Head-to-head comparison
iHeartRadio for Podcasters vs Restream
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.
Submission gateway for one of the largest North American audio networks.
Best for:
Multistream a live show to every major platform at once.
Best for: Multistream content creators
At a glance
The honest trade-offs
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
Restream
Pros
- Streams to 30+ platforms in one push
- Free tier covers 2 channels with watermark
- Browser-based, no encoder install
Watch-outs
- Standard at $19/mo monthly stings
- Studio polish trails StreamYard
- YouTube and TikTok now multistream natively
Which one should you pick?
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.
Pick Restream if
You’re building around multistream content creators. Restream is what you reach for when your show needs to land on six places at once. It's gotten meaningfully pricier, and YouTube and TikTok now multistream natively, which has eaten some of the moat.
Also worth comparing
Frequently asked
What does iHeartRadio for Podcasters do better than Restream?
iHeartRadio for Podcasters's standout is "Reaches in-car and smart TV listeners". Restream doesn't make that promise — it leans into "Streams to 30+ platforms in one push" instead. If the first sentence describes your workflow, pick iHeartRadio for Podcasters; if the second does, pick Restream.
What are the trade-offs?
iHeartRadio for Podcasters: manual review can take one to three weeks. Restream: standard at $19/mo monthly stings. Whether either matters depends entirely on what you actually need — neither is a deal-breaker by itself.
Can I use iHeartRadio for Podcasters and Restream together?
Both are distribution tools so most teams pick one. Some workflows do combine them — for example, using iHeartRadio for Podcasters for one show or episode type and Restream for another. Worth trying both free tiers before committing.