Podtrac Review 2026
Podtrac is a podcast measurement service that has run since 2005, and its basic measurement is free. Podcasters add a Podtrac prefix to their episode URLs, and Podtrac counts downloads and unique audience using a methodology certified as compliant with the IAB Podcast Measurement Technical Guidelines Version 2.0. It is also the source of the monthly Top Publisher, Top Network, and Top Podcast rankings. Publisher plans are Getting Started (free), Grow Your Show, Grow Your Show Plus, and Enterprise; Podtrac does not publish prices for the paid plans.
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Free tier: Getting Started: free basic Podtrac measurement, for hobbyists and new shows
Getting Started
$0
- Free basic Podtrac measurement
- IAB 2.0 certified download counting
- Audience and platform breakdowns
- Eligible for Podtrac rankings
Grow Your Show
Custom
- Advanced functionality and report options
- A Smart Link you can post anywhere online
- Click and download performance reports
- Price not published; quoted on registration
Grow Your Show Plus
Custom
- Multiple Smart Links across social, newsletters and sites
- Podcast-to-podcast promo attribution
- For creators building a network of shows
- Price not published; quoted on registration
Enterprise
Custom
- For large podcasts and podcast networks
- Network-level reporting
- Price not published; quoted on request
Pros
- Basic measurement is free and has been for over 15 years
- Certified compliant with IAB Podcast Measurement Technical Guidelines 2.0
- Source of the industry-standard publisher and podcast rankings
- Works alongside your host's own stats as a second, comparable number
- Smart Links track clicks and downloads from anywhere you post
Cons
- Paid plan prices are not published; you register to find out
- Limited report customization
- No real-time data
- Interface feels dated
Best For
- Podcasters seeking IAB certification
- Those wanting industry rankings
- Publishers needing ad attribution
- Free basic measurement needs
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Frequently asked questions
- Is Podtrac free?
- Yes, for basic measurement. The Getting Started plan costs nothing and gives any podcaster IAB 2.0 certified download and audience measurement; Podtrac states its measurement services have been free for 15 years. Paid plans exist above it (Grow Your Show, Grow Your Show Plus, Enterprise) for Smart Links, promo attribution, and network reporting, but Podtrac does not list their prices on its site.
- What does Podtrac measure?
- Downloads and unique audience across every platform your episodes reach, using a methodology certified as compliant with the IAB Podcast Measurement Technical Guidelines Version 2.0. You add a Podtrac prefix ahead of your episode URLs, and Podtrac counts each request against that standard, which is why advertisers treat its numbers as comparable across shows. It also covers audience demographics, platform and app breakdowns, and Smart Link click-through, and it publishes the monthly Top Publisher, Top Network, and Top Podcast rankings from the same data.
- How much does Podtrac cost?
- The Getting Started plan is free. Podtrac does not publish prices for Grow Your Show, Grow Your Show Plus, or Enterprise; those are quoted when you register or contact the team.
- Do I need Podtrac if my host already gives me stats?
- Only if you sell ads or care about rankings. Your host counts your downloads with its own methodology; Podtrac counts them against a certified IAB 2.0 standard that advertisers can compare with any other show using it. Running both is normal, and the free Getting Started plan makes the second number cost nothing. Podtrac rankings also draw on this data, so shows that want to appear there need the prefix in place.
Turn Episodes Into Content
Podtrac handles the analytics. PodRewind turns your episodes into a searchable archive you can chat with—then generates show notes, social clips, and blog posts automatically.
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