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Podcast & Audio Publishing · head to head

Apple Podcasts Connect vs Spreaker

Apple Podcasts Connect logo

Apple Podcasts Connect

Podcast & Audio Publishing

Manage and distribute your podcast on Apple Podcasts

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Spreaker logo

Spreaker

Podcast & Audio Publishing

Podcast hosting with social network features

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; Spreaker free plan allows only one podcast and retains statistics for 6 months
  • They diverge on capability: Apple Podcasts Connect covers Podcast submission, Spreaker covers Podcast hosting.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Apple Podcasts Connect and Spreaker differ
AttributeApple Podcasts ConnectSpreaker
Pricing modelfreefreemium
PlatformsWeb, Ios, MacosWeb, Ios, Android
Founded19762011

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
  • Subscription monetization
  • Show optimization
  • Multi-show management
  • RSS feeds
  • Hosting platforms
  • Apple ecosystem

Only in Spreaker

  • Podcast hosting
  • Live streaming
  • Social network
  • Distribution
  • Audio editing
  • All podcast platforms
  • Social media
  • Payment processors

Both cover

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

Spreaker

  • Hosting and distributing podcasts to Spotify, Apple Podcasts and iHeartRadionot Apple Podcasts Connect
  • Monetising a show through programmatic ads, listener subscriptions or a supporters clubnot Apple Podcasts Connect
  • Running a multi-show podcast network with collaboratorsnot 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

Spreaker

  • Free plan allows only one podcast and retains statistics for 6 months
  • Spreaker takes a 20 percent fee on Supporters Club listener payments on the free plan, dropping to 0 percent only on the $20 per month Broadcaster plan
  • Subscription monetisation and Apple Podcasts subscriptions require the $20 per month Broadcaster plan
  • Player colour customisation and collaborators require the $50 per month Anchorman plan
  • Selling and managing your own ad campaigns requires the $250 per month Publisher plan
  • Statistics retention is capped at 12 months below the Publisher plan, which extends it to 24 months

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

Spreaker

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 2 hours storage
    • Basic hosting
    • Social network access
  • Plus$5/month
    • 50 hours storage
    • Full distribution
    • Live streaming

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 Spreaker if

  • You need podcast hosting.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want live streaming.
Spreaker review

Questions people ask

Is Apple Podcasts Connect or Spreaker better?
Neither clearly leads. Apple Podcasts Connect starts at Free and Spreaker at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Apple Podcasts Connect or Spreaker?
Apple Podcasts Connect starts at Free and Spreaker at Free.
Does Apple Podcasts Connect or Spreaker run on more platforms?
Apple Podcasts Connect runs on Web, Ios, Macos. Spreaker runs on Web, Ios, Android.
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 Spreaker is typically brought in for.
What can Apple Podcasts Connect do that Spreaker cannot?
Apple Podcasts Connect covers Podcast submission, Episode management, Subscription monetization, Show optimization. Spreaker covers Podcast hosting, Live streaming, Social network, Distribution. Both handle Analytics, Privacy controls, Web support, Ios support.
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Related pages

More on Apple Podcasts Connect

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