Firstory vs Podlock

Firstory is a podcast hosting platform for creators who want to publish, distribute, promote, and monetize shows. Uploading audio and video together in one go lets creators publish both formats, then distribute to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, KKBOX, and more than 10 platforms. Distribution is one-click for Spotify, KKBOX, and Pocket Casts; several other directories require manual distribution. AI Studio can create transcripts, summaries, highlights, newsletter drafts, questions and answers, keywords, and topic tags after upload. Analytics cover plays, audience profiles, and episode performance, combining RSS data with official Spotify data. Daily Spotify charts and listener and follower metrics are limited to Pro and higher. Promotion tools include FLink, a link for listening platforms and social profiles, an automatically built show website, and an embeddable player. Monetization options include dynamic ads, donations, recurring subscriptions, and cross-platform memberships. The free plan allows one show and one AI content extraction episode per month. Paid plans start at $7/mo, with a 14-day trial; annual billing saves 22%.

Podlock is a web service for delivering private podcasts to a specified audience. Creators can add, manage and track subscribers. Subscribers can listen in a browser, on a branded listening page or through podcast apps, including Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts. Podlock’s accessible product page does not publish a price or plans. Its terms describe subscriptions billed in advance on monthly or annual cycles, with automatic renewal unless cancelled. Renewal can be stopped through account management or by contacting support. The terms say a free trial may be offered at Podlock’s discretion, without stating its length. Data is stored on Podlock’s servers, which use HTTPS and SSL. The privacy policy says personal data is not sold, traded, rented or otherwise shared without explicit consent, subject to order-processing and legal exceptions. Contact-form submissions are deleted within 30 days.