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Podcasting · head to head

Patreon vs Pocketcasts

Patreon logo

Patreon

Podcasting

Membership platform for creators

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Pocketcasts logo

Pocketcasts

Podcasting

The powerful podcast player for serious listeners

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Patreon takes 10% of the income a creator earns on the platform; Pocketcasts specific pricing for Pocket Casts Plus and Patron tiers not published on website
  • They diverge on capability: Patreon covers Membership tiers, Pocketcasts covers Podcast discovery.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Patreon and Pocketcasts actually diverge.

Attributes where Patreon and Pocketcasts differ
AttributePatreonPocketcasts
Pricing modelusage-basedfreemium
PlatformsWeb, Ios, AndroidIos, Android, Web, Windows, Macos
Founded20132010

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 Patreon

  • Membership tiers
  • Exclusive content
  • Private podcast feeds
  • Community features
  • Analytics
  • Payment processing
  • Discord
  • Podcast apps

Only in Pocketcasts

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

Both cover

  • Web support
  • Ios support
  • Android support

What people use each for

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

Patreon

  • Creator monetizationnot Pocketcasts
  • Content creation platformsnot Pocketcasts
  • Fan support modelsnot Pocketcasts
  • Membership communitiesnot Pocketcasts

Pocketcasts

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

Where each one falls short

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

Patreon

  • Takes 10% of the income a creator earns on the platform
  • Payment processing, currency conversion and payout fees are charged on top of that 10% and are not quantified on the pricing page
  • The total deduction is therefore not calculable from the pricing page alone, and requires reading a separate support article

Pocketcasts

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

Pricing, plan by plan

Patreon

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Patreon review.

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 Patreon if

  • You need membership tiers.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want exclusive content.
Patreon 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 Patreon or Pocketcasts better?
Neither clearly leads. Patreon starts at Free and Pocketcasts at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Patreon or Pocketcasts?
Patreon starts at Free and Pocketcasts at Free.
Does Patreon or Pocketcasts run on more platforms?
Patreon runs on Web, Ios, Android. Pocketcasts runs on Ios, Android, Web, Windows, Macos.
Can I use Patreon for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Patreon best used for?
Patreon is most often used for creator monetization, content creation platforms, fan support models, membership communities. Of those, creator monetization and content creation platforms are not what Pocketcasts is typically brought in for.
What can Patreon do that Pocketcasts cannot?
Patreon covers Membership tiers, Exclusive content, Private podcast feeds, Community features. Pocketcasts covers Podcast discovery, Variable speed playback, Silence trimming, Cross-device sync. Both handle Web support, Ios support, Android support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Patreon: How much does it cost to start a Patreon?

Starting a Patreon is completely free. Creators can share their work immediately without any upfront costs or subscription fees. Patreon only charges when creators begin earning money from supporters on the platform.

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
Patreon: How does Patreon's pricing model work?

Patreon charges a 10% platform fee on all income earned, plus payment processing, currency conversion, and payout fees along with applicable taxes. Creators earn through monthly subscriptions, membership tiers, and one-time payments from supporters, with Patreon handling all payment infrastructure and fraud protection.

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
Patreon: What features are included in all Patreon creator accounts?

All creator accounts include content creation tools for audio, images, video, and livestreaming, plus community features like chats, direct messages, and comments. Creators also get access to analytics, email newsletters, and podcast management capabilities at no additional tier cost beyond the 10% platform fee.

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
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