OP3 vs PodcastStats.com

OP3 is a free, open-source podcast prefix analytics service for podcasters and podcast hosting companies. To measure downloads, a host or podcaster places https://op3.dev/e/ before episode URLs in a podcast feed. Each measured show receives a public statistics page with download metrics, detailed breakdowns, and spreadsheet exports covering its history. OP3 also provides an API for collected podcast data; requests require a bearer token linked to a valid API key. The service says it stores basic request attributes, hashes and encrypts listener IP addresses before storage, and does not combine those addresses with third-party data or services. Its privacy policy says no cookies are used and identifies Cloudflare as the sole hosting provider and data store. OP3 says its redirect service uses a global CDN with edge nodes in more than 335 cities across more than 125 countries. API hit-query filtering by URL or hashed IP is limited to the last 90 days.

PodcastStats.com provides podcast analytics for tracking downloads, understanding audiences and following podcast growth. Its download tracking uses IAB-compliant bot filtering and deduplication to reduce bot traffic and duplicate counts, with live updates. Reports cover geography, devices, platforms, apps, retention and engagement, including city-level geographic detail. To connect a podcast, users can add tracking URLs to an RSS feed or send data through the REST API, which offers webhooks, embeds and custom integrations. Historical data can be imported from Libsyn, Anchor and Buzzsprout. The Free plan costs nothing and allows up to 10K downloads per month, with basic dashboard analytics, seven-day data retention, bot filtering and email support. Premium costs $19 a month, allows up to 1M downloads per month and adds advanced insights, unlimited retention, API access and webhooks, widgets, geographic insights and priority support. Enterprise costs $99 a month and includes unlimited downloads, white-labeling, custom integrations and reporting, multi-user accounts, a dedicated support manager and a 99.99% SLA guarantee. A 14-day Premium trial requires no credit card.