Alternatives
Best Pocket Casts alternatives in 2026
Pocket Casts is podcast app from Automattic for iOS, Android and the web. These 9 alternatives come from the same rankings, ordered by editorial score. Connected products carry a small, disclosed lift.
Ranked alternatives
- 1
Apple Podcasts
Also runs on macOS. Free, built into iPhone, iPad and Mac, with a browser player and a broad catalog of shows browsable by genre and host. It is closed source and works best on Apple devices.
Best for Finding and following shows on Apple devices
iOS, iPadOSmacOSWebFree
- 2
Spotify
Also runs on Windows, macOS. Carries podcasts alongside music on every major platform, with a free plan that includes ads. Its podcast tools are part of a music app, so dedicated listeners may find it less focused.
Best for Podcasts and music in one app
WebWindowsmacOSiOSAndroidFree plan, paid upgrades
- 3
Overcast
A focused iPhone and Apple Watch player with Smart Speed and a free core. The free version shows small ads, and the annual subscription removes them, so it is a narrower choice than Apple Podcasts.
Best for A focused podcast player on iPhone
iOS, iPadOSFree plan, paid upgrades
- 4
AntennaPod
Open-source GPL-3.0 player for Android that subscribes to any RSS feed and contains no ads of its own. It runs only on Android and depends on volunteers for its features.
Best for Open-source podcasts on Android
AndroidFree and open sourceOpen source
- 5
Castro
An iPhone podcast app with one shared queue, auto-queue for favorite shows, episode limits for frequent publishers and custom playback speeds. Castro Plus at $24.99 a year adds advanced playback, and the app is iPhone-only.
Best for iPhone listeners who manage many shows with a queue
iOSFree plan, paid upgrades
- 6
Podcast Addict
An Android podcast app with a directory, top charts and a podcaster portal, free to use with an optional Premium subscription that removes visual ads. It is Android-only, so iPhone users need Apple Podcasts or Castro.
Best for Android listeners who want a directory and charts
AndroidFree plan, paid upgrades
- 7
Snipd
An AI podcast player for iOS and Android that saves snips, transcripts and summaries, with a free plan for unlimited listening. Its AI features are capped on the free plan, so it suits note-taking listeners more than casual ones.
Best for Podcast notes, transcripts and highlights
iOSAndroidFree plan, paid upgrades
- 8
Castbox
Free listening and downloads across a large catalog on iOS and Android, with CarPlay, Android Auto and smart speaker support. It is closed source, and its paid options are not described on its homepage.
Best for A large free catalog on a phone
iOSAndroidFree plan, paid upgrades
- 9
Deezer
Also runs on Windows, macOS. Carries podcasts alongside its music catalog, with apps on Windows, Mac, iOS and Android. It is a music service first, so it ranks below the dedicated podcast apps.
Best for Podcasts within a music service
WebWindowsmacOSiOSAndroidFree plan, paid upgrades
Narrow the alternatives
Pocket Casts alternatives for Windows
Pocket Casts alternatives for macOS
Compare Pocket Casts head to head
- Pocket Castsversus
Apple Podcasts - Pocket Castsversus
Spotify - Pocket Castsversus
Overcast - Pocket Castsversus
AntennaPod - Pocket Castsversus
Castro
Or build your own comparison table with Pocket Casts and up to three other products.
About Pocket Casts alternatives
- What is the best alternative to Pocket Casts?
- On listme.name the highest-scored alternative is Apple Podcasts, followed by Spotify. The right choice depends on price, platform and whether you need open source.
- Is there a free alternative to Pocket Casts?
- Yes. Free options include Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast.
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