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Podcasting · head to head

Fireside vs Podcast Addict

Fireside logo

Fireside

Podcasting

Podcast hosting with community features

From
$20/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Podcast Addict logo

Podcast Addict

Podcasting

The most popular podcast app on Android

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Podcast Addict has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Fireside starter plan at $9 per month allows one podcast and 5 episodes per month; Podcast Addict android-only, no iOS app available
  • They diverge on capability: Fireside covers Unlimited hosting, Podcast Addict covers Podcast discovery.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Fireside and Podcast Addict actually diverge.

Attributes where Fireside and Podcast Addict differ
AttributeFiresidePodcast Addict
Starting price$20/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWebAndroid
Founded20182011

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

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 Fireside

  • Unlimited hosting
  • Community features
  • Distribution
  • Analytics
  • Listener engagement
  • Monetization
  • All podcast platforms
  • Email services

Only in Podcast Addict

  • Podcast discovery
  • Playlist management
  • Variable playback speed
  • Sleep timer
  • OPML import/export
  • Android Auto
  • Chromecast
  • Wear OS

What people use each for

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

Fireside

  • Hosting a podcast together with a customisable podcast websitenot Podcast Addict
  • Running several shows as a podcast network from one accountnot Podcast Addict
  • Tracking episode download metrics and link clicksnot Podcast Addict

Podcast Addict

  • Podcast listeningnot Fireside
  • Podcast discoverynot Fireside
  • Offline playbacknot Fireside

Where each one falls short

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

Fireside

  • Starter plan at $9 per month allows one podcast and 5 episodes per month
  • Custom domain with SSL requires the $19 per month Standard plan; Starter sites sit on a Fireside subdomain
  • Additional podcasts beyond the one included on Standard cost $8 per month each
  • Bandwidth is capped at 1TB per month on Standard and 5TB per month on Professional
  • Advanced download metrics and click tracking require the $49 per month Professional plan

Podcast Addict

  • Android-only, no iOS app available
  • Free version displays ads from external networks that redirect away from the app
  • No cross-device synchronization or cloud backup of listening progress

Pricing, plan by plan

Fireside

$20/month
  • Creator$20/month
    • Unlimited hosting
    • Community features
    • Distribution
  • Network$50/month
    • Multiple shows
    • Team management
    • Advanced analytics

Podcast Addict

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Unlimited podcasts
    • All features
    • Ad-supported
  • Premium$2.99/one-time
    • Ad-free experience
    • Support development
    • All features

Which should you pick?

Choose Fireside if

  • You need unlimited hosting.
  • You also want community features.
Fireside review

Choose Podcast Addict if

  • You need podcast discovery.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Android.
  • You also want playlist management.
Podcast Addict review

Questions people ask

Is Fireside or Podcast Addict better?
Neither clearly leads. Fireside starts at $20/month and Podcast Addict at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Fireside or Podcast Addict?
Podcast Addict has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $20/month for Fireside and Free for Podcast Addict.
Does Fireside or Podcast Addict run on more platforms?
Fireside runs on Web. Podcast Addict runs on Android.
Can I use Podcast Addict for free?
Yes. Podcast Addict has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Fireside starts at $20/month.
What is Fireside best used for?
Fireside is most often used for hosting a podcast together with a customisable podcast website, running several shows as a podcast network from one account, tracking episode download metrics and link clicks. Of those, hosting a podcast together with a customisable podcast website and running several shows as a podcast network from one account are not what Podcast Addict is typically brought in for.
What can Fireside do that Podcast Addict cannot?
Fireside covers Unlimited hosting, Community features, Distribution, Analytics. Podcast Addict covers Podcast discovery, Playlist management, Variable playback speed, Sleep timer.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Podcast Addict: Is Podcast Addict available for iOS?

No. Podcast Addict is Android-exclusive and has no iOS version. Users with Apple devices must use alternatives like Apple Podcasts or PocketCasts.

Source
Podcast Addict: Does Podcast Addict work offline?

Yes. You can download episodes and listen to them without an internet connection. The app defaults to WiFi-only downloading to conserve data.

Source
Podcast Addict: Can I import my podcasts from another app?

Yes. Podcast Addict supports OPML file import, allowing you to easily transfer your podcast subscriptions from apps like iTunes or other podcast players.

Source
Podcast Addict: Is Podcast Addict completely free?

The free version is ad-supported with ads from external networks. A Premium tier is available for $0.99 per month or $9.99 per year to remove ads.

Source
Podcast Addict: What playback features does Podcast Addict offer?

Podcast Addict offers customizable playback speed (0.8X to 5.0X), volume boost, silence skipping, mono audio conversion, and individual podcast-level preferences.

Source
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