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Pocketcasts vs Spreaker

Pocketcasts logo

Pocketcasts

Software

The powerful podcast player for serious listeners

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Spreaker logo

Spreaker

Software

Podcast hosting with social network features

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Pocketcasts two paid tiers above the free app: Plus and Patron, but no figures are shown in the fetchable page content; Spreaker free plan allows only one podcast and retains statistics for 6 months
  • They diverge on capability: Pocketcasts covers Podcast discovery, Spreaker covers Podcast hosting.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Pocketcasts and Spreaker actually diverge.

Attributes where Pocketcasts and Spreaker differ
AttributePocketcastsSpreaker
PlatformsIos, Android, Web, Windows, MacosWeb, Ios, Android
Founded20102011

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (freemium), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

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 Pocketcasts

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

Only in Spreaker

  • Podcast hosting
  • Live streaming
  • Social network
  • Distribution
  • Analytics
  • Audio editing
  • All podcast platforms
  • Social media

Both cover

  • Ios support
  • Android support
  • Web support

What people use each for

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

Pocketcasts

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

Spreaker

  • Hosting and distributing podcasts to Spotify, Apple Podcasts and iHeartRadionot Pocketcasts
  • Monetising a show through programmatic ads, listener subscriptions or a supporters clubnot Pocketcasts
  • Running a multi-show podcast network with collaboratorsnot Pocketcasts

Where each one falls short

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

Pocketcasts

  • Two paid tiers above the free app: Plus and Patron, but no figures are shown in the fetchable page content

Spreaker

  • Free plan allows only one podcast and retains statistics for 6 months
  • Spreaker takes a 20 percent fee on Supporters Club listener payments on the free plan, dropping to 0 percent only on the $20 per month Broadcaster plan
  • Subscription monetisation and Apple Podcasts subscriptions require the $20 per month Broadcaster plan
  • Player colour customisation and collaborators require the $50 per month Anchorman plan
  • Selling and managing your own ad campaigns requires the $250 per month Publisher plan
  • Statistics retention is capped at 12 months below the Publisher plan, which extends it to 24 months

Pricing, plan by plan

Pocketcasts

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

Spreaker

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 2 hours storage
    • Basic hosting
    • Social network access
  • Plus$5/month
    • 50 hours storage
    • Full distribution
    • Live streaming

Which should you pick?

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

Choose Spreaker if

  • You need podcast hosting.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want live streaming.
Spreaker review

Questions people ask

Is Pocketcasts or Spreaker better?
Neither clearly leads. Pocketcasts starts at Free and Spreaker at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Pocketcasts or Spreaker?
Pocketcasts starts at Free and Spreaker at Free.
Does Pocketcasts or Spreaker run on more platforms?
Pocketcasts runs on Ios, Android, Web, Windows, Macos. Spreaker runs on Web, Ios, Android.
Can I use Pocketcasts for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Pocketcasts best used for?
Pocketcasts is most often used for podcast listening, audio content consumption, learning on the go. Of those, podcast listening and audio content consumption are not what Spreaker is typically brought in for.
What can Pocketcasts do that Spreaker cannot?
Pocketcasts covers Podcast discovery, Variable speed playback, Silence trimming, Cross-device sync. Spreaker covers Podcast hosting, Live streaming, Social network, Distribution. Both handle Ios support, Android support, Web support.
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