Brandwave

Apple Podcasts Subscriptions vs Patreon:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Patreon had more branded searches than Apple Podcasts Subscriptions among podcast monetisation platforms worldwide. Patreon had about 3.4 million branded searches, while Apple Podcasts Subscriptions had 2,900. Patreon made up 92.6% of all podcast monetisation platform searches we track, and Apple Podcasts Subscriptions accounted for 0.08%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about podcast monetisation platforms, Apple Podcasts Subscriptions and Patreon each appeared in four of the five answers. Patreon was mentioned before Apple Podcasts Subscriptions in three out of five answers.

Among podcast monetisation platforms worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Patreon, about 1155 searches for every 1 for Apple Podcasts Subscriptions

Patreon 3.4M searchesApple Podcasts Subscriptions 2.9K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Both were mentioned in 4 of 5 answers.

Apple Podcasts Subscriptions in 4 of 5Patreon in 4 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Patreon, named ahead of Apple Podcasts Subscriptions in 3 of 5 answers

Patreon first in 3Apple Podcasts Subscriptions first in 2

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Top podcast monetisation platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Apple Podcasts Subscriptions was mentioned in four out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. Patreon was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Patreon was listed before Apple Podcasts Subscriptions in three out of five answers.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Patreon1st
  2. Apple Podcasts Subscriptions2nd
  3. Supercast3rd
  4. Spotify for Creators4th
  5. Supporting Cast5th
  6. Acast6th
  7. RedCircle7th

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • Patreon4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Spotify for Creators4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Supercast4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Apple Podcasts Subscriptions4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Supporting Cast3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • RedCircle1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Acast1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about podcast monetisation platforms

5 answers

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.

Is Apple Podcasts Subscriptions or Patreon more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Apple Podcasts Subscriptions and Patreon by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven podcast monetisation platforms we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.

Apple Podcasts Subscriptions and Patreon among podcast monetisation platforms worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for Patreon, Apple Podcasts Subscriptions. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthPatreonSpotify for CreatorsRedCircleAcastSupercastSupporting CastApple Podcasts Subscriptions
Oct 202593.1%2.5%3.1%0.92%0.23%0.04%0.08%
Nov 202593.7%2.5%2.6%0.93%0.18%0.04%0.04%
Dec 202593.9%2.5%2.6%0.76%0.18%0.04%0.07%
Jan 202694%2.5%2.6%0.62%0.19%0.04%0.07%
Feb 202692.8%3%3.1%0.75%0.22%0.04%0.07%
Mar 202693.3%3.1%2.5%0.76%0.18%0.04%0.05%
Apr 202692.2%3.7%3.1%0.75%0.22%0.04%0.05%
May 202693.5%3.1%2.5%0.62%0.19%0.03%0.07%
Jun 202693.9%3.1%2.1%0.62%0.19%0.04%0.08%
Jul 202692.8%3.7%2.5%0.61%0.18%0.07%0.1%
Aug 202693.9%3.1%2.1%0.62%0.15%0.08%0.07%
Sep 202692.6%3.7%2.5%0.75%0.18%0.12%0.08%

How has the Apple Podcasts Subscriptions and Patreon comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings

How did search popularity change for podcast monetisation platforms worldwide in September 2026?

1 change

  1. In September 2026, Patreon lost share of searches among podcast monetisation platforms worldwide, from 93.9% to 92.6%.

How are branded searches counted?

2 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Apple Podcasts Subscriptions’ and Patreon’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.

Apple Podcasts Subscriptions

1 branded search term

  • apple podcasts subscriptions

Patreon

1 branded search term

  • patreon

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among podcast monetisation platforms

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