Head-to-head comparison
Chartmetric vs Podtrac
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
Industry-standard audience measurement and monthly rankings since 2005.
Best for: Established publishers
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
Podtrac
Pros
- Sponsor-recognized industry rankings since 2005
- Free measurement plus demographic surveys
- IAB-compliant rankings included automatically
Watch-outs
- Dashboard UX feels visibly outdated
- Light on listener behavior and attribution
- Sponsor-facing tool, not a growth platform
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 Podtrac if
You’re building around established publishers. Podtrac is the boring, reliable, IAB-certified number that media kits cite when shows brag about rankings. It's been around since 2005 for a reason — sponsors trust it — but the dashboard feels stuck in the same decade and won't tell you anything actionable about why your audience does what it does.
Also worth comparing
Or see all Chartmetric alternatives.
Frequently asked
What does Chartmetric do better than Podtrac?
Chartmetric's standout is "Strong cross-platform music and chart data". Podtrac doesn't make that promise — it leans into "Sponsor-recognized industry rankings since 2005" instead. If the first sentence describes your workflow, pick Chartmetric; if the second does, pick Podtrac.
What are the trade-offs?
Chartmetric: podcast features are thin next to music. Podtrac: dashboard ux feels visibly outdated. Whether either matters depends entirely on what you actually need — neither is a deal-breaker by itself.
Can I use Chartmetric and Podtrac 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 Podtrac for another. Worth trying both free tiers before committing.