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Podcast & Audio Publishing · head to head

Spreaker vs Apple Podcasts Connect

Spreaker logo

Spreaker

Podcast & Audio Publishing

Podcast hosting with social network features

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Apple Podcasts Connect logo

Apple Podcasts Connect

Podcast & Audio Publishing

Manage and distribute your podcast on Apple Podcasts

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Spreaker free plan allows only one podcast and retains statistics for 6 months; Apple Podcasts Connect requires an Apple account, and a show has to be claimed before it can be managed
  • They diverge on capability: Spreaker covers Podcast hosting, Apple Podcasts Connect covers Podcast submission.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Spreaker and Apple Podcasts Connect differ
AttributeSpreakerApple Podcasts Connect
Pricing modelfreemiumfree
PlatformsWeb, Ios, AndroidWeb, Ios, Macos
Founded20111976

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Podcast & Audio Publishing).

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 Spreaker

  • Podcast hosting
  • Live streaming
  • Social network
  • Distribution
  • Audio editing
  • All podcast platforms
  • Social media
  • Payment processors

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.

Spreaker

  • Hosting and distributing podcasts to Spotify, Apple Podcasts and iHeartRadionot Apple Podcasts Connect
  • Monetising a show through programmatic ads, listener subscriptions or a supporters clubnot Apple Podcasts Connect
  • Running a multi-show podcast network with collaboratorsnot Apple Podcasts Connect

Apple Podcasts Connect

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

Where each one falls short

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

Spreaker

  • Free plan allows only one podcast and retains statistics for 6 months
  • Spreaker takes a 20 percent fee on Supporters Club listener payments on the free plan, dropping to 0 percent only on the $20 per month Broadcaster plan
  • Subscription monetisation and Apple Podcasts subscriptions require the $20 per month Broadcaster plan
  • Player colour customisation and collaborators require the $50 per month Anchorman plan
  • Selling and managing your own ad campaigns requires the $250 per month Publisher plan
  • Statistics retention is capped at 12 months below the Publisher plan, which extends it to 24 months

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

Spreaker

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 2 hours storage
    • Basic hosting
    • Social network access
  • Plus$5/month
    • 50 hours storage
    • Full distribution
    • Live streaming

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 Spreaker if

  • You need podcast hosting.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want live streaming.
Spreaker 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 Spreaker or Apple Podcasts Connect better?
Neither clearly leads. Spreaker 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, Spreaker or Apple Podcasts Connect?
Spreaker starts at Free and Apple Podcasts Connect at Free.
Does Spreaker or Apple Podcasts Connect run on more platforms?
Spreaker runs on Web, Ios, Android. Apple Podcasts Connect runs on Web, Ios, Macos.
Can I use Spreaker for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Spreaker best used for?
Spreaker is most often used for hosting and distributing podcasts to spotify, apple podcasts and iheartradio, monetising a show through programmatic ads, listener subscriptions or a supporters club, running a multi-show podcast network with collaborators. Of those, hosting and distributing podcasts to spotify, apple podcasts and iheartradio and monetising a show through programmatic ads, listener subscriptions or a supporters club are not what Apple Podcasts Connect is typically brought in for.
What can Spreaker do that Apple Podcasts Connect cannot?
Spreaker covers Podcast hosting, Live streaming, Social network, Distribution. 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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