RNZ vs Spotify:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, RNZ had more branded searches than Spotify among podcast and radio apps in New Zealand. RNZ had about 368,000 branded searches, while Spotify had 310,000. RNZ made up 52.3% of all podcast and radio app searches we track, and Spotify accounted for 44%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about podcast and radio apps, RNZ and Spotify each appeared in four of the five answers. RNZ was mentioned before Spotify in four out of five answers.
Who do people search for more?
RNZ, about 19% more searches than Spotify
Who does AI mention more?
Both were mentioned in 4 of 5 answers.
Who does AI recommend more?
RNZ, named ahead of Spotify in 4 of 5 answers
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Top podcast and radio apps in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, RNZ and Spotify were each mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. RNZ was listed before Spotify in four out of five answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
- RNZ1st
Spotify2nd
rova3rd
Pocket Casts4th
iHeartRadio5th
Apple Podcasts6th
Overcast7th
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- RNZ4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Spotify4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- iHeartRadio3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- rova3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Apple Podcasts3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Pocket Casts3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Overcast1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about podcast and radio apps
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which podcast or radio app should I use in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best podcast and radio apps in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best podcast or radio app in New Zealand for listening on the go?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best podcast app”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“radio apps nz”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.
Is RNZ or Spotify more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for RNZ and Spotify by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven podcast and radio apps we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for RNZ, Spotify. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | RNZ | Spotify | iHeartRadio | rova | Apple Podcasts | Overcast | Pocket Casts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 52.1% | 43.8% | 2.8% | 1% | 0.13% | 0.06% | 0.03% |
| Nov 2025 | 47.1% | 48.4% | 3% | 1.3% | 0.16% | 0.05% | 0.03% |
| Dec 2025 | 51.6% | 43.9% | 3.3% | 1% | 0.15% | 0.05% | 0.04% |
| Jan 2026 | 60.8% | 34.9% | 3.3% | 0.8% | 0.15% | 0.05% | 0.04% |
| Feb 2026 | 47.2% | 48.7% | 3.1% | 0.76% | 0.17% | 0.05% | 0.03% |
| Mar 2026 | 47.5% | 48.9% | 2.7% | 0.72% | 0.14% | 0.04% | 0.03% |
| Apr 2026 | 56.5% | 39.3% | 3.1% | 0.94% | 0.14% | 0.04% | 0.03% |
| May 2026 | 47.3% | 49.2% | 2.6% | 0.72% | 0.13% | 0.03% | 0.03% |
| Jun 2026 | 42.3% | 54% | 2.7% | 0.78% | 0.14% | 0.04% | 0.03% |
| Jul 2026 | 56.1% | 39.9% | 3% | 0.69% | 0.15% | 0.04% | 0.03% |
| Aug 2026 | 52% | 44.2% | 2.8% | 0.78% | 0.13% | 0.04% | 0.03% |
| Sep 2026 | 52.3% | 44% | 2.3% | 1.1% | 0.13% | 0.04% | 0.03% |
How has the RNZ and Spotify comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- The lead changed hands 6 times in the 12 months ending September 2026: Spotify took it in November 2025, RNZ took it in December 2025, Spotify took it in February 2026, RNZ took it in April 2026, Spotify took it in May 2026, RNZ took it in July 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, RNZ’s share of searches among podcast and radio apps in New Zealand moved from 52.1% to 52.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 368K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Spotify’s share of searches among podcast and radio apps in New Zealand moved from 43.8% to 44%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 310K.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand podcast and radio apps in September 2026?
0 changes
Neither RNZ nor Spotify moved beyond provider rounding among podcast and radio apps in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
9 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using RNZ’s and Spotify’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.
Other head-to-heads among podcast and radio apps
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