Regional podcast rankings help podcasters understand their performance in specific markets, offering insights to refine strategies and attract sponsors. Here are five tools that make tracking these rankings simple and effective:
- Podgagement: Tracks 34,000 charts with hourly updates, offers review aggregation, and unique features like voicemail collection and NFC Podcast Beacons. Pricing starts at $9/month.
- mowPod Charts: Free tool tracking Apple Podcasts rankings across 175 countries, with visual episode performance overlays and daily email updates.
- Podstatus: Provides hourly updates for 175 countries, includes SEO tools, review monitoring, and PDF reporting. Plans start at $5/month.
- Rephonic: Tracks Apple, Spotify, and YouTube charts, offering audience demographics and engagement scores. Includes a free trial; paid plans required for advanced features.
- Podkite: Monitors rankings and reviews across major platforms, with historical data since 2018. Free for one podcast; paid plans up to $50/month.
Each tool caters to different needs, from free options for beginners to advanced analytics for professionals.
Quick Comparison
| Tool | Pricing | Platforms Tracked | Update Frequency | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Podgagement | $9–$19/month | Apple Podcasts, Spotify | Hourly | 34,000 charts, review aggregation, NFC tools |
| mowPod Charts | Free | Apple Podcasts (Spotify planned) | Daily | Visual episode overlays, no sign-up needed |
| Podstatus | $5–$20/month | Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Ivoox | Hourly | SEO tools, PDF reports, review monitoring |
| Rephonic | Free trial, paid plans | Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube | Daily | Audience data, engagement scores |
| Podkite | Free–$50/month | Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts | Periodic | Historical data, keyword tracking |
Choose the tool that aligns with your goals, budget, and tracking needs.
Comparison of 5 Podcast Ranking Tools: Features, Pricing, and Update Frequency
1. Podgagement®
Regional Chart Tracking Capabilities
Podgagement keeps tabs on nearly 34,000 podcast charts across all genres on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, including 175 regional charts. It also monitors featured sections like "What's Hot" and "New & Noteworthy" [1][2][6].
What sets this tool apart is its historical ranking data, which goes back five to six years and is updated hourly. This wealth of data is incredibly useful when pitching to sponsors, as it allows you to showcase long-term growth and consistent performance instead of just focusing on current rankings [1][6].
Real-Time or Frequent Updates
Podgagement provides hourly updates for all charts, giving users a real-time view of ranking changes [1][2]. This feature is especially helpful during launch weeks or promotional campaigns when you need to see how your efforts are influencing your rankings across different regions.
"With hourly podcast rankings across nearly 34,000 charts for the last 5 years, podcasters can now use Podgagement to track their podcast rankings in every genre in every country from Apple Podcasts and Spotify." – Daniel J. Lewis, Creator of Podgagement [2]
These real-time updates work seamlessly with the platform's broader suite of engagement and feedback tools.
Additional Features
Podgagement doesn't just track rankings – it also aggregates ratings and reviews from 175 Apple Podcasts regions, as well as platforms like Podchaser and Goodpods [1][6]. To keep you in the loop, the platform sends alerts via email or Slack whenever new reviews come in [5].
For personalized listener interaction, Podgagement offers CastFeedback.com pages where you can collect voicemails and written feedback. The platform even transcribes this feedback automatically, making it easy to integrate into your episodes [1][6].
Another standout feature is its networking insights, which track which podcasts recommend yours and vice versa. This data can uncover valuable cross-promotion opportunities [1][6]. Additionally, the NFC Podcast Beacon, a physical key fob, allows listeners to subscribe to your podcast with a simple tap of their smartphone – perfect for in-person events [1][6].
Pricing and Value for Money
Podgagement offers two pricing tiers:
- Astro Plan: $9/month (or $7/month when billed annually). This plan includes review tracking, landing pages, and feedback tools.
- Constellation Plan: $19/month (or $15/month when billed annually). This tier provides full access to all 34,000 charts and includes a free NFC Podcast Beacon (normally $19.99).
