Apple Podcasts Subscriptions vs Supporting Cast:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Supporting Cast had more branded searches than Apple Podcasts Subscriptions among podcast monetisation platforms worldwide. Supporting Cast had about 4,400 branded searches, while Apple Podcasts Subscriptions had 2,900. Supporting Cast made up 0.12% 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 appeared in four of the five answers and Supporting Cast in three. Apple Podcasts Subscriptions was mentioned before Supporting Cast in three out of five answers.
Who do people search for more?
Supporting Cast, about 52% more searches than Apple Podcasts Subscriptions
Who does AI mention more?
Apple Podcasts Subscriptions, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, Supporting Cast in 3
Who does AI recommend more?
Apple Podcasts Subscriptions, named ahead of Supporting Cast in 3 of 5 answers
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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. Supporting Cast was mentioned in three out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. Apple Podcasts Subscriptions was listed before Supporting Cast in three out of five answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
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
Asked ChatGPT
“Which podcast monetisation platform should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best podcast monetisation platforms?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best podcast monetisation platform for earning subscription income?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“podcast subscription platform”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“sell podcast subscriptions”
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 Supporting Cast more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Apple Podcasts Subscriptions and Supporting Cast 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.
Share of searches by month for Supporting Cast, Apple Podcasts Subscriptions. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Patreon | Spotify for Creators | RedCircle | Acast | Supercast | Supporting Cast | Apple Podcasts Subscriptions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 93.1% | 2.5% | 3.1% | 0.92% | 0.23% | 0.04% | 0.08% |
| Nov 2025 | 93.7% | 2.5% | 2.6% | 0.93% | 0.18% | 0.04% | 0.04% |
| Dec 2025 | 93.9% | 2.5% | 2.6% | 0.76% | 0.18% | 0.04% | 0.07% |
| Jan 2026 | 94% | 2.5% | 2.6% | 0.62% | 0.19% | 0.04% | 0.07% |
| Feb 2026 | 92.8% | 3% | 3.1% | 0.75% | 0.22% | 0.04% | 0.07% |
| Mar 2026 | 93.3% | 3.1% | 2.5% | 0.76% | 0.18% | 0.04% | 0.05% |
| Apr 2026 | 92.2% | 3.7% | 3.1% | 0.75% | 0.22% | 0.04% | 0.05% |
| May 2026 | 93.5% | 3.1% | 2.5% | 0.62% | 0.19% | 0.03% | 0.07% |
| Jun 2026 | 93.9% | 3.1% | 2.1% | 0.62% | 0.19% | 0.04% | 0.08% |
| Jul 2026 | 92.8% | 3.7% | 2.5% | 0.61% | 0.18% | 0.07% | 0.1% |
| Aug 2026 | 93.9% | 3.1% | 2.1% | 0.62% | 0.15% | 0.08% | 0.07% |
| Sep 2026 | 92.6% | 3.7% | 2.5% | 0.75% | 0.18% | 0.12% | 0.08% |
How has the Apple Podcasts Subscriptions and Supporting Cast comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- The lead changed hands once in the 12 months ending September 2026: Supporting Cast took it in August 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Apple Podcasts Subscriptions’ share of searches among podcast monetisation platforms worldwide held steady at 0.08%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 2.9K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Supporting Cast’s share of searches among podcast monetisation platforms worldwide moved from 0.04% to 0.12%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 1.3K to 4.4K.
How did search popularity change for podcast monetisation platforms worldwide in September 2026?
1 change

Estimated monthly branded searches for Supporting Cast worldwide rose 238.5% over 12 measured months, from 1.3K to 4.4K in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Apple Podcasts Subscriptions’ and Supporting Cast’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
Supporting Cast
1 branded search term
- supporting cast
Other head-to-heads among podcast monetisation platforms

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