts listener trends and analytics, managing show artwork and metadata. Of those, submitting a new podcast to apple podcasts and claiming an existing show so it is registered to your account are not what ESPN+ is typically brought in for.
What can Apple Podcasts Connect do that ESPN+ cannot?
Apple Podcasts Connect covers Podcast submission, Episode management, Analytics, Subscription monetization. ESPN+ covers Live sports, Original shows, Exclusive content, Replays. Both handle Web support, Ios support.
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