Suggestions appear as you type. Use the up and down arrows to choose one and Enter to open it.

This page's audience our own tag's counts — open to see them
–Visits
–Page views
–Clicks to vendors
–Time on page
–Reading now
Clicks to vendors, by tool
  • –
Top countries
  • –
Devices
  • –

– · visits, page views and clicks counted by our own tag, which counts more than our checked analytics; every figure rounded down · how we count

Head-to-head · Podcast Apps

Apple Podcasts vs AntennaPod

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score Apple Podcasts #1 in Podcast Apps 9.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 5 features Visit Apple Podcasts
AntennaPod #8 in Podcast Apps 8.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 5 features Visit AntennaPod

Apple Podcasts leads on 0 checks, AntennaPod on 0, and 6 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreApple Podcasts · 9.3/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresApple Podcasts · 5 of 5

Apple Podcasts scores higher on our rubric for podcast apps: 9.3 against 8.0 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #8.

Apple Podcasts is the better fit for broadest all-around podcast listening. AntennaPod is the better fit for free open-source Android listening.

  • Apple Podcasts fits best

    Broadest all-around podcast listening

  • AntennaPod fits best

    Free open-source Android listening

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Apple Podcasts 9.3/10 Visit ↗ AntennaPod 8.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.3 8.0
Ranking #1 in Podcast Apps #8 in Podcast Apps
Best for Broadest all-around podcast listening Free open-source Android listening
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free
Starting price Free plan Free
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Desktop, Mobile Mobile
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, iOS Android
Support Phone, Live chat, Docs, Community Community, Docs
Integrations 7 integrations 2 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business Solo
Features Apple Podcasts 5/5 · AntennaPod 4/5
Offline downloads ✓ ✓
Video podcasts ✓ ✓
Episode transcripts ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Private feed support ✓ ✓
Cross-device sync ✓ ✓
Specs
Supported platforms Web, iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, Apple TV, Apple Vision Pro, Windows via iTunes, CarPlay, HomePod, smart speakers, and supported car systems Android
Our review
Pros
  • Video playback, transcripts, downloads, and playback controls
  • Private RSS feeds and synchronized libraries across devices
  • CarPlay, HomePod, smart speaker, and vehicle-system support
  • Free, open-source app with no in-app advertising
  • Downloads, automatic episode management, and offline listening
  • Supports private feeds, video podcasts, and playback controls
Cons
  • Premium subscription prices are set by individual publishers
  • Windows access is provided through iTunes
  • Some features depend on supported devices and car systems
  • Available only on Android
  • Synchronization requires a separate server or service
  • Integration options center on gpodder.net and Nextcloud
Our verdict

Apple Podcasts is a freemium podcast discovery and playback service for listeners across Apple devices, supported web browsers, Windows via iTunes, CarPlay, HomePod, selected smart speakers, and supported vehicle systems. It is suited to…

Read the review →

AntennaPod is a free, open-source podcast player for Android, maintained by a volunteer community without commercial interest. It is suited to listeners who want RSS and Atom feed subscriptions, an ad-free application experience, and…

Read the review →
  1. Apple PodcastsPodcast Apps 9.3Free plan
  2. AntennaPodPodcast Apps 8.0Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Apple Podcasts — where it wins

    • Video playback, transcripts, downloads, and playback controls
    • Private RSS feeds and synchronized libraries across devices
    • CarPlay, HomePod, smart speaker, and vehicle-system support

    Where it doesn't

    • Premium subscription prices are set by individual publishers
    • Windows access is provided through iTunes
    • Some features depend on supported devices and car systems
  • AntennaPod — where it wins

    • Free, open-source app with no in-app advertising
    • Downloads, automatic episode management, and offline listening
    • Supports private feeds, video podcasts, and playback controls

    Where it doesn't

    • Available only on Android
    • Synchronization requires a separate server or service
    • Integration options center on gpodder.net and Nextcloud

More comparisons

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update