Head-to-head comparison
iHeartRadio for Podcasters vs Wavve
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:
Quick audiograms and waveform videos for social promotion.
Best for: Audiogram traditionalists
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
Wavve
Pros
- Mature audiogram and waveform animation library
- Free tier gives 3 exports per week
- Customizable templates and timer overlays
Watch-outs
- UI shows its age next to Recast
- Caption animations trail Submagic significantly
- Top features locked to highest tier
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 Wavve if
You’re building around audiogram traditionalists. Wavve invented the audiogram and then mostly stopped iterating. Headliner caught up, Submagic redefined what waveform video can look like in 2026, and Wavve still feels like 2019.
Also worth comparing
Frequently asked
What does iHeartRadio for Podcasters do better than Wavve?
iHeartRadio for Podcasters's standout is "Reaches in-car and smart TV listeners". Wavve doesn't make that promise — it leans into "Mature audiogram and waveform animation library" instead. If the first sentence describes your workflow, pick iHeartRadio for Podcasters; if the second does, pick Wavve.
What are the trade-offs?
iHeartRadio for Podcasters: manual review can take one to three weeks. Wavve: ui shows its age next to recast. Whether either matters depends entirely on what you actually need — neither is a deal-breaker by itself.
Can I use iHeartRadio for Podcasters and Wavve 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 Wavve for another. Worth trying both free tiers before committing.