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Apple Podcasts Connect vs Fireside

Apple Podcasts Connect logo

Apple Podcasts Connect

Software

Manage and distribute your podcast on Apple Podcasts

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Fireside logo

Fireside

Software

Podcast hosting with community features

From
$20/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; Fireside starter plan at $9 per month allows one podcast and 5 episodes per month
  • They diverge on capability: Apple Podcasts Connect covers Podcast submission, Fireside covers Unlimited hosting.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Apple Podcasts Connect and Fireside differ
AttributeApple Podcasts ConnectFireside
Starting priceFree$20/month
Pricing modelfreesubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Ios, MacosWeb
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
  • Subscription monetization
  • Show optimization
  • Multi-show management
  • RSS feeds
  • Hosting platforms
  • Apple ecosystem

Only in Fireside

  • Unlimited hosting
  • Community features
  • Distribution
  • Listener engagement
  • Monetization
  • All podcast platforms
  • Email services
  • Social media

Both cover

  • Analytics
  • Privacy controls
  • Web 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 Fireside
  • Claiming an existing show so it is registered to your accountnot Fireside
  • Reviewing Apple Podcasts listener trends and analyticsnot Fireside
  • Managing show artwork and metadatanot Fireside

Fireside

  • Hosting a podcast together with a customisable podcast websitenot Apple Podcasts Connect
  • Running several shows as a podcast network from one accountnot Apple Podcasts Connect
  • Tracking episode download metrics and link clicksnot 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

Fireside

  • Starter plan at $9 per month allows one podcast and 5 episodes per month
  • Custom domain with SSL requires the $19 per month Standard plan; Starter sites sit on a Fireside subdomain
  • Additional podcasts beyond the one included on Standard cost $8 per month each
  • Bandwidth is capped at 1TB per month on Standard and 5TB per month on Professional
  • Advanced download metrics and click tracking require the $49 per month Professional plan

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

Fireside

$20/month
  • Creator$20/month
    • Unlimited hosting
    • Community features
    • Distribution
  • Network$50/month
    • Multiple shows
    • Team management
    • Advanced analytics

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 Fireside if

  • You need unlimited hosting.
  • You also want community features.
Fireside review

Questions people ask

Is Apple Podcasts Connect or Fireside better?
Neither clearly leads. Apple Podcasts Connect starts at Free and Fireside at $20/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Apple Podcasts Connect or Fireside?
Apple Podcasts Connect has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Apple Podcasts Connect and $20/month for Fireside.
Does Apple Podcasts Connect or Fireside run on more platforms?
Apple Podcasts Connect runs on Web, Ios, Macos. Fireside runs on Web.
Can I use Apple Podcasts Connect for free?
Yes. Apple Podcasts Connect has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Fireside starts at $20/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 Fireside is typically brought in for.
What can Apple Podcasts Connect do that Fireside cannot?
Apple Podcasts Connect covers Podcast submission, Episode management, Subscription monetization, Show optimization. Fireside covers Unlimited hosting, Community features, Distribution, Listener engagement. Both handle Analytics, Privacy controls, Web support.
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