Should you go with Spotify or Stitcher when looking for new podcasts you want to get stuck into?
People are probably more familiar with Spotify as it is one of the biggest music streaming platforms out there and, as of a few years ago, has entered the podcast apps domain.
In contrast, Stitcher has its podcast originals, so whatever your preferred topic of the podcast is, you’ll find that there are benefits to using either of these popular podcast apps.
In this guide, we break down what each one offers and the potential advantages and downsides each one has to make your decision easier. If you want to start building your podcast library or podcasting journey, read on to find out more.
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What Does Spotify Offer?
Spotify boasts 389 million monthly active users and has a global reach of 187 markets worldwide, so if there’s a podcast that is trending, you can likely find it here.
Spotify also claims to have 3.6 million podcasts and is continuing to invest in this area of its platform. They have recently bought Podz, which is a podcast app that generates clips that lets users preview key moments from podcast episodes.
It’s not clear if these ventures are going to be successful on the platform, but it’s clear that its accessibility with phones and desktops makes for something that is likely going to offer something different.
Whether this is Spotify originals, exclusive podcasts, or uploaded podcasts, you’ll find that accessing these is a much easier process than you’d expect.
Benefits Of Using Spotify Compared To Other Podcast Apps
- With this market reach, you’ll find that you are exposed to an array of different genres of podcasts and independent artists. If you’re starting up a podcast, this is a great place to start. (Also see, ‘How To Host Podcast On Spotify‘)
- You can have access to analytics if you have a podcast on the platform (see also ‘Zencastr Vs Zoom‘), which can tell you who is listening to your podcast and at what points people are listening and stopping.
- Spotify makes it even easier to upload and edit podcasts with Anchor (also see, ‘What Is Anchor In Podcasting?‘), one of their side platforms, and Soundtrap, which allows you to view an interactive transcript feature for faster editing.
- If you’re a premium subscriber, you can download your podcasts for offline listening, and some podcasts have video content that you can watch when you’re not on the move.
Drawbacks Of Using Spotify Compared To Other Podcast Apps
- Even though you can access these podcasts on the free version, you will still hear advertisements, host-read endorsements, or sponsorship messages. This can be incredibly frustrating if the product or service advertised isn’t relevant to your needs or interests.
- The inclusion of podcast paid subscription can benefit smaller creators, but giving some of the episodes subscriber-only access can single out those who are already paying for premium and don’t want to spend any more on content.
- The user interface can be confusing for some, as when searching for podcasts, you get music recommendations mixed into the results. This extends to your library, where subscribed podcasts will appear with your music.
What Does Sticher Offer?
Stitcher offers an on-demand internet radio service that offers all your favorite podcasts and radio channels through web and other native apps.
It’s also one of the most used podcast apps but is behind platforms like Apple podcasts (also see, ‘How To Get Podcast On iTunes‘), Google Podcasts, and Spotify, but still has an array of its own exclusive content.
With a team that makes podcasts for its three networks, they also match advertisers with shows and audiences that are relevant and interesting.
Even though this platform isn’t as popular as some of the best podcast apps, the rise in the popularity of podcasts continues to rise.
With mini-series significantly impacting this, you might find some incentives to listen or create a podcast. With over 260,000 podcasts, you’re bound to find something that aligns with your interests.
ALSO SEE: Why Are Podcasts So Popular?
- Stitcher is a podcast streaming platform.
- Offers on-demand access to podcasts and radio shows.
- Provides both free and premium services.
Benefits Of Using Stitcher Podcast App
- Like Spotify, this service can help small creators by allowing them to sign up for an advertising revenue-sharing program or becoming a Stitcher premium affiliate. Now it’s even easier to earn revenue from your podcasts, and all you need to get started is your RSS feed URL.
- You can create custom playlists that hold your collection so you can listen while you’re out and about.
- You have a very sleek and simple user interface that allows easy navigation and playback options that can be easily adjusted to your needs.
Drawbacks Of Using Stitcher Podcast App
- The app version of this platform has seen some stability issues in the past that has made listening to podcasts difficult, which can be off-putting to many.
- There have been issues when downloading podcasts as the screen can experience delays, and you might have to restart the app to get it working correctly, which is going to be frustrating for those who want to stream episodes quickly.
- The search engine on the platform sometimes doesn’t show the search term, even with additional information, you might have to go through a list of suggestions to find your result. This is going to be frustrating for up-and-coming creatives who want as much visibility as possible.
The Bottom Line: The Best Podcast App for You
You can see from our comparisons that the use case depends on what you value most on a podcast hosting platform.
If you’re looking for a place that streams music as well, Spotify is the clear winner, and with the addition of Anchor (see also ‘Anchor Vs Podiant‘), it’s even easier to record and upload your podcasts.
A feature we think that sometimes goes unnoticed is the cross-platform capabilities which allow a wide range of users to use the service, so it’s disappointing to learn that Stitcher currently doesn’t have a desktop app for computer users.
We can see here that there are arguments for both, so it really depends on what originals you find interesting and how easy of a platform it is to use. You should also look around other podcast platforms and see what they offer.
