Softwr

Podcast & Audio Publishing · head to head

Apple Podcasts Connect vs Podtrac

Apple Podcasts Connect logo

Apple Podcasts Connect

Podcast & Audio Publishing

Manage and distribute your podcast on Apple Podcasts

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Podtrac logo

Podtrac

Podcast & Audio Publishing

Industry-standard podcast measurement and analytics

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Apple Podcasts Connect requires an Apple account, and a show has to be claimed before it can be managed; Podtrac the Publisher Plans & Pricing page names four tiers, Getting Started, Grow Your Show, Grow Your Show Plus and Enterprise, but publishes no figure for any paid tier and offers no contact sales button, only a registration link
  • They diverge on capability: Apple Podcasts Connect covers Podcast submission, Podtrac covers IAB-certified measurement.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Apple Podcasts Connect and Podtrac differ
AttributeApple Podcasts ConnectPodtrac
Pricing modelfreefreemium
PlatformsWeb, Ios, MacosWeb
Founded19762005

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Podcast & Audio Publishing).

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
  • Hosting platforms
  • Apple ecosystem

Only in Podtrac

  • IAB-certified measurement
  • Download analytics
  • Industry rankings
  • Audience demographics
  • Trend analysis
  • Custom reporting
  • All podcast hosts
  • Advertising platforms

Both cover

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

Podtrac

  • Podcast measurementnot Apple Podcasts Connect
  • Industry rankingsnot Apple Podcasts Connect
  • Advertiser reportingnot Apple Podcasts Connect
  • Audience analysisnot 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

Podtrac

  • The Publisher Plans & Pricing page names four tiers, Getting Started, Grow Your Show, Grow Your Show Plus and Enterprise, but publishes no figure for any paid tier and offers no contact sales button, only a registration link

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

Podtrac

Free
  • PublisherFree
    • Podcast measurement
    • Download analytics
    • Industry rankings
  • Premium$undefined/month
    • Advanced demographics
    • Custom reporting
    • 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 Podtrac if

  • You need iab-certified measurement.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want download analytics.
Podtrac review

Questions people ask

Is Apple Podcasts Connect or Podtrac better?
Neither clearly leads. Apple Podcasts Connect starts at Free and Podtrac at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Apple Podcasts Connect or Podtrac?
Apple Podcasts Connect starts at Free and Podtrac at Free.
Does Apple Podcasts Connect or Podtrac run on more platforms?
Apple Podcasts Connect runs on Web, Ios, Macos. Podtrac runs on Web.
Can I use Apple Podcasts Connect for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
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 Podtrac is typically brought in for.
What can Apple Podcasts Connect do that Podtrac cannot?
Apple Podcasts Connect covers Podcast submission, Episode management, Analytics, Subscription monetization. Podtrac covers IAB-certified measurement, Download analytics, Industry rankings, Audience demographics. Both handle RSS feeds, Web support.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on Apple Podcasts Connect

More on Podtrac

Keep looking

Other head to heads