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Podcasting · head to head

Apple Podcasts Connect vs Megaphone

Apple Podcasts Connect logo

Apple Podcasts Connect

Podcasting

Manage and distribute your podcast on Apple Podcasts

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Megaphone logo

Megaphone

Podcasting

Enterprise podcast hosting and monetization

From
$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; Megaphone there is no free tier; the entry Professional plan starts at $99 per month
  • They diverge on capability: Apple Podcasts Connect covers Podcast submission, Megaphone covers Enterprise hosting.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Apple Podcasts Connect and Megaphone differ
AttributeApple Podcasts ConnectMegaphone
Starting priceFree$99/month
Pricing modelfreesubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Ios, MacosWeb
Founded19762015

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

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 Megaphone

  • Enterprise hosting
  • Dynamic ad insertion
  • Targeted advertising
  • Advanced analytics
  • Network management
  • API access
  • Spotify
  • Advertising networks

Both cover

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

Megaphone

  • podcast hosting and distributionnot Apple Podcasts Connect
  • podcast analytics and monetizationnot Apple Podcasts Connect
  • creator monetization networksnot 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

Megaphone

  • There is no free tier; the entry Professional plan starts at $99 per month
  • The Enterprise plan is custom priced and requires requesting a quote
  • Access to the Megaphone API and the Metrics Export Service is Enterprise only
  • Live chat support on the Professional plan is limited to 4am to 9pm Monday to Friday Eastern Time
  • Monetisation runs through the Spotify Audience Network rather than an open marketplace

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

Megaphone

$99/month
  • Professional$99/month
    • Hosting and distribution
    • Campaign management
    • Reporting and analytics
  • Enterprise$null/custom
    • All Professional features
    • Comprehensive monetization tools
    • API access

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 Megaphone if

  • You need enterprise hosting.
  • You also want dynamic ad insertion.
Megaphone review

Questions people ask

Is Apple Podcasts Connect or Megaphone better?
Neither clearly leads. Apple Podcasts Connect starts at Free and Megaphone at $99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Apple Podcasts Connect or Megaphone?
Apple Podcasts Connect has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Apple Podcasts Connect and $99/month for Megaphone.
Does Apple Podcasts Connect or Megaphone run on more platforms?
Apple Podcasts Connect runs on Web, Ios, Macos. Megaphone 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. Megaphone starts at $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 Megaphone is typically brought in for.
What can Apple Podcasts Connect do that Megaphone cannot?
Apple Podcasts Connect covers Podcast submission, Episode management, Analytics, Subscription monetization. Megaphone covers Enterprise hosting, Dynamic ad insertion, Targeted advertising, Advanced analytics. Both handle Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Megaphone: How much does Megaphone (Spotify) cost?

Megaphone Professional plan costs USD 99/month and includes hosting, distribution, campaign management, analytics, and Spotify Audience Network monetization.

Source
Megaphone: Is there a free tier on Megaphone?

No, Megaphone does not offer a free plan; the Professional tier is the entry-level paid option at USD 99/month.

Source
Megaphone: What does Megaphone Enterprise include?

Megaphone Enterprise includes all Professional features plus comprehensive monetization tools and API access; pricing is custom and requires contacting sales.

Source
Megaphone: Who should use Megaphone Professional versus Enterprise?

Megaphone Professional suits individual podcasters; Enterprise is designed for large publishers, networks, and multi-show operations requiring advanced tools and custom integrations.

Source
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