Best Podcast Apps in 2026
Updated
In short: PinePods is ranked #1 of 55 as of 4 October 2026, ahead of Apple Podcasts and Overcast. 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.
Whether you queue shows for a commute or follow a private feed, podcast apps vary in playback access and listening support. Compare supported platforms and cross-device sync for moving between devices, and check offline downloads for listening without a connection. Episode transcripts and video podcasts may matter depending on how you consume a show; private feed support is another feature to check. Free plans and paid starting prices round out the comparisons. Apple Podcasts, Pocket Casts, and FluidCast lead the ranking, with Podverse and PinePods also among the first entries. Match the listed features to how and where you listen.
55 podcast apps ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
| # | Platform | Score | Why | From | Free plan | Paid from | Supported platforms | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  PinePods | 8.5 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | Free | Yes | — | Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, API, self-hosted server | View |
| 2 | Apple Podcasts | 7.6 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | Free | Yes | — | Web, iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, Apple TV, Apple Vision Pro, Windows via iTunes, CarPlay, HomePod, smart speakers, and supported car systems | View |
| 3 | Overcast | 7.5 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | Free | Yes | — | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Mac, website | View |
| 4 | Pocket Casts | 7.5 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | $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 | View |
| 5 | Castro | 7.4 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | $2.08/mo | Yes | $3.99/mo | iOS, iPadOS, macOS, Apple Watch | View |
| 6 | Podbean | 7.2 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | $17/mo | Yes | $12/mo | iPhone and Android | View |
| 7 | Podverse | 7.1 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | $1.50/mo | Yes | — | Web, iOS, Android, F-Droid | View |
| 8 | AntennaPod | 7.0 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | Free | Yes | — | Android | View |
| 9 |  FluidCast | 7.0 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | £2.49/mo | Yes | — | Web, iOS, macOS, Android, Windows, Linux | View |
| 10 |  Podurama | 7.0 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | Free | Yes | — | iOS, iPadOS, Android, web, Windows and macOS | View |
| 11 | Podcast Guru | 6.9 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | Free | Yes | — | Web, Android, iOS | View |
| 12 |  YourPods | 6.9 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | Yes | — | iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, CarPlay, Android, Windows, Linux, and modern web browsers | View |
| 13 | Castbox | 6.8 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | Yes | — | iOS, Android, web, PWA, Amazon Alexa, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Apple Watch | View |
| 14 | Player FM | 6.8 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | Yes | — | Web, Android, iOS | View |
| 15 |  Snipd | 6.8 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | $6.99/mo | Yes | $6.99/mo | iPhone, Android, Apple Watch | View |
| 16 | Fountain | 6.7 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | $2.99/mo | Yes | — | iOS, Android, web | View |
| 17 | iVoox | 6.7 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | Yes | — | — | View |
| 18 |  Metacast | 6.7 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | Free | Yes | — | iOS, Android, web | View |
| 19 |  opencast | 6.7 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | Free | Yes | — | iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Vision; iOS/iPadOS/macOS/visionOS 26 or later | View |
| 20 | Podcast Republic | 6.6 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | Yes | — | web, Android, iOS | View |
| 21 | Castamatic | 6.5 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | Free | Yes | — | iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, CarPlay | View |
| 22 |  Moon FM | 6.4 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | Free | Yes | — | Android, iOS, Mac, PC/Windows | View |
| 23 |  Podcat | 6.4 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | Free | Yes | — | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch | View |
| 24 |  PodLP | 6.3 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | Free | Yes | — | KaiOS, Cloud Phone, Android, JioPhone | View |
| 25 | Podcast Addict | 6.2 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | Yes | — | Android phones, tablets, and Chromebook | View |
Is your platform on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored. They are labelled, and the editorial order and scores never change for payment.
Questions about this list
Which podcast app is ranked first on Inferse?
PinePods is ranked #1 of 55 with a score of 8.5. Apple Podcasts is second and Overcast third.
How many of these have a free plan?
19 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, open and connectable first: a public API, open-source code, the depth of its documentation and a free tier to try it on. Model lists are sorted by the figure in their title, exactly as each provider publishes it. Paid placements never change a rank.