Both plans come with a 14-day free trial, and with nearly 10,000 podcasters already onboard and a perfect 5.0/5 rating, Podgagement has clearly earned its reputation [1][2].
2. mowPod Charts
Regional Chart Tracking Capabilities
mowPod Charts steps in as a replacement for Chartable, offering free access to regional ranking data. It tracks podcast rankings across 175 countries on Apple Podcasts and keeps an eye on Spotify rankings as well [4].
One standout feature is its visual episode release integration, which overlays episode release dates onto ranking charts. This makes it easy to see how each new episode influences your chart positions. By analyzing these trends, you can pinpoint which topics or guest appearances resonate most in specific markets, giving you a clear picture of what drives engagement.
"We want podcasters to have full visibility into not only the performance of their own shows, but shows like theirs and those they admire and aspire to be like."
- Mike Wiston, CEO and Founder, mowPod [4]
Additional Features
Beyond ranking insights, mowPod Charts offers tools to help you stay organized. You can create custom lists to track competitor shows or podcasts you’re benchmarking against. Marking favorites and receiving daily email updates ensures you’re always in the loop about rank changes and new releases, helping you stay ahead of niche trends.
The platform is powered by mowPod, the largest podcast audience growth platform in the US, Canada, and the UK. Future updates promise even more value, including customizable report exports, detailed on-page tips, and advanced trend analysis – all while remaining free.
Pricing and Accessibility
mowPod Charts is entirely free to use. There’s no need to sign up, and there are no hidden fees, making regional tracking accessible to everyone.
3. Podstatus
Podstatus takes podcast tracking a step further by integrating tools for promotion and search engine optimization (SEO), making it a handy resource for podcasters aiming to grow their audience.
Regional Chart Tracking Capabilities
One standout feature of Podstatus is its ability to provide hourly updates on how your latest episode is performing across 175 countries. This detailed tracking ensures you're always in the loop about your podcast's rankings.
"Podstatus provides several great benefits for podcast publishers. It tracks changes to your chart rankings with hourly updates in 175 countries." – Neal Schaffer, Digital Marketing Expert [3]
Additional Features
Podstatus goes beyond just tracking. It includes review monitoring to keep tabs on listener feedback and an Image Studio to design eye-catching promotional graphics. For podcasters focused on growth, the SEO Analyzer helps fine-tune your content for better discoverability. If you're on the Professional or Network plans, you can also track keywords to monitor trends and improve your reach. Plus, the platform lets you create PDF reports – perfect for sharing performance insights with co-hosts or sponsors.
Pricing and Value for Money
Podstatus offers flexible pricing to cater to different needs:
- Solo Plan: $5/month, covering 5 podcasts with hourly updates in 175 countries.
- Professional Plan: $10/month, supporting 12 podcasts, 50 keywords, and 5 PDF reports per month.
- Network Plan: $20/month, monitoring 25 podcasts, 100 keywords, and 10 PDF reports per month.
With its affordable pricing and range of features, Podstatus is a practical choice for podcasters. Neal Schaffer, a digital marketing expert, even highlights it as a worthwhile investment [3].
4. Rephonic
Rephonic is a tool designed to blend detailed metrics with practical insights, making it a powerful resource for podcasters.
Rephonic keeps tabs on podcast rankings across major platforms like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube [8].
Regional Chart Tracking Capabilities
The platform allows users to browse podcast charts by country and filter by categories such as Marketing or True Crime. Apple Podcasts rankings are accessible for around 40 countries, including key markets like the U.S., U.K., Canada, Germany, and Japan [11]. Spotify charts are tracked in at least 26 countries [10]. Podcasters can claim their shows for free to view their rankings, ratings, and reviews across various platforms [9].
Real-Time or Frequent Updates
Rephonic updates its Spotify and Apple Podcasts charts daily [10], offering a steady update schedule compared to Podstatus' hourly tracking.
