Pocket Casts
Pocket Casts: A broad podcast app with free cross-device access and focused Plus upgrades. Ranked #3 of 55 in Podcast Apps by our editors (8.8/10); pricing: Free plan; best for cross-platform power users.
At a glance
- Editor score8.8 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forCross-platform power users
- Free planYes
- Paid from$39.99/yr
- Video podcastsYes
- Founded2010
- Facts checked20 Sep 2026
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
Our verdict on Pocket Casts
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, private, paid, and members-only RSS feeds, and synchronization of follows, queues, playback position, and history. Apps are available for web, Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android, with playback also supported through Apple TV, CarPlay, Android Auto, Sonos, Alexa, and Chromecast.
Its platform coverage is the main reason to consider it. Cross-device synchronization keeps listening activity aligned across supported apps, while integrations include Apple Watch, Wear OS, Android Automotive, and the other connected platforms listed above. The feature set also reaches beyond basic streaming: users can organize subscriptions with folders, save moments with bookmarks, download episodes for offline playback, and follow synced transcript highlighting on supported episodes. Private and paid RSS feeds make it suitable for listeners whose subscriptions extend beyond public podcast directories.
The free plan includes podcast listening and discovery, plus web and desktop access. Pocket Casts Plus costs $3.99 per month or $39.99 per year and adds folders, Up Next Shuffle, bookmarks, wearable apps, themes, and icons. Cloud storage is also associated with Plus. Transcript availability depends on the podcast feed or selected Pocket Casts-generated episodes, so listeners who require transcripts for every episode should look elsewhere. Choose Pocket Casts if broad device coverage, synchronization, and varied podcast formats matter most. Choose another app if you want all organization and wearable features without a paid tier or need universal transcript availability.
Your product? Our editors can test Pocket Casts in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
Pocket Casts pricing
All 2 Pocket Casts plans and prices →
Pocket Casts fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | $39.99/yr |
| Supported platforms | Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android; also Apple TV, Apple Watch, Wear OS, CarPlay, Android Auto, Android Automotive, Sonos, Alexa, and Chromecast |
| Offline downloads | Yes |
| Video podcasts | Yes |
| Episode transcripts | Yes |
| Private feed support | Yes |
| Cross-device sync | Yes |
| Deployment | Cloud, Desktop, Mobile |
| Platforms | Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android |
| Support | Email, Community, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 9 integrations: Apple TV, Apple Watch, Wear OS, CarPlay, Android Auto, Android Automotive … See all → |
| Pricing | Free plan (source) |
| Website | pocketcasts.com |
| Facts checked | 20 Sep 2026 |
Pocket Casts integrations
Pocket Casts lists 9 integrations on its own site.
- Apple TV
- Apple Watch
- Wear OS
- CarPlay
- Android Auto
- Android Automotive
- Sonos
- Amazon Alexa
- Chromecast
See all Pocket Casts integrations →
Alternatives to Pocket Casts
- Apple PodcastsA broad podcast service with discovery, video, transcripts, private feeds, and device sync.9.3
- OvercastA strong Apple-focused player for listeners who want smarter playback and organization.9.1
- CastboxA broad, recommendation-led podcast app with strong offline listening and device synchronization.8.7
See all Pocket Casts alternatives →
Pocket Casts vs the competition
- Pocket Casts vs Apple Podcasts
- Pocket Casts vs Overcast
- Pocket Casts vs Castbox
- Pocket Casts vs Player FM
- Pocket Casts vs Podcast Republic
- Pocket Casts vs Castro
Compare Pocket Casts with any tool side by side →
Also Ranked In
Pocket Casts is ranked in 2 of our directories.
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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