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Podcasting · head to head

Headliner vs Pocketcasts

Headliner logo

Headliner

Podcasting

Create social media content from audio

From
Free
Rated
-
Pocketcasts logo

Pocketcasts

Podcasting

The powerful podcast player for serious listeners

From
Free
Rated
-

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Headliner free plan allows only one unwatermarked audiogram per month; everything else carries a Headliner watermark; Pocketcasts specific pricing for Pocket Casts Plus and Patron tiers not published on website
  • They diverge on capability: Headliner covers Audio to video conversion, Pocketcasts covers Podcast discovery.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Headliner and Pocketcasts actually diverge.

Attributes where Headliner and Pocketcasts differ
AttributeHeadlinerPocketcasts
PlatformsWebIos, Android, Web, Windows, Macos
Founded20172010

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (freemium), 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 Headliner

  • Audio to video conversion
  • Animated waveforms
  • Automatic captions
  • Brand customization
  • Social media optimization
  • Batch processing
  • Podcast platforms
  • Social media

Only in Pocketcasts

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

Both cover

  • Web support

What people use each for

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

Headliner

  • Turning podcast audio into captioned audiogram videos for social medianot Pocketcasts
  • Auto transcribing episodes and burning captions into video clipsnot Pocketcasts
  • Producing branded promotional clips from full length episodesnot Pocketcasts

Pocketcasts

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

Where each one falls short

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

Headliner

  • Free plan allows only one unwatermarked audiogram per month; everything else carries a Headliner watermark
  • Basic plan at $9.99 per month caps unwatermarked audiograms at 10 per month
  • Free and Basic plans cap video length at 10 minutes at 1080p; 2 hour videos require the Pro plan
  • Custom watermarks and unlimited unwatermarked exports require the $25.99 per month Pro plan
  • Video upload storage is capped at 10GB on every plan including Pro

Pocketcasts

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

Pricing, plan by plan

Headliner

Free
  • Forever FreeFree
    • Ad-supported experience
    • Unlimited free video clips
    • Unlimited captioned videos
  • Basic$9.99/month
    • Ad-free experience
    • 10 unwatermarked audiograms/month
    • Unlimited captions (10 min/project)
  • Pro$25.99/month
    • All Basic features
    • Unlimited unwatermarked videos
    • Unlimited transcription

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 Headliner if

  • You need audio to video conversion.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want animated waveforms.

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.

Questions people ask

Is Headliner or Pocketcasts better?
Neither clearly leads. Headliner 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, Headliner or Pocketcasts?
Headliner starts at Free and Pocketcasts at Free.
Does Headliner or Pocketcasts run on more platforms?
Headliner runs on Web. Pocketcasts runs on Ios, Android, Web, Windows, Macos.
Can I use Headliner for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Headliner best used for?
Headliner is most often used for turning podcast audio into captioned audiogram videos for social media, auto transcribing episodes and burning captions into video clips, producing branded promotional clips from full length episodes. Of those, turning podcast audio into captioned audiogram videos for social media and auto transcribing episodes and burning captions into video clips are not what Pocketcasts is typically brought in for.
What can Headliner do that Pocketcasts cannot?
Headliner covers Audio to video conversion, Animated waveforms, Automatic captions, Brand customization. Pocketcasts covers Podcast discovery, Variable speed playback, Silence trimming, Cross-device sync. Both handle Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Headliner: How much does Headliner cost?

Headliner offers Forever Free (ad-supported), Basic at $9.99/month (reduced from $14.99), and Pro at $25.99/month (reduced from $29.99).

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
Headliner: What is included in Headliner Pro?

Headliner Pro at $25.99/month includes unlimited unwatermarked videos, unlimited transcription, unlimited captions, custom watermarks, 1080p up to 2 hours, 4-hour audio files, and priority support.

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
Headliner: Does Headliner offer annual discounts?

Yes, annual billing offers up to 50% savings. Basic plan costs $7.99/month billed yearly, and Pro costs $19.99/month billed yearly.

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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