Software · head to head
Libsyn vs Apple Podcasts Connect
Apple Podcasts Connect
Software
Manage and distribute your podcast on Apple Podcasts
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Apple Podcasts Connect has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Libsyn basic plan at $12 per month allows only 3 hours of audio upload per month; Apple Podcasts Connect requires an Apple account, and a show has to be claimed before it can be managed
- They diverge on capability: Libsyn covers Reliable hosting, Apple Podcasts Connect covers Podcast submission.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Libsyn and Apple Podcasts Connect actually diverge.
| Attribute | Libsyn | Apple Podcasts Connect |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $5/month | Free |
| Pricing model | subscription | free |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Platforms | Web, Ios, Android | Web, Ios, Macos |
| Founded | 2004 | 1976 |
Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
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 Libsyn
- Reliable hosting
- Advanced analytics
- Monetization platform
- Distribution network
- Custom website
- Ad insertion
- 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
- Web support
- Ios support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Libsyn
- Hosting podcast audio and distributing it to Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTubenot Apple Podcasts Connect
- Measuring audience with IAB certified download statisticsnot Apple Podcasts Connect
- Monetising shows through advertising on enterprise plansnot Apple Podcasts Connect
Apple Podcasts Connect
- Submitting a new podcast to Apple Podcastsnot Libsyn
- Claiming an existing show so it is registered to your accountnot Libsyn
- Reviewing Apple Podcasts listener trends and analyticsnot Libsyn
- Managing show artwork and metadatanot Libsyn
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Libsyn
- Basic plan at $12 per month allows only 3 hours of audio upload per month
- Advanced IAB verified stats require the $25 per month Advanced plan; Basic gets basic stats only
- Spotify video distribution requires the Advanced or Max plan
- Dynamic ad insertion sits on Professional and Enterprise plans that are quoted by sales with no published rate
- The top published tier, Max at $150 per month, still caps audio uploads at 55 hours per month
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
Libsyn
$5/month- Classic 50$5/month
- 50 MB monthly storage
- Basic statistics
- Podcast page
- Classic 150$15/month
- 150 MB monthly storage
- Advanced statistics
- Custom website
- Advanced 400$20/month
- 400 MB monthly storage
- Premium analytics
- Multiple shows
- Advanced 800$40/month
- 800 MB monthly storage
- Full analytics suite
- Priority support
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 Libsyn if
- You need reliable hosting.
- You work on Web, Ios, Android.
- You also want advanced analytics.
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 Libsyn or Apple Podcasts Connect better?
- Neither clearly leads. Libsyn starts at $5/month and Apple Podcasts Connect at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Libsyn or Apple Podcasts Connect?
- Apple Podcasts Connect has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $5/month for Libsyn and Free for Apple Podcasts Connect.
- Does Libsyn or Apple Podcasts Connect run on more platforms?
- Libsyn runs on Web, Ios, Android. Apple Podcasts Connect runs on Web, Ios, Macos.
- Can I use Apple Podcasts Connect for free?
- Yes. Apple Podcasts Connect has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Libsyn starts at $5/month.
- What is Libsyn best used for?
- Libsyn is most often used for hosting podcast audio and distributing it to apple podcasts, spotify and youtube, measuring audience with iab certified download statistics, monetising shows through advertising on enterprise plans. Of those, hosting podcast audio and distributing it to apple podcasts, spotify and youtube and measuring audience with iab certified download statistics are not what Apple Podcasts Connect is typically brought in for.
- What can Libsyn do that Apple Podcasts Connect cannot?
- Libsyn covers Reliable hosting, Advanced analytics, Monetization platform, Distribution network. Apple Podcasts Connect covers Podcast submission, Episode management, Analytics, Subscription monetization. Both handle Web support, Ios support.