Up Next review
A free Apple podcast player with configurable, keyword-based chapter skipping.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Up Next is a podcast player for Apple listeners who want more control over episode playback, especially through configurable chapter skipping. It supports podcast subscriptions and feed URLs, a reorderable queue, bookmarks, playback-speed controls and a sleep timer. Downloads allow offline listening, while on-device transcription processing and a local-first design suit listeners who prefer playback without an account or central server. Its fit is strongest for individual listeners in Apple’s ecosystem, rather than people looking for a cross-platform or team-oriented service.
The standout feature is smart chapter skipping: listeners can configure keyword rules to skip parts of chapters that match their preferences. Chapter-aware playback also makes it possible to work with episode structure, alongside bookmarks and speed controls. Transcription is processed on-device, and OPML import and export provide a way to move podcast subscriptions. Together these features make Up Next more focused on controlling and organizing listening than on a broad podcast discovery experience.
Up Next is free, with offline downloads included. Automatic refresh and cleanup help manage downloaded episodes, and CarPlay and Siri Shortcuts support extend playback into Apple’s connected features. The listed platforms are iOS and macOS; the App Store details also list iPhone and Apple Watch support and compatibility with Mac, Apple Vision and Apple Watch operating systems. Listeners who want configurable keyword-based skipping and local-first playback should consider it. Those who need a wider device ecosystem or a service centered on team use should look elsewhere.
Up Next pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Configurable keyword rules skip relevant parts of chapters
- Offline downloads refresh and clean up automatically
- On-device transcription, CarPlay and Siri Shortcuts support
- Where it doesn't
- Focused on Apple platforms rather than a broad device ecosystem
- Keyword skipping depends on chapter information
- Designed for individual listening, not team workflows
Up Next fact sheet, pricing and score →
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