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Podcast & Audio Publishing · head to head

Apple Podcasts Connect vs HBO Max

Apple Podcasts Connect logo

Apple Podcasts Connect

Podcast & Audio Publishing

Manage and distribute your podcast on Apple Podcasts

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
HBO Max logo

HBO Max

Podcast & Audio Publishing

Stream iconic series, movies, and Max Originals

From
$9.99/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; HBO Max three subscription tiers: Basic With Ads at 10.99 USD/month, Standard at 18.49 USD/month, Premium at 22.99 USD/month
  • They diverge on capability: Apple Podcasts Connect covers Podcast submission, HBO Max covers Streaming.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Apple Podcasts Connect and HBO Max differ
AttributeApple Podcasts ConnectHBO Max
Starting priceFree$9.99/month
Pricing modelfreesubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Ios, MacosWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles
CategoryPodcast & Audio PublishingUnknown
Founded19762020

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

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 HBO Max

  • Streaming
  • Downloads
  • Profiles
  • HBO content
  • Max Originals
  • Smart TVs
  • Gaming consoles
  • Mobile devices

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 HBO Max
  • Claiming an existing show so it is registered to your accountnot HBO Max
  • Reviewing Apple Podcasts listener trends and analyticsnot HBO Max
  • Managing show artwork and metadatanot HBO Max

HBO Max

  • Premium streamingnot Apple Podcasts Connect
  • HBO contentnot Apple Podcasts Connect
  • Original seriesnot 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

HBO Max

  • Three subscription tiers: Basic With Ads at 10.99 USD/month, Standard at 18.49 USD/month, Premium at 22.99 USD/month
  • The cheapest tier is ad supported; ad-free viewing requires the Standard tier or above

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

HBO Max

$9.99/month
  • With Ads$9.99/month
    • Full HD
    • Ad-supported
    • 2 devices
  • Ad-Free$15.99/month
    • Full HD
    • Ad-free
    • 2 devices
  • Ultimate Ad-Free$19.99/month
    • 4K UHD
    • Dolby Atmos
    • 4 devices

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 HBO Max if

  • You need streaming.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles.
  • You also want downloads.
HBO Max review

Questions people ask

Is Apple Podcasts Connect or HBO Max better?
Neither clearly leads. Apple Podcasts Connect starts at Free and HBO Max at $9.99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Apple Podcasts Connect or HBO Max?
Apple Podcasts Connect has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Apple Podcasts Connect and $9.99/month for HBO Max.
Does Apple Podcasts Connect or HBO Max run on more platforms?
Apple Podcasts Connect runs on Web, Ios, Macos. HBO Max runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles.
Can I use Apple Podcasts Connect for free?
Yes. Apple Podcasts Connect has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. HBO Max starts at $9.99/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 HBO Max is typically brought in for.
What can Apple Podcasts Connect do that HBO Max cannot?
Apple Podcasts Connect covers Podcast submission, Episode management, Analytics, Subscription monetization. HBO Max covers Streaming, Downloads, Profiles, HBO content. Both handle Web support, Ios support.
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