Head-to-head comparison
Chartmetric vs Edison Research Infinite Dial
Two of the analytics tools podcasters reach for. Here's how they differ on pricing, features, audience, and the trade-offs that actually matter day-to-day.
Cross-platform audio analytics with podcast and music intelligence.
Best for: Music-adjacent creators
Annual benchmark study on US podcast and audio consumption.
Best for:
At a glance
The honest trade-offs
Chartmetric
Pros
- Strong cross-platform music and chart data
- Tracks Spotify, Apple, YouTube, social together
- Historical chart data going back years
Watch-outs
- Podcast features are thin next to music
- Doesn't replace hosting analytics
- Premium tier at $140/mo is steep for casual use
Edison Research Infinite Dial
Pros
- Free benchmark used industry-wide for pitches
- Now includes video podcast consumption metrics
- Trend lines stretching back to the early 2000s
Watch-outs
- Annual release, not a real-time tool
- US-only at the headline level
- Custom research projects are expensive
Which one should you pick?
Pick Chartmetric if
You’re building around music-adjacent creators. Chartmetric is a music-first analytics platform that bolted on podcast charting almost as an afterthought — it tracks chart positions and cross-platform reach but doesn't replace a hosting analytics dashboard. If you're a podcaster who also releases music, it's genuinely useful.
Pick Edison Research Infinite Dial if
You’re building around . The Infinite Dial is Edison Research's annual benchmark study on US audio behaviour. Free to access, cited in every other podcast pitch deck.
Also worth comparing
Or see all Chartmetric alternatives.
Frequently asked
What does Chartmetric do better than Edison Research Infinite Dial?
Chartmetric's standout is "Strong cross-platform music and chart data". Edison Research Infinite Dial doesn't make that promise — it leans into "Free benchmark used industry-wide for pitches" instead. If the first sentence describes your workflow, pick Chartmetric; if the second does, pick Edison Research Infinite Dial.
What are the trade-offs?
Chartmetric: podcast features are thin next to music. Edison Research Infinite Dial: annual release, not a real-time tool. Whether either matters depends entirely on what you actually need — neither is a deal-breaker by itself.
Can I use Chartmetric and Edison Research Infinite Dial together?
Both are analytics tools so most teams pick one. Some workflows do combine them — for example, using Chartmetric for one show or episode type and Edison Research Infinite Dial for another. Worth trying both free tiers before committing.