Head-to-head comparison
Headliner vs iHeartRadio for Podcasters
Two of the distribution tools podcasters reach for. Here's how they differ on pricing, features, audience, and the trade-offs that actually matter day-to-day.
Cheap, cheerful audiogram generator that helped invent the category and still works well.
Best for: Audiograms and clips
Submission gateway for one of the largest North American audio networks.
Best for:
At a glance
The honest trade-offs
Headliner
Pros
- Free tier that's actually useful
- Audiogram engine is mature and reliable
- Used by major media outlets like BBC and CNN
Watch-outs
- Auto-clipping trails AI-first competitors
- Mobile app less polished than the web
- Templates can feel a step behind viral aesthetic
iHeartRadio for Podcasters
Pros
- Reaches in-car and smart TV listeners
- Available across 250+ device categories
- Strong North American footprint for ad pitches
Watch-outs
- Manual review can take one to three weeks
- Discovery favours owned-and-operated shows
- Geo-limited to a handful of markets
Which one should you pick?
Pick Headliner if
You’re building around audiograms and clips. Headliner more or less invented the podcast audiogram and a decade later it's still one of the most affordable and most-used. Free tier is genuinely usable, paid starts at $7.
Pick iHeartRadio for Podcasters if
You’re building around . iHeartRadio's directory is worth submitting to mainly because of where it shows up: in-car dashboards, smart TVs, Roku, Xbox. Listeners on those surfaces rarely use a dedicated podcast app, and iHeart is often the default.
Also worth comparing
Or see all Headliner alternatives.
Frequently asked
What does Headliner do better than iHeartRadio for Podcasters?
Headliner's standout is "Free tier that's actually useful". iHeartRadio for Podcasters doesn't make that promise — it leans into "Reaches in-car and smart TV listeners" instead. If the first sentence describes your workflow, pick Headliner; if the second does, pick iHeartRadio for Podcasters.
What are the trade-offs?
Headliner: auto-clipping trails ai-first competitors. iHeartRadio for Podcasters: manual review can take one to three weeks. Whether either matters depends entirely on what you actually need — neither is a deal-breaker by itself.
Do they support the same platforms?
Headliner works on iOS, Android where iHeartRadio for Podcasters doesn't. If you're on a specific OS or device, that may decide for you.
Can I use Headliner and iHeartRadio for Podcasters together?
Both are distribution tools so most teams pick one. Some workflows do combine them — for example, using Headliner for one show or episode type and iHeartRadio for Podcasters for another. Worth trying both free tiers before committing.