Additional Features
Rephonic goes beyond rankings by offering estimated listener numbers and audience location data for over three million podcasts [7]. It calculates an "Engagement Score" to reflect audience activity levels [3]. The platform also provides host contact details and consolidates ratings and reviews into a single dashboard [7][9].
"Rephonic took an agonizingly manual search process – one that took hours and hours – and created a shockingly easy-to-use podcast database. It lifts the veil of secrecy by providing demographic data I only dreamed of having." – Nora Murray, Founder, SoundBite Communications [7]
Pricing and Value for Money
New users can try Rephonic with a 7-day free trial [7]. While basic chart viewing is free, accessing detailed audience insights and contact details requires a paid subscription. However, podcasters who claim their show can view their metrics, including rankings and engagement scores, at no cost [3][9].
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5. Podkite
Podkite has carved out a niche as the first tool for public podcast chart measurement. With historical data going back to 2018, it provides podcasters with a unique opportunity to analyze long-term trends and patterns.
Regional Chart Tracking Capabilities
Podkite keeps tabs on rankings across major platforms like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and Stitcher, spanning nearly every category and region [12]. It also includes keyword performance tracking, allowing you to see how your podcast fares for specific search terms or phrases. This kind of tracking helps identify patterns over time, offering insights into how your show is performing in different markets.
Real-Time or Frequent Updates
While Podkite doesn’t offer live updates, it takes periodic snapshots of rankings, which are ideal for spotting long-term trends. To make things easier, it sends automated email updates that highlight your top rankings and recent reviews, so you don’t have to juggle multiple apps to stay in the loop.
Additional Features
Podkite goes beyond rankings by gathering listener reviews from various regions, giving you a clear picture of audience sentiment. This feedback can be invaluable for making adjustments. Neal Schaffer emphasizes:
"By tweaking titles and descriptions, you improve placement within Google, Bing, and other platforms, which helps you grow your audience over time."
Pricing and Value for Money
Podkite’s features are accessible even to beginners, thanks to its free tier for a single podcast [12]. For those looking to dig deeper, paid plans go up to $50 per month, offering a cost-effective way to monitor and refine your podcast’s presence across regions.
Comparison Table
Here's a side-by-side look at five top podcast tools to help you find the right match for your needs:
| Tool | Pricing | Platforms Tracked | Update Frequency | Key Features | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Podgagement® | $19/month (Constellation tier) | Apple Podcasts, Spotify | Hourly | Tracks 34,000 charts, 5-year history, voicemail collection, review aggregation, landing pages, NFC beacons | Building engagement and community |
| mowPod Charts | Free (forever) | Apple Podcasts (Spotify planned) | Real-time/daily | Historic rankings, daily email alerts, custom lists, no sign-up required | Budget-friendly tracking and competitor analysis |
| Podstatus | Paid (low-cost, free trial available) | Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Ivoox | Hourly | Tracks in 175 countries, SEO tools (Keyword Tracker, SEO Analyzer), competitor analysis, PDF reports | SEO tools and detailed reporting |
| Rephonic | Paid (contact for pricing) | Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube | Real-time | Engagement scores, audience demographics, cross-platform search | Audience insights and YouTube tracking |
| Podkite | Up to $50/month (free tier for one podcast) | Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher | Periodic snapshots | Historical data since 2018, keyword tracking, review collection, automated email updates | Long-term trend tracking and keyword analysis |
Each tool offers unique features tailored to different needs.
For those just starting out, mowPod Charts stands out as the only completely free option with no sign-up required, making it perfect for beginners or simple competitive research. At $19/month, Podgagement® combines chart tracking with tools for direct listener interaction, such as voicemail collection and landing pages. Podstatus provides hourly updates across 175 countries, along with SEO tools to improve discoverability, all at an affordable price. If you're looking for YouTube data alongside podcast insights, Rephonic is a strong choice. Meanwhile, Podkite focuses on keyword performance and long-term trends, with advanced features available for up to $50/month.
