Apple Podcast Statistics 2025: Usage, Earnings, and Global Reach

WHAT WE HAVE ON THIS PAGE

Editor’s Choice
Leading Podcast Genres – Key Listener Preferences
Total Number of Podcasts on Apple Podcasts
Apple Podcasts vs. Spotify and Other Platforms
Most Popular Platforms for Listening to Podcasts in the US
Global Reach and Country-Wise Distribution
Monetization Trends and Subscription Growth
Monthly Podcast Consumption by Age Group
Apple Podcasts’ Share of the Podcast Market
Device and OS Usage Statistics for Apple Podcast Listeners
Podcasting Global Market Growth
Podcaster Earnings and Revenue Insights
Growth of Paid Subscriptions on Apple Podcasts
Brand Lift Metrics: Host-Read vs. Non-Host-Read Podcast Ads
Integration with Apple Services and Impact on Usage
Fastest-Growing Nations in the Podcasting Scene
Recent Developments in Apple Podcasts
Conclusion
Sources

In a world where digital audio fills commutes, workouts, and late-night scrolls, podcasts have carved out a loyal audience, and Apple Podcasts remains a pivotal player in that space. Back in the day, it was just another app on your iPhone. But now? It’s the home base for millions of podcast enthusiasts, creators, and advertisers.

As we step into 2025, Apple Podcasts is no longer simply competing, it’s shaping trends. From growing niche audiences to embracing subscriptions and AI-powered recommendations, the platform continues to evolve with its listeners. This article breaks down the key statistics that define Apple Podcasts today.

Editor’s Choice

Over 2.6 million podcasts are available on Apple Podcasts as of Q1 2025.
Roughly 34% of all podcast listeners in the US prefer Apple Podcasts, making it the second-most popular platform after Spotify.
Apple Podcasts accounts for 47% of podcast listens on iOS devices in 2025.
In 2025, active paid subscriptions on Apple Podcasts exceeded 500,000, a 25% increase year-over-year.
The average Apple Podcasts listener spends 5.8 hours per week listening to audio content.
True crime, wellness, and business remain the top-performing categories on Apple Podcasts.
Over 85% of Apple Podcast usage comes through iPhones, maintaining Apple’s strong hardware ecosystem dominance.

Leading Podcast Genres – Key Listener Preferences

Comedy is the most popular podcast genre, capturing 22% of listener interest.
News podcasts follow closely behind at 21%, reflecting a strong demand for real-time updates and analysis.
True crime continues to captivate audiences, claiming 18% of the market.
Both sport and health/fitness podcasts hold a 17% share, showcasing a balance of physical and entertainment interests.
Religion/faith and politics each account for 16%, indicating steady engagement in spiritual and civic topics.
Self-help/productivity podcasts are favored by 15% of listeners, underlining the trend in personal growth content.
Investigative journalism and finance genres tie at 13%, suggesting a growing interest in deep dives and financial literacy.
Scripted comedy holds an 11% share, blending humor with creative storytelling.
Game shows make up 10%, offering fun, interactive content for listeners.
Pop culture podcasts capture 9%, reflecting ongoing fascination with entertainment and trends.
Scripted drama, while niche, still appeals to 8% of the audience.

Total Number of Podcasts on Apple Podcasts

Apple Podcasts hosts more than 2.6 million podcast shows in 2025, with over 95 million episodes available.
The platform saw a 9% growth in active podcast shows year-over-year from 2024 to 2025.
Daily episode uploads average 7,500, showcasing continued creator momentum.
Over 43% of podcasts on Apple Podcasts are categorized as “active,” meaning they’ve released at least one episode in the last 90 days.
Podcast growth on Apple Podcasts has plateaued slightly compared to its 2020 boom, with content consolidation and quality filtering becoming priorities.
Educational podcasts make up approximately 17% of total uploads, a steadily rising genre.
Apple continues to curate shows regionally, with localized podcast discovery features expanding into over 30 countries in early 2025.

Apple Podcasts vs. Spotify and Other Platforms

As of 2025, Spotify holds a 38% share of global podcast listens, while Apple Podcasts holds 31%, narrowing the gap.
Apple still leads in iOS environments, with Apple Podcasts accounting for nearly 70% of listens on iPhones.
Spotify surpasses Apple Podcasts in terms of exclusive content and music integration, but Apple leads in subscription-based monetization.
YouTube Music Podcasts entered the scene in late 2024 and now holds 12% of podcast consumption time in the US.
Apple’s partnership ecosystem gives it an edge: integrations with Apple Watch, HomePod, and CarPlay increase user stickiness.
Apple Podcasts remains ad-free for non-subscribers, unlike Spotify’s ad-supported tier, drawing in listeners who value uninterrupted content.
The Apple Podcasts Connect dashboard for creators remains more stable and privacy-centric than its competitors’ analytics systems.

