Pocket Casts review
Cross-platform podcast player with smart filters and sync
- Automattic
- Free + paid plans
- iPhone & iPad, Android, Mac, Windows, Web
Does it deserve #3?
The verdict
Pocket Casts is the best podcast app if you switch between platforms. It syncs your queue and listening progress across iPhone, Android and the web, and its filters, Trim Silence and speed controls make a long subscription list easy to manage. The free version now includes the desktop and web apps, while Plus adds folders, bookmarks, watch apps, storage for your own files and extra themes. The open-source code is a bonus.
- Sync across phone, desktop and web
- Smart filters and Up Next queue
- Trim Silence and speed controls
- Open-source mobile apps
Score breakdown
Overall = features 30% · design 20% · speed 20% · value 15% · privacy 15%. Why these weights?
What we like
- Excellent cross-platform sync of queue and progress
- Powerful filters for managing many shows
- Free tier is fully usable on mobile
What could be better
- Folders, bookmarks and watch apps require Plus
- Interface feels busier than Overcast
Podcast listeners who move between Android, iPhone and a computer
you only listen on iPhone and want the simplest possible player
Questions about Pocket Casts
Is Pocket Casts free?
Yes, the mobile, desktop and web apps are free, with syncing, filters and playback controls. Pocket Casts Plus adds folders, bookmarks, Apple Watch and Wear OS apps, cloud storage for your own audio files and extra themes.
Can I move my podcasts to Pocket Casts from another app?
Yes. Export an OPML file from your current podcast app and import it into Pocket Casts to bring over your subscriptions.
What are the best alternatives to Pocket Casts?
The closest alternatives are Overcast, Spotify and Apple Music. See all of them ranked on our Pocket Casts alternatives page.
Where does Pocket Casts rank?
Pocket Casts ranks #3 of 8 in our Music & Podcasts ranking, with an overall score of 8.8 out of 10.