Podcast & Audio Publishing · head to head
Buzzsprout vs Apple Podcasts Connect
Buzzsprout
Podcast & Audio Publishing
Simple and powerful podcast hosting made easy
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
Apple Podcasts Connect
Podcast & Audio Publishing
Manage and distribute your podcast on Apple Podcasts
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Buzzsprout upload hours do not carry over monthly; unused allocation lost; Apple Podcasts Connect requires an Apple account, and a show has to be claimed before it can be managed
- They diverge on capability: Buzzsprout covers Audio optimization, Apple Podcasts Connect covers Podcast submission.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Buzzsprout and Apple Podcasts Connect actually diverge.
| Attribute | Buzzsprout | Apple Podcasts Connect |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | freemium | free |
| Platforms | Web, Mobile | Web, Ios, Macos |
| Category | Podcast & Audio Publishing | Unknown |
| Founded | 2009 | 1976 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 Buzzsprout
- Audio optimization
- Automatic distribution
- Episode transcription
- Custom podcast website
- Analytics dashboard
- Magic Mastering
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
Only in Apple Podcasts Connect
- Podcast submission
- Episode management
- Analytics
- Subscription monetization
- Show optimization
- Multi-show management
- RSS feeds
- Hosting platforms
Both cover
- Privacy controls
- Web support
- Ios support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Buzzsprout
- Podcast hostingnot Apple Podcasts Connect
- Audio and video podcast distributionnot Apple Podcasts Connect
- Transcription and show notes generationnot Apple Podcasts Connect
- Podcast analytics and monetisationnot Apple Podcasts Connect
Apple Podcasts Connect
- Submitting a new podcast to Apple Podcastsnot Buzzsprout
- Claiming an existing show so it is registered to your accountnot Buzzsprout
- Reviewing Apple Podcasts listener trends and analyticsnot Buzzsprout
- Managing show artwork and metadatanot Buzzsprout
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Buzzsprout
- Upload hours do not carry over monthly; unused allocation lost
- Overage charges apply at plan rate for additional uploads
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
Pricing, plan by plan
Buzzsprout
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Buzzsprout review.
Apple Podcasts Connect
Free- FreeFree
- Podcast submission
- Analytics dashboard
- Episode management
- Subscriptions Program$19.99/year
- Premium subscriptions
- Paid content
- Subscriber management
Which should you pick?
Choose Buzzsprout if
- You need audio optimization.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Mobile.
- You also want automatic distribution.
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.
Questions people ask
- Is Buzzsprout or Apple Podcasts Connect better?
- Neither clearly leads. Buzzsprout starts at Free and Apple Podcasts Connect at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Buzzsprout or Apple Podcasts Connect?
- Buzzsprout starts at Free and Apple Podcasts Connect at Free.
- Does Buzzsprout or Apple Podcasts Connect run on more platforms?
- Buzzsprout runs on Web, Mobile. Apple Podcasts Connect runs on Web, Ios, Macos.
- Can I use Buzzsprout for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Buzzsprout best used for?
- Buzzsprout is most often used for podcast hosting, audio and video podcast distribution, transcription and show notes generation, podcast analytics and monetisation. Of those, podcast hosting and audio and video podcast distribution are not what Apple Podcasts Connect is typically brought in for.
- What can Buzzsprout do that Apple Podcasts Connect cannot?
- Buzzsprout covers Audio optimization, Automatic distribution, Episode transcription, Custom podcast website. Apple Podcasts Connect covers Podcast submission, Episode management, Analytics, Subscription monetization. Both handle Privacy controls, Web support, Ios support.