BBC Sounds vs foobar2000
BBC Sounds
bbc.comfoobar2000
foobar2000.orgSide by side
| Figure | BBC Sounds | foobar2000 |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | — |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| API | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 2 |
| Spec score · Audio Player Software | 8.0 (#9) | 8.7 (#3) |
| Support | BBC Help provides technical support topics for playback, downloads, account login, and other audio issues. | The official support page links to help articles, forums, and the foobar2000 wiki. |
Plans
In their own words
BBC Sounds
BBC Sounds is a free audio service available exclusively to listeners in the UK. It can be used in a web browser or through BBC apps for iOS and Android. Most programs are available on demand, and each episode page indicates how long the episode remains available. Some content, including BBC Radio 4 and BBC World Service English, can be heard without signing in. The latest version of the mobile app supports podcast downloads for offline listening. Availability is location-dependent: BBC Sounds closed to listeners based outside the UK on 21 July 2025. Outside the UK, BBC Radio 4, BBC World Service English, and thousands of hours of podcasts are available through BBC.com and the BBC app; international radio on-demand availability varies because of content rights and available resources. The app requires Android 7.0 or later, or iOS 16.1 or later. For browser listening, the BBC recommends current versions of Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or Microsoft Edge. AirPlay is supported for streaming documentaries from iOS devices to compatible Apple TVs; the help page says Chromecast options are unavailable at that time.
foobar2000
foobar2000 has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.