Whether you're looking for a free tool or advanced analytics, this comparison simplifies the decision-making process.
Conclusion
Every podcasting tool caters to different needs, whether you're a beginner on a tight budget or a professional looking to dive deep into audience analytics. Here's a quick rundown of what each tool brings to the table:
If you're just getting started or want a simple way to research competitors, mowPod Charts is a fantastic free option. With access to historic Apple Podcasts data and no sign-up required, it’s ideal for casual tracking and quick competitor analysis.
Looking to grow your podcast? Podgagement®, priced at $19/month, combines tracking across 34,000 charts with unique engagement tools like voicemail collection and NFC beacons. Daniel J. Lewis, the creator of Podgagement, explains:
"While Chartable and similar tools were made and run mostly by data and advertising people, I made Podgagement as a podcaster myself and for the needs of my fellow podcasters" [2].
This makes it a great choice for fostering direct connections with your audience while keeping an eye on your rankings.
For those prioritizing SEO and professional reporting, Podstatus is a solid pick. Rephonic stands out with its YouTube tracking and audience demographic insights, while Podkite shines in long-term keyword performance, offering historical data going back to 2018 – perfect for enhancing discoverability over time.
Each tool supports strategic decisions to help you refine your content and grow your audience. Choose based on your specific goals – whether it’s cost, engagement, SEO, or analytics – and upgrade as your podcast evolves. For a detailed comparison, check out the table above.
FAQs
How does Podgagement compare to Podkite for tracking podcast performance?
Podgagement equips users with powerful tools to keep an eye on podcast rankings, tracking nearly 34,000 charts with historical data stored for as long as five years. It offers real-time and hourly updates, making it easier to stay on top of trends. Plus, it includes handy extras like social-proof image generators and features for managing reviews and boosting audience interaction.
On the other hand, there’s no detailed information available here about Podkite’s features or capabilities, so a direct comparison isn’t possible. If you’ve got insights about Podkite, feel free to share them to help create a more specific comparison.
How does mowPod Charts compare to paid podcast ranking tools?
mowPod Charts is a free tool that allows podcasters to monitor their Apple Podcasts rankings without needing to create an account. It provides real-time chart positions, historical ranking data, show searches, custom lists, and daily email updates. This makes it a simple, no-cost option for creators who want basic chart tracking without committing to a paid subscription.
On the other hand, paid tools like Podgagement and Podstatus offer a more comprehensive set of features. These include hourly updates, access to charts across platforms like Spotify, advanced filtering options, and tools to analyze audience engagement. They also provide detailed historical data, aggregated reviews, and even SEO insights, making them a better fit for podcasters focused on deeper analytics and audience growth strategies.
In short, mowPod Charts is a fantastic choice for free and straightforward tracking, while paid options deliver enhanced features for creators aiming to take their podcast to the next level.
What should I look for in a tool to track my podcast's chart rankings?
When picking a podcast ranking tool, start by checking its platform and region coverage. Make sure it tracks rankings on the platforms your audience uses, like Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and in the regions that matter most to you. For instance, Podgagement monitors rankings across nearly 34,000 charts globally and offers up to five years of historical data. In contrast, some tools might focus on specific platforms or provide real-time updates instead.
Next, assess the depth and frequency of data updates. Tools like Podgagement and Podstatus deliver detailed insights, including hourly ranking changes and long-term trends. These features are especially helpful for spotting patterns or tracking the impact of promotional efforts. On the other hand, simpler tools might only show a snapshot of your current rankings without offering historical data.
Lastly, weigh factors like pricing, usability, and extra features. Podgagement provides a robust suite of tools starting at just $1 per month, including review aggregation and SEO tools. Meanwhile, free options like mowPod Charts may not have advanced features but still offer essentials like email alerts. Choose a tool that aligns with your budget and workflow, making it easier to leverage data for smarter decisions.