Global Reach and Country-Wise Distribution

Apple Podcasts is now available in over 175 countries, with localized charts in 90+ markets.
The United States remains the top market, accounting for 41% of global Apple Podcast traffic in 2025.
Canada and the UK are the second and third largest user bases, respectively, combining for over 12% of global streams.
In India, Apple Podcasts usage has grown by 27% year-over-year, largely due to Apple’s ecosystem expansion.
Australia boasts one of the highest per-capita podcast consumption rates, with 62% of iPhone users listening monthly.
Japan, long a growth market, now contributes nearly 4% of global listeners, with high engagement in tech and culture genres.
Apple Podcasts launched regional hubs in Brazil, Germany, and South Korea, fueling localized content production.
Multilingual podcasting is rising fast; over 15% of shows in the global top 200 are available in two or more languages.
In emerging markets like Nigeria and the Philippines, creator support programs by Apple have led to a 38% rise in locally produced shows.

Monetization Trends and Subscription Growth

Apple Podcasts Subscriptions now power over 500,000 paid shows.
The average monthly subscription cost is $3.49, with creators keeping 70% to 85% of revenue depending on tenure.
In 2025, the number of users paying for at least one subscription has crossed 9.8 million, a 31% year-over-year increase.
Podcast subscription revenue is expected to hit $1.2 billion globally, with Apple Podcasts capturing 38% of that market.
The “Channel Bundling” feature, introduced in late 2024, allows podcasters to group shows, used by 18% of paid creators now.
Advertisers are also investing more, with dynamically inserted ads generating 22% higher CTRs on Apple Podcasts compared to Spotify.
Branded podcasts and mini-series are up by 15%, often supported by direct in-app subscription upsells.
The top 1% of earners on Apple Podcasts are making over $500,000 annually, largely driven by recurring subscriptions and sponsorship blends.
Subscription churn rates decreased to 6.3% in 2025, partly due to improved personalization and billing transparency.

Monthly Podcast Consumption by Age Group

Among ages 12–34, podcast consumption jumped from 59% in 2024 to 66% in 2025, marking the highest engagement across all age groups.
For the 35–54 age group, listenership increased from 55% to 61%, showing continued growth in middle-aged audiences.
The 55+ demographic saw the most significant relative growth, rising from 27% in 2024 to 38% in 2025, reflecting growing adoption among older listeners.

Apple Podcasts’ Share of the Podcast Market

Apple Podcasts holds an estimated 31% of total global podcast listening time in 2025.
In the US, Apple controls around 34% of market share, second only to Spotify’s 38%.
Apple’s market share among iPhone users exceeds 70%, making it the dominant choice on iOS devices.
While Spotify leads in exclusive show licensing, Apple excels in subscription monetization and ecosystem integration.
Apple Podcasts accounts for 43% of total podcast consumption on smartwatches, thanks to seamless Apple Watch syncing.
The Apple Podcasts web player now contributes to 7% of plays, a small but growing channel as browser access improves.
In markets like Japan and Australia, Apple Podcasts is the leading platform, often capturing over 50% of total listens.
Despite fierce competition from YouTube and Amazon Music, Apple’s privacy-first ad targeting is a key differentiator.
Apple Podcasts has a retention advantage, with users staying subscribed to shows for over 5.4 months on average.

Device and OS Usage Statistics for Apple Podcast Listeners

85% of all Apple Podcast plays in 2025 come from iPhones, followed by iPads (8%) and MacBooks (4%).
Apple Watch usage now accounts for 2.5% of all podcast playback, boosted by offline listening and workout integration.
Only 1.3% of listens come through third-party apps, as Apple continues optimizing its ecosystem.
iOS 18, released in September 2024, introduced podcast transcriptions and voice bookmark syncing, driving a 9% increase in session time.
CarPlay usage accounts for 11% of listening time, especially among commuters and long-distance drivers.
AirPods users spend 23% more time listening to podcasts than users with wired headphones.
The average Apple Podcast listener owns 2.4 Apple devices, highlighting cross-device continuity.
Spatial Audio is now supported in over 20% of new podcast episodes, offering immersive experiences.
Podcasts downloaded for offline listening make up nearly 38% of total plays, especially for longer shows.

Podcasting Global Market Growth

The global podcast market was valued at $36.28 billion in 2024.
It is projected to grow to $47.83 billion by 2025.
The market is expected to expand rapidly, reaching $134.68 billion by 2029.
This growth reflects a strong compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 29.50%.

Podcaster Earnings and Revenue Insights

In 2025, the average independent podcaster on Apple Podcasts earns $8,200 per year, driven mostly by subscriptions and affiliate mentions.
Top creators in the platform’s Partner Program generate over $500,000 annually, typically via premium content and bundled episodes.
Apple retains 15% of subscription revenue in the second year and beyond, down from 30% in year one, creating stronger long-term earning incentives.
Podcasts with over 5,000 monthly downloads earn an average of $1,600/month in ad revenue alone.
Branded content partnerships are up by 18% in 2025, especially across genres like business, health, and parenting.
Dynamic ad insertion (DAI) now accounts for 52% of ad-supported content monetization on Apple Podcasts.
Mid-roll ads remain the most lucrative ad format, averaging $18 to $25 CPM, depending on the show’s niche and audience size.
Apple has expanded its creator support tools in Apple Podcasts Connect, with enhanced analytics, drop-off tracking, and audience profiling.
Donations and tip jar integrations, especially through Stripe and Apple Pay, grew by 27% year-over-year in 2025.
The platform now features over 200 podcasters in its Featured Partner directory, increasing discoverability and potential brand deals.

