For the millions of people who listen to podcasts on their commute, at work out, or while doing chores, podcasts have been the ideal companion. Should you choose between Apple Podcasts or Spotify? It’s not a one or the other choice.

Both platforms host their podcast library, but the delivery and user experience of both platforms are drastically different. Apple Podcasts still leads the original podcast platform charge, while Spotify has gone fast from a music service into a podcast powerhouse.

You’re in the right place if you’re trying to decide which platform deserves a piece of your listening time. In this post, we will dissect everything, from exclusive content and user interface to pricing options and discovery features, so you know which podcast platform is best for you.

Apple Podcasts vs Spotify Battle

Deep Dive in Listening Experience

Podcast playback and control are approached differently on both platforms. Standard playback features offered out of the box on Apple Podcasts include a 15-second rewind and a 30-second forward. The platform also has bookmarks per episode and ‘Mark as Played’ so you know when you watch a particular episode.

And, through the use of 15-second intervals, Spotify then links these core controls to get you. While both services offer variable playback speeds, Spotify gives you a broader range from 0.5x to 3x depending on which side you’re on.

Notable playback features across both platforms include:

• Customizable episode queues
• For seamless reading; episode transcripts
• Automatic episode downloads
• Cross-device playback syncing

Whereas with Spotify, new episodes of following shows are automatically downloaded. As a result, the platform took an update in iOS 17 that blocks the automatic downloading of episodes previous than seven days for a more precise estimation of listening metrics.

Spotify Premium subscribers can save podcasts to download for offline listening on five different devices. But Apple Podcasts has taken a less strict approach — users can download all of their library and there’s no specific limit. But the listening experience is equally informed by the interface design too.

The layout of Spotify is organized and clean and prioritizes a quick method to access content. While Apple Podcasts is given a much cleaner UI, with additional navigation steps needed to access specific features, its flow is much more complex.

Social and Discovery Features

As can be seen in these podcast platforms, social features make a big difference. Sharing capabilities across multiple social media platforms is the main feature with which Spotify primarily works like a social network. With podcast episodes, users can share via QR codes and direct links, and with Spotify Jam, real-time listening sessions with friends.

There are two ways of discovery on both platforms. Apple Podcasts is all about personalized recommendations, based on your listening history, alongside expert curation. Category-based personalization is the latest from the platform’s iOS update that allows users to fine-tune podcast their podcast suggestions. Notable features include:

• Personalized “What’s New” recommendations
• Expert-curated Top Charts
• Category-based content discovery
• Human-curated radio stations

Specifically focused is Spotify on AI-powered tools that improve discovery. Using Google Cloud AI, the platform analyses how you’re listening to podcasts and provides recommendations that best resonate with you. Spotify also lets podcasters pick and choose which social links to add to their show pages and make episode recommendations.

The commitment to human curation that Apple Podcasts makes, in particular sun-drenched radio streaming stations with real DJs doing live programming, is particularly impressive. It gives you the traditional broadcast experience along with algorithmic recommendations. Under the “Listen Now” tab, it is personalized to broadcasts in which the user follows shows and listens preferences.

Discovery features for both services are still evolving. Recently, Spotify has rolled out preview clips that will automatically play when it’s time for their users to scroll through their feeds. Meanwhile, Apple Podcasts continues to focus on category-specific ‘recommendations’ as well as expert-curated content.

Subscription and Pricing Analysis

The value proposition of both podcast platforms is determined in part through pricing structures. Unlike other streaming services, Spotify is more successful in serving podcast listeners with a free tier that’s ad-supported, but primarily differentiated by its Premium subscription offerings — starting at $11.99 per month for individuals.

The platform’s Premium plans include:

• Individual: $11.99/month with ad-free listening and offline access
• Student: $5.99/month with added Hulu benefits
• Duo: $16.99/month for two accounts
• Family: $19.99/month supporting up to six users

They approach it differently: Accordingly, Apple Podcasts is free to most shows. But most importantly, creators are also able to offer premium subscriptions with customizable price points. And these subscriptions are kind of like they’re monthly or they’re annual and you pay the creator whatever they want if you want them to make a certain amount of content in a certain period.

Both platforms have their monetization strategies. Significantly, Spotify recently started offering 15 hours of audiobook listening with Premium subscriptions. Instead, other Apple services like Apple Podcasts can be completely aligned, such as having their subscribers connect their Apple Music, Apple News, and App Store subscriptions to be able to access premium podcasts. Yet its free tier, with ads, remains unique for budget-conscious listeners. Furthermore, Premium Family gets you Spotify Kids access and parental controls. The main function of Apple’s Family Sharing feature is to let a family share a subscription without extra cost.

Conclusion

Though Apple Podcasts and Spotify are great podcast experiences, they shine in different places. Apple podcast is a successful product because it offers easy ability to download its podcasts to iOS devices, easy to handle the interface and it offers the content by the experts. Among other things, Spotify offers social features, AI-based suggestions, and flexible subscription options, including audiobooks as additional perks.

Individual preferences determine equations to choose between these platforms. Apple Podcasts is perfect for listeners looking for human-curated content and seamless integration into the Apple ecosystem. However, if you want social sharing features, cross-platform flexibility, and entertainment options bundled in one package, Spotify may be for you. For instance, if you’re a price-sensitive user, then the ad for the Spotify free tier may make sense, and for premium content Aficionados, the Apple Podcasts Creator-specific focused subscription model might if that’s something you’re looking for. Both offer a solid podcast experience but we love Spotify’s extra stuff and their social integration for users who like to share their listening journey with others.

For all the evolution that has befallen the podcast landscape over the last few years, there are still two platforms squarely at the center of said landscape, each with unique things to offer that appeal to different types of listeners. The thing is, no matter if you prefer the smooth Apple podcasts interface or the heavy-bodied Spotify interface, you will always have reliable solutions for your podcast listening needs.