Best Podcast Apps in 2026
Updated
In short: FluidCast is ranked #1 of 55 as of 5 October 2026, ahead of Apple Podcasts and Pocket Casts. The best-ranked option with a free plan is Apple Podcasts. The lowest first paid tier on this page is Podverse at $1.50/mo.
Podcast apps help you find shows, keep track of episodes, and listen across the devices you use. Compare supported platforms and cross-device sync, then check offline downloads for listening without a connection. Episode transcripts and video podcast support may shape how you follow a show, while private feed support matters for feeds that are not public. Free plans and paid-from pricing add another basis for comparison. FluidCast, Apple Podcasts, and Pocket Casts are among the apps to consider against your listening habits and the features you rely on.
55 podcast apps ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
55ranked
21free plans on this page
$1.50/molowest paid tier
5 Oct 2026last checked
Input list Podcast apps 25 channels on this page · 141 of 200 spec lines stated by the makers
Ch Tool Free planPaid fromSupported platformsOffline downloadsVideo podcastsEpisode transcriptsPrivate feed supportCross-device sync Spec sheet Score
01 FluidCast Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsWeb, iOS, macOS, Android, Windows, LinuxOffline downloadsYesVideo podcastsnot statedEpisode transcriptsYesPrivate feed supportnot statedCross-device syncYes 5/8spec lines stated 9.2
02 Apple Podcasts Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsWeb, iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, Apple TV, Apple Vision Pro, Windows via iTunes, CarPlay, HomePod, smart speakers, and supported car systemsOffline downloadsYesVideo podcastsYesEpisode transcriptsYesPrivate feed supportYesCross-device syncYes 7/8spec lines stated 9.1
03 Pocket Casts Free planYesPaid from$3.99/moSupported platformsWeb, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android; also Apple TV, Apple Watch, Wear OS, CarPlay, Android Auto, Android Automotive, Sonos, Alexa, and ChromecastOffline downloadsYesVideo podcastsYesEpisode transcriptsYesPrivate feed supportYesCross-device syncYes 8/8spec lines stated 9.1
04 YourPods Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsiPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, CarPlay, Android, Windows, Linux, and modern web browsersOffline downloadsYesVideo podcastsnot statedEpisode transcriptsYesPrivate feed supportYesCross-device syncYes 6/8spec lines stated 9.1
05 Player FM Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsWeb, Android, iOSOffline downloadsYesVideo podcastsYesEpisode transcriptsYesPrivate feed supportYesCross-device syncYes 7/8spec lines stated 9.0
06 PinePods Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsWeb, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, API, self-hosted serverOffline downloadsYesVideo podcastsYesEpisode transcriptsYesPrivate feed supportnot statedCross-device syncYes 6/8spec lines stated 8.9
07 Podverse Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsWeb, iOS, Android, F-DroidOffline downloadsYesVideo podcastsYesEpisode transcriptsYesPrivate feed supportYesCross-device syncYes 7/8spec lines stated 8.8
08 Podurama Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsiOS, iPadOS, Android, web, Windows and macOSOffline downloadsYesVideo podcastsYesEpisode transcriptsNoPrivate feed supportYesCross-device syncYes 7/8spec lines stated 8.7
09 Overcast Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Mac, websiteOffline downloadsYesVideo podcastsnot statedEpisode transcriptsYesPrivate feed supportYesCross-device syncYes 6/8spec lines stated 8.6
10 Castbox Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsiOS, Android, web, PWA, Amazon Alexa, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Apple WatchOffline downloadsYesVideo podcastsnot statedEpisode transcriptsNoPrivate feed supportYesCross-device syncYes 6/8spec lines stated 8.6
11 Castro Free planYesPaid from$3.99/moSupported platformsiOS, iPadOS, macOS, Apple WatchOffline downloadsYesVideo podcastsnot statedEpisode transcriptsYesPrivate feed supportYesCross-device syncYes 7/8spec lines stated 8.5
12 Podbean Free planYesPaid from$12/moSupported platformsiPhone and AndroidOffline downloadsnot statedVideo podcastsYesEpisode transcriptsYesPrivate feed supportYesCross-device syncnot stated 6/8spec lines stated 8.4
13 iVoox Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsnot statedOffline downloadsnot statedVideo podcastsnot statedEpisode transcriptsnot statedPrivate feed supportnot statedCross-device syncnot stated 1/8spec lines stated 8.3
14 Podcast Guru Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsWeb, Android, iOSOffline downloadsYesVideo podcastsYesEpisode transcriptsYesPrivate feed supportYesCross-device syncYes 7/8spec lines stated 8.1
15 Snipd Free planYesPaid from$6.99/moSupported platformsiPhone, Android, Apple WatchOffline downloadsYesVideo podcastsNoEpisode transcriptsYesPrivate feed supportYesCross-device syncYes 8/8spec lines stated 8.1
16 Fountain Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsiOS, Android, webOffline downloadsYesVideo podcastsYesEpisode transcriptsYesPrivate feed supportYesCross-device syncnot stated 6/8spec lines stated 7.9
17 AntennaPod Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsAndroidOffline downloadsYesVideo podcastsYesEpisode transcriptsnot statedPrivate feed supportYesCross-device syncYes 6/8spec lines stated 7.8
18 Metacast Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsiOS, Android, webOffline downloadsYesVideo podcastsnot statedEpisode transcriptsYesPrivate feed supportYesCross-device syncnot stated 5/8spec lines stated 7.8
