Spotify vs Apple Podcasts: Which Is Better?
Spotify vs Apple Podcasts: which is better?
These two apps account for the majority of podcast listening worldwide. Spotify leads in total users, Apple Podcasts leads in revenue for creators, and both have added major features in the past year. But they're built on different philosophies, and the right choice depends on how you listen.
TL;DR
- Spotify is best if you want music and podcasts in one app, cross-platform access, or video podcasts
- Apple Podcasts is best if you're on iPhone, want free offline downloads, or prefer a dedicated podcast experience
- Neither handles ads well — both still serve programmatic and host-read ads to free users
- For ad-free listening across your whole library, consider a dedicated player like Podtastic alongside ad-free creator feeds
Library size and content availability
Spotify hosts over 5 million podcast shows, including 250,000+ video podcasts. Apple Podcasts hosts around 2.5 million shows. In raw numbers, Spotify has a larger catalog.
However, most popular shows are available on both platforms. The gap comes from smaller indie podcasts and Spotify-exclusive content. Spotify has signed deals for exclusive shows (like The Joe Rogan Experience for video), while Apple has invested in Apple Podcasts Subscriptions to give creators a monetization path.
If there's a specific show you follow, check both apps before choosing. Most likely, it's on both.
Platform and device support
This is where the two apps diverge sharply.
Spotify works on:
- iPhone and iPad
- Android phones and tablets
- Desktop apps (Windows, Mac, Linux)
- Web player (any browser)
- Smart speakers, game consoles, car systems
Apple Podcasts works on:
- iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, HomePod
- Web player at podcasts.apple.com (limited features)
- No Android app, no Windows app
If you use both an iPhone and a Windows PC, or if anyone in your household is on Android, Spotify is the pragmatic choice. Apple Podcasts locks you into the Apple ecosystem.
Pricing and what you get for free
Apple Podcasts:
- Free to use, no account required
- Free episode downloads for offline listening
- No ads from Apple in the app itself (you still hear podcast-level ads)
- Optional per-show subscriptions ($2-5/month per channel) for ad-free or bonus content
Spotify:
- Free tier: streaming with Spotify-inserted ads between episodes
- Spotify Premium ($11.99/month): ad-free music, offline podcast downloads, higher audio quality
- Note: Premium removes Spotify's ads but not host-read ads baked into podcast audio
The offline download difference is significant. Apple Podcasts lets you download any episode for free. On Spotify, offline downloads require Premium. If you commute without reliable signal and don't want to pay, Apple Podcasts wins here.
Listening features compared
Both apps cover the basics. Here's how their podcast-specific features stack up:
| Feature | Spotify | Apple Podcasts |
|---|---|---|
| Playback speeds | 0.5x - 3.5x | 0.5x - 3x |
| Sleep timer | Yes (5 min - 1 hour, or end of episode) | Yes (custom durations) |
| Offline downloads | Premium only | Free |
| Transcripts | No | Yes (125M+ episodes, 13 languages) |
| Auto-generated chapters | No | Yes (new in iOS 26.2) |
| Video podcasts | Yes (250K+ shows) | Yes (newly added in 2026) |
| Queue / Up Next | Yes | Yes |
| Cross-device sync | Yes (all platforms) | Apple devices only |
| Enhance Dialogue mode | No | Yes |
Two standout features tip the scales here. Apple Podcasts' transcripts let you search within episodes and read along as you listen, covering over 125 million episodes. And its new auto-generated chapters break episodes into navigable sections, which is great for skipping to specific topics.
Spotify counters with its massive video podcast library and superior cross-device sync. Starting a podcast on your phone and picking it up on your laptop is smoother on Spotify.
Discovery and recommendations
Spotify's recommendation engine is its secret weapon. Because it knows your music taste, podcast history, and listening patterns, it surfaces new shows with impressive accuracy. The "Following" feed, browse tab, and personalized home screen all funnel relevant recommendations to you.
Apple Podcasts takes a more editorial approach. Curated collections, category charts, and editorial picks drive discovery. The algorithm-based suggestions exist but aren't as prominent or personalized as Spotify's.
If you're always looking for your next show, Spotify is stronger here. If you prefer browsing curated lists, Apple Podcasts is solid. For broader discovery ideas, check our post on what podcasts to listen to.
Creator support and subscriptions
Apple charges creators up to 30% commission on subscription revenue in the first year (dropping to 15% after). Spotify charges a 5.5% transaction fee. For creators, Spotify is significantly cheaper to monetize through.
For listeners, both platforms offer a way to subscribe to individual shows for ad-free or bonus content. Apple integrates subscriptions directly into the podcast page. Spotify has a similar feature, though fewer creators use it.
Many creators also offer ad-free feeds through Patreon or their own sites, which work in any podcast app. This is often the best deal for listeners, since it supports the creator directly and isn't locked to a single platform.
Ad experience
Neither app gives you an ad-free podcast experience by default.
Spotify Free inserts its own programmatic ads between episodes. Spotify Premium removes those, but host-read ads baked into the audio remain. You're paying $12/month and still hearing mattress ads.
Apple Podcasts doesn't insert its own ads, but every podcast with ads will play them normally. Per-show subscriptions can remove ads from individual channels, but that's $3-5 per show per month.
If ads across your whole library are the issue, neither app solves it alone. Subscribe to ad-free feeds whenever a show offers one. For shows that don't have an ad-free option, an app like Podtastic detects and skips the ads automatically. See our full comparison of the best podcast apps for more options.
The verdict
Choose Spotify if you want one app for music and podcasts, use multiple device types (Android + desktop), value personalized discovery, or watch video podcasts.
Choose Apple Podcasts if you're all-in on iPhone, want free offline downloads, value transcripts and chapters, or prefer a clean, podcast-focused interface.
Choose neither if ad-free listening across your whole library is the priority. Both apps still serve ads to most listeners. Subscribe to creator ad-free feeds whenever they're available, and use Podtastic for shows that don't offer one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Spotify or Apple Podcasts better for offline listening?
Apple Podcasts lets you download episodes for free. Spotify requires a Premium subscription ($11.99/month) for offline downloads. If offline access matters and you don't want to pay, Apple Podcasts is the clear winner.
Does Spotify Premium remove all podcast ads?
No. Spotify Premium removes Spotify's own programmatic ads, but host-read ads embedded in the podcast audio still play. These are part of the audio file itself and can't be stripped out by Spotify.
Can I use Apple Podcasts on Android?
Not as a native app. Apple offers a web player at podcasts.apple.com, but it has limited features and no offline support. If you're on Android, Spotify, Pocket Casts, or Podtastic are better options.
Which app has better podcast recommendations?
Spotify. Its recommendation engine draws on your full listening history (music and podcasts) to suggest new shows. Apple Podcasts relies more on editorial curation and top charts, which are less personalized.
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