Softwr

Entertainment · head to head

Audible vs Pocketcasts

Audible logo

Audible

Entertainment

Audiobooks as you've never experienced them

From
$7.95/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Pocketcasts logo

Pocketcasts

Podcasting

The powerful podcast player for serious listeners

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Pocketcasts has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Audible auto renews monthly and must be cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current membership period, per the App Store listing; Pocketcasts specific pricing for Pocket Casts Plus and Patron tiers not published on website
  • They diverge on capability: Audible covers Audiobooks, Pocketcasts covers Podcast discovery.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Audible and Pocketcasts actually diverge.

Attributes where Audible and Pocketcasts differ
AttributeAudiblePocketcasts
Starting price$7.95/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsIos, Android, Desktop, KindleIos, Android, Web, Windows, Macos
CategoryEntertainmentPodcasting
Founded19952010

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Audible

  • Audiobooks
  • Podcasts
  • Originals
  • Offline listening
  • Amazon Echo
  • Kindle
  • Family library
  • Account security

Only in Pocketcasts

  • Podcast discovery
  • Variable speed playback
  • Silence trimming
  • Cross-device sync
  • Custom filters
  • Wear OS
  • Sonos
  • CarPlay

Both cover

  • Apple Watch
  • Ios support
  • Android support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Audible

  • Audiobook listeningnot Pocketcasts
  • Podcast consumptionnot Pocketcasts

Pocketcasts

  • Podcast listeningnot Audible
  • Audio content consumptionnot Audible
  • Learning on the gonot Audible

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Audible

  • Auto renews monthly and must be cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current membership period, per the App Store listing
  • Renewal is charged at the rate of the selected plan within 24 hours before the end of each membership period, per the App Store listing

Pocketcasts

  • Specific pricing for Pocket Casts Plus and Patron tiers not published on website
  • Free tier features not clearly delineated

Pricing, plan by plan

Audible

$7.95/month
  • Plus$7.95/month
    • Plus catalog
    • Podcasts
  • Premium Plus$14.95/month
    • 1 credit/month
    • Plus catalog

Pocketcasts

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Unlimited podcasts
    • Cross-device sync
    • Playback effects
  • Plus$39.99/year
    • Desktop apps
    • Cloud storage 10GB
    • Extra themes

Which should you pick?

Choose Audible if

  • You need audiobooks.
  • You work on Ios, Android, Desktop, Kindle.
  • You also want podcasts.
Audible review

Choose Pocketcasts if

  • You need podcast discovery.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Ios, Android, Web, Windows, Macos.
  • You also want variable speed playback.
Pocketcasts review

Questions people ask

Is Audible or Pocketcasts better?
Neither clearly leads. Audible starts at $7.95/month and Pocketcasts at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Audible or Pocketcasts?
Pocketcasts has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $7.95/month for Audible and Free for Pocketcasts.
Does Audible or Pocketcasts run on more platforms?
Audible runs on Ios, Android, Desktop, Kindle. Pocketcasts runs on Ios, Android, Web, Windows, Macos.
Can I use Pocketcasts for free?
Yes. Pocketcasts has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Audible starts at $7.95/month.
What is Audible best used for?
Audible is most often used for audiobook listening, podcast consumption. Of those, audiobook listening and podcast consumption are not what Pocketcasts is typically brought in for.
What can Audible do that Pocketcasts cannot?
Audible covers Audiobooks, Podcasts, Originals, Offline listening. Pocketcasts covers Podcast discovery, Variable speed playback, Silence trimming, Cross-device sync. Both handle Apple Watch, Ios support, Android support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Audible: What are the pricing plans for Audible?

Audible offers two subscription plans: Audible Standard at $8.99 per month and Audible Premium Plus at $14.95 per month. Both plans include a 30-day free trial for new members.

Source
Pocketcasts: How much does Pocket Casts cost?

Pocket Casts offers a free version described as 'the world's most powerful podcast platform, now available for free.' Premium tiers like Pocket Casts Plus and Pocket Casts Patron are available, but specific pricing is not disclosed on the main website.

Source
Audible: How does the Audible free trial work?

Eligible new members can sign up for a 30-day free trial and enjoy the same benefits as paying members. When your trial ends, you are automatically charged the monthly subscription fee, but you can cancel anytime.

Source
Pocketcasts: Is there a free version of Pocket Casts?

Yes, Pocket Casts offers a free tier with 'next-level listening, search and discovery tools' and access to curated podcast recommendations. Premium features require upgrading to Plus or Patron plans.

Source
Audible: What is included with Audible Standard vs. Premium Plus?

Audible Standard gives you 1 audiobook per month. Audible Premium Plus includes 1 credit per month, access to thousands of included titles in the all-you-can-listen catalog, and access to member-only sales and exclusive discounts. Audiobooks purchased with credits are yours to keep forever.

Source
Pocketcasts: What premium features does Pocket Casts Plus include?

Pocket Casts Plus includes wearable app access, folders for podcast organization, Up Next Shuffle, bookmarks, cloud storage, and themes with custom icons. Specific pricing for this tier is not published on the website.

Source
Audible: Can I cancel my Audible subscription anytime?

Yes, there are no commitments. You can easily cancel your membership at anytime, and all audiobooks purchased with credits remain yours forever.

Source
Share

Related pages

More on Audible

More on Pocketcasts

Keep looking

Other head to heads