Quick Answer
- Standout features: Silence trimming, variable speed, smart playlists, cross-device syncing, CarPlay/Android Auto support.
- Free base app: The iOS and Android apps are fully free with core features. Web and desktop apps now free for basic streaming.
- Plus subscription: $4/month or $40/year—adds folders, bookmarks, shuffle, cloud storage, extra themes, and wearable support.
- Who owns it: Automattic (WordPress parent company) since 2021. The mobile apps are open source, and the team explicitly says they don’t want Apple or Spotify to control podcasting.
Pocket Casts has been around since 2011. It has carved out a loyal following by doing one thing well: letting you control your listening without algorithms deciding what you should hear. Overall, it’s a pleasant app to use without unnecessary clutter.
You can turn on auto‑archive and per‑podcast download rules so episodes don’t pile up on your phone. That gives you a “set and forget” system that still respects your preferences.
It runs on iOS, Android, web, macOS, and Windows, and sync keeps your place across them.
You can add your Patreon / Memberful / Substack RSS URLs directly.
If you’re iOS‑only, care most about superior Smart Speed/Voice Boost audio, and prefer a minimalist, indie app you might consider Overcast over Pocket Casts.
