The Best Podcast Analytics Tools in 2025 (Post-Chartable)

With the closure of Chartable, many podcasters are looking for modern analytics solutions that offer deep insights into listener behavior, monetization performance, and cross-platform tracking. Whether you’re an indie creator or part of a growing network, choosing the right platform is critical for growth.

Below is an up-to-date breakdown of the best podcast analytics and hosting platforms in 2025.


🌐 Core Analytics Platforms

🍏 Apple Podcasts Analytics

  • Audience Scope: Apple Podcasts users only
  • Key Features:
    • Time listened
    • Episode completion rate
    • Retention graphs
    • Device-level data
  • Limitations:
    • No cross-platform view
    • No ad tracking

🎧 Spotify for Creators (formerly Spotify for Podcasters)

  • Audience Scope: Spotify listeners only
  • Key Features:
    • Listener start-through rate
    • Drop-off points
    • Age/gender demographics
    • CSV export
  • Recent Update: As of May 2025, Spotify publicly shows milestone-based “Plays” only (e.g., 10K+, 50K+).
  • Limitations:
    • No access to non-Spotify listener data

πŸ“Š Spotify Ad Analytics (formerly Podsights)

  • Audience Scope: Cross-platform ad performance
  • Key Features:
    • Ad attribution and conversion tracking
    • Brand lift studies
    • Website visits after hearing ads
  • Pros:
    • Free and powerful
    • Good for advertisers and campaign-focused podcasters

πŸ” Backtracks

  • Audience Scope: Platform-agnostic
  • Key Features:
    • Real-time analytics
    • Listening heatmaps
    • Segment-level engagement data
  • Pros:
    • Privacy-first
    • IAB-compliant
  • Cons:
    • Premium pricing

πŸ“Š Podtrac

  • Audience Scope: Cross-platform (downloads only)
  • Key Features:
    • Unique monthly listeners
    • Download counts
    • Platform rankings
    • SmartLinks
  • Limitations:
    • Lacks behavioral metrics like completion rate or engagement

πŸ“ˆ Feature Comparison Table

Platform Cross-Platform Coverage Behavioral Metrics Ad Attribution Specialty
Apple Podcasts Analytics ❌ Apple-only βœ… Yes ❌ No Subscriber/retention insights
Spotify for Creators ❌ Spotify-only βœ… Yes βœ… Limited Demographics & CSV export
Spotify Ad Analytics βœ… Yes βœ… Partial βœ… Yes Ad campaign tracking
Backtracks βœ… Yes βœ… Yes βœ… Yes Data-first, privacy-compliant
Podtrac βœ… Yes ❌ No βœ… Partial IAB-certified download stats + rankings

πŸ› οΈ Hosting Platforms with Strong Analytics

πŸ“‚ Acast

  • Scope: Hosting, dynamic ad insertion, analytics
  • Strengths: Advanced metrics, global ad support, monetization tools
  • Audience: Publishers, networks, ad buyers

πŸŽ™οΈ Megaphone (by Spotify)

  • Scope: Hosting and ads for enterprise-level podcasts
  • Strengths: Dynamic ads, audience network, detailed analytics
  • Audience: High-volume podcasts

πŸ” Backtracks

  • Already covered above, but also functions as a high-end host.

πŸ“‚ Libsyn

  • Scope: Budget hosting and basic analytics
  • Strengths: Reliable legacy platform, IAB-certified stats
  • Audience: Indie and entry-level podcasters

πŸŒ€ Podbean

  • Scope: Hosting + monetization features
  • Strengths: Patron support, Ads Marketplace, audio/video support
  • Audience: Entry to mid-tier podcasters

🏑 Buzzsprout

  • Scope: Simple hosting with analytics and SEO tools
  • Strengths: Clean UI, free plan, basic stats
  • Audience: Beginners and hobbyists

⛏️ Captivate / Transistor / Simplecast / Blubrry

  • Scope: Full-service podcast hosts with analytics tools
  • Strengths: Unlimited episodes, analytics dashboards
  • Audience: Podcasters scaling up from hobby to semi-pro

🌍 Hosting Feature Comparison Table

Platform Hosting Analytics Depth Ads / Monetization Best For
Acast βœ… βœ… Advanced, dynamic βœ… Yes (global ads) Publishers, brands
Megaphone βœ… βœ… Enterprise-level βœ… Yes (Spotify Audience Ads) Pro networks
Backtracks βœ… βœ… Real-time & heatmaps βœ… Yes Data-centric creators
Libsyn βœ… βœ… Basic βœ… Yes Indie creators
Podbean βœ… βœ… Mid-tier βœ… Yes All-around hosting
Buzzsprout βœ… βœ… Basic βœ… Basic options Beginners
Captivate etc. βœ… βœ… Solid ❌ / Limited Growing semi-pro shows

πŸš€ Final Thoughts

The end of Chartable left a void in podcast analyticsβ€”but it also opened the door to a better ecosystem. Today’s top platforms offer powerful metrics across hosting, engagement, and monetization.

  • For deep listener insights and privacy compliance, go with Backtracks.
  • For ad tracking and monetization, use Spotify Ad Analytics or Acast.
  • For budget-conscious creators, Libsyn, Podbean, or Buzzsprout are solid choices.

Choose a platform that matches your audience size, goals, and growth stage. Let the data guide your podcast to new heights.