Apple Podcasts vs Pocket Casts

Apple Podcasts9.3Visit Pocket Casts8.8Visit

Higher score Apple Podcasts #1 in Podcast Apps 9.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 5 features Visit Apple Podcasts

vs

Pocket Casts #3 in Podcast Apps 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 5 features Visit Pocket Casts

• Apple Podcasts fits best

  Broadest all-around podcast listening

• Pocket Casts fits best

  Cross-platform power users

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Side by side

Feature	Apple Podcasts 9.3/10 Visit ↗	Pocket Casts 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.3	8.8
Ranking	#1 in Podcast Apps	#3 in Podcast Apps
Best for	Broadest all-around podcast listening	Cross-platform power users
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free plan + paid
Starting price	Free plan	$39.99/yr
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Cloud, Desktop, Mobile	Cloud, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms	Web, Windows, macOS, iOS	Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
Support	Phone, Live chat, Docs, Community	Email, Community, Docs
Integrations	7 integrations	9 integrations
Built for	Solo, Small business	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Apple Podcasts 5/5 · Pocket Casts 5/5
Offline downloads	✓	✓
Video podcasts	✓	✓
Episode transcripts	✓	✓
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	Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android; also Apple TV, Apple Watch, Wear OS, CarPlay, Android Auto, Android Automotive, Sonos, Alexa, and Chromecast
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	Supports web, Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android Syncs follows, queues, playback position, and history across devices Handles video, private feeds, transcripts, offline downloads, and car platforms
Cons	Premium subscription prices are set by individual publishers Windows access is provided through iTunes Some features depend on supported devices and car systems	Transcript features apply only to supported episodes Folders, bookmarks, themes, and wearable apps require Plus Plus costs $3.99 monthly or $39.99 annually
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 →	Pocket Casts is a podcast listening, discovery, and management app for people who move between mobile, desktop, web, and connected playback devices. It supports podcast search, episode downloads for offline playback, video episodes,… Read the review →

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

• Pocket Casts — where it wins

  • Supports web, Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android
  • Syncs follows, queues, playback position, and history across devices
  • Handles video, private feeds, transcripts, offline downloads, and car platforms

  Where it doesn't

  • Transcript features apply only to supported episodes
  • Folders, bookmarks, themes, and wearable apps require Plus
  • Plus costs $3.99 monthly or $39.99 annually

• Apple Podcasts9.3/10 · Free plan

  A broad podcast service with discovery, video, transcripts, private feeds, and device sync.

  Visit Apple PodcastsFull verdict →
• Pocket Casts8.8/10 · Free plan

  A broad podcast app with free cross-device access and focused Plus upgrades.

  Visit Pocket CastsFull verdict →