Softwr

Software · head to head

SoundCloud vs Apple Podcasts Connect

SoundCloud logo

SoundCloud

Software

Discover, stream, and share music

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: SoundCloud the free tier plays tracks with ads; Apple Podcasts Connect requires an Apple account, and a show has to be claimed before it can be managed
  • They diverge on capability: SoundCloud covers Audio streaming, Apple Podcasts Connect covers Podcast submission.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where SoundCloud and Apple Podcasts Connect differ
AttributeSoundCloudApple Podcasts Connect
Pricing modelfreemiumfree
PlatformsWeb, Ios, Android, DesktopWeb, Ios, Macos
Founded20071976

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 SoundCloud

  • Audio streaming
  • Uploads
  • Discovery
  • Sharing
  • Social media
  • DJ software
  • Privacy settings
  • Content protection

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.

SoundCloud

  • Discovering tracks from emerging and independent artistsnot Apple Podcasts Connect
  • Uploading your own music to reach listeners directlynot Apple Podcasts Connect
  • Offline listening and ad-free playback on a paid tiernot Apple Podcasts Connect

Apple Podcasts Connect

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

Where each one falls short

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

SoundCloud

  • The free tier plays tracks with ads
  • Offline saving of tracks requires a SoundCloud Go or Go+ subscription
  • Premium Go+ tracks are locked behind the higher Go+ tier, so SoundCloud Go alone does not unlock the full catalogue
  • Exclusive DJ app integrations require Go+
  • The app is available in only eight languages: English, Brazilian Portuguese, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Spanish and Arabic
  • The iOS app requires iOS 16.4 or later

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

SoundCloud

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Limited uploads
    • Ads
  • Go$5.99/month
    • Ad-free
    • Offline
  • Go+$12.99/month
    • Full catalog
    • HQ audio

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 SoundCloud if

  • You need audio streaming.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Desktop.
  • You also want uploads.
SoundCloud 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 SoundCloud or Apple Podcasts Connect better?
Neither clearly leads. SoundCloud 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, SoundCloud or Apple Podcasts Connect?
SoundCloud starts at Free and Apple Podcasts Connect at Free.
Does SoundCloud or Apple Podcasts Connect run on more platforms?
SoundCloud runs on Web, Ios, Android, Desktop. Apple Podcasts Connect runs on Web, Ios, Macos.
Can I use SoundCloud for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is SoundCloud best used for?
SoundCloud is most often used for discovering tracks from emerging and independent artists, uploading your own music to reach listeners directly, offline listening and ad-free playback on a paid tier. Of those, discovering tracks from emerging and independent artists and uploading your own music to reach listeners directly are not what Apple Podcasts Connect is typically brought in for.
What can SoundCloud do that Apple Podcasts Connect cannot?
SoundCloud covers Audio streaming, Uploads, Discovery, Sharing. Apple Podcasts Connect covers Podcast submission, Episode management, Analytics, Subscription monetization. Both handle Web support, Ios support.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on SoundCloud

More on Apple Podcasts Connect

Keep looking

Other head to heads