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Patreon vs Apple Podcasts Connect

Patreon logo

Patreon

Software

Membership platform for creators

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Apple Podcasts Connect logo

Apple Podcasts Connect

Software

Manage and distribute your podcast on Apple Podcasts

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Patreon takes 10% of the income a creator earns on the platform; Apple Podcasts Connect requires an Apple account, and a show has to be claimed before it can be managed
  • They diverge on capability: Patreon covers Membership tiers, Apple Podcasts Connect covers Podcast submission.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Patreon and Apple Podcasts Connect differ
AttributePatreonApple Podcasts Connect
Pricing modelfreemiumfree
PlatformsWeb, Ios, AndroidWeb, Ios, Macos
Founded20131976

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 Patreon

  • Membership tiers
  • Exclusive content
  • Private podcast feeds
  • Community features
  • Payment processing
  • Discord
  • Podcast apps
  • Zapier

Only in Apple Podcasts Connect

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

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.

Patreon

  • Running a paid membership for fans of a creator or podcastnot Apple Podcasts Connect
  • Selling recurring access to exclusive content and communitynot Apple Podcasts Connect

Apple Podcasts Connect

  • Submitting a new podcast to Apple Podcastsnot Patreon
  • Claiming an existing show so it is registered to your accountnot Patreon
  • Reviewing Apple Podcasts listener trends and analyticsnot Patreon
  • Managing show artwork and metadatanot Patreon

Where each one falls short

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

Patreon

  • Takes 10% of the income a creator earns on the platform
  • Payment processing, currency conversion and payout fees are charged on top of that 10% and are not quantified on the pricing page
  • The total deduction is therefore not calculable from the pricing page alone, and requires reading a separate support article

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

Patreon

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Free membership page
    • Basic features
    • Community tools
  • ProFree
    • All free features
    • Analytics dashboard
    • Priority support
  • PremiumFree
    • All Pro features
    • Dedicated partner manager
    • Custom onboarding

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 Patreon if

  • You need membership tiers.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want exclusive content.
Patreon review

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

Questions people ask

Is Patreon or Apple Podcasts Connect better?
Neither clearly leads. Patreon 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, Patreon or Apple Podcasts Connect?
Patreon starts at Free and Apple Podcasts Connect at Free.
Does Patreon or Apple Podcasts Connect run on more platforms?
Patreon runs on Web, Ios, Android. Apple Podcasts Connect runs on Web, Ios, Macos.
Can I use Patreon for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Patreon best used for?
Patreon is most often used for running a paid membership for fans of a creator or podcast, selling recurring access to exclusive content and community. Of those, running a paid membership for fans of a creator or podcast and selling recurring access to exclusive content and community are not what Apple Podcasts Connect is typically brought in for.
What can Patreon do that Apple Podcasts Connect cannot?
Patreon covers Membership tiers, Exclusive content, Private podcast feeds, Community features. Apple Podcasts Connect covers Podcast submission, Episode management, Subscription monetization, Show optimization. Both handle Analytics, Privacy controls, Web support, Ios support.
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Related pages

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