Growth of Paid Subscriptions on Apple Podcasts

Paid podcast subscriptions on Apple Podcasts exceeded 500,000 in 2025, reflecting a 25% YoY growth from 2024.
The total number of users subscribed to at least one premium show has reached 9.8 million globally.
Channel subscriptions, which allow bundling multiple shows under one plan, grew by 41%, especially popular with podcast networks.
Creators offering bonus content and ad-free listening see up to 62% higher conversion to paid subscriptions.
The average churn rate fell to 6.3%, as Apple added smarter renewal nudges and flexible billing options.
Free trial conversions average 37%, driven by limited-time exclusives and trailer episode strategies.
Premium content accounts for 13% of total Apple Podcasts listening time, with a strong presence in business, self-help, and entertainment genres.
Creators now have access to subscription analytics by cohort, a tool that improved subscription retention by 12% according to Apple data.
Language-learning and investment shows are among the fastest-growing paid podcast categories in 2025.

Brand Lift Metrics: Host-Read vs. Non-Host-Read Podcast Ads

Host-read ads outperform non-host-read ads across all key brand lift metrics.
Familiarity improved from 3% (non-host-read) to 4% (host-read), showing a +33% increase.
Affinity rose from 3% to 5%, reflecting a +67% lift when read by the host.
Info-seeking intent surged from 5% to 8%, marking a +60% improvement.
Purchase intent increased from 4% to 6%, a +50% uplift in conversion potential.
Recommendation intent also climbed from 4% to 6%, representing a +50% boost in word-of-mouth potential.

(Reference: FounderJar)

Integration with Apple Services and Impact on Usage

Apple Podcasts’ integration with Apple Music, Siri, and Spotlight Search has improved cross-platform discovery by 29%.
iCloud syncing across devices ensures seamless listening transitions, now used by over 67% of active listeners.
In 2025, Apple Podcasts on Apple Watch supports offline syncing and auto-downloads via Wi-Fi or cellular.
The HomePod continues to be a valuable playback device, accounting for 5.2% of in-home podcast listening.
Apple Podcasts’ connection with Apple News surfaces related episodes in editorial picks, driving 8% of new listen starts.
Podcasts are now embedded in Apple CarPlay maps, prompting content suggestions based on time of day and route duration.
The macOS Sonoma update improved podcast multitasking, boosting listen-through rates for desktop users by 14%.
Shared With You functionality via iMessage leads to 12% of shared podcast links being opened, encouraging social-based discovery.
Voice command usage via Siri for starting or resuming podcasts has jumped 32% YoY.

Fastest-Growing Nations in the Podcasting Scene

Chile leads the global podcast growth with a staggering 84% surge in listenership.
Argentina follows with 55% growth, showing strong regional engagement.
Peru and Mexico are nearly tied with 49% and 48% growth, respectively.
China rounds out the top five with a notable 44% increase in podcast adoption.

Recent Developments in Apple Podcasts

Apple introduced AI-powered highlights in 2025, automatically summarizing episodes into 2-minute recaps.
In-app transcripts are now available in 12 languages, boosting accessibility and keyword-driven navigation.
A new Podcast Playlists feature, similar to Apple Music, allows users to curate multiple episodes from different shows.
The company rolled out Apple Podcasts for Schools, a curated catalog for verified K–12 and university-level educational content.
Creator Badges were added in 2025, allowing top-performing podcasters to be featured in curated “Top Creator” lists.
A new API for podcast widgets was launched, letting third-party apps offer smart podcast integrations across iOS and macOS.
Apple also launched Podcast Charts by Topic, letting listeners explore rankings beyond global/general leaderboards.
A new “Up Next” personalized queue leverages machine learning to improve listener retention by 16%.
The Podcast Labs program launched in early 2025 to incubate emerging voices, focusing on creators from underrepresented regions and communities.

Conclusion

Apple Podcasts in 2025 is far more than a listening platform, it’s a growing ecosystem for discovery, monetization, and community building. As the battle for podcast dominance intensifies, Apple is leaning into its strengths: tight hardware integration, listener loyalty, and a paid-first model that’s proving sustainable for creators.

From smart device syncing and AI-curated highlights to record subscription growth and creator tools, Apple Podcasts continues to evolve. For listeners, it means more content choices and seamless playback. For creators, it means smarter monetization and deeper audience insights.

As we move deeper into the decade, Apple Podcasts looks ready to remain a cornerstone of the audio experience, innovative, accessible, and increasingly indispensable.