Pocketcasts vs Steno
A comprehensive head-to-head comparison of two leading news & media solutions in 2026. Compare features, pricing, ratings, and more to find the right fit.
Quick Verdict
Choose Pocketcasts if you need Podcast discovery and prefer a free starting option. Choose Steno if you prioritize AI transcription and want plans starting at Contact for pricing. Pocketcasts has a higher user rating (4.7 vs 4.4).
Pocketcasts vs Steno: At a Glance
| Criteria | Pocketcasts | Steno |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | 4.7 | 4.4 |
| Pricing | Free | Contact for pricing |
| Pricing Model | freemium | subscription |
| Free Plan | ||
| Platforms | Ios, Android, Web, Windows, Macos | Web |
| Category | News & Media | News & Media |
| Founded | 2010 | 2020 |
Feature Comparison: Pocketcasts vs Steno
| Feature | Pocketcasts | Steno |
|---|---|---|
| Podcast discovery | ||
| Variable speed playback | ||
| Silence trimming | ||
| Cross-device sync | ||
| Custom filters | ||
| Apple Watch | ||
| Wear OS | ||
| Sonos | ||
| CarPlay | ||
| Android Auto | ||
| Ios support | ||
| Android support | ||
| Web support | ||
| Windows support | ||
| Macos support | ||
| AI transcription | ||
| Broadcast search | ||
| Real-time monitoring | ||
| Clip creation | ||
| Media analysis | ||
| Slack | ||
| API |
Pocketcasts vs Steno: Pricing Breakdown
Pocketcasts Pricing
Model: freemium
- Unlimited podcasts
- Cross-device sync
- Playback effects
- Episode filters
- Desktop apps
- Cloud storage 10GB
- Extra themes
- Folder organization
Steno Pricing
Model: subscription
- Search transcripts
- Clip creation
- Email alerts
- Basic analytics
- All Starter features
- API access
- Team collaboration
- Advanced analytics
- Custom integrations
- Dedicated support
- SLA
- Custom retention
Pros and Cons
Pocketcasts
Pros
- Highly rated by users (4.7/5)
- Free plan available to get started
- Available on 5 platforms (Ios, Android, Web, Windows, Macos)
- Rich feature set with 15+ capabilities
- Strong Podcast discovery functionality
- Strong Variable speed playback functionality
Cons
- May require time to learn advanced features
Steno
Pros
- Highly rated by users (4.4/5)
- Rich feature set with 9+ capabilities
- Strong AI transcription functionality
- Strong Broadcast search functionality
Cons
- No free plan available
- Limited platform support (Web only)
- May require time to learn advanced features
Who Should Use Pocketcasts vs Steno?
Choose Pocketcasts if you:
- Need Podcast discovery
- Want to start for free
- Work primarily on Ios and Android
- Value Variable speed playback
Choose Steno if you:
- Need AI transcription
- Have a budget of Contact for pricing+
- Work primarily on Web
- Value Broadcast search
Frequently Asked Questions: Pocketcasts vs Steno
Is Pocketcasts better than Steno?
It depends on your needs. Pocketcasts has a 4.7/5 user rating while Steno has 4.4/5. Pocketcasts excels in Podcast discovery and Variable speed playback, while Steno stands out with AI transcription and Broadcast search. Consider your budget (Free vs Contact for pricing), platform needs, and specific feature requirements.
Which is cheaper, Pocketcasts or Steno?
Pocketcasts offers a free plan and starts at Free. Steno starts at Contact for pricing. Pocketcasts has a clear pricing advantage with its free tier.
Can I use Pocketcasts and Steno together?
While both are news & media tools, some teams use complementary software together. Check each product's API and integration capabilities for compatibility. However, most users find that one solution covers their core news & media needs.
What are the main differences between Pocketcasts and Steno?
The key differences include: pricing model (freemium vs subscription), platform support (Ios, Android, Web, Windows, Macos vs Web), and feature focus. Pocketcasts emphasizes Podcast discovery, Variable speed playback, Silence trimming while Steno focuses on AI transcription, Broadcast search, Real-time monitoring. User ratings differ slightly: 4.7 vs 4.4 out of 5.
Ready to choose?
Explore detailed reviews, user ratings, and pricing for both Pocketcasts and Steno.