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Simplecast vs Apple Podcasts Connect

Simplecast logo

Simplecast

Software

Hosting for professional podcast networks

From
$15/month
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

  • Only Apple Podcasts Connect has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Simplecast basic plan at $15 per month includes only 20,000 monthly downloads and 2 team seats; Apple Podcasts Connect requires an Apple account, and a show has to be claimed before it can be managed
  • They diverge on capability: Simplecast covers Unlimited hosting, Apple Podcasts Connect covers Podcast submission.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Simplecast and Apple Podcasts Connect differ
AttributeSimplecastApple Podcasts Connect
Starting price$15/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWebWeb, Ios, Macos
Founded20141976

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 Simplecast

  • Unlimited hosting
  • Dynamic ad insertion
  • Distribution
  • Team collaboration
  • API access
  • All podcast platforms
  • Advertising networks
  • CMS systems

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
  • Web support

What people use each for

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

Simplecast

  • Hosting podcasts with per-episode analytics and audience metricsnot Apple Podcasts Connect
  • Distributing shows to Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other directoriesnot Apple Podcasts Connect
  • Monetising podcasts through dynamic ad insertion at the Professional tiernot Apple Podcasts Connect

Apple Podcasts Connect

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

Where each one falls short

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

Simplecast

  • Basic plan at $15 per month includes only 20,000 monthly downloads and 2 team seats
  • Essential plan at $35 per month includes 50,000 monthly downloads and 4 team seats
  • Dynamic ad insertion and campaign management are only on the Professional plan, which is quoted by sales with no published rate
  • API access for publishing and campaign management is Enterprise only
  • Annual prepayment is required to get the 10 percent discount

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

Simplecast

$15/month
  • Creator$15/month
    • Unlimited hosting
    • Analytics
    • Distribution
  • Studio$49/month
    • All Creator features
    • Dynamic ad insertion
    • Team access
  • Enterprise$undefined/month
    • Custom features
    • API access
    • Dedicated manager

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 Simplecast if

  • You need unlimited hosting.
  • You also want dynamic ad insertion.
Simplecast 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 Simplecast or Apple Podcasts Connect better?
Neither clearly leads. Simplecast starts at $15/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, Simplecast or Apple Podcasts Connect?
Apple Podcasts Connect has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $15/month for Simplecast and Free for Apple Podcasts Connect.
Does Simplecast or Apple Podcasts Connect run on more platforms?
Simplecast runs on Web. 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. Simplecast starts at $15/month.
What is Simplecast best used for?
Simplecast is most often used for hosting podcasts with per-episode analytics and audience metrics, distributing shows to apple podcasts, spotify and other directories, monetising podcasts through dynamic ad insertion at the professional tier. Of those, hosting podcasts with per-episode analytics and audience metrics and distributing shows to apple podcasts, spotify and other directories are not what Apple Podcasts Connect is typically brought in for.
What can Simplecast do that Apple Podcasts Connect cannot?
Simplecast covers Unlimited hosting, Dynamic ad insertion, Distribution, Team collaboration. Apple Podcasts Connect covers Podcast submission, Episode management, Subscription monetization, Show optimization. Both handle Analytics, Web support.
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