19 Moon FM Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsAndroid, iOS, Mac, PC/WindowsOffline downloadsYesVideo podcastsNoEpisode transcriptsnot statedPrivate feed supportYesCross-device syncYes 6/8spec lines stated 7.8
20 Podcast Republic Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsweb, Android, iOSOffline downloadsYesVideo podcastsYesEpisode transcriptsnot statedPrivate feed supportnot statedCross-device syncYes 5/8spec lines stated 7.7
21 opencast Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsiPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Vision; iOS/iPadOS/macOS/visionOS 26 or laterOffline downloadsYesVideo podcastsnot statedEpisode transcriptsYesPrivate feed supportYesCross-device syncYes 6/8spec lines stated 7.7
22 Spreaker Free planYesPaid from$20/moSupported platformsnot statedOffline downloadsnot statedVideo podcastsnot statedEpisode transcriptsnot statedPrivate feed supportnot statedCross-device syncnot stated 2/8spec lines stated 7.7
23 OpenAir Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsAndroid, iOS, Linux, macOS, web, WindowsOffline downloadsYesVideo podcastsnot statedEpisode transcriptsnot statedPrivate feed supportnot statedCross-device syncYes 4/8spec lines stated 7.6
24 Castamatic Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsiPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, CarPlayOffline downloadsYesVideo podcastsnot statedEpisode transcriptsYesPrivate feed supportYesCross-device syncYes 6/8spec lines stated 7.5
25 Playary Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported platformsnot statedOffline downloadsnot statedVideo podcastsnot statedEpisode transcriptsnot statedPrivate feed supportnot statedCross-device syncnot stated 1/8spec lines stated 7.5
Compare all 25 in a table
| # | Tool | Score | Free plan | From | Free plan | Paid from | Supported platforms | Offline downloads |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | FluidCast | 9.2 | Free plan | £2.49/mo | Yes | — | Web, iOS, macOS, Android, Windows, Linux | Yes |
| 2 | Apple Podcasts | 9.1 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | Web, iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, Apple TV, Apple Vision Pro, Windows via iTunes, CarPlay, HomePod, smart speakers, and supported car systems | Yes |
| 3 | Pocket Casts | 9.1 | Free plan | $3.33/mo | Yes | $3.99/mo | Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android; also Apple TV, Apple Watch, Wear OS, CarPlay, Android Auto, Android Automotive, Sonos, Alexa, and Chromecast | Yes |
| 4 | YourPods | 9.1 | Free plan | — | Yes | — | iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, CarPlay, Android, Windows, Linux, and modern web browsers | Yes |
| 5 | Player FM | 9.0 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | Web, Android, iOS | Yes |
| 6 | PinePods | 8.9 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, API, self-hosted server | Yes |
| 7 | Podverse | 8.8 | Free plan | $1.50/mo | Yes | — | Web, iOS, Android, F-Droid | Yes |
| 8 | Podurama | 8.7 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | iOS, iPadOS, Android, web, Windows and macOS | Yes |
| 9 | Overcast | 8.6 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Mac, website | Yes |
| 10 | Castbox | 8.6 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | iOS, Android, web, PWA, Amazon Alexa, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Apple Watch | Yes |
| 11 | Castro | 8.5 | Free plan | $2.08/mo | Yes | $3.99/mo | iOS, iPadOS, macOS, Apple Watch | Yes |
| 12 | Podbean | 8.4 | Free plan | $17/mo | Yes | $12/mo | iPhone and Android | — |
| 13 | iVoox | 8.3 | No | — | Yes | — | — | — |
| 14 | Podcast Guru | 8.1 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | Web, Android, iOS | Yes |
| 15 | Snipd | 8.1 | Free plan | $6.99/mo | Yes | $6.99/mo | iPhone, Android, Apple Watch | Yes |
| 16 | Fountain | 7.9 | No | $2.99/mo | Yes | — | iOS, Android, web | Yes |
| 17 | AntennaPod | 7.8 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | Android | Yes |
| 18 | Metacast | 7.8 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | iOS, Android, web | Yes |
| 19 | Moon FM | 7.8 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | Android, iOS, Mac, PC/Windows | Yes |
| 20 | Podcast Republic | 7.7 | No | — | Yes | — | web, Android, iOS | Yes |
| 21 | opencast | 7.7 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Vision; iOS/iPadOS/macOS/visionOS 26 or later | Yes |
| 22 | Spreaker | 7.7 | Free plan | $20/mo | Yes | $20/mo | — | — |
| 23 | OpenAir | 7.6 | No | — | Yes | — | Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, web, Windows | Yes |
| 24 | Castamatic | 7.5 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, CarPlay | Yes |
| 25 | Playary | 7.5 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | — | — |
Is your tool on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored, and a sponsored row is labelled as paid.
Questions about this list
Which podcast app is ranked first on Specifiction?
FluidCast is ranked #1 of 55 with a score of 9.2. Apple Podcasts is second and Pocket Casts third.
How many of these have a free plan?
21 of the 25 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
Which is the cheapest paid option?
On this page, Podverse has the lowest first paid tier we found: $1.50/mo.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked on what each maker publishes, the fullest spec sheet first: how deeply the product is documented, the platforms it runs on, a free tier or trial to test it, and its standing.
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