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Head-to-head · Podcast Apps

Pocket Casts vs AntennaPod

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score Pocket Casts #3 in Podcast Apps 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 5 features Visit Pocket Casts
AntennaPod #8 in Podcast Apps 8.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 5 features Visit AntennaPod

Pocket Casts 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 scorePocket Casts · 8.8/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresPocket Casts · 5 of 5

Pocket Casts scores higher on our rubric for podcast apps: 8.8 against 8.0 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #8.

Pocket Casts is the better fit for cross-platform power users. AntennaPod is the better fit for free open-source Android listening.

  • Pocket Casts fits best

    Cross-platform power users

  • AntennaPod fits best

    Free open-source Android listening

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Side by side

Feature Pocket Casts 8.8/10 Visit ↗ AntennaPod 8.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.8 8.0
Ranking #3 in Podcast Apps #8 in Podcast Apps
Best for Cross-platform power users Free open-source Android listening
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free
Starting price $39.99/yr Free
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Desktop, Mobile Mobile
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android Android
Support Email, Community, Docs Community, Docs
Integrations 9 integrations 2 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo
Features Pocket Casts 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, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android; also Apple TV, Apple Watch, Wear OS, CarPlay, Android Auto, Android Automotive, Sonos, Alexa, and Chromecast Android
Our review
Pros
  • 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
  • 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
  • Transcript features apply only to supported episodes
  • Folders, bookmarks, themes, and wearable apps require Plus
  • Plus costs $3.99 monthly or $39.99 annually
  • Available only on Android
  • Synchronization requires a separate server or service
  • Integration options center on gpodder.net and Nextcloud
Our verdict

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 →

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. Pocket CastsPodcast Apps 8.8Free plan
  2. AntennaPodPodcast Apps 8.0Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • 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
  • 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