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Marketing · head to head

Google Analytics vs Podcast.co

Google Analytics logo

Google Analytics

Marketing

Get to know your customers

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Podcast.co logo

Podcast.co

Podcasting

Professional podcast hosting and distribution

From
$19/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Google Analytics has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Google Analytics data retention limited to maximum 26 months on standard properties, with automatic deletion after retention period expires; Podcast.co limited advanced podcast customization compared to enterprise solutions
  • They diverge on capability: Google Analytics covers Real-time analytics, Podcast.co covers Unlimited hosting.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Google Analytics and Podcast.co actually diverge.

Attributes where Google Analytics and Podcast.co differ
AttributeGoogle AnalyticsPodcast.co
Starting priceFree$19/month
Pricing modelfreemiumUnknown
Free tierYesNo
CategoryMarketingPodcasting
Founded19982017

Identical on both: platforms (Web), 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 Google Analytics

  • Real-time analytics
  • Audience insights
  • Acquisition tracking
  • Behavior flow
  • Conversion tracking
  • Custom reports
  • Mobile analytics
  • E-commerce tracking

Only in Podcast.co

  • Unlimited hosting
  • Podcast websites
  • Distribution
  • Advanced analytics
  • Team collaboration
  • Spotify
  • Apple Podcasts
  • Google Podcasts

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Google Analytics

  • Website and web application analyticsnot Podcast.co
  • Event tracking and user behaviour analysisnot Podcast.co
  • Traffic source and conversion trackingnot Podcast.co

Podcast.co

  • Podcast hostingnot Google Analytics
  • Corporate podcastingnot Google Analytics
  • Network hostingnot Google Analytics

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Google Analytics

  • Data retention limited to maximum 26 months on standard properties, with automatic deletion after retention period expires
  • Large and XL properties capped at 2-month data retention only
  • Age, gender, and interest data always expire after 2 months regardless of retention settings
  • Free tier does not include GA360 advanced features

Podcast.co

  • Limited advanced podcast customization compared to enterprise solutions
  • Transcription service costs extra at $20/month for only 10 hours
  • Download limits vary by plan; Lite tier caps at 15,000 monthly downloads

Pricing, plan by plan

Google Analytics

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Google Analytics review.

Podcast.co

$19/month
  • Lite$19/month
    • 1 user
    • 15,000 monthly downloads
    • Basic podcast pages
  • Growth$49/month
    • 5 users
    • 75,000 monthly downloads
    • Advanced podcast pages
  • Premium$99/month
    • Unlimited users
    • 200,000 monthly downloads
    • Advanced podcast pages

Which should you pick?

Choose Google Analytics if

  • You need real-time analytics.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want audience insights.
Google Analytics review

Choose Podcast.co if

  • You need unlimited hosting.
  • You also want podcast websites.
Podcast.co review

Questions people ask

Is Google Analytics or Podcast.co better?
Neither clearly leads. Google Analytics starts at Free and Podcast.co at $19/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Google Analytics or Podcast.co?
Google Analytics has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Google Analytics and $19/month for Podcast.co.
Does Google Analytics or Podcast.co run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use Google Analytics for free?
Yes. Google Analytics has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Podcast.co starts at $19/month.
What is Google Analytics best used for?
Google Analytics is most often used for website and web application analytics, event tracking and user behaviour analysis, traffic source and conversion tracking. Of those, website and web application analytics and event tracking and user behaviour analysis are not what Podcast.co is typically brought in for.
What can Google Analytics do that Podcast.co cannot?
Google Analytics covers Real-time analytics, Audience insights, Acquisition tracking, Behavior flow. Podcast.co covers Unlimited hosting, Podcast websites, Distribution, Advanced analytics.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Podcast.co: How many podcasts can I host?

All Podcast.co plans allow unlimited podcasts and unlimited episodes. You can create and manage multiple shows under one account, with the Growth and Premium plans offering team collaboration for managing different podcasts.

Source
Podcast.co: Which platforms does Podcast.co distribute to?

Podcast.co provides one-click distribution to Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, and other major podcast directories. The platform also offers scheduled publishing and custom episode artwork.

Source
Podcast.co: What analytics are included?

All plans include audience data showing most popular episodes, listener locations, and top-performing platforms. Growth and Premium plans include more advanced analytics with team insights and subscriber tracking for private podcasts.

Source
Podcast.co: Is transcription included?

Audio transcription is available as an add-on service at $20 per month for 10 hours of audio transcription. This helps repurpose podcast content into blog posts and social media snippets.

Source
Podcast.co: Can I monetize my podcast?

Growth and Premium plans support private podcasting with invite-only episodes for paying subscribers. Podcast.co integrates with billing systems to deliver exclusive content to the right subscribers.

Source
Podcast.co: Is there a free trial?

Podcast.co offers a 14-day free trial with no hidden fees, allowing you to test the platform before committing to a paid plan.

Source
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