Apple Podcasts Subscriptions vs Buttondown
Side-by-side comparison on fees, payouts, monetization, and audience ownership.
Apple Podcasts Subscriptions vs Buttondown: which one wins?
Apple Podcasts Subscriptions charges 30% Y1 / 15% (of revenue + $19.99/yr) versus Buttondown at from $9/mo (monthly subscription).
On payout speed, Apple Podcasts Subscriptions pays monthly while Buttondown pays instant. For creators where cashflow matters, the faster cadence usually wins.
For audience ownership, Apple Podcasts Subscriptions offers none email export and Buttondown offers full access. Email portability matters most for creators planning to migrate later or build a list independent of any single platform.
Best for: Apple Podcasts Subscriptions suits podcasters with large apple podcasts audiences. Buttondown fits technical writers and minimalists who want markdown and full ownership.