Many people are unclear about the differences between a podcast subscription via a specific app like App Store versus an app in general. Knowing the basics of both will help people decide which type of subscription is right for them. This FAQ guide covers what podcast subscriptions are, the differences between them and App Store apps, and highlights some pros and cons of each.
Podcast Subscriptions vs. the App Store
Whether you’re a podcast enthusiast or just getting started, understanding the different ways to subscribe to podcasts can give you more control over your listening experience. Podcast subscriptions grant users access to everything podcasts offer with just one click or swipe – from new episodes to bonus content – allowing for an organized and efficient listening experience. However, while subscription services provide convenience, there are differences between the two types of services:
- Podcast subscriptions through an app like App Store vs an app in general.
What is a Podcast Subscription?
A podcast subscription is a service that keeps track of your favorite podcasts and allows you to listen to them all in one place. When you subscribe to a podcast, each new episode from that podcast will be automatically downloaded to your device for instant access. In addition, you can access bonus content related to podcasts with some services, like paid streaming services.
For example, with the Apple Podcasts app – which is available through both iTunes and the App Store – you can subscribe to podcasts hosted on various networks and websites; then, when they post fresh episodes, they’ll automatically be available on your iPhone or iPad wherever download speeds are good. This makes it easy to keep up with your favorite shows without manually downloading them every time a new episode comes out.
By subscribing to a podcast’s RSS feed (simply called “podcast subscriptions”), rather than manually downloading episodes from the App Store, you eliminate all of the permission fees and extra fees associated with side-loading music and other media onto your devices from third-party websites. Subscribing through official sources also means that you can always get access to the latest bug fixes for any software related updates released by showrunners:
- Permission fees.
- Extra fees associated with side-loading music and other media.
- Access to the latest bug fixes.
- Software related updates.
What is the App Store?
The App Store is a digital distribution service offered by Apple Inc. that enables three types of users – customers, developers, and corporate IT administrators – to browse and download applications for iOS, iPadOS, and watchOS devices.
The App Store allows users to search for applications based on criteria such as name or category, view detailed information about each app (for example, user reviews), browse featured apps and read news about upcoming releases. The App Store also provides notifications when new versions of apps are available and supports the ability to “Restore” a device from backups stored in iCloud.

What are the Benefits of Podcast Subscriptions?
Podcast subscriptions offer an easy way to keep up with your favorite podcasts. With a subscription, you can access all podcast episodes in one place and be notified when new episodes are released. In addition, you’ll access additional features such as playback speed controls and automatic downloads with a subscription.
In this article, we’ll cover the benefits of podcast subscriptions and how they compare to the App Store:
Cost Savings
Subscribing to a podcast through your favorite podcast app saves you money on content that may otherwise cost you more to purchase through the App Store. In addition, since podcast episodes are generally free or low-cost, subscribing and getting access to new content regularly can cost you much less than buying individual downloads through the App Store.
With subscriptions, you also have the option of canceling at any time, so if your interests change or new shows come within your budget, you’re free to switch around as often as you’d like. Plus, depending on the podcast app and service provider you’re using, some even offer discounts and promotions throughout their services – helping ensure that no matter what kind of budget or show schedule you have going on, podcasts can still fit into it.

Easier Access to Content
Podcast subscriptions allow you to easily access content from your favorite podcasters at any time or device. With the App Store or other podcast stores, you need to manually check for new episodes and search for them. With a podcast subscription, new episodes are automatically sent to your device as soon as they are released, ensuring that you don’t miss any of the latest content.
Additionally, by subscribing directly with a podcast provider, you won’t have to contend with pesky advertisements in podcasts released on the App Store or have ads taking up your listening time. Subscribing directly through a podcaster also allows you to:
- save saved episodes on your device or
- listen offline.
This isn’t possible if you’re simply using an app store or streaming platform like iTunes or Spotify.
Access to Exclusive Content
Subscribing to individual shows through podcast subscriptions is the best way to access exclusive content – such as bonus episodes, early access, and advanced previews. Many of these extras are not available through the App Store or other streaming platforms, so subscribing directly from the podcast’s feed is your best bet for access.
Additionally, subscribing directly from a show’s feed gives you more control over when and how episodes download to your device. By subscribing, you can opt for automatic downloads as soon as new episodes become available or choose which episodes will download. This helps limit data usage and only listen to desired programs.
Subscribing also gives you the ability to rate and review shows you follow to provide feedback on each episode’s content – helping podcasts reach more people with thoughtful critiques on their product. Finally, some podcasts may offer membership-only benefits such as live streams or member-only discounts if they have an audience big enough sustain it – offering subscribers a valuable incentive in exchange for their loyalty.
What are the Benefits of the App Store?
The App Store now offers podcast creators a great platform to reach their audiences. But why should creators use the App Store instead of traditional podcast subscriptions? This section will discuss the benefits of the App Store which can be helpful for creators to make an informed decision.
- Reach a larger audience – The App Store offers a wide range of users worldwide, making it easier for podcast creators to reach a larger and more diverse audience.
- Better discoverability – Podcasts on the App Store are more likely to be discovered by users due to its advanced search algorithms and categorization of content.
- Easy monetization – The App Store allows podcast creators to monetize their content through subscriptions, in-app purchases and ads.

Wide Range of Content
The App Store offers a wide range of content easier to find and access than subscribing to individual podcasts. For example, the App Store allows you to easily search for specific genres, topics, or even individual podcasters, so you can immediately find what you’re looking for. Plus, most of the content in the App Store is free, so there’s no need to worry about costly subscription fees.
Furthermore, Apple has recently unveiled the ability for developers to offer discounted subscriptions through their App Store page. Users can access more content at discounted rates than directly to the podcast creator’s website or app. With its vast selection of free and discounted podcasts and other audio offerings, the App Store provides users with an unprecedented level of convenience when it comes to discovering new music or audio content.
Easy to Use Interface
The App Store offers an easy-to-use interface for customers to search, sort, and preview available apps. Through the ‘Updates’ tab of their App Store, users can quickly see which apps have been recently updated and view reviews from other customers on newly released app versions.
In addition to a quick and straightforward way to find and access apps, the App Store also offers a centralized location for all customer interactions with app developers. This includes customer service inquiries, feedback about installed apps, and update notes and app developers’ communication.
By leveraging the App Store’s secure platform and intuitive dashboard design, users can efficiently monitor the overall progress of their favorite apps while quickly addressing any issues they may encounter.
Ability to Download Content
The App Store allows users to download content directly to their device. In addition, the Store provides a wide range of apps, including podcasts, which make it easy to save and access your favorite content.
When you download a podcast from the App Store, it automatically downloads new episodes as they’re released, meaning you always get the newest shows without manually checking for them. This makes staying up-to-date on your favorite shows much easier.
Additionally, the App Store offers backup capabilities so if you delete an app or episode, you will still be able to access it in the future.
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